107. Zion's Daughter, Leanore
Dedicated to Leanore McClellan Hicks (1908-1996)
Recorded by Russell Hicks, with his sisters and brother:
Leanne Allphin, Carolyn Crane, Marilyn Morgan and John Hicks
PREFACE:
This is a poem for family, more than anything else. It was received for the funeral of Leanore McClellan Hicks in 1996. By seeming serendipity [but is there really such?], I was the last of five children born to Leland and Leanore Hicks. Their story will be told, hopefully by a Life Singer endowed with Divine artistry and grace. Yet, I must attempt to publish to the world my profound, if inarticulate, esteem for my mortal parents.They have become...more than earthly parents...friends. But then, I doubt that many children write letters to the deceased. I have received great pleasure in so doing. And whenever I think of them, I am rewarded with a spirit of peace and joy and love. I am so very happy that they like this piece, and they continue to support me.
My goal in presenting this here is not merely to commend and celebrate these extraordinary people, but also to teach the truth that most every son or daughter can and should recall blessings each has received from those who gave us mortal life.
1. A Beginning is Chosen
We begin...in a foreign land.
Oh...this is not the best beginning--
For there is both a veil and a law.
And many precious memories and covenants,
Must now be hidden from the mortal view of those,
Who, before, vowed fidelity to the Father.
(So few have yet relearned such vows!)
Thus, we will begin...with honored grandparents:
Earl McClellan, his wife Lois, and their willingness
To heed a prophet's command to build settlements in Mexico.
2. Colonies Are Founded in Mexico
A few hundred stalwart souls will cross an unmarked border to the south
And begin communities in Dublan, Diaz, and Juarez.
They set out with faith both in their callings,
And in he who called them--Brigham Young.
Some flee unjust laws, persecuted for their obedience to God.
They are amply endowed only with great space and great hope.
Their new home is weeks of dusty travel away
From that "High Mountain Top" of which we sing,
Then a place of gathering for the strength of His Church.
These pioneers must carry Zion with them in their hearts.
The saints who settle in the Mexican Colonies
Are, too soon, challenged to suffer even as Job of old.
Floods devastate their early efforts.
Anguish and privation dishearten them as crops fail.
Indian raids and disease ravage their ranks.
And the unrelenting toil,
Of creating a new community with bare hands,
All serve to mock their faith and their zeal.
But though hell itself conspires against them,
They persevere and succeed.
3. The Mexican Saints Achieve
Brave men and women strive to join faith and works
As two eyes make one in the sight of He who gives them joy.
Often, they are visited by the Lord's servants.
Henry Eyring, Anthony Ivins, Helaman Pratt, and others,
Will bless and guide, comfort and cheer,
These foundling communities of eager saints.
And from within this sturdy flock, new leaders arise--
Among them is Bishop Earl McClellan.
With fasting and prayer, as much as with wood and stone,
He builds for God.
The colonists take as their pattern the settlements of Utah.
Farming is diversified; fruit is cultivated in all its varieties;
Stock is raised in abundance; saw mills are built.
In time, there are schools--
Even the prestigious Juarez Academy.
But the true success of these dreamers is seen in their children.
Marion G. Romney is but one of many, born in the Colonies.
He, with other children of promise,
Who begin life in these simple surroundings,
Bear a heritage of faith still felt today.
5. Leanore is Born...Only to Leave Mexico
Earl and Lois receive God's gift of a baby girl,
A valiant spirit so eager to begin mortality
That she arrives fully two months early--November 27, 1908.
The first cradle for this tiny infant is a shoe box.
Swaddled in cotton, she is fed condensed milk with an eye dropper.
Her parents' first child, she is named Leanore.
Her slight size at birth (4 lbs. 7 ozs.)
Will later be recognized as deceptive,
As soul and mind are spacious and eager to expand.
Surprisingly, it is a future Bishop Hicks, not she, who will live in Mexico.
What smallpox, floods, and Indians cannot destroy,
Will be first threatened, and then shattered, by a revolution.
In the early 1900s, when the colonies begin to flourish,
A bandit known to an anxious world,
As "Pancho" Villa, spreads destruction throughout the southwest.
Unwillingly, the Mexican saints are compelled to flee.
Through every trial, they are guarded and guided by the Lord.
Uncounted reports of courage and conviction,
Of inspiration and preservation,
Shall be engraved upon their hearts, and their children's.
Grandfather McClellan takes his carpenter's craft north.
He will move often in the years to come.
From Provo to Payson, then from Utah to Idaho,
He will move across the West searching for work.
Later still, he travels to Arizona for his wife's health--
Only to return to Payson once again.
He leaves his finest mark there--and in his children's lives.
(His restlessness will visit successive generations.)
When others are blessed with a single home for life,
Leanore will acquire strength from diversity.
5. Leanore Grows and Learns
Mexico is but a parents' memory to Leanore--she leaves when two.
But the stories told often by devout parents,
Serve to shape and mold this child.
She studies and learns--
English, mathematics, and history delight her.
But her frequent childhood travels will carry a price--
She is terrified of a bearskin rug, and even flies!
When twelve, whopping cough weakens both eyes and hands.
Wearing glasses, when such is uncommon, she is called "four eyes."
Likewise, sewing and typing become more difficult for her.
Be not disheartened by such trials of timidity or weakness.
For this child is tempered by change and adversity
Until she grows valiant. She will need such strength.
Barely into her teens,
She must often care for her household--
Including five younger brothers and sisters.
No, this cannot be the story of those kind and valiant hearts,
Though their own loving histories deserve to be told,
Others must record for them. There is still time.
Or, if none speak now, their deeds will be heralded in heaven itself.
Earl McClellan will struggle devoutly
To provide for his family despite great opposition.
He will work when he can. He may be paid, or he may not.
If he has no work, he will search for it.
His greatest joy is to build for God.
His skill and vigor are seen in chapels and buildings
Spread throughout the Church settlements.
Leanore learns other crafts--she will study, write and teach.
While adversity denies her the valedictory,
She graduates as editor of her high school newspaper.
Before her graduation, her devotion and faith are again tested.
A favored Payson High School teacher
Offers a canyon breakfast for her class.
Knowingly, the instructor serves only coffee.
Leanore is surrounded by peers and friends,
Who, like her, had promised to follow the Lord's command.
"Be a sport" she is urged. (It seems a small thing to them.)
All others, save one, partake: ("Where is the harm?" they ask.)
"Shall I or shan't I?" she asks herself. The heavens wait....and she refuses.
A shield of commitment is made that day. It will never fail in years to come.
6. Leanore Attends College...and Meets Leland
She has a dream denied her own mother--a college education.
At first, there is no money,
And her studies at Brigham Young must be delayed.
Slowly, she saves wages from tedious housework.
Later, early studies begun with great promise,
Are marred by the death of her dear mother Lois.
Will she quit school, or remain and attempt to endure the loss alone?
She remains... and two women's dreams are fulfilled.
She studies teaching--
In all its varieties, it will be her passion for the eternities.
Her long-awaited studies begin in humble surroundings.
For the great university which we now know,
Was but a prophet's vision then.
A mere two thousand studied on the "lower campus".
To pass it now is to sense amusement or embarrassment,
For weeds, fences, and signs warning of unknown dangers,
May cause today's proud students to look away.
But know this well--the spirit of God, which now dwells humbly,
In the upper campus, despite lofty trappings of glass and steel,
Abounded then, and lingers still in the lives of former students.
Leanore concludes her teacher's studies in two years.
But first, she serves as a student teacher in Payson.
Although her supervisor offers little,
She will still learn from the experience--she loves children.
With degree in hand, she seeks work in the Great Depression.
A job is offered in primary grades for which she is unprepared.
But though she had only studied to teach intermediary levels, she can adapt.
She studies late each night and excels each day.
Never angry or punitive, her work thrills her.
Her greatest challenges come from impish identical twins.
It is New Year's Eve, and a pretty collegiate born in the Colonies,
Will brave a "blind date" with Leland Hicks--an Arizona boy.
At first, this future suitor imprudently speaks more to Leanore,
About a former darling than of this new friend's life.
(Our "usually reliable sources" report this a common failing--
Which extends to many men beyond the Hicks clan!)
But with dates, talk, and candy--these two friends enjoy their days.
Finally, inspiration, or mere good sense, causes Leland to say:
"Let's not talk about her, let's talk about us."
(Do five "future children" sigh with relief?)
7. Leanore Marries Leland
What does she see in him,
This serious lad from the Arizona desert?
What prize is he, that she should accept his proposal?
There seems a constancy in this young man--a commitment which she shares.
Many could seek her hand. But even in those days, so few endured.
The customs of the day may have seemed innocent to the world:
Husbands would drink and flirt until Sunday saw them pass the sacrament.
She is asked plainly, by another who sought him, "Why Leland?"
She keeps her answer to herself:
"There is not a man here worth Leland Hicks' little finger."
They begin with nothing,
Save a sure conviction that they must marry or part.
There is no wedding dress, nor special cake.
Their raw determination will be tested through life.
Later, when misfortune and want might separate them,
She gains strength from her eternal resolve,
And her confidence in their decision: "It was right."
It is October 5, 1933. They have no honeymoon--
Their wedding night is spent fighting yellow jackets
In their new apartment on Main Street.
She leaves her teaching job in Dividend
And they prepare to travel eastward,
Where Leland will study radio and electronics.
For now, he sells and delivers furniture.
His wage, at first $60 a month, rises to a "lavish" $130.
The couple pay off debt, equip their home, and save for their move.
They have heard a call from a place unlike any they know.
She was a child of mountains, who delighted in gardens and trees.
He was an heir of grand expanses and simple pleasures.
They both expect only a short absence from their roots.
They go to a far away city--but no ordinary city!
Chicago is its name. It is a place of crowds.
And cold in winter time, and heat in summer time--
And often wet throughout!
It lives, massive and brooding,
By a lake defiled by man's avarice and neglect.
There is no resort here for the idle rich.
(Though some may find wealth, where are they now?)
This is a place of hard work,
And strong smells, and of movement never ceasing.
8. Leland and Leanore are Challenged by the Great City
Then, as now, this was a mammoth, sprawling beast,
Both repulsive and beautiful.
You may visit it, and more than once,
And yet never know the creature,
For it is many cities, inhabited by many peoples,
Each preserving their own tongue, and taste, and touch,
Of Germany, or Poland, or China, or....
It is a steely Janus--gateway to a modern world.
Most just "pass through", and never know this brute, but to say,
"I came though Chicago, but, of course, I did not stay."
Leland and Leanore do not expect to stay.
She is shocked by the proportions, the pace, the sheer clamor of the place.
The mountains which tower over her are of man's steel and stone.
Here, fierce winds blow from gossiping tongues.
Oh, you have heard the story often enough--
But has repetition so dulled your soul
That you have never tried to imagine how she felt?
Have you ever heard the roar of the elevated train (the "El"),
And been battered by the fearful tumult of the jostling crowd?
To know, as He knows, you must see this giant with her eyes.
To survive, they must rely upon deep spiritual roots.
The Church, then the "Northern States Mission" is small.
Some proud saints are there to study dentistry or medicine.
But is there a place for a humble electronics student and his wife?
Yes--for they know how to serve, and serve they shall.
Leanore finds many Beehive age girls without direction.
But she has been well trained--
The need is sure; her devotion is complete.
She is soon the branch "Beekeeper," and her girls advance rapidly.
Leland's course of study ends,
And yet...the couple stays.
There is work here, and the Spirit guides.
Their lives are centered in the Church.
It is a little plant which grows swiftly!
At first, there are meetings in a rented hall at the Edgewater Beach Hotel.
But soon, branches are formed, wards follow, and a stake is made.
Still, Logan Square and North Shore are tiny then.
Leland and Leanore have skills and vigor desperately needed,
As young and tender souls must be cared for and cultivated.
The first of everything is both a novelty and a challenge.
There is the first Gold & Green ball at hotel where they meet--
It is a great success, soon followed by others.
Leanore has silver dancing slippers and a black taffeta skirt.
Leland gives her a white gardenia corsage. See them kiss.
They may seem to "party in poverty," but they enjoy themselves.
Years later, the disparity of wealth is only greater,
But now, these are loving, happy youth.
Leanore is Stake Beekeeper and Leland is Stake Clerk.
They will travel far, for three states are all within their stake.
9. Children Come to Leland and Leanore
The couple aspire to family. Leanne, the first, has a difficult birth,
Leanore will plead at the gates of heaven for this, and every child.
The Lord sends a gifted physician for whom her youngest will be named.
Leanore is given daughters of virtue and faith,
As Carolyn and Marilyn soon add their spirits to the family.
Later, boys come. First John, then Russell, and the family is complete.
Again, Leanore will teach--by her life, and with patient instruction.
Her children are given all but money. But recall the poet's wisdom:
"Richer than I, you can never be. I had a mother who read to me."
She reads often: Scripture stories, Singing Wheels, songs, and poems.
The growing family is living on Carmen Avenue in Chicago.
They need more space, but Leland and Leanore have little money.
The Lord sees the devotions of hard working parents who pray.
By happenstance, an inviting house is found for them in Evanston.
The city is known to Leanore as her children attended school there.
It is a healthy town--no hulking metropolis, but a refuge of calm charm.
"This will be your home," the Spirit whispers as she visits the place.
But how can they possibly move into this pleasant neighborhood?
A way is provided by means and men both miraculous and quiet.
Grateful children are forever indebted to these, the Lord's servants.
The family will live at 1317 Greenwood until the last child is gone.
They leave their Chicago apartment with kind memories upon which to build.
The colossus, in all its diversity, will remain close--
A place to sample and enjoy, before returning safely...home.
From Chicago, Evanston, and far beyond, friends are made.
We beg forgiveness for the limitations of this humble account.
To acknowledge some is to ignore hundreds.
To thank only a few who inspired us is to slight many.
Proper appreciation for so many relations, teachers, leaders,
Friends, and fellow-servants must await a Millennial day.
But we speak truth when we proclaim:
We keep you in our hearts as we travel the world around.
From Seminary and Sunday School, from Ward and Stake,
From Illinois to Utah,
As we travel around the block, or around the globe,
Your testimonies are our stepping stones.
Your counsel is our guide.
Your love gives our lives purpose and joy.
We will never forget you. We will always love you.
We strive to give to others what you gave to us.
10. Leanne Remembers
There were thrilling trips to Nauvoo, where the pungent blue cheese factory
Vied with historical sites for Father's attention,
But Mother was a student of Joseph Smith.
Mother would assemble countless clippings in her private library--
A vast store of articles, stories, and instructions about everything.
She would make cinnamon rolls and lemon custard ice cream.
Sunday nights were for toasted cheese sandwiches and cocoa.
Late on Christmas Eve, Leanne will hear a sewing machine.
Mother is making doll clothes for a holiday surprise.
Later, clothes and dolls will go to younger sisters.
11. Carolyn Remembers
There were picnics on the rocks near the beaches of Lake Michigan--
Lavish spreads of fried chicken, rolls, and finger foods.
Carolyn plays on the sand and makes wreaths of clover blossoms.
Thanksgiving would be incomplete without a trip to Olsen Rug.
Corn shocks and pumpkins play host to friendly pilgrims and Indians.
Above the happy scene, viewed best at twilight, is a marvelous waterfall.
More than once they visit Palmyra, New York, for the pageant.
Beware the cow pies where birthday parties mean chocolate cake.
Once, the trip is made with Mervyn Allphin, who enduring all,
Is pronounced worthy for Leanne. (He, like her own mate, will never fail.)
12. Marilyn Remembers
There were early morning beach trips to watch the sunrise on the lake.
Father would make breakfast--a gritty delight of sand flavored eggs.
On Stake business, the family would visit Milwaukee and pick berries.
Blue stained children are given brown soap and wash in a lake.
For years, you could bring a smile to Leanore's cheeks by reminding her of cows
Protected by Wisconsin's ban on the devil's own product--"colored oleo."
Summer brings concerts at the Band Shell, and the amazing display
Of lights and water at the Buckingham Fountain nearby.
Christmas was for the conservatories--Lincoln Park and Garfield.
Believing parents esteem her N.C. mission--a superb example for the boys.
13. John Remembers
There were long walks to downtown Evanston.
As a young boy, his wish of becoming a cub scout is realized--
But only when mother offered to serve as Den Mother.
The house on Greenwood becomes a cheerful home (for some a first)
For a mob of rowdy, happy boys--Mother's inventions are endless.
That one boy with black skin is truly welcomed shocks some neighbors.
Hectographs compete with scout knots and paper mache monsters.
For Halloween, a haunting, spectral scene is created on the front lawn:
A cauldron of water, "boiling" with dry ice, is stirred by paper witches,
While the sounds of "Dance Macabre" play for the neighborhood.
14. Russell Remembers
There were chocolate chip cookies, fresh breads, and vegetables from our own garden.
Often we visit the Museums of Science and industry and Natural History.
At speech competitions, one can watch and learn,
As mother brings home the first place prizes.
There was Shed's Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, and Brookfield Zoo.
There were glorious Roadshows--award winning triumphs after
Weeks of Gilbert & Sullivan music throughout the house.
The grandest, the story of Wilmette Ill., will never be equaled.
Mother lives her life in crescendo, always finding new challenges.
There were Siamese cats, most notably "Sahib", still missed.
15. The Children Grow...and Leave
One by one her children learn lessons of faith, courage, and reliance on the Lord.
Ever, they are supported by parents who, intuitively,
Offer love which neither stifles nor commands.
Education away from home is made available to each child--
To BYU, Ricks, or both. School is not grades, but to learn service in the Kingdom.
One by one they find their partners and begin families apart, yet linked forever.
And they struggle, bearing not only their parents' frailties, but their own.
Each one feels a special bond, and privately confides: "She was my best friend."
All will remain active in God's Restored Church--it is the life they choose.
Their parents' lives are, by themselves, eternal testimonies.
16. Leland and Leanore Serve a Mission and "Retire"
Leland grows older--both in his trade and in his service to the Lord.
A salesman in radio and electronics, his achievements,
Though modest in the world's eyes, loom large to his children.
For a masterful knowledge of his products and an honest value,
Never a smutty joke or glass of liquor, are the basis for his success.
In every calling, including multiple stake missions,
Leland strives to fulfill God's commands...Leanore supports every call. It is their way.
One day, a sales job ended, both are invited to the Bishop's office--
Will the couple accept a call? Without a breath, they answer "Yes."
Another chapter is written, as bride and groom, grayer now,
Preach and teach a new generation of saints in Kansas.
They take with them little more than they had to begin their days together,
Save for a lifetime of experience and sacrifice in the Kingdom.
It is but the pattern of their life's fabric.
Look closely at that clean and modest garment--
You will see the weave repeat throughout.
It has a warp of struggle and a woof of service.
Do not despise the plainness of this worthy material.
Jesus wore a plain garment.
The mission ends--a joyful experience completed with honor.
They again yearn for their "Mountains High."
The couple have earned the right to return to their roots,
To the mountains and people they knew and loved when young.
Again, through happenstance,
(But do we not know better now?)
A special home with a large garden is found in Spanish Fork.
Again, there are those who make it possible--
This quiet sharing deserves an enduring reward, and
He who sees in secret shall reward openly.
But a new home can only mean new callings to this couple.
They are embraced by new friends and neighbors
As if they have lived there all their lives.
And the Church provides both care and opportunities for service.
Leland serves as Scoutmaster, in his sixties!
He finds joy in a new generation of young men.
He will later receive the Silver Beaver for a life of service.
Leanore joins D.U.P. and studies genealogy.
She returns to the strength of her youth as she again teaches young women.
The couple are embraced by the Lord and His saints until their next mission.
17. A Memorable Family Reunion
Few who hear these meager words can recall a special hour.
The children, and their children, gather in two small Provo hotel rooms.
The analogy is almost perfect--observe the pattern for eternity:
The spiritually immature are occupied by the day's diversions.
There are comic books, a video game, a movie--all innocent but childish.
But in the next room, the adults have gathered to speak of eternal things.
God's presence is invited in prayer. His goodness is praised.
Counsel is sought and shared. Gratitude for nurturing parents is expressed.
But before the joyful family separates,
The parents humbly ask for a blessing from the Lord through their children.
Two serve as voice. Theirs is a special and sacred duty--they pray within.
Hands, resting lightly, are weighty with importance.
The complete fulfillment of Leland's blessings requires a future morn.
But there are those here who may still recall blessings promised Leanore.
The weak of God astound the world.
Thus speak the young what God approves.
I tell you true, He spoke that night.
No, we cannot repeat what was said.
But we recall the Spirit of the hour.
And the literal fulfillment of all has already commenced.
18. Leland's Last Mission Call
Several years ago, after months of quiet repose, Leland received his new mission call.
You may have seen him before his departure,
Well cared for by young friends, and worried over by family.
There was no need for fear, for if he did not pay attention to you then,
You still saw his peace, though marred by some passing moments.
Each day he relived some loving chapter from his life.
Where today, Dad? A youth conference? A date with Leanore?
Then, for some, he became, without disrespect, not only "Dad," but Leland.
The Argentine poet laureate studied by his sons observed:
"El padre que da consejos es mas que un padre un amigo."
["The father who gives counsel, is more than a father, a friend."]
Be not alarmed by this last calling. All is truly well.
He will yet fulfill it as well as all others, though it will last a Millennium
The "day of this life" is not yet over for one who, in the Spirit World,
Now teaches the grandeur of the Restoration with clear mind and heart.
There was a need--for both teacher and students. Make no mistake.
Though fool I am, I say he learned of loss, and love,
And what it meant to be without she who forsook all others,
To become one with him--a lesson many need.
Leanore, always patient, remained briefly to share her life with new friends
And to receive the respect of an ever expanding family.
19. We Bid an Earthly Farewell to our Honored Mother
Now, her mission call received, we bid an earthly farewell to our honored mother..
But more, we recall what was, and we plan what can be when we meet yet again
For we do not gather as frightened children, threatened by unknown purpose or fate.
Nor are we deceived by this frail husk and these meager bones,
Soon to lie beneath kind Payson sod. While young, we learned of Father's plan.
She taught us well-- SHE IS NOT HERE. (And yet, she is!)
Our tears are joyful as we recall loving memories of a life worth living.
Oh yes, we cry, in part, from the simple wonder of it all,
And, in part, from the separation of she who was always there for us--
For every skinned knee or tender emotion.
And as their love and faith now calm our selfish hearts,
Within, the still small voice proclaims: "Be of good cheer."
"For every blessing earned, every earthly joy, and every promise made... abides"
That voice is gentle, compassionate--and yet it also chides our selfishness:
"Will you remember only the last grey fragments of the cocoon,
Or have you the vision to see the glory of creation now set free."
Let it be known, for we do not doubt:
That frail and feeble mortal shell that we knew and loved,
Is not now and shall never be again!
An glorious eternal spirit awaits the trump of resurrection's day!
Where there was confusion, there is now clarity.
Where there was weakness, there is now vigor.
Where there was forgetfulness, there is now happy recollection.
What strong men could prevent this gladsome evolution?
What cords of silk or steel could bind this daughter to a fragile mortality?
Who here would further delay the reuniting of Leanore with Leland?
We are comforted and renewed.
We shall have no "reading of the will", no temporal "bequest or devise".
For she, and he, have given us an inheritance which is incorruptible.
And we would yet be, through our obedience, joint heirs with Christ.
Quietly...respectfully... we must soon part. Our labors remain.
This humble account, a gift from a loving Father who knows loss well,
Cannot truly recall more than the smallest portion of her struggles and tears.
But let us remember before we go:
She endured all hardships asked of her,
She shared the dreams and sorrows and fears of many, and
She learned and taught and suffered, in part, even as He.
And we know that, if we can endure righteously,
Our exaltation may be possible, because she taught us of the Savior.
May we teach as she did.
20. Benediction and Blessing
O, precious earth! Thy father's gem!
A fitting footstool for Thy Sire.
If we, as she, but loved like Him,
There would be naught but He'd admire.
Then join we all to praise His name,
For she who taught us love of life,
Whose works and thoughts with us remain--
A gift of service in His sight.
And should we err, in doubt or pride,
To think we laud her life alone.
The night reveals what day can hide--
The countless diamonds of His throne.
So hear us now: two sons, three daughters,
Sisters, brothers, friends, and more--
He whose word is life eternal,
Praise Zion's daughter, Leanore!
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(An abbreviated form of the above was read at Leanore's funeral on May 31, 1996. She was buried next to her husband in the Payson Cemetery, an event from which the poem "Payson's Hll" (#86) arose. Leanore's brothers and sisters were there, together with all of her children, twenty of her grandchildren and ten of her great grandchildren.)
Luke 14:8-11
8. "When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honorable man than thou be bidden of him;
9. "And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.
10. "But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; and when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.
11. "For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."
D&C 132:19:
"...verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, and it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him who is anointed, unto whom I have appointed this power and the keys of this priesthood; and it shall be said unto them--Ye shall come forth in the first resurrection...and shall inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers...."
Dedicated to Leanore McClellan Hicks (1908-1996)
Recorded by Russell Hicks, with his sisters and brother:
Leanne Allphin, Carolyn Crane, Marilyn Morgan and John Hicks
PREFACE:
This is a poem for family, more than anything else. It was received for the funeral of Leanore McClellan Hicks in 1996. By seeming serendipity [but is there really such?], I was the last of five children born to Leland and Leanore Hicks. Their story will be told, hopefully by a Life Singer endowed with Divine artistry and grace. Yet, I must attempt to publish to the world my profound, if inarticulate, esteem for my mortal parents.They have become...more than earthly parents...friends. But then, I doubt that many children write letters to the deceased. I have received great pleasure in so doing. And whenever I think of them, I am rewarded with a spirit of peace and joy and love. I am so very happy that they like this piece, and they continue to support me.
My goal in presenting this here is not merely to commend and celebrate these extraordinary people, but also to teach the truth that most every son or daughter can and should recall blessings each has received from those who gave us mortal life.
1. A Beginning is Chosen
We begin...in a foreign land.
Oh...this is not the best beginning--
For there is both a veil and a law.
And many precious memories and covenants,
Must now be hidden from the mortal view of those,
Who, before, vowed fidelity to the Father.
(So few have yet relearned such vows!)
Thus, we will begin...with honored grandparents:
Earl McClellan, his wife Lois, and their willingness
To heed a prophet's command to build settlements in Mexico.
2. Colonies Are Founded in Mexico
A few hundred stalwart souls will cross an unmarked border to the south
And begin communities in Dublan, Diaz, and Juarez.
They set out with faith both in their callings,
And in he who called them--Brigham Young.
Some flee unjust laws, persecuted for their obedience to God.
They are amply endowed only with great space and great hope.
Their new home is weeks of dusty travel away
From that "High Mountain Top" of which we sing,
Then a place of gathering for the strength of His Church.
These pioneers must carry Zion with them in their hearts.
The saints who settle in the Mexican Colonies
Are, too soon, challenged to suffer even as Job of old.
Floods devastate their early efforts.
Anguish and privation dishearten them as crops fail.
Indian raids and disease ravage their ranks.
And the unrelenting toil,
Of creating a new community with bare hands,
All serve to mock their faith and their zeal.
But though hell itself conspires against them,
They persevere and succeed.
3. The Mexican Saints Achieve
Brave men and women strive to join faith and works
As two eyes make one in the sight of He who gives them joy.
Often, they are visited by the Lord's servants.
Henry Eyring, Anthony Ivins, Helaman Pratt, and others,
Will bless and guide, comfort and cheer,
These foundling communities of eager saints.
And from within this sturdy flock, new leaders arise--
Among them is Bishop Earl McClellan.
With fasting and prayer, as much as with wood and stone,
He builds for God.
The colonists take as their pattern the settlements of Utah.
Farming is diversified; fruit is cultivated in all its varieties;
Stock is raised in abundance; saw mills are built.
In time, there are schools--
Even the prestigious Juarez Academy.
But the true success of these dreamers is seen in their children.
Marion G. Romney is but one of many, born in the Colonies.
He, with other children of promise,
Who begin life in these simple surroundings,
Bear a heritage of faith still felt today.
5. Leanore is Born...Only to Leave Mexico
Earl and Lois receive God's gift of a baby girl,
A valiant spirit so eager to begin mortality
That she arrives fully two months early--November 27, 1908.
The first cradle for this tiny infant is a shoe box.
Swaddled in cotton, she is fed condensed milk with an eye dropper.
Her parents' first child, she is named Leanore.
Her slight size at birth (4 lbs. 7 ozs.)
Will later be recognized as deceptive,
As soul and mind are spacious and eager to expand.
Surprisingly, it is a future Bishop Hicks, not she, who will live in Mexico.
What smallpox, floods, and Indians cannot destroy,
Will be first threatened, and then shattered, by a revolution.
In the early 1900s, when the colonies begin to flourish,
A bandit known to an anxious world,
As "Pancho" Villa, spreads destruction throughout the southwest.
Unwillingly, the Mexican saints are compelled to flee.
Through every trial, they are guarded and guided by the Lord.
Uncounted reports of courage and conviction,
Of inspiration and preservation,
Shall be engraved upon their hearts, and their children's.
Grandfather McClellan takes his carpenter's craft north.
He will move often in the years to come.
From Provo to Payson, then from Utah to Idaho,
He will move across the West searching for work.
Later still, he travels to Arizona for his wife's health--
Only to return to Payson once again.
He leaves his finest mark there--and in his children's lives.
(His restlessness will visit successive generations.)
When others are blessed with a single home for life,
Leanore will acquire strength from diversity.
5. Leanore Grows and Learns
Mexico is but a parents' memory to Leanore--she leaves when two.
But the stories told often by devout parents,
Serve to shape and mold this child.
She studies and learns--
English, mathematics, and history delight her.
But her frequent childhood travels will carry a price--
She is terrified of a bearskin rug, and even flies!
When twelve, whopping cough weakens both eyes and hands.
Wearing glasses, when such is uncommon, she is called "four eyes."
Likewise, sewing and typing become more difficult for her.
Be not disheartened by such trials of timidity or weakness.
For this child is tempered by change and adversity
Until she grows valiant. She will need such strength.
Barely into her teens,
She must often care for her household--
Including five younger brothers and sisters.
No, this cannot be the story of those kind and valiant hearts,
Though their own loving histories deserve to be told,
Others must record for them. There is still time.
Or, if none speak now, their deeds will be heralded in heaven itself.
Earl McClellan will struggle devoutly
To provide for his family despite great opposition.
He will work when he can. He may be paid, or he may not.
If he has no work, he will search for it.
His greatest joy is to build for God.
His skill and vigor are seen in chapels and buildings
Spread throughout the Church settlements.
Leanore learns other crafts--she will study, write and teach.
While adversity denies her the valedictory,
She graduates as editor of her high school newspaper.
Before her graduation, her devotion and faith are again tested.
A favored Payson High School teacher
Offers a canyon breakfast for her class.
Knowingly, the instructor serves only coffee.
Leanore is surrounded by peers and friends,
Who, like her, had promised to follow the Lord's command.
"Be a sport" she is urged. (It seems a small thing to them.)
All others, save one, partake: ("Where is the harm?" they ask.)
"Shall I or shan't I?" she asks herself. The heavens wait....and she refuses.
A shield of commitment is made that day. It will never fail in years to come.
6. Leanore Attends College...and Meets Leland
She has a dream denied her own mother--a college education.
At first, there is no money,
And her studies at Brigham Young must be delayed.
Slowly, she saves wages from tedious housework.
Later, early studies begun with great promise,
Are marred by the death of her dear mother Lois.
Will she quit school, or remain and attempt to endure the loss alone?
She remains... and two women's dreams are fulfilled.
She studies teaching--
In all its varieties, it will be her passion for the eternities.
Her long-awaited studies begin in humble surroundings.
For the great university which we now know,
Was but a prophet's vision then.
A mere two thousand studied on the "lower campus".
To pass it now is to sense amusement or embarrassment,
For weeds, fences, and signs warning of unknown dangers,
May cause today's proud students to look away.
But know this well--the spirit of God, which now dwells humbly,
In the upper campus, despite lofty trappings of glass and steel,
Abounded then, and lingers still in the lives of former students.
Leanore concludes her teacher's studies in two years.
But first, she serves as a student teacher in Payson.
Although her supervisor offers little,
She will still learn from the experience--she loves children.
With degree in hand, she seeks work in the Great Depression.
A job is offered in primary grades for which she is unprepared.
But though she had only studied to teach intermediary levels, she can adapt.
She studies late each night and excels each day.
Never angry or punitive, her work thrills her.
Her greatest challenges come from impish identical twins.
It is New Year's Eve, and a pretty collegiate born in the Colonies,
Will brave a "blind date" with Leland Hicks--an Arizona boy.
At first, this future suitor imprudently speaks more to Leanore,
About a former darling than of this new friend's life.
(Our "usually reliable sources" report this a common failing--
Which extends to many men beyond the Hicks clan!)
But with dates, talk, and candy--these two friends enjoy their days.
Finally, inspiration, or mere good sense, causes Leland to say:
"Let's not talk about her, let's talk about us."
(Do five "future children" sigh with relief?)
7. Leanore Marries Leland
What does she see in him,
This serious lad from the Arizona desert?
What prize is he, that she should accept his proposal?
There seems a constancy in this young man--a commitment which she shares.
Many could seek her hand. But even in those days, so few endured.
The customs of the day may have seemed innocent to the world:
Husbands would drink and flirt until Sunday saw them pass the sacrament.
She is asked plainly, by another who sought him, "Why Leland?"
She keeps her answer to herself:
"There is not a man here worth Leland Hicks' little finger."
They begin with nothing,
Save a sure conviction that they must marry or part.
There is no wedding dress, nor special cake.
Their raw determination will be tested through life.
Later, when misfortune and want might separate them,
She gains strength from her eternal resolve,
And her confidence in their decision: "It was right."
It is October 5, 1933. They have no honeymoon--
Their wedding night is spent fighting yellow jackets
In their new apartment on Main Street.
She leaves her teaching job in Dividend
And they prepare to travel eastward,
Where Leland will study radio and electronics.
For now, he sells and delivers furniture.
His wage, at first $60 a month, rises to a "lavish" $130.
The couple pay off debt, equip their home, and save for their move.
They have heard a call from a place unlike any they know.
She was a child of mountains, who delighted in gardens and trees.
He was an heir of grand expanses and simple pleasures.
They both expect only a short absence from their roots.
They go to a far away city--but no ordinary city!
Chicago is its name. It is a place of crowds.
And cold in winter time, and heat in summer time--
And often wet throughout!
It lives, massive and brooding,
By a lake defiled by man's avarice and neglect.
There is no resort here for the idle rich.
(Though some may find wealth, where are they now?)
This is a place of hard work,
And strong smells, and of movement never ceasing.
8. Leland and Leanore are Challenged by the Great City
Then, as now, this was a mammoth, sprawling beast,
Both repulsive and beautiful.
You may visit it, and more than once,
And yet never know the creature,
For it is many cities, inhabited by many peoples,
Each preserving their own tongue, and taste, and touch,
Of Germany, or Poland, or China, or....
It is a steely Janus--gateway to a modern world.
Most just "pass through", and never know this brute, but to say,
"I came though Chicago, but, of course, I did not stay."
Leland and Leanore do not expect to stay.
She is shocked by the proportions, the pace, the sheer clamor of the place.
The mountains which tower over her are of man's steel and stone.
Here, fierce winds blow from gossiping tongues.
Oh, you have heard the story often enough--
But has repetition so dulled your soul
That you have never tried to imagine how she felt?
Have you ever heard the roar of the elevated train (the "El"),
And been battered by the fearful tumult of the jostling crowd?
To know, as He knows, you must see this giant with her eyes.
To survive, they must rely upon deep spiritual roots.
The Church, then the "Northern States Mission" is small.
Some proud saints are there to study dentistry or medicine.
But is there a place for a humble electronics student and his wife?
Yes--for they know how to serve, and serve they shall.
Leanore finds many Beehive age girls without direction.
But she has been well trained--
The need is sure; her devotion is complete.
She is soon the branch "Beekeeper," and her girls advance rapidly.
Leland's course of study ends,
And yet...the couple stays.
There is work here, and the Spirit guides.
Their lives are centered in the Church.
It is a little plant which grows swiftly!
At first, there are meetings in a rented hall at the Edgewater Beach Hotel.
But soon, branches are formed, wards follow, and a stake is made.
Still, Logan Square and North Shore are tiny then.
Leland and Leanore have skills and vigor desperately needed,
As young and tender souls must be cared for and cultivated.
The first of everything is both a novelty and a challenge.
There is the first Gold & Green ball at hotel where they meet--
It is a great success, soon followed by others.
Leanore has silver dancing slippers and a black taffeta skirt.
Leland gives her a white gardenia corsage. See them kiss.
They may seem to "party in poverty," but they enjoy themselves.
Years later, the disparity of wealth is only greater,
But now, these are loving, happy youth.
Leanore is Stake Beekeeper and Leland is Stake Clerk.
They will travel far, for three states are all within their stake.
9. Children Come to Leland and Leanore
The couple aspire to family. Leanne, the first, has a difficult birth,
Leanore will plead at the gates of heaven for this, and every child.
The Lord sends a gifted physician for whom her youngest will be named.
Leanore is given daughters of virtue and faith,
As Carolyn and Marilyn soon add their spirits to the family.
Later, boys come. First John, then Russell, and the family is complete.
Again, Leanore will teach--by her life, and with patient instruction.
Her children are given all but money. But recall the poet's wisdom:
"Richer than I, you can never be. I had a mother who read to me."
She reads often: Scripture stories, Singing Wheels, songs, and poems.
The growing family is living on Carmen Avenue in Chicago.
They need more space, but Leland and Leanore have little money.
The Lord sees the devotions of hard working parents who pray.
By happenstance, an inviting house is found for them in Evanston.
The city is known to Leanore as her children attended school there.
It is a healthy town--no hulking metropolis, but a refuge of calm charm.
"This will be your home," the Spirit whispers as she visits the place.
But how can they possibly move into this pleasant neighborhood?
A way is provided by means and men both miraculous and quiet.
Grateful children are forever indebted to these, the Lord's servants.
The family will live at 1317 Greenwood until the last child is gone.
They leave their Chicago apartment with kind memories upon which to build.
The colossus, in all its diversity, will remain close--
A place to sample and enjoy, before returning safely...home.
From Chicago, Evanston, and far beyond, friends are made.
We beg forgiveness for the limitations of this humble account.
To acknowledge some is to ignore hundreds.
To thank only a few who inspired us is to slight many.
Proper appreciation for so many relations, teachers, leaders,
Friends, and fellow-servants must await a Millennial day.
But we speak truth when we proclaim:
We keep you in our hearts as we travel the world around.
From Seminary and Sunday School, from Ward and Stake,
From Illinois to Utah,
As we travel around the block, or around the globe,
Your testimonies are our stepping stones.
Your counsel is our guide.
Your love gives our lives purpose and joy.
We will never forget you. We will always love you.
We strive to give to others what you gave to us.
10. Leanne Remembers
There were thrilling trips to Nauvoo, where the pungent blue cheese factory
Vied with historical sites for Father's attention,
But Mother was a student of Joseph Smith.
Mother would assemble countless clippings in her private library--
A vast store of articles, stories, and instructions about everything.
She would make cinnamon rolls and lemon custard ice cream.
Sunday nights were for toasted cheese sandwiches and cocoa.
Late on Christmas Eve, Leanne will hear a sewing machine.
Mother is making doll clothes for a holiday surprise.
Later, clothes and dolls will go to younger sisters.
11. Carolyn Remembers
There were picnics on the rocks near the beaches of Lake Michigan--
Lavish spreads of fried chicken, rolls, and finger foods.
Carolyn plays on the sand and makes wreaths of clover blossoms.
Thanksgiving would be incomplete without a trip to Olsen Rug.
Corn shocks and pumpkins play host to friendly pilgrims and Indians.
Above the happy scene, viewed best at twilight, is a marvelous waterfall.
More than once they visit Palmyra, New York, for the pageant.
Beware the cow pies where birthday parties mean chocolate cake.
Once, the trip is made with Mervyn Allphin, who enduring all,
Is pronounced worthy for Leanne. (He, like her own mate, will never fail.)
12. Marilyn Remembers
There were early morning beach trips to watch the sunrise on the lake.
Father would make breakfast--a gritty delight of sand flavored eggs.
On Stake business, the family would visit Milwaukee and pick berries.
Blue stained children are given brown soap and wash in a lake.
For years, you could bring a smile to Leanore's cheeks by reminding her of cows
Protected by Wisconsin's ban on the devil's own product--"colored oleo."
Summer brings concerts at the Band Shell, and the amazing display
Of lights and water at the Buckingham Fountain nearby.
Christmas was for the conservatories--Lincoln Park and Garfield.
Believing parents esteem her N.C. mission--a superb example for the boys.
13. John Remembers
There were long walks to downtown Evanston.
As a young boy, his wish of becoming a cub scout is realized--
But only when mother offered to serve as Den Mother.
The house on Greenwood becomes a cheerful home (for some a first)
For a mob of rowdy, happy boys--Mother's inventions are endless.
That one boy with black skin is truly welcomed shocks some neighbors.
Hectographs compete with scout knots and paper mache monsters.
For Halloween, a haunting, spectral scene is created on the front lawn:
A cauldron of water, "boiling" with dry ice, is stirred by paper witches,
While the sounds of "Dance Macabre" play for the neighborhood.
14. Russell Remembers
There were chocolate chip cookies, fresh breads, and vegetables from our own garden.
Often we visit the Museums of Science and industry and Natural History.
At speech competitions, one can watch and learn,
As mother brings home the first place prizes.
There was Shed's Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, and Brookfield Zoo.
There were glorious Roadshows--award winning triumphs after
Weeks of Gilbert & Sullivan music throughout the house.
The grandest, the story of Wilmette Ill., will never be equaled.
Mother lives her life in crescendo, always finding new challenges.
There were Siamese cats, most notably "Sahib", still missed.
15. The Children Grow...and Leave
One by one her children learn lessons of faith, courage, and reliance on the Lord.
Ever, they are supported by parents who, intuitively,
Offer love which neither stifles nor commands.
Education away from home is made available to each child--
To BYU, Ricks, or both. School is not grades, but to learn service in the Kingdom.
One by one they find their partners and begin families apart, yet linked forever.
And they struggle, bearing not only their parents' frailties, but their own.
Each one feels a special bond, and privately confides: "She was my best friend."
All will remain active in God's Restored Church--it is the life they choose.
Their parents' lives are, by themselves, eternal testimonies.
16. Leland and Leanore Serve a Mission and "Retire"
Leland grows older--both in his trade and in his service to the Lord.
A salesman in radio and electronics, his achievements,
Though modest in the world's eyes, loom large to his children.
For a masterful knowledge of his products and an honest value,
Never a smutty joke or glass of liquor, are the basis for his success.
In every calling, including multiple stake missions,
Leland strives to fulfill God's commands...Leanore supports every call. It is their way.
One day, a sales job ended, both are invited to the Bishop's office--
Will the couple accept a call? Without a breath, they answer "Yes."
Another chapter is written, as bride and groom, grayer now,
Preach and teach a new generation of saints in Kansas.
They take with them little more than they had to begin their days together,
Save for a lifetime of experience and sacrifice in the Kingdom.
It is but the pattern of their life's fabric.
Look closely at that clean and modest garment--
You will see the weave repeat throughout.
It has a warp of struggle and a woof of service.
Do not despise the plainness of this worthy material.
Jesus wore a plain garment.
The mission ends--a joyful experience completed with honor.
They again yearn for their "Mountains High."
The couple have earned the right to return to their roots,
To the mountains and people they knew and loved when young.
Again, through happenstance,
(But do we not know better now?)
A special home with a large garden is found in Spanish Fork.
Again, there are those who make it possible--
This quiet sharing deserves an enduring reward, and
He who sees in secret shall reward openly.
But a new home can only mean new callings to this couple.
They are embraced by new friends and neighbors
As if they have lived there all their lives.
And the Church provides both care and opportunities for service.
Leland serves as Scoutmaster, in his sixties!
He finds joy in a new generation of young men.
He will later receive the Silver Beaver for a life of service.
Leanore joins D.U.P. and studies genealogy.
She returns to the strength of her youth as she again teaches young women.
The couple are embraced by the Lord and His saints until their next mission.
17. A Memorable Family Reunion
Few who hear these meager words can recall a special hour.
The children, and their children, gather in two small Provo hotel rooms.
The analogy is almost perfect--observe the pattern for eternity:
The spiritually immature are occupied by the day's diversions.
There are comic books, a video game, a movie--all innocent but childish.
But in the next room, the adults have gathered to speak of eternal things.
God's presence is invited in prayer. His goodness is praised.
Counsel is sought and shared. Gratitude for nurturing parents is expressed.
But before the joyful family separates,
The parents humbly ask for a blessing from the Lord through their children.
Two serve as voice. Theirs is a special and sacred duty--they pray within.
Hands, resting lightly, are weighty with importance.
The complete fulfillment of Leland's blessings requires a future morn.
But there are those here who may still recall blessings promised Leanore.
The weak of God astound the world.
Thus speak the young what God approves.
I tell you true, He spoke that night.
No, we cannot repeat what was said.
But we recall the Spirit of the hour.
And the literal fulfillment of all has already commenced.
18. Leland's Last Mission Call
Several years ago, after months of quiet repose, Leland received his new mission call.
You may have seen him before his departure,
Well cared for by young friends, and worried over by family.
There was no need for fear, for if he did not pay attention to you then,
You still saw his peace, though marred by some passing moments.
Each day he relived some loving chapter from his life.
Where today, Dad? A youth conference? A date with Leanore?
Then, for some, he became, without disrespect, not only "Dad," but Leland.
The Argentine poet laureate studied by his sons observed:
"El padre que da consejos es mas que un padre un amigo."
["The father who gives counsel, is more than a father, a friend."]
Be not alarmed by this last calling. All is truly well.
He will yet fulfill it as well as all others, though it will last a Millennium
The "day of this life" is not yet over for one who, in the Spirit World,
Now teaches the grandeur of the Restoration with clear mind and heart.
There was a need--for both teacher and students. Make no mistake.
Though fool I am, I say he learned of loss, and love,
And what it meant to be without she who forsook all others,
To become one with him--a lesson many need.
Leanore, always patient, remained briefly to share her life with new friends
And to receive the respect of an ever expanding family.
19. We Bid an Earthly Farewell to our Honored Mother
Now, her mission call received, we bid an earthly farewell to our honored mother..
But more, we recall what was, and we plan what can be when we meet yet again
For we do not gather as frightened children, threatened by unknown purpose or fate.
Nor are we deceived by this frail husk and these meager bones,
Soon to lie beneath kind Payson sod. While young, we learned of Father's plan.
She taught us well-- SHE IS NOT HERE. (And yet, she is!)
Our tears are joyful as we recall loving memories of a life worth living.
Oh yes, we cry, in part, from the simple wonder of it all,
And, in part, from the separation of she who was always there for us--
For every skinned knee or tender emotion.
And as their love and faith now calm our selfish hearts,
Within, the still small voice proclaims: "Be of good cheer."
"For every blessing earned, every earthly joy, and every promise made... abides"
That voice is gentle, compassionate--and yet it also chides our selfishness:
"Will you remember only the last grey fragments of the cocoon,
Or have you the vision to see the glory of creation now set free."
Let it be known, for we do not doubt:
That frail and feeble mortal shell that we knew and loved,
Is not now and shall never be again!
An glorious eternal spirit awaits the trump of resurrection's day!
Where there was confusion, there is now clarity.
Where there was weakness, there is now vigor.
Where there was forgetfulness, there is now happy recollection.
What strong men could prevent this gladsome evolution?
What cords of silk or steel could bind this daughter to a fragile mortality?
Who here would further delay the reuniting of Leanore with Leland?
We are comforted and renewed.
We shall have no "reading of the will", no temporal "bequest or devise".
For she, and he, have given us an inheritance which is incorruptible.
And we would yet be, through our obedience, joint heirs with Christ.
Quietly...respectfully... we must soon part. Our labors remain.
This humble account, a gift from a loving Father who knows loss well,
Cannot truly recall more than the smallest portion of her struggles and tears.
But let us remember before we go:
She endured all hardships asked of her,
She shared the dreams and sorrows and fears of many, and
She learned and taught and suffered, in part, even as He.
And we know that, if we can endure righteously,
Our exaltation may be possible, because she taught us of the Savior.
May we teach as she did.
20. Benediction and Blessing
O, precious earth! Thy father's gem!
A fitting footstool for Thy Sire.
If we, as she, but loved like Him,
There would be naught but He'd admire.
Then join we all to praise His name,
For she who taught us love of life,
Whose works and thoughts with us remain--
A gift of service in His sight.
And should we err, in doubt or pride,
To think we laud her life alone.
The night reveals what day can hide--
The countless diamonds of His throne.
So hear us now: two sons, three daughters,
Sisters, brothers, friends, and more--
He whose word is life eternal,
Praise Zion's daughter, Leanore!
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(An abbreviated form of the above was read at Leanore's funeral on May 31, 1996. She was buried next to her husband in the Payson Cemetery, an event from which the poem "Payson's Hll" (#86) arose. Leanore's brothers and sisters were there, together with all of her children, twenty of her grandchildren and ten of her great grandchildren.)
Luke 14:8-11
8. "When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honorable man than thou be bidden of him;
9. "And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.
10. "But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; and when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.
11. "For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."
D&C 132:19:
"...verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, and it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him who is anointed, unto whom I have appointed this power and the keys of this priesthood; and it shall be said unto them--Ye shall come forth in the first resurrection...and shall inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers...."