page 2        Laura Clark Cook

him. At one time in the Nauvoo Temple, Joseph Smith was at a meeting my father was at. Joseph said that he needed money to finish up the temple. He felt very anxious to finish up the temple. My father walked up to the prophet and gave him all the money that he had. The Prophet put his arm over his shoulder and said "Brother Clark, you will always be blessed financially with money and means of this world, and your children will be of the nobility of the earth".

Keith Sidney Rigdeon and Brigham Young were debating on who should be president of the church, was your father there at that time?

Laura My father was at a meeting after the prophets death. At this meeting there was quite a discussion or controversy among several of the saints as to who should be the leader of the church. Sidney Rigdeon thought that he should be the leader. At that meeting I've heard my father tell-he was at the meeting- that Brigham Young got up to speak, and his countenance was that of Joseph Smith and his voice and his gestures it seemed that the prophet Joseph Smith was standing on the stand. So that was a testimony to the saints that Brigham Young should be a leader of the church.

Keith What was the first place that your father met your mother?

Laura My father met my mother in England when she was 16 years old. He took the gospel to her home as a missionary, he and his companion William Budge. My mother and all of her family were baptized when she was 16.

Keith What part of England were they living in at that time?

Laura They were living in Gorleston, Norfork. Later they moved to Lowestoft, Suffex.

Keith When your mother and your father heard about the church, what were their first ideas concerning the church?

Laura They were very happy to receive the news of the gospel. It seemed like they were just waiting for it, for something to fill their life.

Keith After they joined the church did your mother stay in England or how long was it before she came to Salt Lake?

Laura About eight years after she heard the gospel.

Keith How did she come to Salt Lake?

(LCM)