Sagas of My Life By Thor Leifson

Military Experiences

(although he was not a black man), had been bad-mouthing if he was tired enough, he’d think twice before trying to run
me all morning since we had been dropped off in this on me again. Another stranger paradox was that when we
location by a military police vehicle. He was exchanged returned at noon to the prison, my cooperating prisoner
for another prisoner. I suppose I may have been too kind reported to the Prison Director, who was an enormous, red-
to them, allowing them to smoke and giving them a couple headed, Staff Sergeant, that Blackie had tried to escape from
of extra trips to a drinking fountain. I later decided it was me. Strangely enough it was I who got a severe “bawling
because of this that Blackie thought I might be a soft touch, out” by this Master Sergeant for not shooting his trouble-
and earlier he had sort of challenged me by telling me he making prisoner! And the way the sergeant shouted at me,
didn’t think I had the guts to shoot him, if he did decide to it was obvious he really meant it. I honestly felt that he was a
take off on me. I told him he could quickly find out if he meaner man than Blackie.
wanted to risk it. It was soon after this, he decided to test
me and so he suddenly started to run for the end of the Another scary experience while in the military was an
warehouse. There was a thick forest around on the other auto accident I was involved in at Ft. Bragg with two of my
side and I knew, if he made it to the end of the building, buddies. Hank Venslowsky and another friend of his, whose
he could easily escape for sure. He seemed to know that name was Campbell, as I recall, came by one Saturday with
as well. The policy of this particular military prison where a car Hank had borrowed from another friend of his and
these men were incarcerated was that if any chaser allowed he invited me to go swimming with them at a lake at the
a prisoner to escape from him, the chaser automatically far end of our large army base. Campbell was driving when
served out the man’s remaining time. The other prisoner they picked me up and we then drove out to this beautiful
I had, as a matter of fact, was actually doing just that. lake. After enjoying ourselves for a couple of hours, it was
A prisoner had gotten away from him just a few weeks time to return and Hank decided he should drive. It was a
previous to this. He had warned me earlier that Blackie was really jerky beginning as we started out, but I assumed that
planning to make a break and he assured me he would do Hank was just fooling around. I was alone in the back seat
whatever he could to help me. I certainly didn’t want to and soon stretched out to rest. Hank got going faster and
shoot the fleeing man, but I wanted even less to serve out faster, apparently panicked at the wheel, then overcorrected
his long term. There was very little time for a decision, but, on a turn in the dirt road, and the next thing we knew we
knowing in advance that this might happen, I had made up were flying and turning in the air! The last thing I recall
my mind I would shoot for his legs. I quickly shouted “halt,” seeing through the front windshield was a really big pine
the required three times, and at the same time, slamming a tree straight ahead of us as we started to go airborne, but
shell into the chamber of my rifle, I swung it to my shoulder. we obviously missed it as we flipped and turned. Those
Sighting along the barrel of the rifle, I was so relieved to see who examined the accident afterwards claimed the car
Blackie standing with his arms high in the air near the end had rolled four complete times before landing back on its
of the building. At the sound of the shell slamming into wheels. Hank, who came from the inner city of Chicago,
the chamber of the rifle, he had obviously decided I really later admitted that this was the first time he had ever driven
did mean business. That was without question one of the a car. It was a really strange accident, for we were all thrown
most frightening and unforgettable experiences of my life. out of the car and the doors of the auto were smashed flat
An interesting paradox to this is that afterwards I felt almost against the car frame, yet none of us was very seriously hurt.
mad enough to shoot him for his scaring me so badly. I did I don’t have any idea how long we were all unconscious, but
get back at Blackie following this incident by running him I was the first to come to and at first thought surely I was
in circles for about an hour until he begged for mercy. I felt blind for I couldn’t see. Then I realized there was a thick
layer of dust behind my glasses, which, strangely enough,

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had stayed on during all the slamming our bodies, had to across the bay. Because of this health problem, I missed
have endured. All of us had cuts and bruises, but no broken much of the assignment I had come for, which made me
bones. I couldn’t help but feel this was truly a miraculous feel very disappointed.
thing that we were all able to live through such a devastating
accident. Although it was already a wreck of a car even Two of my closest buddies were with me in New York at
before the accident, we all chipped in money to replace it. this time, Dan Keith and Dan Morgan. They were both
from Greenwich, Connecticut, a city located only about
Among the most interesting of my military experiences was 20 miles or so north of New York City, so they knew no
a three-month’s special duty assignment in New York City end of interesting things around the city to show me. We
late in 1947 just a few months before my discharge. They especially enjoyed the free tickets given to servicemen for
tested a large group of us, and from those a relatively smaller the theatricals, radio and musical shows, etc. We also took
group was selected and trained over a few weeks’ time in museums, the Empire State Building, China Town and
before we were put on a train for the Big Apple. There was many other interesting sights. Although Dan Morgan had
about an equal number of officers and enlisted men. We invited me to his home before, we were again able to visit
were stationed at the Brooklyn Army Base on about 59th with his family while on duty in New York. His mother
Street. We had quite a lot of free time while there, so we was such a lovely lady and also a really strong Catholic, yet
were able to see a lot of the fascinating sights in and around she treated me very kindly and asked a lot of reasonable
New York City. and very penetrating questions about Mormonism. I don’t
think I was able to give her very good information but, after
It was while here that I had an appendicitis attack and spent my conversations with her, I was all the more determined to
two or three weeks in a military hospital on Governor’s serve a mission one day. Many years later, in the late 1970’s,
Island. I was really relieved that the problem passed without I tried to relocate the Morgan family while passing through
my needing surgery, but they kept me on a liquid diet for so Greenwich, but was unable to find them in the limited time
long that I thought surely I would starve to death. I spent I had while there.
much of my time in a lounge chair on a sun porch reading
or just watching the large ships steaming in and out of the Another interesting experience I had with Dan Morgan and
harbor between my vista point and the Statue of Liberty Dan Keith (besides the long standing joke between us about

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there being a hitching post for horses in front of the Post home about my coming on leave. I well remember getting
Office in Spanish Fork - which there actually was into the off the bus at the World Drug corner in Spanish Fork. I was
late 1940’s), happened while the three of us were traveling dressed in civilian clothes as was usual when away from the
by train between Ft. Bragg and Greenwich to visit with their army base. I decided to leave my bag at the bus station and
families while we were on a short leave. After entering a train come back later in a car to pick it up. As I walked south along
compartment, Dan Morgan and I sat on one side and Dan Main Street and reached the middle of that first block, Bro.
Keith took the seat facing us next to a very distinguished Vic Robertson came rushing out of his drugstore towards
looking gentleman who was reading a book. After the three me. He had been my Sunday School teacher for some time
of us had chatted about army subjects for some time, the prior to my leaving in the service and I just knew that he had,
gentleman put down his book and then looking right at me no doubt, had a very difficult time without me in his class
he asked, “Say, young man, what’s a boy from the mountain these past few months. I felt this way because it seemed that
west doing with these two young men who are obviously when no one else would respond to his questions, he would
from Connecticut?” I immediately tried to think if I had always turn to me for a sure answer - or at least this is what
been talking about home to have given this man a clue about I had thought. What happened next with Bro. Robertson
my origin. But I felt certain I had not mentioned anything deflated me like nothing ever before or since. He seemed
about my Western upbringing with my two friends since so pleased to see me and after wrapping an arm around my
boarding the train. He then continued to tell me that my shoulders, he said, “Thor, my boy, I sincerely hope I haven’t
speech patterns indicated I was probably from the Denver done anything to have offended you, but I haven’t seen you
area of the mountain west. My two buddies really kidded me in my class for the past three or four weeks!” At first I really
then, telling the gentleman that I was just a cowboy and that thought he was kidding, for surely he had to know that I had
indeed I was from that general area of the west. As it turned been gone for months; but, as I studied his face, I could see
out, this man was an expert on dialects and languages and he was dead serious and apparently had concerns that I had
each time since then when I’ve seen the play “My Fair Lady,” become somewhat inactive. It was then I shockingly realized
I’ve thought how much this man was like Mr. Doolittle in that I, who had thought his class could hardly function
that play and/or movie. The man claimed he could pinpoint without me, had in reality not been that important at all
within 100 miles the area where almost any person was born for its success. He and the class had seemingly gotten along
and raised. I was next quite happily surprised when he came just fine without my presence, in fact, had apparently hardly
to my defense, putting my good buddies in their place by missed me at all. After having spent several months in his
stating that the best “Standard English” actually came from class, this was by far the best lesson he ever taught me. Now,
the Denver/Salt Lake City area of our country. ever since this experience, whenever I catch myself feeling
a bit “inflated,” I try to remind myself how very effectively I
Speaking of military leaves or furloughs, I should relate a was at one time “deflated,” hopefully to my eternal benefit.
great lesson I learned during the first furlough home after I remember mumbling to Brother Robertson that I had
being gone for several months. With my youthful and actually not skipped his class but that I was now in the
greatly enlarged ego, I decided I’d really make the folks back military service. Then he sort of half way apologized and
home suffer and not take a leave right after basic, which we said, “Oh, yes, I seem to remember someone telling me that,
were permitted to do, but that I would go directly into my Thor.” His assistant then called from the door of his store
parachute training and hold off until some months later to and he was gone. For that first half block after leaving the
return home. So, after completing the additional training, bus stop, I had walked very proudly with my head held high
I arranged to take my first furlough back home. I decided I expecting to be seen and greeted by many of my friends and
would surprise my folks and not say anything to anyone at

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acquaintances. Now, I humbly trudged along Main until other time in my life, and the many interchanges with the
I reached Center Street and turned eastward for a couple other soldiers, who were generally top quality young men,
of blocks, not really wanting to see anyone until I reached gave me a feeling of confidence to be able to meet and
home. At least here, I felt certain, I would be warmly compete with other good men in the future. One of the
welcomed and made to feel that I had been sorely missed most beneficial results of my military time was to obtain
after being away such a long time. But to my further surprise the financial assistance from the GI Bill to help me through
and chagrin, there was no one at home and all the doors college. I’m quite certain that my father, who had ten
were locked! A neighbor informed me that my folks were children to support, was grateful that I was able to pay my
expected to return later that evening. So then, I dejectedly own university expenses. Then too, I made extra money as a
sat on the cold, concrete steps of the back porch and had paratrooper so I was able to put aside a fairly good amount
time to do some somber and serious reflecting while into a savings account. As mentioned previously, this helped
awaiting the return of my family. I actually learned two very to finance the construction of my first home. This was also
important lessons from this experience. The main one was my first real estate venture, and at age twenty-one it gave me
that life can and does go on quite well with or without any an excellent early beginning in the real estate field that has
individual, and the second was that life can be much better proven so helpful in the subsequent real estate transactions
for you and every one else if you communicate freely and with which I have since been involved.
let others know of your plans and intentions.
So, in summary, regarding my military service, I must add
Overall I felt very good about my experiences in the U.S. that I feel very positive about this experience at that time in
military. Many looked upon their service time as quite a my life, for I strongly believe it aided greatly in my transition
waste, but I felt it was time well spent, for the most part. from boy-hood into manhood and helped even more in
I was certainly in better physical condition than at any establishing a solid foundation for my future life.

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104

Chapter 6

CHURCH MISSIONS

Sagas of My Life

CHURCH MISSIONS

Serving missions for the Church has been a longstanding Rawsel Sprague Bradford, served a three year mission
tradition in our family since the earliest of our ancestors to the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii) after he was married
joined the LDS faith. Great-grandfather Sylvester and had five small children as well. Then, interestingly
Bradford, who crossed the plains as a young boy with enough, my own father, J. Victor Leifson, followed the
the first pioneer company in 1847, served a mission same pattern, leaving his wife and three young children
to Great Britain after he was married and had several at home while he served a short-term Western States
children. Years later his son, who was my grandfather mission, mostly in Nebraska, in 1926-27. With this
background of mission experiences, it should have
been no real surprise when I too was called to serve a
mission to Europe in 1962 after I was married with
three small children and my wife Loyce expecting our
fourth child. The main difference with my situation,
however, was that I was able to take my family with me
during this somewhat challenging assignment. Actually,
this mission in 1962 was not my first, so I should start
at the beginning and tell some of the more outstanding
experiences that I have had during each of the missions I
have served to the present time. There may even be one
more in the future because we were asked to consider yet
another mission in Europe to supervise the construction

of a new temple that is to be built in Paris, France.

First Mission - 1951/53

Because I had served in the military right after graduating
from high School and then took some time to build a
duplex home, which I rented out to support myself on
my mission, I was about three years older than most of
the other missionaries when I left on my first mission as
a young Elder. While building my home during 1949-50,
I attended the Brigham Young University, through my

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GI Bill benefits program, doing undergraduate studies. supervised as they are today. And I was just thinking how
My mission call to serve in the French Mission was today a missionary would never be asked to serve without
actually issued on October 3, 1950, at which time I was a companion, as I did the last few months of my mission.
directed to report at the Mission Home in Salt Lake City Both mission presidents I served with during that time
on February 19, 1951. President George Albert Smith, most assuredly had to have had a great deal of faith and
who was the eighth president of the Church, signed confidence in me. I was responsible for three fourths
my mission call. During all of my earlier years Heber J. of the mission (President over three districts from the
Grant served as president of the Church, so there were German border to the Spanish border) together with other
only six LDS presidents before I was born. Shortly after assignments, and traveled by myself almost constantly
receiving my mission call, I was given a patriarchal during the last few months of my mission.
blessing by Patriarch H. Eugene Hughes. This has always
been a special anchor and guide throughout my entire Anyway, because it revealed my immaturity and other
life. A copy of this blessing is contained in the Appendix weaknesses, I was tempted to destroy my old journal,
section of this history but then concluded that there was more good than
bad in it so decided to keep it. My big regret is that I
In thinking of what I should include in telling about wasn’t as diligent as I should have been in writing at
my first mission, I decided to reread my old missionary least every week. I see that sometimes I would make
journal and then select a few experiences that I felt might entries almost every day and then sometimes go for
be of some interest to my descendants who may take the weeks without writing. After rereading my journal, I
time to read this personal history in the future. It has been can think of some things that I should have included,
especially interesting to peruse this journal and note how it and wonder why I overlooked them at the time.
reveals a number of things about my personality as well as In any case, I will now select a few of the many fine
writing skills (or lack thereof ), immaturity, etc. It certainly experiences of my mission and discuss them hereafter.
became evident to me that I was not as well prepared as I
should have been to be an effective missionary. Sometime prior to reporting to the Mission Home, I was
interviewed by Apostle Joseph F. Merrill of the Quorum
I suppose, however, that this is generally the case with most of the Twelve. In those earlier years each prospective
young men who are called in their late teens or early 20’s. missionary had to undergo a rigorous interrogation by an
Actually, as explained above, I was older than most of the Apostle. I recall his grilling me at length, for he felt that
other missionaries because of my military duty, so I should anyone who had been in the military paratroops must
have been more mature than most of the others. But I now surely have committed some serious sins for which he
see that I sort of went along with the pattern set by my needed to repent before serving a mission. I just couldn’t
senior companions. For example, in reading my journal, I think of anything serious enough to seem to satisfy him,
see we attended a lot of movies in the evenings when we but he finally shook his head and signed off on me. Then
didn’t have cottage meetings. My senior companions would on Feb. 23, 1951, I was set apart as a missionary by Elder
often say that this was a good way to learn the language, and Milton R. Hunter. The Missionary Training School in
perhaps there was some merit in that, but I think a really those years lasted only for about one week. At that time
mature person could have found more productive things the Mission Home was located in the middle of the block
to do. I hope anyone who might read my old journal will northeast of the old Hotel Utah (now Joseph Smith
realize that missionary life today is very different than in Memorial Building).
my time. Missionaries then were certainly not as closely

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While in the Mission Home, on Feb. 22, 1951, I was nearly as comfortable then as they are today but we had a
privileged to go through the Salt Lake Temple for my fairly good journey to New York City.
own endowments. I was very impressed by the people
taking the different parts in the ceremonies. The Salt We were more than two days on the train, and arrived in
Lake Temple is still one of only two temples that do live New York on March 6th. After checking into the Hotel
performances and those taking the various parts were so McAlphin, the French missionaries imposed upon me
professional that it made a very profound impression on to give them a tour of the city since I had spent time there
me at the time. I recall that a Bro. Lynn McKinley (I’m while in the military and knew my way around better than
quite sure that was his name) did the principle role and anyone else in our group. So, we spent the rest of the day
he truly looked the part as well as spoke with such power seeing some of the sights of “the Big Apple!” We visited the
and eloquence, I’ve never since seen his equal in temple Mission Home in Upper Manhattan, spent time in Central
services since then. Park, etc., then in the evening the three sisters wanted to see
a Broadway play to which I accompanied them.
On March 3, 1951, quite a large group of us left Salt Lake
City on a 5:45pm Union Pacific train for New York City. Our ship, the S.S. Washington, sailed past the Statue of
I had ridden that same route before so this was not a new Liberty in the New York Harbor shortly after noon on
experience for me. There were six of us going to the French March 7th, 1951 scheduled for stops in Ireland, England
Mission, three sisters and three Elders. The other French and then on to France. After a few days of seasickness, it
missionaries besides me were Elders Taylor and Miles was interesting and also a relief for me when we pulled
and Sisters Robinson, Jensen and LeSeur. Trains were not into Cobb, Ireland on March 14th and saw the beautiful,

MTC Group - February 20, 1951

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green hills of Ireland in the early spring. Then we stopped My various assignments included serving as Branch
even longer at Southampton, England the next day, President in Orleans, District President in Bordeaux and
March 15th. This port city seemed very drab with a great then during the last few months I served as President over
deal of bomb rubble from the recent war. A couple of the three districts: Paris, Strasbourg and Bordeaux. During
Elders and I decided to travel to Winchester to see a bit the final few months I also served as a special assistant to
of the English countryside and visit the old 1000 year old both President Golden L. Woolf and President Harold W.
cathedral. It was a delightful day and I resolved I had to Lee. Other parts of this assignment were being responsible
come back to England some day to visit the land of my for the various U.S. military groups throughout my areas,
maternal grandparents. supervising the missionaries in the three districts and also
I was to visit the many scattered members living in cities,
Finally, on March 15th we landed at Le Havre, France! It was which had no regular missionaries nearby. I was given an
interesting to reread in my journal of my first impressions office in the Mission Home in Paris, but spent practically all
of this lovely land in which I was to spend the next 2 1/2 of my time traveling in an attempt to accomplish this very
years. At that time I couldn’t help but notice that their trains, challenging task. As I think back on this rather complex
autos and even the people seemed much smaller than assignment, it seems quite strange that a number of times
in America. Their buildings were mostly very old, stone in my life I have been asked to do almost impossible
structures with red tile roofs and generally in a very poor duties similar to this. And even though I have recognized
state of repair, primarily because there had been so much that it seemed impossible to adequately accomplish these
costly damage during the war just a few years earlier. The heavy and demanding tasks, I have usually accepted to do
streets were mostly cobblestone and the street cleaners used the best I could and not let such responsibilities weigh
long handled, bushy brooms. Everything seemed quite old too heavily on my mind. As I simply plowed ahead with a
and antiquated. However, the fields were so neatly cared for cheery disposition, no one seems to have complained or
and every inch of space was well utilized, even in the corners found fault with my efforts, even though I’m confident at
of fields. I soon learned to love almost everything about this times I was unable to adequately fulfill the assignments.
fascinating country and especially to love the people. They This certainly was the case during these final few months
were generally so appreciative of the Americans because of of this mission.
the help we rendered to them in the two great wars fought
on their soil during the twentieth century. This greatly helped During my mission I served with two wonderful and
those of us trying to share the Gospel with them. However, outstanding men as Mission Presidents: Golden L. Woolf
they were generally more interested in us as Americans than and Harold W. Lee. I was privileged to work with nine
as missionaries. I don’t ever recall a “door being slammed in different companions: Robert N. Arbon of Los Angeles;
my face,” as so many missionaries encountered in other lands. Brian Leese of England & Salt Lake City; Paul LeFevre
French people were seldom interested in listening to what we of SLC; Vede Gilchrist of Raymond, Canada; Clarence
had to share about the Church, but they were almost without Jolley of Tropic, Utah; Irvin Bird of Tooele, Utah; Harlow
exception very civil and polite, or at least to me they were. Ellis of Los Angeles; Frank Cammins of SLC; and Don
Ballif of Logan, Utah. After having so many companions,
After a few days in Paris awaiting my first assignment, I recall one time asking Pres. Woolf why he had given me
I was sent to the delightful, little city of Nancy in the so many different ones over my mission. He paid me a fine
Alsace-Lorraine region of northeastern France. Other compliment by telling me he knew I would be able to help
cities I would later work in included Orleans, Bordeaux the “old timers” to become more productive and that I
and Paris, where I completed my missionary activities. would properly train the new Elders as they were initiated

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into missionary work. Strangely enough, I have had very (translator of the Book of Mormon into French), Soeur
little contact with former companions since my mission Jeanne Tujaque (whom I baptized), Pulsiphers and Larsens
except for Vede Gilchrist who served for some time as the (military), from near Bx.; the Roux family of Angouleme;
Recorder in the Cardston, Canada Temple. Trevisan family of Perigueux and finally my good Basque
friend, Mr. Lacanel, of Cambo les Bains which is not far
Some of the families or persons whom I remember teaching from Biarritz near the Spanish border. These are but a few
or working with: Arnauds, Fautrets and Claude George of the many great people I was blessed to know and to work
(whom I baptized) of Nancy; Schneiders (whom we were with. Many of these folks were a real inspiration to me in
unable to baptize) of Dombasle, near Nancy; Kaysers these young formative years.
of Strasbourg; DeBruins of Verdun; Picards, Jeanne
Pottier (young girl I taught and who sent me a wonderful One of the highlights of this mission was a conference held
letter of thanks after I went on to Bordeaux), Chausards in Paris on July 12 and 13, 1952 when President David
(French military), Mack & Romagene Christensen and O. McKay visited. I was serving in Orleans at the time
Marden Young (U.S. Military), and Soeur Gaulier of and I remember we gathered a number of our members
Orleans; Tabaults (whom we rented from), Soeur Oswald together and took the train into Paris. It was a glorious

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time and an inspirational conference. The best part of all of the tremendous numbers of baptisms per missionary in
was shaking Pres. McKay’s hand and chatting with him for some other missions, I couldn’t help but feel that I really hadn’t
a few moments. I know that all of our prophets have been been very successful. Neither of the converts I had baptized
just right for their particular times, but President McKay seemed all that strong in the faith. And yet, I had to acknowledge
seemed, to me, to be the perfect prototype of what one that I shouldn’t have felt too discouraged for many French
would expect a prophet to be in every respect. missionaries had no baptisms at all after 2 1/2 years of hard
work. Still, it was only after several years had passed that I began
During the more than 2 1/2 years I was in France, my to realize perhaps I had accomplished more than I originally
companions and I visited many very interesting places thought. It was about ten years after my mission when I became
throughout our mission. There were far fewer restrictions aware that the best convert or person I helped bring into the
on missionaries in those days. For example, we were Church actually joined months after my companions and I
allowed to do such things as swim and to travel into had struggled with him, concluding he would never give our
Switzerland to exchange our monthly checks and do a few message a fair hearing.
other things, which I’m quite sure would not be allowed
today. Some of the more interesting things and places we Soon after I arrived in the mission, my companion (Bob
visited were: the fascinating sights of Paris; the chateaux or Arbon) and I, while tracting in a multi-level apartment
castles in the Loire Valley; cathedrals in the cities of Paris, building, met a wonderful family, Mr. & Mme. Jean Arnaud
Tour, Reams, Strasbourg, etc.; the prehistoric caves near and their daughter Jeanine. The mother and daughter were
Perigeux (we rode our bikes about 60 miles that day!); the quite receptive from the very beginning but the father
lamentable yet beautifully maintained American military wanted nothing to do with our message or us. Jeanine and
cemeteries in several areas of the country, such as the one her lovely mother were so pleasant and agreeable, always
at Verdun (although there were gruesome sights in its welcoming us warmly. On the other hand, Jean, the tall,
mausoleum); the Germanesque cities of Alsace-Lorraine, handsome, athletic looking father would not join in our
especially Strasbourg with stork nests on many of the discussions. He did stay in an adjoining room, however,
chimneys; the picturesque areas along the Rhine into so I think he was listening to some of what was being said.
Switzerland, where we cashed checks and tasted delicious During the first few visits, I was unable to understand much
ice cream (obviously, the French, at that time, still used of what my companion was teaching, so one day I brought
most of their best cream for their world-famous cheeses); along a French grammar book to study, but I soon found
the charming Basques areas of the Pyrenees Mountains, it hard to stay awake as my companion went on with his
including the Catholic shrine at Lourdes (a really puzzling lesson material. Then suddenly, I was jolted wide awake
place with its extensive, unsightly commercialism); the with a prompting that I should go to the door between the
pageantry of grisly bull fights in the south of France and adjoining rooms and boldly ask Mr. Arnaud to help me with
into Spain; the beauty of Biarritz on the Atlantic coast my French studies. He hesitated at first, but then seemed to
near the Spanish border which I found more attractive accept this as a novel idea. From the very first he delighted
than Nice or Cannes on the Mediterranean; and many in teaching me his language. During the ensuing weeks he
other places simply too numerous to list. often laughed heartily at my goofs and mispronunciations
and I felt we were probably distracting those in the adjoining
I truly enjoyed my missionary experiences and tried hard to do room, but they didn’t seem to mind. The good thing about
the work as I felt the Lord would want it done. However, near it was that during this process, Jean and I developed a very
the end of my mission and after receiving letters from friends warm friendship.
who labored in places like California and after reading reports

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Then sometime later we enjoyed a delightful picnic outing chapel, I noticed there was a tall, fine looking man at the
in the countryside near Nancy, which the Arnaud family pulpit, but I paid little attention to him for I was more
attended. After we had played some games and enjoyed our concerned about slipping into some empty seats on
picnic lunch, we noticed there were some fine looking horses in the back row as inconspicuously as possible since the
an adjoining field. As we were admiring them, my companion meeting was already underway. However, before I was
told Jean that I had been a cowboy in years past. He was really even able to sit down, this Brother at the pulpit shouted
amused at that and began teasing and challenging me to catch out my name, ran down the aisle, literally lifted me off
and ride one of the horses to prove to him that I really had been my feet and gave me another of his famous bear hugs
a cowboy. I finally relented and, after some work, was able to that only Jean Arnaud could give! After my mission and
run one of the horses into a corner of the fencing and jump on many changes of addresses, I had lost contact with the
his back. The horse had looked rather tame, but to everyone’s Arnaud family and I was not even aware that Jean had
surprise, what followed was a real bronc-riding rodeo! I was kept his promise to read the Book of Mormon that I
finally able to roll off without being hurt and Jean and the had given him and then joined the Church. He was then
others gave me a rousing applause. After that Jean seemed to the Paris District President, the largest Church unit in
treat me better than ever before. France. After our joyful and tearful reunion, Jean took
me to the stand and, holding me at his side, explained to
Shortly before I was transferred to a new city, Jeanine and her the congregation how he had come to join the Church.
mother were baptized and became a part of the early, solid In actual fact, it was only then when Jean explained
foundation of the Church in France. During my last visit and in detail of my giving him the book and making him
delicious dinner with the Arnauds before leaving Nancy, promise to read it that I was able to remember what
I remember having with me a fine, new, leather-bound had actually happened to that beautiful, leather-bound
French copy of the Book of Mormon, which I had recently copy of the Book of Mormon. During that ten-year
purchased. Jean seemed to admire it very much and on a interval, what had happened to my very special Book of
spur of the moment impulse, I put it into his hands and told Mormon had literally been wiped from my mind and I
him this was my personal gift to him, on condition that he actually thought I had simply lost that book. It is truly
promises me he would read it. He hesitated for what seemed amazing and marvelous in these kinds of circumstances
to me a long time, then with a broad smile he nodded his to be used as an “instrument in the hands of the Lord” to
head in approval as he firmly shook my hand and then gave accomplish His purposes! Seeing Jean a member of the
me a crushing bear hug. Church and holding such a responsible position at that
time was one of the most thrilling moments of my life.
The next time I saw the Arnaud family was some ten Until that time I really felt my first mission had not been
years later after my return to Europe on my second very successful. This incident and another similar one
mission. At the time, I was assisting Bro. Elden Wood that I learned of many years later changed my mind and
on the Charleroi, Belgium chapel project but, because gave me greater assurance that the time spent during
the winter weather had closed us down for a time, we my first mission was indeed of great value to others and
were asked to go to Paris to do some remodeling work not only to myself.
in the Mission Home located at 3 Rue de Lota, only
a few blocks away from the Arc de Triomphe. Elden I should probably add here that Jean Arnaud’s daughter
and I were a little late arriving for the Sunday morning Jeanine, whom I was privileged to confirm a member of
meeting being held in the chapel of the Mission Home the Church in Nancy prior to their moving to Paris, later
complex. As we entered through the rear door of the married Jean Claude Roux who was from Angouleme in

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the south of France. The Roux family was such a powerful workers both Jean Claude and Jeanine Roux. I have to
anchor for the Church in the Bordeaux District where I admit that it made me feel just a bit ancient when I realized
served for some time as the District President. What a that here were two people whom I had known in their
blessing these two great families have been to the Church early teens that were now middle-aged adults and servants
in France. During our mission to the Swiss Temple in 1995- of the Lord in His Holy House. Following our release from
6 it was such a joy and privilege for me to be honored, as the temple presidency, it was also a great thrill when we
a member of the temple presidency, to set apart as temple learned that Jean Claude and Jeanine Roux were made a

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part of the temple presidency. It truly amazes me to realize in the northeast part of France, and was sent to Orleans,
the tremendous growth and development the Church has located in the Loire Valley some 50 miles south of Paris
made because of families like these, both in France and where many of the nicest chateaux or ancient castles are to
throughout all of Europe. be found. I was assigned to be the Branch President here in
Orleans and I recall trying to talk the Mission President out
Returning to my first mission experiences, after about one of making me the branch leader but was unable to convince
year’s time I was transferred from my first city, Nancy, located him. Then only a few months later I was transferred to

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Bordeaux in the south of France and was assigned to be the with the language and with their teaching skills. Perhaps
District President. The final city I was assigned to was Paris that explains why I sometimes felt I had not accomplished
where I lived during the final few months of my mission. nearly as much as I felt I should have when I finished. So,
This final assignment was a very unique experience. I was even though I had a couple of baptisms, which was better
asked to serve without a companion and was given a multi- than the average in our mission at that time, I left thinking
task duty to perform. This included being assistant to the I would some day do another mission and hopefully “do
President, serving as President over the Paris, Strasburg and better the next time.” Little did I realize that I would have
Bordeaux Districts, overseeing and giving direction to the several such opportunities in the future. I have never
missionaries in these three districts, coordinating Church applied for other missions but I was asked to do five others
activities with U.S. military groups in this large area (there since this first one!
were several U.S. Army and Air Force bases throughout
France) and as a final duty I was to find and visit as many Perhaps I should add one final item regarding this first
isolated Church members as possible, holding small mission. I mentioned earlier there was a second thing which
services with them and receiving their offerings, etc. This I learned years after my mission, which indicated to me that
was such a tremendous challenge and I knew I couldn’t we sometimes have more of an effect on others than we
possibly accomplish the task in an adequate way. But, realize. A few years ago I received a telephone call from a
as President Woolf explained, we were really short on lady who lived in the Salt Lake City area. I first noticed that
missionaries at this time because of the Korean War, so she had a slight French accent. She began by quizzing me
he had no choice but to give some of us extra heavy loads. about my time in France in 1951. First she asked if I were
I was given an office in the Mission Home in Paris but red headed and ended her several questions by stating
it was necessary for me to travel almost constantly and, she now felt certain she had found the person who had
therefore, spent very little time at my home base in Paris. introduced her to the gospel. She remembered that when
With President Woolf ’s counsel, I resolved that I would my companion and I knocked on their door, I was with a
simply do the very best I could and not let the heavy tall dark-haired Englishman who spoke excellent French.
workload get me down. So, in spite of being constantly (This would have been my second companion, Bryan
on the go, it actually proved to be a very fulfilling and Leese, to whom I was assigned after I was in the mission just
satisfying part of my mission experiences. a couple of months. He had actually done his secondary
schooling in France). She then tenderly added at that point
The final two months of my mission we had a new mission that it was the bearing of my humble testimony in poor,
leader, President Harold W. Lee. He was much younger than broken French that had touched her deeply. She reminded
President Woolf and he and Sister Lee had four young sons me that she had lived on the same street we did, which was
with them. It was so different around the Mission Home Rue des Anges. It ran alongside a beautiful cemetery. After
with rambunctious, little boys everywhere. President Lee that first meeting, she often saw us pass by her home and
kept me in my assignment but even added to my workload she had wanted to invite us back a second time, but her
by having me drive him all around the mission to become mother would not allow it. However, she was determined
acquainted with the areas, branches and missionaries. This to find out more about the Church, so a year or two later
was another great experience for me and I appreciated when she was a transfer student in England, one of the first
getting to know this good man as well. things she did was look up the Mormon missionaries and
take the lessons. She was soon baptized and then was not
Missionaries really should be allowed to work out in the allowed to return home. She later married and immigrated
field during their final months when they are most efficient to the States where she said she has raised a fine Mormon

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family of her own. She thanked me profusely and said she same years I was there. I’ve since shared this story with other
would now feel much better after trying for many years to missionaries to let them know that even though they may
track me down. She said she had obtained my name from sometimes feel their efforts are perhaps not too effective or
another missionary who had served in France during the productive, one never knows what seeds may be planted.

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I will conclude this writing pertaining to my first mission signed a contract to teach at the Provo High School for
by saying that after my release on September 15, 1953, I was the next school year, third, I was presently building a new
able to do some interesting travel throughout continental home for a BYU professor, and fourth, I explained that I was
Europe as well as England, Scotland and Iceland. I plan to flattered to be offered such work; however, I had to admit
go into more detail about this in a separate chapter on the to them that I felt I was really not qualified to handle such a
many travels I have taken throughout the world during large and important job. Then Brother Wendell Mendenhall
my entire lifetime. There would probably be relatively few cut me off and said, “Wait a minute, young man, this is not
people who have traveled as extensively as I have been a job offer. Didn’t you get your mission call letter signed
privileged to do over the years. by President McKay? We’re talking about a mission here,
not a job offer!” What he said took my breath away and I
Second Mission (1962/65) replied that I had received no such letter. I then looked very
Virginia Stake Portion carefully at each of the two of them to determine if they were
really serious about what they were telling me. They surely
The call to serve a second mission was a real surprise to me appeared to be and so I replied, “Well, if this is a mission
and especially to my wife for we had three young children call, then that’s an entirely different matter. First, I need to
and were expecting our fourth. At the time, we were very see the letter from President McKay and, of course, I need
comfortable in our own home, enjoying good employment to discuss this with my wife. Then, obviously, there are a
and I was making a good start on a Master’s Program at the number of things that would need to be worked out before
BYU. For us, life just seemed to be going great. Then in the we could accept such a calling.” Bro. Mendenhall said he
late spring of 1962, as I was finishing up the scholastic year was at first surprised that I hadn’t brought my wife with me,
of teaching at Provo High School, I received a telephone but learning that I hadn’t yet received the mission call letter,
call from Church Headquarters inviting me to come into he could then understand. I think it was the very next day
Salt Lake City and meet with the director of the Building that the letter from the First Presidency arrived and we soon
Committee. At this same time, I was building a home just found solutions to all problems that we felt might hinder
above the BYU football stadium in my spare time for a our accepting the call. The Provo School Superintendent,
BYU professor, Dr. Thane Packer, and I remember thinking Sherm Wing, was willing to release me from my teaching
that perhaps Thane had something there in Salt Lake he contract; my brother Ted accepted to finish the Thane
wanted me to check out. I knew he served on some Church Packer home for me and our other concerns all seemed to
committee so when I was met by the director’s assistant, be quickly resolved.
Bro. Clair Stirling, I asked about his connection with Thane
Packer. He didn’t even know who Thane was and then I was At first, the Building Committee people were eager to
really puzzled because I couldn’t imagine why the Church ship us right over to France. Then they could see there
Building Department people would have anything to talk were problems with building permits, etc., so they asked
to me about. However, they quickly let me know that they if I would be willing to build a small chapel somewhere
wanted me as a project supervisor to build a chapel in in the States while awaiting clearance of the permits for
France. I, of course, thought they were offering me a job and the project in France. Loyce was nearing delivery so she
I replied that I would certainly enjoy such an assignment wanted to stay at home until the baby came, so we felt this
but explained that there were a number of reasons I couldn’t all worked out for the best. I agreed to take any project
accept this great opportunity they had in mind for me. First, they chose for me and they decided I should build a
I was a family man expecting our fourth child, second, I had small chapel in Creswell, North Carolina. Creswell was
a dependent branch of the Elizabeth City Ward of the

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Norfolk Virginia Stake. This proved to be an especially months later he lobbied very hard to get the Brethren in
good experience and it was great to be among “southern Salt Lake to leave me there in the Virginia Stake to supervise
folk” once again. Their slower accented speech, easy- another large project; that being an extensive addition on
going pace, gentlemanly manners, and overall fine their ward/stake center for which they had just obtained
customs always fascinated me. approval to begin.

Early on a Wednesday morning, August 29th, 1962, I left There were several very interesting experiences I had
Salt Lake City by plane and flew to Chicago; Washington, while building the beautiful little chapel in Creswell,
D.C.; and on to Norfolk, Virginia, where I was met by a very North Carolina. These included completing the project
friendly but rather outspoken gentleman, Bishop Arthur in under four months’ time, meeting several true Latter-
MacPherson. He greeted me by saying he had expected an day Saints in the process, teaching the Gospel to one
older more mature person. I could sense that he wondered of the plumbers and baptizing him, having two or
if I was an old enough man to handle the job I had been three other very special spiritual experiences, enjoying
assigned to do. Interestingly enough, only about three different types of fishing than I had ever known before,

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Sagas of My Life

and last but not least, being able to visit quite a number to Utah, our fourth child, Jon, was born. This put a real
of fascinating historical sights in that area. I kept a fairly hardship on Loyce which I’ve always regretted.
detailed daily journal during this approximately four
months’ time, for which I am grateful because it has made I’ve met and become friends with many very interesting
it quite easy to recap some of these events. people in my life, but one of the most amazing and most
impressive was a saintly Christian and true Latter-day Saint
The building was to be a small, red brick-veneer structure by the name of Bruce Patrick. He was probably about 80
with a copper sheathed steeple over a covered entryway. years of age when I met him and he had been the branch
There was a nice chapel with an adjoining cultural hall president there for many years before his recent release.
separated by a folding partition, a kitchen/classroom off the The day following my arrival in Elizabeth City, Bp. Arthur
cultural hall, one other classroom, a small Bishop’s office, and McPherson insisted I take one of his cars and drive south
some restrooms. It was a really simple construction and thus around the Albemarle Sound to the area of Columbia
we were able to move it along in good time. This was an ideal and Creswell where the Columbia Dependent Branch
schooling for me for future projects. I was able to organize the members were located and where I was to build the new
work in a very systematic way and I used similar procedures chapel in Creswell. Among the first people I met there
on later construction projects. were “Brother Bruce” Patrick and his good wife “Sister
Emma.” Members always went by first names there. Sister
The only serious drawback in this overall experience was Emma was physically what most people would call a bit
that it separated me from my family during those few oversized and Brother Bruce was really quite undersized -
months and, just over a month before I was able to return a wiry, little man in stature, but no one could question that

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spiritually he was truly a giant of a man! Bro. Bruce was so than provide a few logs; rather they would donate
excited to see me and later when the two of us were alone, whatever lumber was needed for his church building
he peered at me with a very penetrating look and quietly project whenever it was to be built.
told me that he had seen me before and was now sure
his many prayers had been answered in that the branch I told Bro. Bruce that his story was most impressive and I then
would finally have its long awaited chapel. Bro. Bruce took asked him if he had anything in writing from the man that
me that day to meet most of the active members of the would make it possible for us to follow up on this fine offer.
branch and told me - quite correctly as I later found out - He said all he remembered was that the man’s name was Jack
which members I would be able to count on for donated something and that he was an executive in the Florida offices
labor during the following weeks. of the Georgia Pacific Company. I explained to Bro. Bruce, as
best I could, that it was very unlikely we could ever locate this
The Patricks invited me to take an upstairs room in their man after such a long time without more information than he
home and Bro. Bruce spent most of the next several weeks was able to give me. He then added that he thought the man
as my almost constant companion and shadow. I must was Jewish. He obviously felt that this additional information
share a couple of stories about Bro. Bruce. The day I first would possibly help me in tracking the man down but, in my
met him he told me not to buy any lumber because it was somewhat biased view, this only made me feel it was even less
to be donated for the project. I thought that perhaps he likely that we could, first of all, find the man and, secondly, if
himself was planning to contribute towards some lumber we did happen to track him down, to get him to make good
but soon learned from his son Delbert that Bro. Bruce on his offer which was given so long before. Bro. Bruce, in
was practically penniless, having given almost everything his unshakeable faith, insisted that all I had to do was to pray
he had to help members of the Church. So, a day or two about it, and then write a letter to the company and all would
later I picked up some 2x4 material to start staking out the work out fine.
footings. When Bro. Bruce saw what I had done he asked
me why I was wasting money on this lumber. It was then Each morning and evening during the next few days Bro.
I asked him just what he meant about the lumber to be Bruce would ask if I had found time yet to write “the letter.”
donated. In his sweet, humble way he said that several Although I was convinced it would be a complete waste of
years before he had used his team of mules to help a man time, I finally decided to try to appease this saintly old man
whose big Cadillac had been bogged down in a nearby and go ahead and waste a few minutes’ time in writing his
pine forest following a heavy rainstorm. After the car was useless letter. I hoped it would make him feel better or, at
pulled to a hard surfaced road, the owner of the auto was least, stop his pestering me. I did conclude to follow Bro.
so appreciative that he tried to get Br. Bruce to accept Bruce’s advice and so prayerfully composed a letter to the
some money for his kind deed. Bro. Bruce refused any Administrative Offices of the Georgia-Pacific Company in
payment telling the man that good Mormons always tried Miami, Florida. I wish I had kept a copy of the letter for it
to help anyone in distress, expecting nothing in return. had to have been something of an inspired composition
Brother Bruce did add, however, that his small Mormon because, to my utter amazement, it actually accomplished
group was preparing to build a new church and since the its intended goal. Just over a week after sending the letter,
man appeared to be connected with the Georgia-Pacific we received a reply from a Mr. Jack Levkoff in which he
Lumber Co., Bro. Bruce wondered if he could perhaps sell indicated his great surprise that our letter had found its way
him a few logs that he in turn could have cut up at a nearby to him after passing through several hands. He also happily
sawmill for the future project. The man was so impressed acknowledged that he was, in fact, the man who had been
that he assured Bro. Bruce his company would do better helped by Mr. Bruce Patrick and added that he would be

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pleased to fulfill his agreement by arranging for the lumber the brick walls as best I could, hoping to save them from
to help us build our chapel! He included a letter addressed being blown over by the ever-increasing wind. After nailing
to the management of a nearby Georgia-Pacific lumber a few timbers together, I heard Bro. Bruce shouting as he
outlet instructing them to provide us with up to 7,000 approached me through the storm.
square feet of lumber for our project! I could hardly believe
our good fortune and at the same time, my esteem for my “Brother Thor, what are you doing here at this time of the
wise little spiritual friend soared mightily that day. morning?” He had obviously heard me leave their home
and I think he knew exactly what I was trying to accomplish.
Another experience with Bro. Bruce which taught me
a valuable lesson in faith as well as the power of prayer “I’mjusttryingtosavethesebrickwalls,Bro.Bruce,” I replied as
occurred a few weeks later when our bricklayers had our I continued to pound away.
masonry walls almost up to the square, a point at which
ceiling joists would then have made the walls quite secure. “We-e-l-l,” he drew out the word in his interesting Southern
However, on October the 17th we received the worrisome drawl, “you surely should know you are just wasting your
news that “Hurricane Ella” was heading towards the North time building those braces, because this storm is not going
Carolina coast and we were well within the danger zone. The to hit us at all.” Pausing only momentarily, he continued,
winds really increased the next day and made it impossible “If you must work, do something useful rather than build
for the masons to work. Even though when we started the braces.” Then, putting his hand on my shoulder to get my
project Bro. Stirling assured me we were self insured and undivided attention, he added a phrase that really cut me
that I had no need of other insurance coverage, I desperately to the quick.
began checking with some local insurance companies to
see if I could obtain some extra coverage in the event our “Brother Thor,” he said in a loving but yet somewhat
brick walls were blown down. The insurance agents seemed chastising voice, “didn’t you say your prayers before you left
almost ready to laugh at me and informed me that no the house? Because if you had, you’d know that this storm
such insurance would be effective for at least 30 days. The will turn away and do us no harm!” Of course, I wanted to
masons let me know they would definitely not be working believe him with all my heart; however, the latest report
the next morning. There was a warning given, and I quote I had heard made it impossible for me to stop what I was
from my journal, “The warning applies all along the Outer doing. But Bro. Bruce was so insistent and, because I had
Banks area just to the east of us and the children are not learned to love and appreciate him so much, I really didn’t
to attend school but are to stay at home.” I well remember want to offend him. I must admit I was quite frustrated and I
going to bed late that evening with real trepidation and couldn’t help but feel that Bro. Bruce was stretching his faith
spending one of the most restless nights of my life. Every just a bit too far in this critical situation. Finally, I suggested
hour during the night I would turn on the radio and listen that we sit in my pickup for a few minutes and listen to the
to the news to check on the path of the storm. It just seemed current news reports to see what the storm was doing.
to continue on a northwest path towards Cape Hatteras,
which was only about 60 miles southeast of Creswell, so we We didn’t have to wait long for an updated news report and
were directly in its path. once again I was completely humbled by this saintly and
faithful little man. The newscaster announced that just a
Very early the next morning, long before daylight, I decided few minutes earlier, as the storm approached land just east
to leave the Patricks’ home as quietly as I could and go to of us; it had suddenly turned due north along the coastline.
the project only a few blocks away. I felt I should try to brace Although they expected we would have continual wind and

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rain in our immediate area for a day or two, they did not That night in our hotel room a short distance up the
predict any serious damage except right along the shoreline. coast in Norfolk, Virginia, I remember lying awake for a
long time reminiscing about the many fine experiences
It was experiences like these with Bro. Bruce Patrick that I had enjoyed in this interesting area and especially
illustrated very clearly to me that, if a person is in tune with among these choice people. It was not really “all work
the Spirit, he can receive enlightening and clear direction in and no play,” however. Although I did work very hard and
almost everything he does in his life. put in long hours, I was able to take time on weekends
to see interesting historic sites such as Williamsburg,
There were some other choice spiritual experiences as well, Jamestown, and several of the Revolutionary and Civil
such as teaching the Gospel to one of our plumbers, George War battle ground areas.
Brickhouse, and later having him ask me to baptize him.
Bro. Bruce and I taught him and I was able to baptize him There were two other LDS building supervisors in this
in Elizabeth City with Bp. MacPherson confirming him. I general area; Bro. Don Gordon was doing a project
have regretted very much not having kept in contact with similar to mine in Williamsburg, Virginia, and Bro. Fred
the Patricks, George Brickhouse, Bp. MacPherson and some Schaefer was on the other project in Petersburg, Virginia.
of the others from the Elizabeth City area. I have wondered Bro. Stirling in Salt Lake City assured me that either
if George stayed active in the Church and if he did how his an architect or one of these other supervisors would
family and the others I knew there had fared. I do know that come and help me get my project laid out. Well, it never
the little chapel I built served them very well for many years. I happened, so when I drew this to Bro. Stirling’s attention,
found this out a few years ago when I took Loyce on a vacation he directed that I should visit these other sites, which I was
trip to the Washington, D.C. area and then took a side trip later able to do. Although both of these brethren started
down the coast to check things out there at Creswell. As we their projects before I did, I was fortunate to finish mine
made the long curve in the road entering into the town of before either of them.
Creswell and could see the chapel in its prominent location,
I could immediately tell from the lack of maintenance that There were a few other interesting things I was able
the Church had obviously sold or donated my choice little to do or experience that should be worth noting. For
chapel to another denomination. I inquired at a service example, I could never forget the tremendous fishing
station where the present LDS church could be found and trips with the new Branch President, Ira Spenser, who
the attendant informed me that just a few years earlier the was also a professional fisherman. One time we actually
Mormons had built a much larger new chapel in the nearby caught several kinds of fish, including ocean trout, blue
town of Edenton. I also inquired about the Patrick family but fish, flounder, pigfish, oysters, etc. It was amazing to see
he said there were none of them still living in Creswell. We how Ira could take us in his boat to different locations
easily located the new chapel in Edenton and found a Brother and know exactly which kind of fish we’d find there.
working in the Family History Library. He told me how well Also the fishing with Bro. Bruce’s son Delbert was
the small chapel in Creswell had served the members and unbelievable and then eating a peck (!) of the oysters
how they had had to place temporary classrooms behind the we had gathered. There was a fine fish restaurant along
church, like some schools have to do, to handle the continual our way coming home and Delbert had the cook steam
increase in numbers and activity. It warmed my heart to hear up the entire half bushel. I honestly thought Delbert
him explain all of this. However, he didn’t know any of the had to be kidding, but he wasn’t and even though
old-time members I had worked with. This, of course, was they were delicious, Delbert had to consume both his
normal since it had been over 35 years since I built the chapel. portion and much of mine.

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Some other interesting things I experienced were with my voice replied, “Well, you better take some time and
hired carpenter, Roy Furlough, who showed me how different show me those large sheets of copper you recently had
their deer hunting is from ours. They actually hunted with delivered to this address.” His brusqueness took me by
hounds and used shotguns with heavy lead shot. They would surprise and I stopped what I was doing at my work
drive the deer to clearings and fire away! Another amazing ready to do battle with the man. However, as I looked
thing I recall was Roy asking me to help him one evening up, he had the lapel of his jacket pulled back and I could
after work in the butchering of a hog. I had not seen this done see a large, shiny badge like that of a sheriff. Then I really
since I was just a small boy. I was curious when Roy put a large was surprised, and in a defensive way I assured the man
50-gallon drum, fire wood and other gear in his pickup and that I had paid for the material and that it was definitely
suggested I hop in. I thought we would be driving to another not stolen property. He immediately stepped even closer
farm but he simply drove out into his open pasture where and said, “Look, Mister, don’t give me any trouble here;
there were a few pigs, put out some grain, took out a rifle and just show me the sheets of copper.” He then continued
dropped one of the fattest hogs right there. I thought and even in a very stern voice, “It appears to us that you have
told Roy that we were in for a real struggle to get that pig into ordered far more of this material than is usual for this
his pickup and take it back to his corral where we could work type of project and we feel you may be passing some of it
on it. He laughed and said, “Well, you just watch how simple along to others.” It then dawned on me what his purpose
it is the way we butcher hogs here in the south.” He first took a was all about. I remembered as Roy and I were returning
regular outdoors pump type of hydrant with about a six- foot from our hunting trip through the woods that he had
length of pipe attached and simply pounded it by hand into pointed out some old shacks, which were well hidden
the grass-covered ground. When he had it only about 3 feet deep in the forest and he said we needed to steer clear of
into the ground he began pumping water! I was amazed that them or we might be shot at. They were “moonshiners”
the water table was that close to the surface. Roy soon had or, in other words, people producing illegal whiskey and
a blazing fire going under the water-filled barrel into which rum. When I informed my well-dressed visitor that the
we could slide the pig and within only about 30 minutes we copper material was not on the site, he really did seem
had the hog cleaned, dressed out, quartered and loaded into certain his suspicions were well founded. I explained,
the bed of his pickup. It was as simple a procedure as one however, that I had taken them to a metal worker in
could imagine and the Patricks were delighted with their the nearby city of Edenton to have them placed on the
portion of this harvest. It reminded me very much of how my frame of our steeple. He then ordered me into his car
grandfather and his generation did this similar thing when I and stated that we would drive there to confirm my
was just a lad. Also how they too shared the fresh meat with story. I could see that if I resisted, I would be arrested
their neighbors, friends, and family members and then later so I willingly agreed to cooperate. After he accounted
received similarly in return. for every sheet of the copper, his demeanor completely
changed. He even apologized and insisted on taking me
Another surprising thing I want to include here, if only to lunch. He shared with me some amazing stories about
for my own recollection and perhaps of some amusement moonshiners. I was startled to learn, for example, that
to others was my run-in with a federal revenuer, as Bishop MacPherson’s own brother, “Big Red,” had been
they are known in the South. One day a neatly dressed one of the most notorious of the lot and had served time
gentleman stopped by the construction site and asked, in prison because of this! My new-found friend then
“Are you the one in charge here?” I told him that I was asked quite a number of questions about the Mormon
but that I didn’t have any time right then for salesmen. faith and really seemed quite interested. I invited him
He then became a bit irritated and in a very authoritative

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to attend meetings in Elizabeth City where Big Red’s Second Mission - European Portion
brother served as the leader of the congregation. He
seemed every bit as surprised with my revelation as I was After completing the small chapel project in the Virginia
with his and yet assured me that he would check us out. I Stake we felt we were then almost prepared and ready for
often wondered if he did attend any of our meetings and what lay ahead to continue the main part of our building
if so, whether he had met Bp. MacPherson. mission in Europe. It was nice to have almost three weeks
at home to catch up on things with my family, have time
My final comments about this phase of this second to prepare for shipment of our personal effects that we felt
mission pertain to my trip across the U.S. on my return would be essential for the next three years in Europe, store
home after completing the project in late December. I some of our personal effects and furnishings in one room
had everything finished except for the installation of the of our basement, hold our farewell in our old 7th Ward in
folding partition between the chapel and the cultural hall. Spanish Fork, sell our two cars, rent our home and bid our
It could not be delivered until after the first of the New Year family and friends adieu.
so I made all necessary arrangements for its completion,
bid all my fine friends adieu late on December 22nd and We were more fortunate than some of the other missionary
headed for Utah. I’ll never forget driving for three solid families as far as finances were concerned. In order to serve
days in my little Ford pickup, stopping only as necessary this type of mission, couples were supposed to be fairly
for an occasional snack and to sleep for a couple hours solvent in their financial obligations and capable of providing
in the cab of the truck when I could not stay awake any for most of their family expenses while on this mission. Our
longer. I recall taking a more southerly route to avoid only debt at the time was the mortgage on our home and we
the winter storms and driving across North Carolina, even had some cash from the sale of our cars. We also had
Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and some rental income from our duplex home. The Church
up through the corner of Colorado into Utah. The worst provided us with housing and a vehicle for limited usage.
snowstorm I hit was in the four corners area of Colorado There was also what was called a “living stipend” of 150
and Utah. Cars were sliding off the road on both sides, but dollars per month to help the families with food, clothing
my faithful little pickup rode right through with hardly and other such basic necessities. By the end of the three years
any problem at all. I was trying desperately to arrive home we had used up most of our savings and would have had
Christmas day before the children were in bed. I was so none left except for the help with expenses from parents and
weary that final day of driving that I actually began seeing others sending monetary gifts.
strange sights that I shall never forget. For example, as I
came down Spanish Fork Canyon, which I knew so very We left Salt Lake City by plane on a Tuesday morning, Jan.
well, it seemed as though the steep hills on both sides 15th, 1963, the day after Shari’s birthday. I’m actually quoting
of the highway were closing in on me. In spite of all my from a journal I kept and I see that I added the children’s ages.
efforts, however, I arrived home late that night after the Eric was 5, Hal 3, Shari 2 and our newborn, Jon, was only 2
kids had gone to bed and were sound asleep. months old. We had layovers in Chicago (where we almost lost
Hal when he wandered off) as well as in New York and it took
All in all, this experience in North Carolina proved to be us about 16 hours from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam, Holland.
a most valuable one for me because it gave me excellent We were a very tired little group when we arrived at the airport
preparation for what lay ahead on the main part of our in Amsterdam where we were met by the Area Construction
mission during the next three years in Europe. Director, Bro. Albert Rosenvall, and his lovely wife.

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After a short stay at our headquarters in Laren, Holland, Finally, on April 26th we were directed to load our
we were sent to Charleroi, Belgium to assist with a goods in a new Opel Caravan (which was assigned to
meetinghouse project there for “a few weeks” because they us in place of the pickup, against my wishes) and make
still did not have the building permits to begin our project our way to Bordeaux, France, where I was to build a new
in Bordeaux, France. chapel. We had still not obtained the building permit
but the Brethren felt I would be able to handle that
This winter of 1962-63 was one of the coldest on record in matter as well as anyone else. We stopped off along the
Europe and since the Charleroi project was merely in the way to spend two fun days in Paris during which time I
footing stage, it was too cold to pour concrete. Therefore, was able to show my little family around the city. I quote
Brother Elden Wood and I were asked to spend much of from my journal: “We spent a couple of very interesting
the next two months in Paris doing repairs on the Mission days in Paris. We took the kids many places to see the
Complex. We made 3 or 4 trips there spending two weeks at a main sights - even to the top of the Eiffel Tower! They
time. We built cupboards, cabinets, closets, laid new flooring, had a great time.”
etc. It was a good way to spend the winter months and it was
especially interesting for me because I so enjoyed being back May 1st was our beginning in Bordeaux (Bx.). The first
in Paris after about 10 years’ time. Bro. Woods was quite an couple of weeks were spent in getting settled, lining up
accomplished musician so on weekends and when we had good construction supply sources, etc. Then the final week
any free time, he was anxious to attend musicals and operas of May Loyce and I flew to Amsterdam for a Supervisor’s
as well as to see some of the sights of the city which I was able Seminar. It was much better seeing Holland at this time of
to show him, having served as a guide for a number of people year when the ice and snow had now been replaced with
who visited the Mission Home when I had lived there before gorgeous, colorful flowers everywhere. It was delightful to
as a young missionary in the 50’s. see field after field of lovely tulips, daffodils and other such
flowers. The seminar meetings were most instructive as well
It was during our first visit to Paris that I again met my very as being very inspirational.
dear friend, Jean Arnaud, and his lovely wife and daughter
whom I had known so well in the beautiful city of Nancy in In recently rereading a journal I kept at that time, I was
eastern France more than ten years earlier. I have written in interested in my first impressions of the branch of Bordeaux.
some detail about this experience in the account of my first “The branch of Bx. seems to be ‘alive’ and very anxious
mission. It was without doubt one of the most treasured for their new church. There are about thirty- five active
events of my entire life as well as a tremendous learning priesthood members from which we can draw for labor on
experience about being an instrument in the Lord’s hands. the construction. This should (?) be enough. If they had as
many strong men as strong women, however, there would
During the approximate three months we lived in Belgium, be no question.”
Eric and Hal attended a French speaking school and picked up
the language very quickly. Our living quarters in Charleroi were After just one month’s time I indicated in my journal that
very small but still quite comfortable. It was only a one-bedroom “our three older children are attending a nearby nursery
apartment and little baby Jon’s crib was the top drawer of a school on Rue Laboye and seem to be doing fine. They have
4-drawer dresser. The Church provided us with a double-seated made friends with some neighbor children, one of whom
Volkswagen pickup, which made it handy to get around although is old enough to be a good baby sitter, when needed. Our
it was just too cold for any sightseeing except for an occasional neighbors have been very friendly and we have been well
visit to Brussels, the capital city just north of Charleroi. received.”

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Preliminary rendering of proposed Bx. Chapel

About one week later, on June 8, 1963 (even before we had Although our submittal for demolition and building permits
our building permit) we had our official groundbreaking had supposedly been sent in to the city in mid May, I see
ceremony. The dignitaries present were: Mission in my journal that I arranged for resubmittal on June 17th.
President and Sister Golden Woolf and his counselor This building permit problem proved to be my greatest
President Carlson and his wife from Paris, Brother challenge on this mission. Although I was able to keep
Andrew and Brother Hasoppe from our Area Office in my church building missionaries and the other volunteer
Holland and our district president Brother Jean Claude laborers busy clearing the site, removing trees and shrubs,
Roux from Angouleme. We didn’t invite any of the city digging trenches, building a construction shed (also used
officials because, as stated above, we didn’t yet have the as our temporary chapel), fabricating over 100 large trusses,
building permits to demolish the lovely but very old villa etc.; it was still frustrating beyond measure to experience
or to build the new structure. the long delay because of the bureaucratic hassles we
experienced in order to obtain the permits. Finally, with the
On Sunday, June 9th, I was approved and installed as 2nd invaluable assistance of Madame Rougier, an official in the
counselor in the branch presidency. Later Mission President Prefecture (similar to a state administrator in the U.S.A.),
Rulon Hinckley wanted me serve as the District President we received our demolition permit on October 6, 1963!
but our Area Construction office felt that would take too This was well over 4 months from the time we submitted
much of my time and so I was assigned as a counselor to the our forms for the permits. After 2 or 3 months I became
district president instead. convinced there were really probably three things causing
the delays. First was possible influence or pressure from

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representatives of the predominant Church in the area, materials about the Church, which she assured me she
and second was that I was not willing to pay “under the would carefully review. In my final meeting with her I
table” money to some of the lower level officials processing invited her to attend services in the new church when it was
our permit requests. The third reason was the drawn-out completed and she indicated she would. I hope she did but
negotiations regarding a French requirement that one had I’ve never heard any further report about her.
to replace any demolished buildings that could be used for
housing with new housing containing an equal amount of We were assured we could continue right on with our
square meters. Our old villa had not been used for personal project following the demolition of the large villa located in
housing for many years, but the housing administration was the middle of the property, but we did not actually receive
unwilling to concede on this and they were adamant that our the official building permit for the new construction until
building applied to this ruling. In my complete frustration December 12, 1963! That was almost one full year into our
I finally requested an audience with the top official in the mission. By the time the permit was actually issued we had
Prefecture and was delighted when I was allowed to meet the footings and the foundation work all completed and
with Madame Rougier. Our meeting began in somewhat from then on the project moved along with very little delay.
of a confrontational mode, but ended on a very friendly
and cordial basis. When she became convinced that I was It would probably be of interest to family members to know
actually there as an unpaid missionary to help this relatively that our personal effects, which were shipped when we
small French Christian group, her entire attitude changed departed from the U.S. in January of 1963, did not arrive
and she actually began asking penetrating questions about in Bordeaux until June 26th. By then we had learned to get
the LDS Church and our beliefs. I later provided her with along without many of the things we had thought to be so
very essential. It was like Christmas all over again for the
kids when we opened the boxes containing their toys and
extra clothing!

On June 27th we received our first two Church Building
Missionaries: Mark Hinckley (Pres. Rulon Hinckley’s son) and
Hubert LeRoy, a young 16 year old from the city of Rennes in
Brittany. Over the next several months we received six others
that I trained and worked with during the time I directed this
project. The other young men were Martin Gunster from
Holland, Christian Paulian from Normandy, Ted Fisher from
Nice (he came with our mason, Ken Lundgren), Mohand
Berkani from Algeria and Nice, Gerard LeRoy (Hubert’s
older brother) and Mike Methany from Marseille and the
United States. I think Mike and Ted had been proselyting
missionaries who just preferred being building missionaries.
We had a few others like them who served only for short
periods of time. The only ones I’ve followed over the years
are the LeRoy brothers. Hubert came to the States and is a
successful builder in California. Gerard married one of the
Roux girls and seemed to be doing really well until a few years

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ago when he apparently developed some emotional problems Pussac, a nearby Army base, helped me meet their base
and simply deserted his lovely little family. His wife, Giselle, commander and at first he seemed quite certain that if the
came to the Swiss Temple a number of times while we were city officials approved their involvement, they would be
serving there in 1995. It would be really interesting to learn pleased to help. He had to get higher approval, however,
what had become of the other building missionaries. and after some time the word came back that the Army was
unable to get involved in such a project. So then I sought
One day each month we were to take our building bids from a number of local demolition companies, one of
missionaries on short outings or excursions. I would which was called Navarro Construction Co.
usually take our two sons, Eric and Hal, along as well. We
visited some very interesting places in the southwest corner Mr. Navarro, the owner of the company, was a most
of France. Some that the boys seemed to enjoy most were interesting man. His was a very large company and at first
LaRochelle, Biarritz and other coastal areas where they he seemed to have no interest in our relatively small project.
could swim in the ocean. Other places we visited were St. After our introduction he turned away from me, but when
Sebastian (just over the border into Spain), the pre-historic I mentioned the name of the Church, he turned back to me
caves in the region of Dordogne, the famous Catholic and offered me a chair. Looking me directly in the eyes he
shrine at Lourdes in the Pyreneese Mountains, Limoges asked very pointedly, “Do you believe the Bible literally?”
where they make the very famous chinaware (I took Loyce I gave him our patent answer, “Yes, as far as it is translated
along on one of these trips at which time we bought her a correctly.” He then asked if I really believed in the story
fine set of dinnerware), and other such interesting places. of Noah and the ark. I told him that I surely did. This led
The young men really looked forward to these excursions to a very interesting exchange. As it turned out, this large,
and would decide by popular vote which things we should huskily-built man was the wealthy Frenchman who had
visit, or at other times I would let them take turns deciding been featured a few months previously in a most interesting
where we should go. National Geographic article regarding his several
expeditions to Mount Ararat in attempts to locate the
The demolition of the old villa proved to be quite interesting. remains of Noah’s ark. He was thoroughly convinced that
In order to try to save on the expenses, I first tried to get the he had found it and had actually brought back fragments of
U.S. Army to agree to do the demolition as a sort of work what appeared to be petrified-like, wooden material carbon
exercise to give their big equipment operators some good dated as 4400 years old. Later, after we became good friends,
experience at this sort of activity. The LDS servicemen at he gave me a small piece as a gift. I brought it back after our

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mission and later loaned it to our gospel doctrine teacher group through Europe so Loyce traveled down into Spain
who in turn loaned it to someone else who wanted to have and was able to spend a few days with them until they
it scientifically tested. Our gospel doctrine teacher tried came by Bordeaux and spent a short time with us there.
desperately to retrieve it but then passed away before he Later that month Dan Ludlow came by and spent a day or
was able to get my treasured piece of wood back. I was not two with us. It was always fun to have visitors from home.
as thoroughly convinced as Mr. Navarro that he had really In September of 1963, Loyce and I, together with our two
found Noah’s Ark, but he certainly couldn’t have been more building missionaries that we had at that time, loaded our
assured of it. Anyway, he was truly an interesting man, one suitcases in the new Volkswagen double-cab pick-up we had
of the most interesting people I have ever met.Fortunately, been provided and then drove to Paris, Brussels and on to
Mr. Navarro gave us a bid, which was much lower than any of Amsterdam where we took an airplane continuing on our
the others so it was his company that demolished our stately way to an annual construction conference that was held in
old villa. My good friend Henry Haurand, who has had a Sweden. We would hold these conferences about every six
similar career path to mine ever since we were both project months in different cities in Western Europe. Once or twice
supervisors in Europe, has always treasured a photo I sent we brought our building missionaries to these conferences
him of the high villa walls tumbling to the ground. I kiddingly as was the case in Sweden. These conferences were held in
told Henry the photo represented a “small accident” we had Amsterdam, Stockholm, London, Brussels, Copenhagen
experienced with our newly laid brick walls.During the and Frankfurt during the time we were there. These were
month of August 1963 we were pleased to have visitors always happy events where we were able to compare stories
from home. Dad and Mother Partridge were leading a tour with each other and simply enjoy a great time of camaraderie

Sweden Conference 1963
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Church Missions

and also receive valuable instruction. These get-to-gethers President) was visiting there in about 1968. We were well
really lifted our spirits tremendously and most of us looked underway with the large addition project on the Church
forward to them each time. Primary School at the time but it was a Saturday and they
were holding a sort of festival on the soccer field behind
Occasionally general authorities of the Church would our project in honor of the visiting Apostle. I was standing
attend these conferences. It was at the one in Frankfurt that on the sidelines watching our son Eric who was playing on
Apostle Ezra Taft Benson, who was later Church President, one of the soccer teams that was performing. Suddenly, a
was present. I remember that as we were going through the powerful arm wrapped around and squeezed my shoulders.
reception line to meet him and shake his hand, he held on to Turning my head, I was surprised to see Elder Hunter.
me and directed that I stand behind him for a few moments I began to introduce myself but he cut me off and said,
for he wanted to talk to me. When there was a break in the “Oh, yes, Brother Thor, but we’ve met before.” I knew we
line of people coming by, Elder Benson turned to me and hadn’t, but I didn’t want to tell an Apostle he was wrong.
began asking me questions about my Icelandic heritage. He We chatted briefly and he asked if the very quick little light-
really quizzed me at length after which he asked if, when I skinned boy on the one soccer team might be someone I
got back home to Paris (where we were living at the time), knew. I think someone had told him it was one of my sons.
I would write up a report about all I knew of the history of Others wanting to shake his hand and visit with him then
the Church in Iceland. I hesitated and then told him I knew interrupted him. A few minutes later he came back and told
of two or three others who could give him much better me he now remembered why my name seemed so familiar
information about Iceland than I could. He took hold of my to him. He then proceeded to explain that he had taken over
arm once again, looked at me very sternly and said, “Young in Europe after Elder Benson and that he had studied over
man, will you write that report for me or not?” Of course, the report I had written about Iceland for Pres. Benson.
I told him I would do the best I could and get it to him as With the hundreds of things he must review all the time
soon as possible. A few days after sending it off, he sent I was impressed he would remember what I had written.
back a very nice thank-you letter telling me that what I had I wish I had kept a copy of what I wrote, for later I could
provided would be most helpful. During our discussion in hardly recall anything I had included in the report. I’ll never
Frankfurt, he did share with me that he intended to try to forget Elder Hunter’s reply when I asked him why he felt
convince the Brethren that it was time to open up Iceland the missionary work had not yet been reopened in Iceland.
once again for missionary work. This really pleased me and He smiled and said that the reason was simply that Elder
in the next letter I sent to Dad I shared this good news with Benson was not yet the President of the Church. In other
him. Elder Benson was our European Area President at this words, the Prophet of the Church at that time, President
time and he attended our next building conference as well. I Kimball, obviously didn’t agree that it was yet the right time
took occasion during that conference to ask him if there had to reopen the work there. I was delighted to learn only a few
been any progress on getting approval for the missionary years later that Iceland was reopened for missionary work.
work in Iceland. He said not yet, but he still seemed very
positive that it would be approved soon. However, we heard One other incident in connection with these bi-annual
nothing further about this during the rest of the time we building conferences that was of special interest to Loyce
were in Europe. and me took place during the conference we attended in
London. Following the time Loyce and I were married, I
An interesting follow up to the above happened three occasionally heard men talk of taking their wives through
or four years later when we were on our next mission in the veil in the temple and I wondered why this had not
Tahiti. Elder Howard W. Hunter (who was later Church happened with us. When Loyce was with her folks in Spain,

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this topic had come up again and it became apparent that we - then anger - then sorrow. The assassin must surely be a
had missed out on an important part of the temple marriage complete fool.” It seems there are some events in history
ceremony. At the time of our marriage we had both been that stay in one’s mind and this was surely one such, it being
through the temple previously, prior to our first missions, similar to Dec. 7th and Pearl Harbor and now just recently
so the day we went to the Los Angeles Temple for our the horrible terrorist attack on September 11th in New
marriage, we didn’t first go through a regular session, which York and Washington, D.C.
most young couples do prior to their temple marriage, but
we were simply taken to a sealing room for the ceremony. Another entry in my journal on December 16th expresses
So now, several years later, when we learned we had my complete frustration in not being able to accomplish
missed out on this part of our marriage ceremony, and also what I had wanted to that day. There were several things that
learning we would be able to attend the temple while in the just kept delaying our efforts all day long. “I was determined
London area, we made the necessary arrangements to take to do a big concrete pour but I guess the good Lord didn’t
care of this part of our marriage ceremony in that temple. want it.” I remember that night we had an unusually hard
Ever since then, we kiddingly tell people we have been freeze which would have caused us days of wasted labor
married twice, once in the Los Angeles Temple and once if we had made that concrete pour that I was so intent on
in the London Temple. Now, getting back to our Bordeaux doing. I should have been more in tune with the Spirit to
project, we had the old villa removed in early November know why we were being delayed.
and immediately began the actual footings and foundation
work. I remember two young couples who had recently Another interesting part of the assignment of teaching,
been contacted by the missionaries were brought to the directing and sort of fathering the young group of building
site. One of the young men seemed particularly interested missionaries sometimes included handling their medical
in what we were doing. I kiddingly handed him a shovel and needs. For example, my Dutch boy, Martin, scraped his
invited him to be a member of our crew. Without hesitation one leg quite badly and even though we were careful in
he grabbed the shovel and asked what he could do to help. bandaging it each day, it became infected, so I took him to
I assured him I was only kidding because he was in dress a French doctor. We wanted to get his leg healed as quickly
clothes. But Gerard Vanizette would not be deterred and as possible because it was soon time for the Christmas
insisted he wanted to help. Others were digging a trench for break when the boys were permitted to return to their
the footings and Gerard jumped right in and joined them. homes and Martin was really looking forward to those
This was the beginning of a long friendship we have had two weeks with his family in Holland. I thought it would
ever since that day with Gerard and Giselle Vanizette. They be helpful if the doctor could give Martin penicillin shots
soon joined the Church and then later emigrated from and even suggested it to him. The young doctor was much
France to Calgary, Canada. We have corresponded ever opposed to doing this, however, and indicated that he and
since they came to America and we have also visited them most of his French colleagues felt we Americans were
and they have visited us a number of times over the years.I really overusing such medicines. He did agree that in most
made a very somber entry in my journal on November 22, cases it usually healed the infections quite rapidly. Martin
1963, and I quote: “As I was just beginning to make my was very insistent that we should give him the shots. The
journal entry this evening, I turned on the radio and heard doctor then indicated that he would be willing to give us a
the very shocking and sad report that our president, John prescription following which I could administer the shots
F. Kennedy, was assassinated 30 minutes ago (8:30 pm myself. Martin was all for that, so the doctor showed me
French time) in Dallas, Texas. My first reaction is shock the correct procedure and that is what we did. Within just a

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Various phases of construction on the Bordeaux Chapel

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Sagas of My Life

few days his leg was healed. After that, the boys amusingly laying it up during the coming weeks. We had completed the
referred to me as Doctor Leifson. Martin thought I was foundations and other major concrete pours and it seemed
a real hero. I had another similar incident in the South that the various craftsmen worked together really well and
Pacific when I had to lance a young man’s severely infected therefore our overall project moved along at a fairly rapid
leg which was so badly swollen he couldn’t even bend the pace. Local tradesmen provided much of the subcontract
knee. It was on a distant island and there was no medical work that we needed. But my little missionary crew and I
help available. When I arrived on the island he told me he did most of the actual work, together with Ken Lundgren
was in such terrific pain that he hadn’t slept for days. He who did the stonework and Bro. Gizi of England who did
pleaded with me to take a knife and relieve the pressure. No most of the plumbing. By the end of July, 1964 we had the
one else was willing to help him so I held a razor blade in masonry work completed, the Spanish tile roof installed
boiling water with a pair of pliers to assure it was disinfected and were well along with the exterior trim as well as doing
and proceeded to make a small incision at the spot where some of the interior finish so we felt very good about the
the infection had started. It was a bit gruesome but it did give progress we had made in the previous several months.
him immediate relief for which he was
It was at this time that we had a dramatic change in our
extremely grateful. We then got him on the next boat for the working and living situation. Quoting again from my
main island where he was able to receive further medical journal dated Thursday, July 30: “Soon after starting work
treatment and he was soon completely healed. When I this morning President Stan Bird (our Area Construction
shared these stories with my sister June, a registered nurse, Supervisor) showed up at the site and requested that we
she shook her head and said I was very lucky that there had accept a new assignment! He asked if I would be willing to
been no serious complications in either case. take the job Bro. Hasoppe has been doing as an Assistant to
the Area Supervisor....He and I spent most of the morning
In addition to the building conferences mentioned earlier going over the duties involved, then went to our home to
to which I took Loyce twice each year, I also took her to talk with Loyce. After some discussion, we reluctantly agreed
other places during some of the holidays. For example, we to accept the new assignment, so we’ll soon be moving into
visited Paris two or three times; Limoges a couple of times; Paris and will probably live in an older villa, which the Church
toured most of my projects in France, Austria, Switzerland, owns on a property in Nogent (east side of Paris). Paris will
etc. with Bro. & Sister Ab Sterling; and during the one be a central location for the overseeing of our projects in
Christmas break we toured Spain and Portugal. Loyce Holland, Belgium and the other parts of southern Europe...
seemed to enjoy the trip through Spain and Portugal best of
all. We did have some strange yet entertaining experiences Supervisor’s Job – Showing how it’s done.
such as the snowstorm in the Pyrenees Mountains, locking
ourselves out of the car in Portugal and Loyce getting food
poisoning in Biarritz, one of the most beautiful and famous
French seaside cities. Fortunately she was better in just a
couple of days as we went on our way into Spain.

In February Brother Ken Lundgren, a Swede, arrived from
the Nice project to help us with the masonry work on our
job. We had selected a beautiful white natural stone, which
came in various sizes and Ken did a really outstanding job

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I’ll go to Laren, Holland, for meetings next Monday and floor. It was a very old building with high ceilings but it
then spend several days traveling with Brother Hasoppe had certainly been of the finest construction when built.
visiting the different projects throughout our southern Nogent itself was a beautiful part of the Paris area and I had
European district.” easy access to a subway station that made it possible to get
to any one of several train stations and also to the two major
Brother Kenneth Millard, a professional architect, was airports for my many travels throughout Western Europe
assigned to come to Bordeaux to take over my position. I during the following months. The Church also provided us
had very mixed feelings about giving up my project and with a new Opel sedan for our personal use and to travel to
only part jokingly told Brother Stan Bird that I wasn’t sure nearby projects.
I could trust my project with an architect. But Brother Stan
seemed very insistent that I was the man they needed for This turned out to be a really interesting but challenging
this other assignment and he reminded me that I would still assignment. It was a bit tough on my family for I was on the
be overseeing my Bordeaux job for I would be visiting it on road so much of the time trying to help the 12 to 15 project
a regular basis as I made my rounds visiting a dozen new supervisors and their families with their many problems.
meetinghouse projects as well as several remodeling jobs One of the main tasks I was given was to help the project
and others then in planning and development. supervisors in better organizing the way they handled
their jobs. I’m convinced the reason they insisted on my
Soon after this time my family settled into a new routine taking this new job was because they appreciated how I
in the Paris suburb of Nogent that was on the east side of had carefully organized my own project so all the different
a large, lovely park called the Bois de Vincennes. We had works dovetailed into what construction engineers
a number of family picnics in this park that was filled with would later call a “critical path” approach. This entailed
small lakes that attracted many waterfowl and other animals. planning well in advance so the different sub-contractors
Also we had a large walled-in property surrounding our big could be available just as soon as we had other essential
villa, which the children really enjoyed. The grounds had things completed so each tradesman in turn could jump
been a carefully groomed private garden and estate in years right in on his task according to a pre-arranged schedule
past and it certainly provided the children ample room to with as little delay as possible. It seemed there were often
romp and play. We occupied the entire second level of the unforeseen interferences and delays but by developing a
villa with a chapel, classrooms and offices on the ground

The Leifsons in Paris – Bois de Vincennes

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good relationship with all who might be involved, almost We had two jobs in Holland, three in Belgium and one
all tradesmen usually tried to accommodate you, especially in southern Germany that I would visit in one trip,
if they developed trust in you and felt that you would also be spending a couple of days at each project. Then I would
fair and helpful to them. This whole procedure seemed quite return to Paris for a couple of days and repeat the same
simple for me on my own job but it was quite a different travel schedule for the three jobs in the south of France
thing to try to show others how they could improve in this and the two jobs in Austria. I usually tried to be back in
respect, especially since most of the project supervisors were Paris for weekends but it was not always possible. This
older than I was. It was strange, however, that most of my was my routine for about one and a half years. After
greatest challenges were not with the men or problems on several months, I felt I knew almost as much about
their projects, but rather with the wives wanting different traveling in Europe as most any travel agent and although
living quarters, different furnishings, etc. Fortunately, I was I was usually on a fairly tight schedule, I was able to see
able to share with them what primitive conditions my own many of the more interesting attractions throughout
wife lived with and in most cases they would then be less Western Europe. Some of the project supervisors would
demanding. This problem was worse with the older women ask that I accompany them when they would take their
and particularly those who had emigrated from Europe to crews on the monthly outings to see historic and other
America sometime before being called on their missions. outstanding sights.

Area Staff and Project Supervisors
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After we had lived in Paris for a few months our Area his two District Supervisors (Brother Henry Haurand
Construction Office was moved from Laren, Holland to who was responsible for Northern Europe and I who was
Frankfurt, Germany. At this same time Brother Frank Berg responsible for Southern Europe) to move to Frankfurt as
became our Area Construction Supervisor and he wanted well. So, for most of the final year of our mission we lived

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in Germany and put our older children in an American Interestingly enough, as mentioned in an earlier chapter,
school in the Frankfurt area. We actually lived in a suburb during the last few months of this mission we received
of Frankfurt called Bad Vilbel. The Church had just recently two other job offers as well. Leavitt Construction, a large
built several duplex homes in an attractive area surrounded building firm based in New Jersey, contacted me and
by woods so once again the children had a fun environment offered me quite a lucrative job if I would join their firm and
for their leisure time. Our children did very well in the help supervise a development they were planning to start
French schools and now that they were in an American soon somewhere near Paris.
(English speaking) school, it made it helpful for them to get
back into more of the routine they would follow when we The second job offer, as I discussed in the chapter on my
returned to the States at the end of that year of 1965. various employments, was from the Park City school
superintendent. He couldn’t understand my not wanting
One regret I have, during the time we lived in Paris and in to teach in his district for additional money rather than
Frankfurt, is that, because I was on the go so much during staying with the Provo School District. My reason for this
this later part of our mission, I did not continue keeping a decision, however, was that I intended to continue working
daily journal. I just know there were a number of things that on a master’s degree at the BYU while teaching at the
I could have added here relating to the many experiences I Provo High School. Some weeks before our return I was
had during my almost constant travels throughout Europe, informed by the Provo School superintendent that there
if only I could recall or remember them. The journal I kept were no mid-year openings available at Provo High but that
in Bordeaux was so very helpful in refreshing my mind of a I should not be concerned because they had already made
lot of the more interesting happenings that took place while arrangements for me to teach else-where to finish that
we lived there. school year and then they assured me I would be able to
return to Provo High the following year. Everyone seemed
This last part of our mission seemed to go very fast and to be so very accommodating in helping us return to a more
almost before we knew it we were approaching the normal routine in our lives at the conclusion of this our
time when we had to prepare for our return home to second LDS mission in Europe.
the States. Actually, we didn’t really have to end our
European experiences at that particular time. Two or
three months before we were to return home, the Area
Supervisor invited me into his office and explained that
the Church was discontinuing the building missionary
program at the end of 1965 but other than the missionary
feature, the program was to continue on very much the
same. Therefore, he was hopeful that I would be willing
to continue on in my same assignment, but as a Church
employee. I respectfully declined, telling him that if our
mission was completed at the end of the year, then we felt
that, primarily for the sake of our family, we should return
to our normal life back in the States. Both he and one of
his assistants put some heavy pressure on us but we felt we
had made the right decision.

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140

Church Missions

Third Mission ‑ Tahiti & South Pacific I should add here that, technically, this was not a regular
1967‑1970 mission calling, although under the circumstances, we
considered it as such. We were definitely in the mission
During 1966, following our return from the building field and most of the time while there in Tahiti I served in
mission in Europe, we were able once again to follow the Mission Presidency, so in most every respect it was a
a more routine life, at least for a time. In January I missionary calling and we served in the same manner as in
returned to my vocation of teaching and to my avocation our previous building mission and assignment in Europe.
of building during the summer of that year. We really Here, however the stipend was $450 per month so we were
enjoyed being back in our very own home in Spanish able to get along fairly well financially without depleting
Fork and in our old neighborhood. However, we were our savings account.
not home for long when once again I was invited into
Church headquarters for an appointment with Brother Again, just as with our building mission to Europe, there
Fred Baker, Assistant Director of the Church Building were a number of delays in obtaining visas, so I spent
Committee. It was at this time they began working on much of the summer of 1967 preparing to leave and
us to accept a Church assignment in the South Pacific. doing construction work with my brother Ted. Finally
I have explained in an earlier chapter the interesting in November we got on our way for the beautiful land of
details of how this calling came about. Tahiti. Wally Gardner provided a fine letter of reference
for me. (See page 64)

Leifson and Mapakoi families

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There had not been a construction supervisor in Tahiti for several months. We also molded our team into an excellent
several years prior to my arrival so, consequently, there had group of builders. Many of them were young men whom we
been no new meetinghouses built and many of the existing treated almost like we had our young building missionaries in
ones were in a very poor state of repair. There had been Europe and, as in Europe, quite a number of them have since
quite a number of requests sent in to become outstanding leaders both in the Church and in their
communities there in Tahiti.
Church headquarters for both new construction and for
repair types of projects so one of the first things I had to There were so many construction projects that needed
do was to review these requests, determine which could or my attention at the beginning that I hardly knew where to
should be done and then prioritize them for follow up action. begin. As mentioned above, the number one priority was
I had already been given the number one priority before the school job. But, in addition, there was much remodeling
leaving the States and that was to build a large addition on the and repair work needed on the Mission Complex, on seven
Church Elementary School. Some of the brethren at Church other chapels around the main island and on many other
headquarters felt I should let this larger project out on contract chapels on the other islands throughout French Polynesia.
so I’d have more time to coordinate all the other work. In Then there was my involvement with finances and on real
discussing this with Bill Mapakoi, he felt very confident we estate items that had to be brought up to date. So, with all
could handle it ourselves and his convincing argument to this weighing on my mind, I first had to get my family settled
me was that we could provide work for a lot of good LDS and the kids in school. Then, knowing I needed to take
men who really needed work at the time there in Tahiti. It things one‑step at a time, I first made up a fairly complete
really made it difficult for me to coordinate everything else inventory of our Church-owned facilities and equipment
together with this very large project but, in retrospect, I’m on the main island. Without Bill Mapakoi this would have
glad we did the school job ourselves because it gave about been an almost impossible task. Bill knew where our large
thirty-to-forty of our LDS men good employment for 1 1/2 ton truck was stored and where cement mixers
and such other equipment could be found. For example,
one cement mixer was completely buried with a heavy
overgrowth of vines, but with his trusty machete Bill had it
uncovered in just a few minutes time. Bill had been happily
settled in Utah with his Tahitian family when I first met him
at a reception in Salt Lake City a few months before we
were to leave for Tahiti. After getting to know he was also a
construction man, I kiddingly told him he should return to
Tahiti with me for a year or two. He replied that his wife and
three kids loved America too much to do that. However, a
few days later I received a telephone call from Bill during
which he stated that if I were serious, they had decided they
would take me up on my offer. I checked with the office and
got their approval and that’s how the Mapakois ended up
back in Tahiti with us. What a blessing that was for all!

Regarding our workload as far as projects go, I see in reviewing
my journal that I made the following entry on Dec. 8, 1968,

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(after just over one year in this assignment): “We now have with an American built seaplane called the Bermuda. There
the big school project and 13 minor projects under way, as were large ocean liners that came into the Papeete harbor
well as a dozen or so furnishing kinds of appropriations we and we were often invited aboard as guests to accompany
are processing. We have our work load trimmed down so our Mormon Tahitian performers. Then, as mentioned
that most of what remains on our docket is active, current earlier, there was my flight in a small private plane to an island
and in pretty good order.” I had forgotten how difficult it had near Bora Bora. While we were there they also started some
been to get things in “good order” until rereading my journal. commercial flights with DC 6’s to a couple of the larger
It really did take a great deal of sweat and effort to get things islands in the Leewards. Because I traveled quite extensively,
under control and operating smoothly; but once we did, we, I used all of these modes of transport but mostly the diesel
as a family began to enjoy ourselves very much, especially our schooners. In well remembering two long boat rides in the
free Saturday afternoons. stormy North Atlantic and an even stormier boat trip in the
Baltic Sea, I was not looking forward to visiting the many
French Polynesia is almost directly south of Hawaii and scattered islands across the South Pacific by this same means.
approximately the same distance south of the equator as However, after a few trips, some of which were in very rough
Hawaii is north of the equator. There are approximately seas, I sort of got my “sea legs” and was actually able to enjoy
130 islands in French Polynesia and we were told that most of these lengthy trips at sea.
about 50 of them are inhabited to some degree. Almost all
of the inhabited islands have some LDS members. There Recently we were privileged to see a newly released film
are several main groups of islands including the main island entitled “The Other Side of Heaven.” This film is based on
of Tahiti, the Leewards (Bora Bora, etc.), the Tuamotus, the missionary experiences in Tonga of Elder John Groberg,
the Gambiers, the Marquesas, Tubuai Islands, and way who is now a member of the First Quorum of Seventy.
over near Australia is New Caledonia. Of course, besides The film was particularly fascinating to me because I
these seven more major groups of islands there are many experienced so many of the same things he did, but in Tahiti
others in between them. When we first arrived the main rather than Tonga. It was really humorous, for example, to
means of transportation to these scattered islands was by look back now at how primitive our means of travel and
inner‑island diesel schooners and sailboats. The Church communication were. Sometimes the radio system worked,
had owned a very fine sailboat for many years but it had but usually it didn’t. Then too, it was literally a miracle that
sunk in a hurricane in a bay just west of the main Papeete some of the boats I sailed on ever made it to the next island.
harbor shortly before our arrival. Bill often pointed out the For example, with the small boat called the “Terihau” I was
mast that was still visible above water each time we passed told three different times when going aboard that that trip
by that spot. He often said I should convince the Brethren would be its final voyage. After I rode it through a hurricane
to buy another “Praita,” which was what the Mormon ship on the one trip to Tubuai, the owner put it in dry‑dock in
had been called. It had been named after one of the original Tahiti for extensive repairs. Bill Mapakoi invited me to go by
missionaries whose name was Pratt. for a look at it while it was out of the water and I could hardly
believe what I saw. The side planking was so rotten that you
Our means of transportation were certainly varied, to say the could literally push your thumb right through it in places!
least. We arrived in Tahiti by large jet airliner. Then there were Different boat captains loved to have LDS missionaries on
various boats including the schooners, sailboats, and large board and would often carry them for free because they said
and small motorboats, outriggers to travel from village to they had never known of a ship to go down when carrying
village around outlying islands and, of course, we even rode Mormon missionaries. I must admit that did give me some
on yachts. We also had limited flights to the Leeward Islands consolation at times.

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Sagas of My Life

Perhaps I should relate some of the interesting experiences ship. I’ve always thought it very strange, both in Europe
on several of the boat trips I took. One of the strangest and in the Islands, that if an American is present when a
experiences happened during a trip to Manahi in the critical situation arises, it has been my experience that it is
Tuamotu Islands. We had a branch president in Manahi to him they invariably turn for direction. So, when Mervin
whose name was Mervin. He owned his own little schooner, turned to me and asked what could be done, I told him
named Kulani, and he would travel among the Tuamotus I knew very little about boats but if it were my decision I
gathering fish and transport them to the heavily populated would run the boat aground on one of the sandy beaches
island of Tahiti where there was a really large fish market. I had seen just to the west of the dry‑dock facility. Mervin
Mervin kept trying to get me to travel to the Tuamotus quickly agreed adding that the tide was right so that if we
with him because there were several Mormon branches could get the prow rebuilt in the next twelve hours we’d be
throughout these islands that needed chapel repairs and able to push off from the beach and again be on our way. So,
other construction projects. The mission president thought with the decision made, we headed for the beach and made
this was a very good thing to do but I first wanted to get a rather hard landing. Mervin kept mumbling about all the
things in order on the main island and on the other nearby money he had spent for the ice and so it was very critical to
islands before taking this longer trip. After a few months I get on our way with as little delay as possible. It was then
agreed to go with Mervin even though his boat was really another complete shock to me when Mervin again turned
quite a dilapidated thing to behold. to me and said he was certain that I, as a construction man,
could rebuild the prow of his ship. I told him that I was a
So, one fine day after a short visit to Tahiti on his fish run, construction man, not a shipwright. Then I remembered
Mervin convinced me that it was now a good time for me that Bill Mapakoi had told me he had worked for a dry dock
to go with him for a couple of weeks’ tour throughout the firm in his youth, so I told Mervin I’d see what I could do. I
Tuamotus. In the very early morning he had loaded the awoke Bill from a sound sleep and explained to him what
hold of his ship with crushed ice, which he used to keep the had happened. He was willing to help and even knew where
fish fresh for market. We actually left the Papeete harbor just there was a large curved timber that would work perfectly
before dawn and were headed for the pass that led to the for the new prow. We had to replace the splintered prow
open seas. As we approached the pass someone shouted and a lot of the connecting wood. Some of the existing
that a large tourist ocean liner was just then entering the wood was so rotten that I decided it would be best to run
pass from the opposite direction. Mervin called for the some steel bands on both sides back a couple of feet from
engineer in the mechanical room below‑deck to put the the prow and bolt them together from either side. I had to
engine in reverse. Immediately there was a terrible grinding get my Chinese metal man to weld long bolts together to
of gears but we seemed to just keep going forward. It was make it work. Bill felt that because the wood that connected
obvious we were too late to do anything but plow right into to our new work was so rotten, it would seem wise to pour
the side of the massive liner. The people on the liner didn’t concrete behind the new prow for additional strength. We
seem to even know they had been hit, but the prow of our did this and I told Mervin we’d have to wait until the next
little schooner was badly smashed in and we immediately day for the concrete to dry a little. He disagreed strongly
began taking on water! Mervin frantically called to see if and said we had to go with the tide that same day. I told him
the dry‑dock people, who were located at the far end of the I couldn’t assure we’d be seaworthy, but he said he would
harbor, would allow him to come into one of their docks. accept responsibility. I thought, yeah, but my life and the
They told him they simply had no space for another ship. lives of a few others are at stake here. But, Mervin was very
There was then complete pandemonium for the next few adamant so we went with the high tide and sailed (dieseled)
minutes as we considered what could be done to save the

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away. After we left the pass and headed into heavier seas, I Swimming with sharks
was really concerned as to whether the prow could take the
pounding of the heavy waves. However, to my great relief, it times. Both the sharks and the boys seemed to enjoy it
held up just fine. Bill later said that our repair work was no equally well. I took photos that turned out quite well of this
doubt the strongest part of the ship! surprising activity.

Mervin was so appreciative of our help that he would Speaking of sharks, I had an interesting experience
obtain lobsters on every island at which we stopped and swimming with some during this trip while we were at
really fed me royally during the entire trip. He would also Takapoto, I think it was. A couple of the young natives
proudly display at each stop the fine shipwright work invited me to go spear fishing with them in the deep
of his newly repaired craft. At one island, I think it was lagoon of their atoll island. Suddenly several large sharks
at Takaroa, there was a large turtle in their community surrounded us and just out of curiosity I casually pointed
fish basin. Everyone admired it greatly and, of course, my spear gun in the direction of one of the beautiful but
the natives love turtles for they are prized as the best of fearsome looking creatures. At almost the same instant the
Tahitian foods. I could see that Mervin worked hard in Tahitian swimming near me reached over and pushed my
bargaining to obtain this thing of beauty and then to my gun down with one hand while with the other he motioned
complete surprise he later presented it to me as a gift. We that was a no‑no. When we surfaced, he explained that
had it stuffed in Papeete and brought it home with us as a if a person shot his spear into a shark and drew blood, it
souvenir. Our grandchildren seem to admire our colorful would send all of them into a terrible frenzy and they would
turtle as much as any of our many other souvenirs. With attack any thing or anybody in their general area. I assured
today’s import regulations, I don’t think it would be him I had not intended to shoot but I also realized that
allowed to bring this or a number of the other items I was what I had done was not very wise because the gun could
given in different countries back to the States. have accidentally fired, as they sometimes do, and if it had
done so, we would have been in real difficulty. We had to
I mentioned a community fish basin. They had these at the stop fishing because spearing any fish and spilling blood
principal villages on many of the small outer islands. The would have brought trouble with the sharks. Under normal
island leaders would have the people work together and conditions sharks do not bother humans and I saw and
make these large basins out of coral near the water’s edge in swam near them several times in various places where we
such a way that seawater would seep in and through them. would swim around the islands. We often saw them when
Then, when the young men would go fishing, which they we swam near the deeper coral passes coming from the
did almost every day, they would, no doubt, keep some of open ocean into the inner lagoons.
their fish for their own families but put any excess in these
basins for anyone in the village to use. I recall that in one
such basin there were a couple of really large sharks that
were swimming constantly around the perimeter of the
oval shaped enclosure. As Mervin was showing them to
me, some young boys approached and each made a flying
jump into the large pool or basin. But amazingly enough,
they timed their jumps perfectly to land on the backs
of the sharks! They held on to the sharks’ dorsal fins and
rode them around the perimeter of the pool a number of

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This was truly a fascinating trip through the Tuamotus. I was during which time we could build another chapel and
surprised to find beautiful LDS stone meetinghouses on even offered to double the lease payment amount. He still
Takaroa and on Takapoto that nobody had told me about. refused and even threatened to keep possession of a fairly
These large structures had been built almost 100 years new generator we had installed in a shed at the rear of the
previously and were in much need of major repairs, which property. I told him all of the furnishings, including the
I was later able to arrange for. Interestingly enough there generator, were not a part of the land lease. I added that, if
were nicely kept graveyards around them similar to what we chose, we could even dismantle the chapel and rebuild
other churches did in America years ago. On other islands it elsewhere. He threatened to take us to court and added
I located chapels for which the mission had no record that any local judge and jury would side with him against
and I was able to update our inventory to include these a popaa (white man). I felt he was probably correct in
properties. Often when the mission was unable to respond his assumption and so as I left the man, I really felt quite
to a local group’s request to help with the construction discouraged. I did, however, find another property that the
of a new facility, and if the group had a more ambitious Church could purchase and concluded that we must move
leader, he would rally them together and they would simply ahead with all dispatch in building a replacement chapel as
build a native chapel on their own. With the poor means quickly as possible.
of communication in the past this had often happened in
these remote outer islands. I had reserved passage on the boat to depart the next day
and return to the main island but that evening I was notified
Another interesting boat trip I took was to the island of that the ship’s Captain had decided to leave that night
Bora Bora in the capacity of real estate agent for the Church. because a hurricane was headed toward Bora‑Bora and he
The mission president had requested that I go there and wanted to head east as quickly as possible to get out of its
negotiate an extension of a lease with a property on which path. We left in a hurry and made our way back to Papeete
we had built a native chapel about three years previously. without any problem except for some rough seas. While still
Someone should have arranged for the lease to last for five underway the next morning the Captain came to me with
to eight years, which was the approximate length of time the a wide grin on his face. He asked if I was the Mormon who
native chapels lasted. In any case, I was attempting to extend had met with the owner of the land on which our chapel
the lease for another five years. Our people had done a really was located in Bora‑Bora. I told him that, yes indeed, I was
good job of construction and it had been well maintained the man. He then explained that the hurricane had wiped
so the chapel was still in excellent condition. When I finally out the wharf at Bora‑Bora but, fortunately, there had been
found the owner of the land on which the chapel had been only one building destroyed in the entire community. “Can
built, he was not at all interested in extending the lease. you guess what building that might have been?” he asked,
After some prodding I found that he had decided to take as his grin grew wider. I replied that I had no idea. He then
possession, remodel it slightly to make it into a sort of went on to say that we had no need to fear about retrieving
duplex apartment and then rent it to tourists. I tried my best our generator or what was left of our scattered furnishings
to reason with the man telling him it hardly seemed fair that because the owner of our Bora‑Bora property was willing to
we had invested so much to build the chapel thinking we cooperate and do anything we asked. The only building that
could use it for the expected time it should last. I told him was lost in the hurricane was probably the best‑constructed
we had intended that the amount of lease costs could be building on the island ‑ our Mormon chapel! The captain
increased every three years and that was what I had come said that the man who called him on the radio to inform him
to propose. He refused to budge from his position. I then of the hurricane damage had quoted the owner of the land
asked if he wouldn’t just give us one more year of occupancy as saying, “Don’t give the Mormons any problems because

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