…Healthy condition of body and mind, that is I think so. I want my children to be assured that I appreciate each and all of them and their mother for their respect for me and the love they have for me and the love I feel for each of them. So much so that I have joyed in their joys and sorrowed in their sorrows.

I appreciate that they all have good bodies and minds and good characters, and therefore a good standing among men and in the Church to which they belong. I repeat that I appreciate these things in my large family.

The advancement in education and science of better advantages and in information in regard to ideal home trainings and conditions, makes it necessary for tolerance to be extended by both the parent and the children to each other in order to be reconciled to each other and to appreciate and love each other, especially, is it true, in the case of elderly parents of the old school so to speak, that have struggled with poverty and rude conditions in the development of new […] times.

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As for myself, I feel conscious of trying to keep pace with the advancement of the times that I have lived in, in improved homes and home conditions and conveniences and education and of my—all my family, and have especially emphasized the importance of religion, not only in knowledge of its principles and doctrines, but a personal testimony of its divinity by the exercise of faith, humility, and earnest prayer before the Lord.

I admit of having an ambition of possessing property and have put forth a strenuous and persistent opportunity that has been the suspicion of Christians. Though I have to say I have tried to feel and act that it was the means to a greater end and that I needed it in schooling and 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 feel that I have been quite well gratified. I have felt some of the prestige that comes by honest successful efforts in business and also the humiliation to have it swept away suddenly as by a flood, as others also are experiencing [note the year is 1932].

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

Our standard of living that will guarantee our eternal association as it passes. To this end I recommend to my children, consistent living in the harmony with the teachings and ordinances of the Gospel, realizing that this is easier said than done, as it means self-sacrifice, self-denial, and personal effort.

At this time I wish to express my appreciation of—especially of Ephraim and Ed, in calling a number of the family together to commemorate this, my 76th birthday, as also the many generous acts to the family and especially to myself. I may see a number of birthdays yet, can't tell, life at my age becomes more uncertain but I leave my blessings with each and all of you. 

Father, Hyrum D. Clark.
[Hyrum died in 1938, about 6 years following this recording]

Daughter: Just lovely, Father.
Daughter: Daddy, couldn't you sing “John Brown Had a Little Injun”? [Laugh]
Daughter?: I'm so glad I came up from Provo to get in on this.
Daughter: Father, every challenge you have, loved it, and I would never have it to any occasion, anything but appreciate and admire you.

Daughter: Mary you might speak first, but I'll speak last.
I'm surely thankful Father lived to see me happily married with those soft […]. [Laughing]

I want each of my children to feel that I stand ready to reciprocate every kind attention and consideration of me, their father.

Well, since you girls insist on my silly singing a little song with your assistance, I'll start in.

[song]

Hyrum: John Brown had a little Injun.
Choir: John Brown had a little Injun. John Brown had a little Injun, five little Injun boys. One little, two little, three little Injuns, four little, five little, six little Injuns, seven little, eight little, nine little Injuns, Ten little Injun boys.

Ten little, nine little, eight little Injuns, seven little, six little, five little Injuns, four little, three little, two little Injuns, one little Injun boy!

Recorded the 13th day of February 1932.
Salt Lake City, Utah.

[Provided by Alisha Clark, direct descendant of Hyrum Don Carlos Clark]