Tuesday 4 March 2025

Dear Family,

Today is the most important day of the year, and none of you even realized it. But for what happened on this date 58 years ago, you might not yet even exist. For sure you wouldn't be as happy, confident, and secure as you are.

On the 4th of March, 1967, Marjorie was home from BYU for a quick visit, at my request, so that she could play the piano and be the accompanist at my baptism. Her father baptized me, also at my request, and I was confirmed a member of the Church, also by Dave. I got the gift of the Holy Ghost, the most valuable gift I will ever receive. Between those two events Marjorie played Clair de Lune. That's an incredibly beautiful classical piece by Debussy. I was enchanted by that piece, and asked Marjorie to play it. Glen May spoke.

Marjorie then took me to her house where we sat together on the couch, and I sobbed like a baby. I hadn't cried like that since I was little, and I haven't cried like that since. I was clean! I had a brand new start on life. I had a whole new chance to make things good

And I have. I've never looked back. Because of that day, Marjorie married me 2 1/2 years later. Had March 4th not happened she wouldn't have married me. She said so. I was working in the GRA Park in Provo in 1971 or 1972 when a question popped into my mind. I dropped what I was doing and went to the house.

"Marjorie," I said, "if I hadn't joined the Church, would you have married me?"

She didn't pause, hesitate, or stop to think. She simply said, "No."

That's the answer I was hoping for. My wife knew the value of Church membership. She knew from whence our blessings come. She was going to be faithful no matter what. But for her steadfastness, and my baptism, our marriage wouldn't have happened. I wouldn't have kept the promises that I made to you in the pre-earth existence. You might not have even been born yet. You wouldn't have been able to come to this family. This family would never have happened. Your lives, and my life, and Marjorie's life wouldn't be as wonderful as they are.

I celebrate this day every year. It's the most important day of the year.