My wonderful parents — 1964
When I turned 12 years old, I was blessed to receive the Aaronic Priesthood and to be ordained a Deacon within that priesthood. My father was serving as the bishop of our ward at that time, and what a sweet blessing it was to be interviewed by my father for this momentous privilege. On the day of my interview, my father presented me with a wonderful gift. It was a copy of “More Precious Than Rubies”, a book authored by S. Dilworth Young about Mormon boys and their priesthood. My father had written me a message on the inside of the book, and my mother had typed me a letter, which was also inserted in the book. I have copied those letters below. Does anything else have to be said about my celestial parents and how blessed I was to be their son, their only son?
April 26, 1964
To my beloved Michael on his 12th birthday —
As we sit here in the Bishop’s office, what a wonderful opportunity it is for both of us to talk about your being ordained a deacon, and the importance of this event in you life. You are a fine boy Mikey – so tall and straight, and we are so proud of you as your parents. Keep busy in school, and always eager and willing to learn. Always stay close to the church and let your ordination to the office of a deacon be the first of many wonderful experiences that will come to you in life as you live and learn about the church. Think often about going on a mission, and prepare yourself everyday for this great event when you reach 19 years of age. Be assured of a great and deep love that a father feels toward a son, and how I do thank God for you and the rest of our family. Be a good boy all your life. All my love and devotion.
Dad
April 24, 1964
My dear son Michael —
This is just a little note from your mother to let you know a few things that are in my heart on this your 12th birthday. I can hardly realize that the little wiggly, pink bundle that was laid in my arms on the morning you were born has grown into such a big, fine-looking boy. I want you to know how very dear you are to me, and that having a baby boy was one of the special joys that has come into my life. When the doctor told me I had a baby boy I said, “Oh, anyone in Reno can tell you that Fawn Taylor has 4 girls!” Well, a lot of happy moments have come to us since you came into our lives and, as usual, in raising a boy we have had our ups and down, haven’t’ we? But the ‘ups’ seem to be more frequent now and the ‘downs’ are less and less, so you are developing onto a wonderful boy and I am so proud of you.
I want you to know that it thrills me almost beyond description to hear you play the piano, and I think it is so fine that you have a desire to do this on your own now, and not just because we want you to learn. Your excellent attitude toward school and the way you buckle in and study your lessons is such a wonderful thing and I can see each day that you are accepting responsibility and are dependable, to keep your word. Remember always that there can’t be a finer thing said about a person than that “he is dependable”, and I hope you will always be such.
The only advice I would have to give you on this important birthday is that you live a worthy life. Always be honest, be humble and not cocky, and don’t brag unless you have done something that has never been done before. Play the game fair in no matter what you do, roll with the punches and face reverses with a smile and try to do better next time.
Now that you are old enough to hold the priesthood I pray that you will be the finest deacon in the ward and always be a good example before the other boys. I am glad you are a scout, for good scouters are good citizens and good citizens are very important. Keep your cute little sense of humor, and I hope you will always giggle and find something fun to laugh at. I like your jokes. Just keep on being the sweet, wonderful boy you are today and your parents will always be proud of you and so thankful that you were sent to them.
My very sincerest love,
Mom
In response to my parents’ letters, I wrote the following response in the front of the book they had given me: “I will try to live up to the teachings in this book. Michael.”
Click here to return to the Personal Life Journal index