Interview With an Apostle

Rex had his interview!   It went like this . . .Rex arrived early and they were also ahead of schedule, so he went right in and first met Elder Hales body guard, whose name was Elder Pope.  Rex said, "he didn't crack a smile even when he shook hands with him, until Rex crossed himself (like the Catholics do) after being introduced."  Elder Pope checked him out and took him in to see Elder Hales and his assistant from the Seventy Elder Per Malm, (from Sweden).  Elder Malm liked the fact that Rex's last name was Swedish.  Elder Malm asked a couple of questions like, what Rex thought about the church here in the valley and of it's needs.  Rex said, "he didn't know about the whole valley, but his ward needed to work on getting their home teaching done."  Elder Hales said, " don't you mean Visiting Teaching and Home Teaching?"  Rex said "no, the sisters always do theirs.  Our men are the ones that need to get on track."  Elder Hales asked Rex, "which three men he would choose to be the new Stake President?" and Rex gave his answer.  Elder Hales seemed a bit surprised to hear the three.  It turned out later that almost everyone had the same three names.  Elder Hales asked dad why he felt that way about these men and Rex told him.  Rex also mentioned it had been over 50 years since he was interviewed by a General Authority, and Elder Hales asked him when he was interviewed before.  Rex told him it was when he was interviewed by Joseph Fielding Smith and President Lee when he was called on his mission and when he helped to opened the Chilean Mission.  Elder Hales said, "They were both good friends of mine."  It was the fastest interview in Rex's life, but one he won't too quickly forget.

Our conference was terrific and the spirit was especially spiritual.  We left two copies of Elder Hales book for him to autograph if he had time.  One was for us and one for a sister who just moved.  Her name is sister Myra Jean John.  She had used her musical talent for playing the organ and the piano for our ward, stake and community for well over 50 years.  She played at both Nana and Papa's funerals, along with hundreds of others over the years.  We are trying to get as many signatures from people as we can before we sent it to her.  The stake clerk put them on the desk and mentioned it to Elder Hales just briefly, and when all the setting apart was finished, Elder Hales went straight to the office and signed the books.  The name of his book is "Return".  Meaning Return with honor.  It is the only book Elder Hales has written.  It is a great book and has some very useful instruction for anyone and especially a Bishop.  I don't think anyone else got his autograph.  Lucky us! I got to shack his hand after the Saturday night meeting and he told me to,"take care of that man", meaning Rex. I told him it was a pleasure to do so.