Greg,

 

In 1999 Bishop Richard C. Edgley First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric gave a remarkable talk entitled, “Behold the Man”.  As I reflect upon your visit to our home the essence of this talk best describes my observations of you.

“Adulthood comes to us one way or another if we live long enough. True manhood, however, comes only if and when we earn it…you can describe a man in inches, pounds, complexion, or physique. But you measure a man by character, compassion, integrity, tenderness, and principle.”

I am grateful that you never stopped at ‘adulthood’ but pressed forward to obtain ‘true manhood’.  Thank you for your hard work around the house…I never questioned your know-how…but you FAR EXCEEDED MY EXPECTATIONS!  You are quick to go the extra mile and what a fine example of service that has been for me!  Your work ethic is a direct reflection of your abundant love for your daughter and grandchildren.

 

I close with council from President Young worthy of reflection…

 

“Let the husband make an improvement upon his kitchen and pantry and upon his bedrooms for the benefit of his family, and improve his gardens, walks, etc., beautifying your habitations and their surroundings, making pavements and planting shade trees.

 

I have been into houses which have not had the least convenience for the women, not so much as a bench to set their water pails on, and they have to set them on the floor, and yet their husbands will sit there year after year, and never make so much improvement as a bench to set the pail on.  Yet they have the ability, but they will not exercise it.

 

Beautify your gardens, your houses, your farms; beautify the city.  This will make us happy, and produce plenty.  The earth is a good earth, the elements are good if we will use them for our own benefit, in truth and righteousness.  Then let us be content, and go to with our might to make ourselves healthy, wealthy, and a beautiful, and preserve ourselves in the best possible manner, and live just as long as we can, and do all the good we can.

 

Every improvement that we make not only adds to our comfort but to our wealth.

 

Make good houses; learn how to build; become good mechanics and business men, that you may know how to build a house, a barn, or a storehouse, how to make a farm, and how to raise stock, and take every care of it by providing proper shelter and every suitable convenience for keeping it through the winter; and prove yourselves worthy of the greater riches that will be committed to you than this valley and what it can produce.”

 

Regards,

Corey M. Nasfell