One of the more Christ-like church GAs I have ever met. So kind, so compassionate. So funny, too. He came to talk at a church program in St Paul, MN in 1971 when I was serving an LDS mission. I was assigned, with another Elder, to help him walk to his waiting vehicle after the event. We both got on either side of him. I had never heard of him at that time and I did not think there would be much conversation as we walked. He was shorter than my over 6 foot frame. Suddenly, he turned to me, read my name tag and said: "Pett". Then he asked: "Do you?" I answered: "Do I what?" He replied: "Do YOU pet?" I answered surprised: "No, I don't". He knew missionaries don't do those things. I have always remembered that observant and funny moment with him.
My first name is Richard because I was named after LeGrand Richards who also married me at he Salt Lake Temple... he was always jovial and had a great sense of humor
Legrand Richards was my grandfathers cousin (2nd) as well. In 1970, when he was 83, he sealed my wife and I together for time and all eternity. He counseled us for half and hour before performing the sealing. A comment about his health and humor. He said that when he and Sis. Richards got married, they agreed that they wouldn't go to bed mad at each other. If they were still angry with each other at bed time, Elder Richards would to and take a walk. He then said "I guess that is why I am so healthy". Four years before that, his daughter Norene, became my 'mission mother' when her husband, Reed Callister, became my Mission President in the British Mission. About 10 years ago, my nephew, David, married Rachel, President Reed Callister's grandaughter and they were sealed by his son, Elder Tad Callister. My sister, David's mother, wasn't aware of the familial relationship until I told her. David and Rachel are 5th cousins, once removed. The Church is a small world!!
Imagine the days of Israel and their grandchildren in listening to their stories of the miracle and visions they saw when Moses was with them. Pioneers are truly the ones to listen too if given the chance of what they saw or heard..
