An Easter message

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).

Our Savior: A Family Man

Somehow it is very important that we have chosen Easter weekend as the time for our family reunion this year—appropriate because Easter celebrates the most glorious event that has ever happened in the history of the earth, appropriate because families are the most important thing on the earth. The mission of the Savior and the glorious eternal destiny of the family are so much a part of each other that prophets can tell us to "seek first the kingdom of God," but at the same time tell us that "the greatest work we will ever do for the Church will be within the walls of our own homes" and also that "no success can compensate for failure in the home."

Every couple in our family group has now been sealed for time and all eternity; every child has been sealed to his parents or born in the covenant. What a glorious opportunity can be ours to live together eternally if we prove worthy of such a great blessing. But have you stopped to consider the role of the Savior has played in making all this possible? He is the one who in the councils before this life advanced the plan; He is the author of our salvation. He is the one who created this earth for us to come to live on. He is the one who gives us the commandments we need to know and obey to be able to return to our Father's presence. He is the one who is the source of the priesthood, the power and the authority to bind us on earth and in heaven, to seal us together as families. He is the one who suffered for our sins, gave His life that we might live, and was resurrected that death might have no ultimate victory over us. He is the very God who gives us our life, our breath, our very being. All that we are, and ever hope to be, we owe to Jesus Christ, our Savior and God and King.

Now Jesus Christ is a family man. His sole work is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of his Father's children. When we enter the celestial world, we will be perfectly organized into families. God the Father will be there. And if worthy of our exaltation, we will be there as joint-heirs of Jesus Christ, gods in our own right, able to people worlds of our own without end, becoming Heavenly Fathers and Mothers to our own spirit children. Such is the eternal destiny that awaits us—all because of our beloved Redeemer.

I am grateful that the Savior we worship is a living God. Not all people do worship Him that way. When I was in Brazil on my mission, for example, I noticed that there the big holiday is not Easter Sunday but Good Friday. And it is not celebrated as a happy day. They remember the crucified Christ, not the resurrected Christ. I'm sure Kay noticed the same thing on his mission in Peru, and Dale is probably seeing it now in Bolivia. The difference was graphically shown at the New York World's Fair, which I visited in 1964. The Catholic pavilion showed the dead Christ, the famous Pieta. The Mormon pavilion showed a representation of the living Christ, the Christus which now stands with out-stretched arms in the Salt Lake Visitors' Center.

The beautiful hymn sums up what I'm trying to say:

I know that my Redeemer lives;
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, he lives, who once was dead.
He lives, my ever-living head.
He lives to bless me with his love.
He lives to plead for me above.
He lives my hungry soul to feed.
He lives to bless in time of need.

He lives, all glory to his name!
He lives, my Savior, still the same;
O sweet the joy this sentence gives:
"I know that my Redeemer lives!"

Yes, I know that my Redeemer lives. And I'm grateful to share that witness with all of you, my beloved family members. May we share that knowledge and faith with all we know—our families, our neighbors, with all the world. And may our lives reflect the joy and happiness that comes from living the gospel of our Savior—a family name.

A solemn assembly

This is an excerpt from a talk given in the sacrament meeting of the BYU Eleventh Branch on Sunday evening, April 7, 1974

This has been a historic conference. It was the 144t annual conference of the Church, which means there have been 144 April conferences. But there have also been an equal number of semi-annual conferences in October—so 288 general conferences [more or less] since the beginning of the Church. And a formal solemn assembly has been held in only ten of those many conferences, so this has been historic.

The last time a solemn assembly was held—when President Lee was first sustained as prophet in 1972—I had a ticket to attend in the Tabernacle. It was a solemn, moving experience to see the quorums of the priesthood stand each in their turn to witness to the Lord and all the world that they sustained, upheld, and supported him whom the Lord had called and chosen. And then in the majesty of his prophetic calling, a very humble Harold B. Lee stood and bared his soul to the Church. Little did we then suspect that so soon a new prophet would preside in Israel.

Again I had the special blessing of attending this solemn assembly in the Tabernacle. As President Kimball stood to open the session, the Spirit came over me and powerfully and peacefully bore witness to my soul that Spencer W. Kimball was a prophet of God, the Lord’s appointed mouthpiece, a prophet, a seer, a revelator.

During the voting I had the privilege of standing eight times—four with the quorum of elders and four with the general membership of the Church—and of raising my hand to the square fourteen times to witness to the Lord that I would follow those whom He had called to lead the Church.

The experience reminded me of what Joshua said to Israel anciently: “Choose you this day whom ye will serve . . . but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). And Saturday night, as Claudia and I retired for the evening, we knelt in family prayer and covenanted with the Lord that, as a family, we would honor and sustain and obey President Kimball.

Portuguese interpreter

Our branch president is working on a special project for the Presiding Bishopric concerning the financial operations of the Church worldwide. During conference weekend he met with three stake presidents from Brazil to explain an experimental program to them. I served as translator. That was a great experience in itself, but also because of the meetings we held I was introduced to Bishops Peterson and Featherstone (of the Presiding Bishopric) and to Elder L. Tom Perry, the new apostle. Our branch president had served in the presidency of the Boston Stake when Brother Perry was president of that stake.

What's in a name?

In ancient times names were chosen because of their meaning—especially in the Hebrew culture, which has had a great influence on English names. Here are the origins and meanings, as far as could be found, of names used in our family:

Name [Origin]: Meaning

Adam [Hebrew]: first man
Andrea [Greek]: woman
Angela [Greek]: angel

Barbara [Greek]: a foreeigner or stranger

Chad [Celtic]: the martial
Cheryl [German]: strong and womanly
Claudia [Latin]: the lame one
Curtis [Old French]: courteous or of the court

Dale [Anglo-Saxon]: from the valley
David [Hebrew]: beloved
Dean [Latin]: a chief or ecclesiastical head
Debra [Hebrew]: the bee or inudstrious (deseret)
Dorothy [Greek]: God's gift
Douglas [Celtic]: thoughtful

Gail [Anglo-Saxon]: to sing
Gena [Hebrew]: God is gracious
Gene [Greek]: of noble race

Harry [Danish]: one in command of an army
Hazel [Anglo-Saxon]: the hazel (tree)

Ivard [origin unknown]: meaning unknown

Jackie [Hebrew]: the supplanter
Jeff [Teutonic]: God's peace
Jerry [Hebrew]: exalted of the Lord

Kay [Latin]: the rejoiced in
Kelley [Celtic]: a warrior
Kimberley [origin unknown]: meaning unknown
Kristine [Greek]: a Christian
Kyle [Irish]: a chapel

LaWanda [Teutonic]: the wanderer
Lyle [French and Latin]: of the isle
Lynda [Spanish]: pretty or beautiful

Marc [Latin]: a warrior or defender
Michael [Hebrew]: one who is like God

Randy [Teutonic]: house wolf
Ray [Latin]: the radiant
Rhett [origin unknown]: meaning unknown
Richard [Teutonic]: the rich and hard

Scott [Scotch]: the wanderer
Shauna [origin unknown]: meaning unknown
Sheryl [German]: strong and womanly
Stanley [Old English]: from the stony lea

Tami [Hebrew]: a palm tree
Terry [Latin]: the smooth, tender

William [Teutonic]: resolute protector

Financial statement

The figures below show how the newsletter has been prospering up to (but not including) this special family reunion issue:

5 Sept 73 Vol 1 no 1 Printing costs 0.87
7 Sept 73 Vol 1 no 1 Postage 0.64
5 Nov 73 Envelopes 0.39
28 Nov 73 Vol 1 no 2 Printing costs 2.14
29 Nov 73 Vol 1 no 2 Postage 0.80
13 Feb 74 Vol 1 no 3 Printing costs 0.62
14 Feb 74 Vol 1 no 3 Postage 0.48
27 Feb 74 Vol 1 no 4 Printing costs 2.58
28 Feb 74 Vol 1 no 4 Postage 1.32
9.84

16 Feb 74 Donation from Ray & Sheryl 10.00

1 Apr 74 Balance 0.16

For your information, an average of eleven copies has been mailed out each issue. I have decided to send complimentary copies to Ken and Berniece, Ruth and Ray, and Bill and Jean—so they can keep up on what's happening to all of us. The spring issue (March 1st) was mailed to fifteen families.

Excerpts from Dale's letters

Tuesday, February 26
Two weeks ago I had my first Bolivian baptism and great was my joy. "Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel" (Alma 26:16). He is a 19-year-old guy who attends one of the universitites here in La Paz. He has a strong testimony (testimonio) of the gospel.

I'm reading the Book of Mormon for my third time. Nevery before have I felt the Spirit of the Lord so strong as this time. Right now I'm about to finish Alma. He was a great prophet! I feel I really know him. The gospel is so true!

One thing that bothers me is missionaries who come out on missions and don't act like missionaries. You wouldn't believe the ones that swear and break the mission rules. I don't see how they can even do the Lord's work.

Thursday, March 7
Since leaving for my mission I've done a lot of meditating and prayer. One of the things I prayed for most was that Mom and Dad would be blessed—physically and spiritually. In the letters I receive from Mom, they are growing spiritually and are being blessed of the Lord, thus my prayer being answered! Mom and Dad are the greatest, and I've been blessed with wonderful brothers and a sister who really care and have love one for another.

The work is moving right along here. We have 14 baptisms planned for March 16. Really stud people. I hope they all make it.

Wednesday, March 13
Remember Gonzalo Bazualdo (the kid I baptized)? Well . . . he wants to go to BYU now real bad, and while in the U.S. after a year wants to go through the temple.

Here's a thought: "In measuring love, the statistics to keep are: eternity long and infinity deep."

Stake mission

In the spring issue of the newsletter it was reported that Kay had been set apart by Hartmon Rector Jr. as a president of the 190th Quorum of Seventy. Since then he has been called to serve in the presidency of the stake mission.

What I've been up to

[A copy of an article from the Daily Universe, Thursday, April 4, 1974, about the TICCIT project on which I had been working]

The article on the previous page partly explains the project I've been working on for the past two years. But now I'm off to better things. On April 22 I begin a new job as an assistant trainer in the Clerk Training Department of the Presiding Bishopric's Office (PBO). Essentially I will be a writer, working on instructional materials for clerks, and materials for both Welfare Services and the Aaronic Priesthood MIA.

My office will be on the eighteenth floor of the new General Church Office Building. We will remain in Provo, at least for now, and I will commute to Salt Lake each day. We are so excited about this new opportunity, which comes after months and months of waiting and hoping and praying.

About two weeks ago, in the process of getting this new job, I had an interview with Bishop H. Burke Peterson, first counselor in the Presiding Bishopric. That was a special occasion.

A moving experience

Jerry and Gary have moved (on March 5) to a new two-bedroom apartment at 3824 Nez Perce in Boise. The new Zip code is 83705. Jerry is scheduled for a spinal operation the day after school is out at Boise State University. The doctors say it will be risky, and at best he will be layed up for six months. Please remember him in your prayers.

A moving experience

Ray and Sheryl are moving this week to Orem, Utah, just north of Provo, here in the peaceful Utah Valley. It will be nice to have them close to us. Sheryl's parents, the Crandalls, live in Provo. They are trying to sell their home in Heyburn. Ray is considering buying into a business here and is thinking of attending Utah Technical School at Provo. Their phone is (801) 224-2651. Their address is 186 E 1200 N, Orem, Utah 84057.

Family reunion will be in Nampa April 12-13

Yes, mark your calendars right now for the third annual Ivard R Cleverly family reunion. April 14 is Easter and the weekend corresponds with spring vacations in most schools. The actual reunion will begin around noon on Good Friday (April 12) and continue through Saturday or Sunday, depending on when people need to start leaving.

Ray has volunteered again to be in charge of the reunion. A little closer he will send out a letter giving all the details you'll need to know. As far as we are aware now, everyone in the family (except Dale) will be there.

Food storage

A lot of family members have been talking food storage. Some appear a little too zealous; others don't even know where to begin. So here are a few basic principles that will help all of us. Our late prophet, President Harold B. Lee, said in the Church welfare conference, October 1, 1966:

"We have never laid down an exact formula for what anybody should store, and let me just make this comment: Perhaps if we think not in terms of a year's supply of what we ordinarily use, and think more in terms of what it would take to keep us alive in case we didn't have anything else to eat, that last would be very easy to put in storage for a year . . . just enough to keep us alive, if we didn't have anything else to eat. We wouldn't get fat on it, but we would live, and if you think in terms of that kind of annual storage rather than a whole year's supply of everything that you are accustomed to eat, which, in most cases, is utterly impossible for the average family, I think we will come nearer to what President [J. Reuben] Clark advised us way back in 1937" (Ensign, Sept. 1973, 71).

Now what did President Clark say back in 1937? Listen: "Let every head of every household see to it that he has on hand enough food and clothing, and where possible, fuel also, for at least a year ahead" (Conference Report, Apr. 1937, 26).

So the prophets teach (1) that preparedness is important and (2) that we should first store the basic items that will sustain life and after that, if we can, store foods we normally eat. The following basic items might be considered for storage:

Grains (wheat, rice, or other of the grass cereals) - 300 lbs.
Powdered milk (nonfat) - 100 lbs.
Sugar or honey - 100 lbs.
Salt - 5 lbs.

These amounts would sustain an average woman for one year if no other foods were eaten. Men would need more, children less. The quantities would be reduced proportionately as other foods are added.

Storage must be approached wisely. The Church specifically counsels us not to go into debt to buy food, not to participate in panic buying, not to become stroage faddists. Each family must carefully, calmly, and prayerfully assess their own resources and their own needs and plan accordingly. Here are a few broad guidelines:

1. Top grade prodcuts store better. Buy the best.
2. Metal storage cans or heavy plastic containers with air-tight lids are usually best for storage.
3. Foods store best at 40-60 degrees. Shelf life diminishes in proportion to any temperatures higher than this.
4. Good rotation prevents spoilage or loss of food value, so store in areas that allow easy access and usability.

Local government agences, colleges, or universities can provide specific information regarding food storage. Elder Ezra Taft Benson gave an excellent talk on this subject in the last general conference. Read it (see Ensign, Jan. 1974, 68). Among the things he said was this: "The revelation to store food may be as essential to our temporal salvation today as boarding the ark was to the people in the days of Noah."

So this is very important. But let us keep calm; we are expected to be a positive light to the world. As President Joseph F. Smith said years ago (and it now seems so appropriate in the midst of Watergate and an energy crisis and food shortages and wars and rumors of wars and the increasing wickedness in the world):

"Leaders of the Church . . . should be men [and women] not easily discouraged, not without hope, and not given to forebodings of all sorts of evils to come. . . . If men standing in high places sometimes feel the weight and anxiety of momentous times, they should be all the firmer and all the more resolute in those convictions which come from a God-fearing conscience and pure lives. Men in their private lives should feel the necessity of extending encouragement to the people by their own hopeful and cheerful intercourse with them. . . . It is a matter of the greatest importance that the people be educated to appreciate and cultivate the bright side of life rather than to permit its darkness and shadows to hover over them" (Gospel Doctrine, 155).

If we live righteously, pay our tithing, practice thrift, avoid debt, and have a willingness to work, we need never fear. The Lord Himself has promised, "If ye are prepared ye shall not fear" (D&C 38:30).

For anyone who is interested, Ray can get hard turkey red what at $11.50 a hundred or potato granules at $5.00 a hundred. The wheat comes in 50 lb. bags, the potatoes in 100 lb. bags. Orders must be made immediately before the supply is gone. The wheat must be paid for when ordered. Money for the potatoes can be paid later (like at the reunion).

Message to descendants

Ray submitted this as what our grandparents Henry William Cleverly and Olive Ellen Ritchie could be saying to us, their descendants. It comes from a dream that he had.

Beloved children (for you are all our children; what does it matter wheter it's grandchildren or great-grandchildren or second or third great-grandchildren; we are all one family), we want you to know that we are pleased with what you are doing in gathering as a family and looking to your forefathers with respect and honor. We are glad to have come in remembrance before you.

Many loved ones wait in the prison section of paradise. You are their hope. Baptism opens the gate, endowments enable them to progress, marriage for eternity and sealing of children allow them to continue in the family unit until they attain exaltation.

If you hurry, more of us can come with the Savior when He arrives in the Millennium. If you neglect us, you must take your place at the end of the line when He comes.

Our thanks go out to Ray, Jerry, and Dean, and the rest who have helped so many over here.

We must not speak of things over here other than to say that now you're on a journey and you'll be coming HOME before long. When you cross the gulf, you'll leave the earthly things behind. There are three items you can bring: your character, the things you know, and all the good and bad you've done.

Oh, remember us, remember us. Walk not the selfish way. We rejoice in heaven that you are met together on this day. And now, our children, farewell until we meet again.

Grandma & Grandpa

Another family member

Curtis Page Cleverly (6 pounds 9 1/2 ounces and 18 1/2 inches) was born to Ray and Sheryl in Burley on Tuesday, December 4, 1973. Ray blessed him on January 6, 1974. Young Curtis had doubled his weight by his six-week checkup. Richard and Shauna are proud of their new little brother.

Spring people

The following twelve people celebrate their birthdays between March 21 and June 20:

April 1: Lynda (age 35)
April 7: Ivard (age 59)
April 7: Ike (age 9)
April 18: Marc (age 6)
April 19: Rhett (age 2)
April 21: Jeff (age 15)
April 30: Kristine (age 14)

May 4: Kelley (age 5)
May 6: Terry (age 18)
May 15: Kyle (age 6)

June 7: Shauna (age 3)
June 11: Jerry (age 36)

Harry and Hazel Pledger will celebrate their first wedding anniversary on March 1st.
Gene and Cheryl their eighth on May 25th.

What we're doing in the Church

Kay was set apart January 17, 1974, by Hartmon Rector Jr. as one of the seven presidents of the 190th Quorum of Seventy.

Dale is working in Bolivia's capital city, La Paz. He is assigned to Branch 9 and reports there are twelve branches in the city. His address will always be the same, no matter where he is stationed: Casilla de Correo 4789, La Paz, Bolivia. In one of his first letters he wrote: "The people are really neat. Fast Sunday I just cried because of the humbleness of these people. They'd do anything for the Church."

Sheryl's brother, Scott Crandall, has received a mission call to the Alberta-Saskatchewan Mission.

Kristine is first counselor in her second year Beehives class.

Lyle was called February 3, 1974, to serve as first counselor in the Sunday School presidency of the Bellingham 1st Ward. Barbara has been serving for over a year as secretary of the Primary.

Lynda was called December 9, 1973, as second counselor in the Primary of the Ogden 67th Ward. In January she was released as MIA activity and service advisor. Gail serves as Explorer committeeman.

On January 13, 1974, I was released as second counselor in the presidency of the BYU 11th Branch and then resustained as first counselor.

Stan, Terry, and Dave all played on the senior basketball team of the Bellingham 1st Ward. The team captured fourth place in the stake.

Lynda was in charge of a daddy-daughter date on January 18 that followed an early-1900s theme. Gail and Angie attended as daddy and daughter.

Ray's research report

The past year I have read 172 rolls of microfilm at a cost of $128. I collected $45 at the reunion last summer, so you can see the amount I've paid out of my own pocket. There is much more I could do if I had the money to spend. I am almost ready to hire a researcher on the Cleverly lines.

Last month I found access to Aunt Louisa's records and have been copying them. I have been able to add four generations of grandparents from these records. I added seven pedigree charts on Dad's Horton lines. There are 1,239 names ready to be processed. I am presently planning on putting them in the family file of the Provo Temple. Would anyone else like some names put in the other temples close to you so you can have the joys of doing work for your ancestors? If so, let me know.

Finally, for this year I have spent $20.50 for films and for pictures for this year's renion.

Ouch!

Some kids never know when to quit. And young Rhett Cleverly, one of Kay's and Claudia's boys, seems to be one of these. This particular incident started back in the end of November when older brother Ike had baked a cake for his Cub Scout pack meeting. Year-and-a-half-old Rhett spied the cake way up on the stove and decided he'd have a taste. So up he climbed, salted and peppered the cake, and started playing with the buttons on the stove. It took only seconds to start a potholder on fire and to thoroughly burn his hands.

Five days later, with hands still bandaged, Rhett was playing in the kitchen again when, before anyone knew what was happening, he pulled two-month-old Chad off the counter onto the floor. Chad's arm was broken and he had it in a cast until Decmeber 28.

We need each other

Ray submitted the following:

If it were possible for a life to be lived without parents, brothers, sisters, or without association with any other person, the deplorable state of such an individual would be almost beyond comprehension. So we need each other. First our parents, brothers and sisters, and friends. Then wives, husbands, and children. We also need others to supply employment, to manufacture, to furnish things we need. Thus life is made more bounteous and enjoyable.

Life is a continuous round of doing something for someone else and they in turn doing something for you. Nevertheless, we hope to be self-sustaining. If we owe a debt, we want to pay it. We do not want to live on the fruits of another person's labor. But for man to try and live altogether independently of one another is against the law of achievement. What greater way to pay our debts than to work for those who have preceded and had our way prepared for us.

The family bond should always be maintained. Reunions are necessary that family ties be not forgotten, and also that through united effort certain obligations will be taken care of, friendships renewed, and the unity of the family maintained. I believe the will of the Lord to be that we all united that we can more effectively discharge our responsibilities and establish a lasting bond of friendship and love among us.

With all my love to family members that we may keep the faith always.

Bits and tidbits

Lyle is going into his third year with Transcontinental Refrigeration. For 1973 he was their number five man in sales. He placed second in their Christmas contest, which won him a nice cash prize. Evidently he has a few problems getting gas, but nothing severe yet. He's thinking of adding a second regulation gas tank to his car. If the fuel situation get bad enough, they are considering moving from Ferndale when school is out in June to some place more centrally located.

Dale left from the Salt Lake International Airport for Bolivia the day following Christmas. Harry and Hazel Pledger, Dad and Mom, Jackie, Gail and Lynda, Kay and Claudia, and families were all there to see him off.

Jackie is keeping busy these days. Besides going to school and early-morning seminary, she works part-time at the Dairy Queen, takes piano lessons (and cleans house to pay for them), is first counselor in the MIA program, is Primary librarian, and tries to get in her service hours. If all that's not enough, she's thinking of taking dance lessons.

Randy and Scott play city Little League basetball every Saturday and do pretty good at it.

Kyle was recently honored at "Someone Special" week at school. He shared his baby pictures, a favorite record, and some pictures he had drawn.

Claudia (mine) is pregnant again. We're expecting another boy August 19, two weeks short of Michael Adam's first birthday.

Stan is living at home again. He hasn't had any luck so far with his job hunting but is hopeful of getting on at the big Fred Meyer's complex opening in May.

Jackie spent a week in early January in southern California with the Don Carrolls of Nampa.

Ike received two lumps of coal for Christmas. Although intended as a "mischievous boy" present, it's not such a bad gift in these days of fuel shortages.

Lyle and Barbara started off the year with Scott in the hospital with a severe sinus infection and inflammation. He spent a total of six days there, hooked up to the IV bottles the whole time, getting massive doses of antibiotics through his veins. He is alright now, except for occasional headaches.

Jerry is now a full-time student at Boise State College (which officially became a university on February 22). He works weekends and two nights a week besides. Sometime in June he is scheduled for an operation.

Dad has made a rug since Christmas.

A few weeks into this semester, I decided that trying to go to law school part-time along with everything else I had to do just wasn't working. So I dropped the two law classes I was taking and it has made life so much easier.

Barbara is in a bowling league again this year. She bowled her first 200 game ever in January and followed up two weeks later with a second 200 and a 534 series. She even beats Lyle once in a while now!

Lessons from our children

Claudia submitted the following:

Elder Boyd K. Packer once said the only significant lessons he has learned in life have been taught by his children. I too find Michael Adam is one of my best teachers. I would like to share something I've learned from him just over the past two or three weeks.A couple of weeks ago he learned how to roll over from his stomach to his back. To watch him struggle though just tore my heart out. He wasn't sure what he was doing—it was all so new to him—and sometimes he would get so frustrated at his struggles. I wanted so much to pick him up myself and turn him over—to save all that trouble and heartache—but I knew I couldn't. The struggles made him strong, and he couldn't learn if I did it for him.It occurred to me one day while I was watching him try that our earth life is but a type and shadow of eternity, a testing ground, and that parents have a very similar relationship to their children as our Heavenly Father has to us. With all this in mind, it came to me that the Lord watches over us too and sees our struggles. But like parents here on earth He sometimes has to just let us struggle so we can learn more effectively through our experience and grow stronger."Know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good" (D&C 122:7)."My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; and then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee over all thy foes" (D&C 121:7-8).How well the Lord has said it. And realizing my own love for Michael Adam, I now have a deeper understanding of the Lord's love for us and of why He gives us trials and tribulations. I am very grateful for these things and for a loving Father who would care to give us these learning experiences that we might grow.

God bless you all. We hope to see everyone of you at the reunion in April.

Supporting Dale on his mission

Dear family,

A letter came yesterday from Mom that now prompts this open letter to you. She doesn't know we're sending this out, and we guess she doesn't necessarily need to.

For the past few months Gene has been in an unusually tight financial bind because of his new job and moving expenses and a new baby. His $30 a month towards Dale's mission has been paid by Dad and Mom, along with their own $20. This accounts for $50 of the necessary $100 a month. We add another $30, bringing the total to $80. We don't know how much any of you are regularly paying, but Jackie gives much of what she earns, which may account for the remaining $20.

Now this is a big sacrifice for Dad and Mom, and properly so, and one for which they will be blessed. But we think it is a sacrifice greater than they alone should be asked to bear. We think everyone should have opportunity to reap some of the blessings that surely come to those who support the Lord's program. From our own experience, we can testify gladly that such blessings do indeed come. Sacrifice brings for the blessings of heaven. Prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it (Malachi 3:10).

If each brother and Jackie were giving a mere $10 a month, that would be $80 (and leave the $20 for the folks, not to mention the car payments they assumed on Dale's car). Ten dollars would be a light load for anyone. That much is easily wasted on not so important things each month.

There is still another dimension. Dale will be supported now, whether we as a family or the ward does it. Aside from our opportunity to have the blessing is a responsibility to honor our parents. We are so indebted to them, for they have given us life and no person short of the Savior can give us any greater gift. We cannot readily think of a way more meaningful to show them that we do honor them. Words can tell them we love them, but doing something is where the action is.

Now we hope you receive this in the spirit we intend it. If you're willing or able to help, forward any money to Mom around the first of any month. You can make a check to the Nampa LDS Fifth Ward and send it with a donation slip filled out like this:

[A sample donation slip was shown]

If you do it this way, you will receive a receipt and the donation becomes tax deductible.

May God bless you all. And may you know the peace, the prosperity, the joy that a loving Father has blessed us with.

With all our love,
Dean & Claudia


The Cleverly Newsletter, Feb 12, 1974 [Vol 1 no 3]