have tried to feel & act that it was the means to a greater end. & that I needed it in schooling & missioning my children. I might have done better with more wisdom, many have done better, but so many apparently have not succeeded so well that I have been quite well gratified. 

I have felt some of the prestige that comes by honest successful effort in business & also the humiliation to have it swept away suddenly as by a flood, as others also are experiencing. 

I hope to live so as to meet & greet my dear ones who have gone on before in good fellowship & also to meet those who come after me with a greeting of affection & equality. 

I hope we can maintain a high standard of living that will guarantee our eternal association as a family. To this end I recommend to my children a consistent living in harmony with the teaching & ordinances of the Gospel, realizing that this is easier said than done as it means self sacrifice - self denial & personal effort. 

At this time I wish to express my appreciation of Ephraim & Edna in calling a number of the family together to commemorate this my 76th birthday as also the many generous acts to the family & especially to my self. 

I may see a number of birthdays yet can't tell as life at my age becomes uncertain, but I leave my blessings to each & all of you. 

Father - Hyrum D. 

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