May 6, 1982

Dear Family Members,

Grandfather, Ezra T. Clark, gave his testimony in person at a special meeting in the Salt Lake Temple a week before it was dedicated. Uncle Amasa told me that President Wilford Woodruff called a special meeting in the Salt Lake Temple one week before its Dedication to get better ready for it. He invited Grandfather Ezra T. Clark to bring his sons and attend that meeting. At this special meeting most of the Stake Leaders and Bishops were present. President Woodruff asked Grandfather to bear his Testimony. Grandfather told of the meeting in Nauvoo held August 8th, 1844 at which Brigham Young was transfigured before them and looked and spoke as the Prophet Joseph used to do. He also said much of what is printed in his testimony above. Uncle Amasa said that this sacred testimony was the highlight of the whole meeting and was greatly appreciated.

Uncle Amasa also said that a group of Bishops united in asking President Wilford Woodruff about recommending people for the coming Temple Dedication. To this the lovely Prophet answered: "Let them all come."

Love to all as ever,
Heber D. Clark
696 North 4th East
Bountiful, Utah 84010

AUNT LAURA COOK HONORED BY SPECIAL INVITATION FROM FIRST PRESIDENCY TO ATTEND DEDICATION OF JORDAN RIVER TEMPLE

"As a dark-eyed, dark-haired young beauty growing up in a rural Farmington, Laura Clark Cook was often escorted to local dances by her older brothers.

She recalls coming home famished after the dances and soaking up cream from the top of mil barrels in the pantry with a hunk of bread, sprinkling it with sugar and eating it.

That was before the turn of the century, because Mrs. Cook celebrated her 102nd birthday Saturday.

Her large family has planned a dinner for her in the New Marriott Hotel, followed by a gathering afterward in the Salt Lake home of Mrs. Cook's daughter, Norma Chugg.

Throughout her life, Mrs. Cook drew compliments for her fair complexion and lovely smile, said a daughter, LaRue Bowen. Even now Mrs. Cook's face has surprisingly few wrinkles. It lights up when she recalls the early years of Utah's history, in which her family figured prominently.

Mrs. Cook is the last surviving offspring of Ezra Thompson Clark, who came to Utah with the pioneers and was charged by Brigham Young with helping to colonize Farmington.

Mrs. Cook was the youngest girl of 21 children and remembers her father and brothers 'made a fuss over me.' Her father always insisted she dress in the best clothes, which they bought at the new ZCMI store. 'You'll never get vain or proud,' her father used to tell her.

As she grew up, she felt she had two homes. She lived in a brick house in Farmington with her English-born mother, Susan Leggett Clark, her father's second wife. But Mrs. Cook often spent time across the street with her Aunt Mary Stevenson, her father's first wife.

-6-