Forward

In printing this diary of Grandmother Annie Clark, very little attempt has been made to edit the manuscript. We hope that all who read this book will feel the spirit as we have. We also hope that the sharing of some of the joys, heartaches, trials and tribulations of her life will strengthen your testimony.

- Beryl and Al Luebke

- 1886 -

It was when the November winds began to blow, and winter approached, that the all-important event of my life began to be contemplated. I was sitting still and lonely in the family circle one Monday evening about the 8th of November, 1886 when there cam a knock on the door. On opening it, in came a gentleman with whom I was only slightly acquainted. I had met him a few times and had passed an examination under him, he being one of the board of examination, but I did not know much about him. The name of the above mentioned gentleman is Charles R. Clark. He was invited in and I sat there and took part with the rest of the folks in a conversation of current events as a matter of course. We talked for a short time when the gentleman requested a private conversation with my father, which was granted and they repaired to the parlor and after remaining a short time they came out and the gentleman bade us goodnight saying, "We shall be apt to meet you at a party in North Morgan tonight," and took his leave.

But as we expected, we met at the party, and Mr. Clark asked me to dance with him. I accepted with pleasure and we entered into conversation about the party, etc. But before we took our seats Mr. C.R. informed me that he would be over to see me late the next evening, I responded "all right," and was quickly reminded of the visit he made earlier in the evening, just as the shades of darkness were beginning to hang around. I omitted to say that while we were sitting and talking at my home at this time, I casually passed him some apples of which he ate and seemed to enjoy them. To return to the dance again, we went forth in the dance, though it was an evening of serious reflection with me, and I trust it was with him.

I am fortunate enough to be one of those honored daughters of Zion who has a name and a standing in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and I am proud of the name and only hope I am worthy to bear it, and will always be found so. This was also the condition of my visitor. He was born in Zion and had good parentage. This was all considered for I always thought a great deal upon that point in judging a person's character.

It might be thought strange for us to be taking this course in regard to late hours but it was not as a matter of choice. We L.D.S. are a people whom the Lord has seen fit to reveal his mind and He has given us laws to be governed by, and if we abide by them, we are promised eternal life which is the greatest boon given to man. He has directed us in a certain course, done so by revelation, that we can obtain this boon through obedience to certain laws. We have been enabled to ascertain from whence we came, the object of our present existence, and the condition of affairs when we lay dmm our mortal bodies. We have learned that it is possible for us to take up our bodies again, that their spirit will reunite with