our leader, Brother John D. Giles. Also see Section 116.
        After leaving the vicinity of Adam-Ondi-Ahman, we went to St. Joseph, Missouri, the eastern beginning point of the pony Express. We were much interested in the old barns and the beautiful monument which had been erected commorating the Pony Express.
        St. Joseph is now an important industrial City on the Missouri River.
        Down the river towards Kansas City is old Leavenworth where the "Mormon Battalion" was outfitted for the historic march to California in 1846. Part of the old fort is still standing. Ft. Leavenworth is now an important military post.
        Tuesday June 6, 1950, we saw the old Pony Express Trail. It started from St. Joseph, westward and from Sacramento eastward, on April 3, 1860. It ran for a little over eighteen months and then after losses running into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, was discontinued with the completion of the Overland Telegraph in October of 1861.
        Nearly two more days and our never to be forgotten 20 day Brigham Young Memorial Tour came to an end. We were happy, but not tired.
        I will forever, while I live, be thankful that Sarah and I were able to go together on that grand Brigham Young Memorial Tour of 20 days duration.

SARAH'S ILLNESS AND DEATH

        Sarah had undergone an operation in the early spring of 1950 which we hoped would restore her to health again, but the help she received by the operation was only temporary. Yet while on that trip, I was so proud of her. It seemed to me she was the life of the party. She was called upon to give more readings while on the bus than was any other person.
        I cannot help but exclaim, that trip was the great climax of a great and eventful, busy and happy life.
        Because of her weakened condition, I am not able to tell how hard it was for her to keep from the others the knowledge that she was not well. They must not worry about her condition. Yes, she played her part well.
        She had much faith, believing that the operation which she had recently undergone would be the means of restoring to her again her health and strength.
        Yes, we hoped and prayed that she would soon be well again. Through the days and months that followed, she was humble, prayerful and patient. I never saw her lose her temper or speak cross words to anyone.
        As months rolled by and the time came that she was not able to go out and work, or to church, as she had previously done, she spent much time in arranging in her "Books of Remembrance" albums, the many years of accumulated relics, such as photographs, birthday and Christmas cards, newspaper clippings, her favorite poems, etc.
        I could hardly realize she had saved up so much valuable material and things so very interesting, until I saw the arrangement of her books. She also helped to make several quilts for the family.
        The winter of 1950 and 1951, neither of us were well, and by the spring of 1951, it was decided that we both should go to the hospital, she for the second time. However, she went a short time before I did. We thought it better that we be not both in the hospital at the same time.
        Nothing that was done for Sarah by skilled physicians seemed to be of any avail and no one knows how much that dear soul suffered during that summer. Her cancer was incurable.
        Her children did all that loving hands could do to ease her pain and suffering. One or more of her children were almost always at or near her bedside. None could be better than they.
        She seemed to enjoy the visits by her friends, even though she was suffering great pain. What a wonderful soul she was to talk and to show her appreciation of their visit. She still tried to entertain her friends and family by sometimes giving a reading or help in the singing of a song.
        She had much faith and a strong desire to still live and be with her family and loved ones. She was administered to often, by her husband and family and loved ones, and others who held the authority to administer to the sick. Sometimes she would say, "Why can't I get better? Why do I have to suffer? I have tried to keep the Word of Wisdom." Then she would try to study and figure out in what way she may not have been wise in all her actions. In that way she would sit, think and wonder. But never did she complain.
        As the autumn days came nearer and nearer, more and more did I realize I must soon realize from this life my dear wife, my life companion, the woman I dearly loved and I thought, the most wonderful woman in all the world. Yes, to me she was the one most dear, the mother of my children. The one who had brought more joy into my life than had anyone else in the world. Yes, I must let her go; I could not ask that she remain with me and suffer longer. I must look forward with faith; when I can again take her by the hand and we be allowed, through our faithfulness, to go through eternity together, along with our family and loved ones.
        Oh, how wonderful is the great gospel plan and the hope we have of a glorious resurrection and of eternal life together, with our friends and loved ones.
        It is because of that faith and hope we have of the glories of eternity, that we are able to bear up better when a loved one is called hence, and I feel impressed to quote one stanza from that beautiful poem written by William Clayton, entitled "When first the glorious light of truth burst forth in this last age," I quote the last verse:

        Why should we mourn because we leave these scenes of toil and pain
        Oh, happy change, the righteous go Celestial crowns to gain!
        And soon we all shall follow, to realms of endless day
        And taste the joys and glories of a resurrection day!