Ellen Arvetta (Terry) Cannon

History of Ellen Arvetta Terry
1st January 1917 to 30th September 2004

Daughter of:
Franklin Amos Terry
Ellen Anna Goodliffe

Married to:
John McKay Cannon
29th November 1935
Sealed 24th June 1936 in St. George Temple

Life History written in 1960, 43 years old
By Ellen Arvetta Terry Cannon

Forward (by Dorothy Cannon, daughter) December, 2008

As I have typed Mother’s history onto the computer I have realized what a huge project this must have been for her. She worked full time, had four needful children still at home, had to do all the housekeeping, cooking, shopping, had elderly parents to assist, had chronic health issues and her husband suffered form illness from 1943 until his death. When you consider her daily challenges you must question how she managed to write this history. Another consideration to remember is that her education was very limited, only having the opportunity to finish ninth grade. She hand wrote the entire history, and then her oldest daughter Kolean typed it for her. He mother and sister were working on family history and wanted the entire family’s histories included. How grateful I am that she somehow managed to record this wonderful history for her posterity.

Ellen Arvetta Cannon – Life History – written by herself

A young couple met in the year of 1915 and fell in love. Franklin Amos Terry and Ellen Anna Goodliffe were the young couple. They were married on December 8th, 1915, in Sugar City, Idaho. They traveled to Southern Utah to make their home. On December 16th, 1915, they went through the St. George Temple and were sealed to each other for time and eternity. They started their life in a small house with two rooms, later they finished two additional rooms upstairs. I can imagine how happy they were!

Then as time went by a baby girl was born to them [on January 1st, 1917]. They named me Ellen Arvetta Terry. As I grew up Heavenly Father sent me four brothers and five sisters to love and play with. Father added to our home after I was married which gave them four rooms upstairs and four rooms downstairs with a bathroom. It was “Home Sweet Home” to us.

In the summers we moved to our ranch, which was called, “The Terry’s Ranch”. Here we enjoyed ourselves riding horses, swimming, and climbing on hills covered with many rocks. My Grandfather’s home [Frank D.] was on side of the valley, while we were on the other side. There seemed to be many rattlesnakes on Grandfather’s side. Grandmother [Rhoda Elizabeth] and Uncle Athna were sitting on the floor one day when a big rattler came from one corner of the room; the snake crawled over Athna’s bare foot and then went outside. Grandmother said, “I didn’t dare to move for I knew if Athna moved, the snake would surely bite him.” Athna didn’t feel the snake or even see it.

Mother always loved nature, often when I was with her, she would point out this bird, a flower, a sunrise or sunset and the mountains. I think Mother must have inherited this love for nature from Grandmother Goodliffe. So I guess it is only natural for me to love to be up in the mountains, around rivers, and out in the open country. Any place our Heavenly Father made for us to love. I think we were a happy family, but like most families we had our ups and downs but we all loved each other. We would go as a family to Sunday School and our other meetings then back to the ranch to do chores. My parents loved their Father in Heaven and taught us children to love and to try to love the teachings of the Gospel. They set the example by living up to the teachings such as paying tithing and having prayers in our home. I can remember as we grew up, Father and Mother telling us stories from the Bible. I also remember Father when he came home with his “1928 Ford”. How proud he was! He had just bought a new Chevrolet, but had told the salesman that he was going to win that 1928 Ford they were giving away in Cedar City. He said he wanted to be able to keep the car he like best of the two. The salesman laughed and said, “If you do win you can bring the Chevrolet back.” Sure enough Father did win that Ford and took the Chevrolet back, proud as a peacock! I remember also when he came home with two pretty dresses for Mother, also four, sugar and canned goods for the winter. How proud I was of my parents, they were a good looking couple. They loved each other very much but had a hard time with so many children. I being the oldest of the ten children knew how hard they had to work for us. I feel like they raised their family with flying colors. Father didn’t have the best of health or very much money, but they always found time to show us love and they took us on trips. Many times we traveled to Rexburg, Idaho where Mother’s folks lived, Grandma and Grandpa Goodliffe. We would sing songs while traveling. Father sang tenor with his beautiful voice and Mother alto, with us children joining in. Boy would we make music! After reach Rexburg one time, we children were all tucked in bed for the night, but Grandfather was determined he was going to give us a treat, so he awakened us children and gave us candy. That was about the last time saw Grandfather Goodliffe, as he soon passed on. My grandparents now live together in eternal life.

Time traveled quickly and I was soon to go to school and it was with a scared grownup feeling that I entered the first. I soon learned to love school very much and went to high school.

When I was eight years old, a very special thing in my life was about to happen. Just think, I was about to be baptized into this great church of “Latter Day Saints”, and be confirmed, really to be a member of the Church. I began to realize I was about to start a new journey through life. To travel lands that I had never before visited. I realized that maybe this trip I was about to start on could hold promises, be a great experience, and I could receive many rewards, both in the course of the journey and even more when I reached my destination. I imagined also that along the way there would be great danger and difficulties, that the trail would sometimes be obscured, that many of the crossroads and the side trails would lead to unspeakable suffering and difficulty – even death or I could get lost completely. I sat thinking what I could take with me on this trip, “The Trip of Life”. Yes, I could take a map. If I had a map I could judge where I was, for it would have landmarks. If I would just take the time to study the map, also to find where the pitfalls were, and find out that the map could help me, if I but took the time to consult it. Even at the age of eight, I knew what the Sabbath day was and I was sure that this map would have it marked somewhere. For this map was the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and it would set forth revelation from our Father in Heaven. Besides the map, I knew I had my parents that I could turn to. I knew they had traveled this journey before which could surely help me. My father and mother taught us children what the Sabbath was, what it would do for us if we would but respect it. My father used to say, “The Sabbath was made for men, and not man for the Sabbath.” I could see as I traveled this journey that I could consult my map as time when on and make plans for the journey ahead. The Sabbath Day was most beneficial to me. I directed my attention to the map, the seriousness of my journey ahead. I found out it was not necessary for me to have a detailed check of “do’s” and “don’ts” for I saw the benefits that came to me in keeping the Sabbath Day holy.

One more thing I learned was that I had my mother’s and father’s name that I must keep clean, free from sin. I am proud of my parents and love them very much. They gave me a body in which I could come and have a chance to travel this journey. As I traveled along, I hoped that I would never do anything to soil their name or hurt them in any way. They have always stood by me and showed me the way, which helped me over the pitfalls of life.

In my third year of high school I met a young man at a dance. He was wearing a high neck sweater and light tan trousers. He had a certain something that I had been looking for. I thought he was the most handsome man I had ever seen. He kept asking me to dance with him and boy could he dance. When I was introduced to him, I found his name to be John Cannon. Although I went with other boys, I could not see anybody but John. The only fault he had was smoking, and I did want to be married in the temple. To make a long story short, we were married by Bishop Dan Leavitt at Central, Utah (John’s home town) on November 29th, 1935.

Then later when he quit smoking, we went to the St. George Temple and were sealed for time and eternity on June 24th, 1936. What a wonderful privilege that was. The temple is something marvelous and wonderful, beautiful by day and night. It is a beckoning symbol to all mankind. It is the only actual doorway from earth to exaltation in the Celestial Kingdom. This door is always open to members who will make themselves ready to enter. But they must live for the promises and blessings of the Lord. Each ordinance is marked with symbolic meaning, projection of the seen and the unseen of the Celestial future. The beautiful truths of the Gospel are unfolded to those who participate, the admonition to love thy neighbors and do unto others, as you would have them do unto you.

In the year of 1937, on November 9th, we had a lovely surprise, a beautiful little bundle of joy came to us from our Father in Heaven, a little son and we gave him the name of Terry Bracken Cannon. He was so dear and sweet and precious to us. We were only allowed to keep him three short weeks, he developed pneumonia and without antibiotics his life was short and our Father in Heaven called him home. It was so hard to let him go, as we wanted him so much. We had planned so much for his future while growing to manhood. But the Lord had other plans for him. We want to all live a life so as we can all be together as a family in the next world and be able to raise him to manhood. It seemed after the baby left us, I couldn’t get well. I had to have an operation. I did pretty good while in the hospital, but when I came home gangrene set it. I knew I was close to death. My father-in-law gave me a blessing through the priesthood he held. It was the first time I had slept for two days and nights. Then about twelve o’clock I was awakened with the bandages on my stomach all wet, the stitches from the operation had broken. They called Dr. L.W. McGregor in St. George. He said, “Put newspaper all over the room to sterilize it, I will be right up.” It wasn’t ten minutes before he called and told my husband, “To bring me to the hospital.” I had been promised in two different blessings that I would get well, which you see I did. They took me back to the hospital. There were four men that were going to go to give help if help was needed. It was in December and we had plenty of snow. I desired Grandma Cannon to go, so she got ready to go but was unable to find her slipper. Everybody looked for it, but was unable to find it. We decided to leave without her. After we had gone about a mile, they found the slipper in front of the stove left in plain sight. We were unable to find the slipper for a purpose because about half way to St. Geroge we came to a big rock that had rolled off the hill blocking the road. The men said if she had come they never could have moved the rock, as it took all of the men’s strength to move it.

While at the hospital the power went off which made the furnace stop working. It caused the gas to back up and it blew the chimney to pieces. It took the workers five to six hours to shovel brick away so they could get to my room. At that time daddy was staying at his Uncle Tone’s. He was so certain that something was wrong he got out of bed, but Uncle Tone told him to go back to bed, that everything was all right. He went back to bed, but the uneasiness kept bothering him, so he got up again and came to the hospital. He was ready to bundle me up and pack me out if necessary, but everything seemed to be quiet so he went back to Uncle Tone’s and went to bed. In the morning when he called the hospital he was not surprised to find out what had happened.

My husband has been forewarned many times in his life. These warnings have saved his life. One of these times was when Carla Kay was born. He was working sixty miles from St. George, for Washington County. I took chills, and Daddy knew something was wrong. He left his job and came to Hurricane to get permission to come home to see what was wrong. Meanwhile, we had called his boss at Hurricane, asking him to let Daddy know that I was sick, as he was working where there was no telephone. Daddy arrived there just as his boss was getting into his car to go tell Daddy that he was needed at home. When Daddy asked if he could go home to see how is family was, Mr. Judd just looked at him and said, “I was just coming after you, your wife is sick.” By following his feelings, Daddy was already more than half way home!

About three years later, the Lord sent us a little baby girl to help us along this journey of life. She was a beautiful baby with lots of dark hair and big brown eyes. We named her Kolean. She was a great joy to us, so sweet and we were happy to have her. We watched her grow to be two and a half years of age when our Father in Heaven seen fit to send Kolean a little sister, Carla Kay. She had lots of dark curly and big blue eyes. She was so sweet that we thought life couldn’t be sweeter or fuller. She was so sweet that we thought life couldn’t be sweeter or fuller. Just think, two beautiful girls, we were so thrilled to think our Father in Heaven trusted us with them. I tell you we were two proud parents and wanted to raise them like we should. Later, David Arbon came along, he also had dark hair and big brown eyes, a little man clear through. We thought when we had the girls we could not be happier, but we were wrong. At that time, my husband had a nervous breakdown caused by a thyroid goiter. In fact, we were in the Cedar City Hospital at the same time. They brought my husband down in a wheel chair to see us. Although he was sick, he was very proud of his son when the nurse brought David in to show him off to his Daddy. I think it did a lot to help his Daddy get well.

Soon after his birth I had to leave David with my sister Leila who lived in Milford, Utah while I went with Daddy to some doctors in Northern Utah. They said they could help him get well. I had to leave Daddy there alone, while I went home to my babies.

It was very lonesome without him. I planted a garden as it was in the spring. At our lot in Enterprise we had to take water each week to water the garden at all hours of the night. I weeded it and took care of it with some help from my brothers and father. I found out I had many friends then, especially my Papa and Mama also my husband’s parents who lived in Central, Utah. It was at this time in my life that I really turned to my Father in Heaven. I could not help but wonder why my husband had to get sick and then not get well. We were always so happy and close together. I missed him so much; often I wondered what I would have done without the babies. I had faith in God, and a testimony of the Gospel, and I knew there was a Lord who could help and answer prayers. Then there were times when I wondered why the Lord did not make him well. I guess I forgot my map for a while. I didn’t take time out to consult it and just about got lost on the side road. The Lord and my guardian angel must have stayed close to me and helped me back on the right route again. They protected my family so many times from sickness and harm. Then Daddy came home a lot better but still not well. Then Dorothy Ellen came to live with us. She was a little bundle with brown eyes and lots of auburn hair. She was so sweet and pretty. She had a smile for everyone who helped us to see the sunny side and we would have to laugh with her.

At this time, we moved from Enterprise and went to St. George buying a new home there. We were quite happy. We paid our fast offerings, tithing and attended our meetings. We lived there only two years because there wasn’t enough work for Daddy. He was a “cat skinner” meaning he drove a heavy duty caterpillar constructing roads. It was said that he could handle this big machine like a duck handles water. Then his work started to take him away from home again and we moved to Salt Lake City. Here he worked for Heber W. Glenn. We bought another new home on Emery Street. At this time Larry came to join the family. He was just as sweet as could be with lots of dark brown hair, brown eyes and handsome features. But he was not well. We took him too many doctors trying to find out what was wrong. His blood count was not normal; he had too many white cells and not enough red cells. I took him to Uncle Jacob Hunt, my Father’s uncle, a man of great faith who administered to him and gave him a blessing promising him he would live a normal life if he was careful. He is now nine years old, he has some troubles now and then, but I feel that he will be able to complete his mission here with us if he does what is right and is careful. It seems like our dreams were being granted, as we had always wanted a large family. We now had six children, three sons and three daughters, what a blessing! At this time we met up with a disappointment, John’s work came to an end one fall. So my brother Wendell and John went to Las Vegas looking for winter employment. After selling our home we moved to Las Vegas, Nevada where we bought another home. We lived there only three years and decided we did not want to raise our family there. We moved to Bountiful, Utah where we bought our home on Chapel Drive. Daddy then started working for Foss Lewis Sand & Gravel Company in Bountiful. In 1957, we were given another bundle of joy, we called her Deborah. She was so tiny with her brown eyes and brown curls. When we brought her home from the hospital she was so small that she fit in her Daddy’s size 8 shoebox. We got a small bassinet for her to sleep in, but it didn’t take long for her to grow after she got here. I guess it was because we all loved her so much; she must have thrived on love. I think we have as a family missed a lot with Daddy’s sickness but we have gained much too. I do hate to see Daddy miss getting close to you all, for he loves you all so much. I don’t know if we could say that we were a happy family or not. I have been very happy at times, and then maybe not as happy as I could have been if Daddy had not been sick. But I have tried to do all I could to help. I went to work, also tried to keep my family and home up. I have always left it up to our Father in Heaven and said, “Thy will be done, Oh Lord, not mine.” In Daddy’s patriarchal blessing it states that some day he would know why all this has happened. So we have tried to do our best by you all. We have taken you on trips, and parties and outings. Do you remember the time when we went to San Francisco? How you all played on the ocean beaches. After stopping at the first beach, every one we came to we had to stop at it. I can still see the time when you all joined hands and started to wade out into the Pacific Ocean and here came this big wave which almost took you all out into the ocean. I just knew you were all gone. This was before Larry and Debbie came along. Another time was when we were up to Lake Tahoe where we had stopped for lunch and to take a nap. We all though this to be a very pretty place. The mountains were covered with big pine trees and the water was a beautiful blue. It also had a really nice beach. Daddy and I were just about asleep when somebody screamed, “A bear, a bear!” We came to our feet in a hurry, but no bear could be seen. What a “Big Bear Scare” we had .I think one of our most enjoyable trips was when we visited Yellowstone Park. One of the highlights of this trip was the bears. We also enjoyed the other animals, especially the buffalo, elk and moose. Our pictures of this trip turned out very good, so now we can see Yellowstone park every now and then. So you see we have had fun along with the sorrow. 

We have watched you all grow up, each one with different personalities and I love to be with each of you. I have seen each of you learn to control your tempers. What a great joy it was to see you all get baptized and to become members of the Church. Do take part in the church when asked. Pray always and remember the evil one is close, waiting for a chance to get a loophole. He is there and ready to tempt us, but remember we believe in repentance. The Lord knew we weren’t perfect. He has sent us here to go to school and to become like Him.

Kolean our oldest girl met a young man by the name of William Reed Kalaher. They fell in love and were married in the Salt Lake Temple. They were very happy but we hated to see her leave us. We realized the Lord had sent her on a mission. She had to live her own life so we started to look on the bright side of her marriage and realized we had not lost her, but that we had just gained a new son whom we think a lot of. We wish them the best of happiness always.

Soon after, Carla Kay and Gary Eugene Evensen decided to get married. It was a shock, they were so young. We tried to get them to wait a while or at least until they finished high school, but they decided love came first. They were married out of the temple, but a year later they went through the Salt Lake Temple and were sealed for time and all eternity.

It was pretty rough having them both married so close together. But they are both happy and doing well. So we decided that both our new sons were tops and we don’t think the girls could have done any better. We are happy that Carla and Gary are close, so as they can drop in often. We are now proud grandparents to three of the sweetest most wonderful girls. Kolean and Bill have two pretty little blonds. Sherrie Lynn has big blue eyes and dimples in her chin and cheeks. Julie Ann, a pretty little bundle of joy with her great big blue eyes and dimples in her chin.

• 

• (William Reed) Bill & Kolean, Julie & Sherrie

Carla Kay and Gary have a little dark haired baby girl with beautiful blue eyes [Twila]. She is another little bundle of joy that loves to come to Grandma’s house to play with the children. As I sit here trying to make up my mind about who is the prettiest, it is impossible. They are all different but very pretty. Kolean and Bill are living in Bellevue, Washington, so we don’t get to see them very often. It seems their time is always so short when they come. We love them all very much and we are very proud of our girls and their choices that took them to the temple. This helps to make their marriage a success with a good start in life.

We only have four bundles of love and joy at home now. We hope we can keep them for a while longer. It is hard to tell though with David and Dorothy dating and having a ball. We love our family very much and are proud of them and have high hopes for each. David is at an age when cars are important. He has a very nice one. I can see him growing into a handsome young man. Always be polite and courteous. Find a nice girl of your choice and take her to the temple to gain the blessings that await you there. Live worthy of going through the temple always. Value your priesthood so you can use it and have it in your home. Remember never to go where your priesthood would not go. And when you go into the service for your country, remember to be a missionary and set a good example. Live a life that the Lord will watch over and protect you; he will then bring you home in safety. Dave, don’t forget your saxophone, practice it. I used to love to sit and listen while you played. It will bring happiness and peace to you. I only hope we can help you in some more lessons.

Dorothy, remember what we learned together in your Mother and Daughter meetings. They always state things beautifully. Just be careful whom you date, be prayerful and put yourself in your Father in Heavens hands. Don’t slip for we love you and want you to be the way you are. Maybe you can help Debbie even more than I can. Try to have good clean thoughts and fun with the right company. Always respect your calling here and do what is right. My mother used to tell me: “Never do anything that I wouldn’t want my loved one to do”. Try to remember that, and it won’t be very hard. Just keep on and be your natural self, praying and I am sure everything will be fine. Your sweet voice, I am so proud of it. It sounds just like a bird. You did so well in your operetta last year. You handled the lead part very well.

Now for Larry and Debbie my babies aren’t they sweet. I am so glad we had them to help us in our later years. I fear we hardly did our best for them. We might spoil them a little but I feel they have pretty good stuff in them and that they will be alright with the help of mother, father and brothers and sisters who love them and will help them along this journey of life with its pitfalls and crossroads. Larry gave us a scare with his white blood count so high. But he was promised in his blessing he would get better which he has done. So we know our Father in Heaven can help us. It was through faith and prayers and our Father in Heaven alone that helped him. While we are upon this earth we should always remember to turn to our Father in Heaven.

While we are talking on being healed I could mention a great number of things, which have happened in my life. But please understand that it is not in a boastful way but in all humbleness that I state these. One outstanding time was shortly after the birth of Carla Kay. As I stated earlier, John was working sixty miles from St. George. I was taken ill, and he felt so strongly that something was wrong that he left work to come home. I have been warned of things that were going to happen and knew there was a hand guiding me. This summer in my last two operations I know that prayers were answered in my behalf. I knew that my ulcers were bleeding inwardly. but try as hard as I might I just could not make them understand me. I had the bishop give me a blessing, and in that blessing he promised that heavenly spirits would come and watch over me until help arrived. My Grandma Terry and my dear Father came that night. I was consoled and oh how I wish I could have talked to them. It was so nice to see them again. Then with my second operation, I was all nerved up and was ready to leave the hospital, but my brother Clifford gave me a blessing in which he said, “To go and have the operation and that everything would be fine.” I was really amazed at my speedy recovery. Everybody would come in and comment on how well I looked and it wasn’t long until I was home. So you see, all of you, remember the Lord in all things.

Larry, you might have to be a little careful all your life. But I feel you will be fine. Have fun and always play fair, be happy and always listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost. When you reach the age when you hold the priesthood, value it.

Debbie you are only four, pretty and sweet. Always watch for the good things in life. You and Larry always go to Primary and Sunday School. Do what is right; take time to think over your problems. When you are older and it is time to go to Mutual, “go”, this will help you step by step. Watch your brothers and sisters, do right, pray always and your Father in Heaven will help you. Get married in the temple, as we love you and want only the best for you.

Oh, being a mother, and having these choice spirits sent to you from heaven makes one stop and wonder. I do hope we haven’t failed you by loving you too much and not setting the right example as parents. It makes me tremble clear to my toes when I think about it. I am very thankful to my Father in Heaven for each one of you. When you came to us as babies it was wonderful, joy only parents can know. Larry was born with dark hair and brown eyes. At birth, Debbie had auburn curls that have now changed to blond curls. You two be good and I do hope that David and Dorothy will help show you the way it is done by example.

Back Row Left to Right: Gary, Carla Kay holding Twyla Evensen, Ellen and Franklin Terry, Arvetta, David, John Cannon, Kolean holding Sherrie, Bill Kalaher.
Front Row Left to Right: Dorothy, Deborah, Larry Cannon

Now you children might say, “Mother, you and your old-fashion ways and preaching” or even say, “Practice what you preach.” but just take a minute and think and you will know it is right. Your thoughts might take you to where they had a council in heaven, knowing that each was sent here to perform a mission, to be tempted and tried, to have evil around us for us to overcome. At our last Conference it was said, “That the Russian leaders were nothing but evil. We were taught to keep their ideas out of our homes, to have patience, tolerance, love, faith and charity in our homes and everywhere.” Always be ready to repent then if we are really sincere and truly repent, the Lord will forgive us. They also advised us to pray often telling us that if there ever was a time when we needed to pray and live our religion, it is now. I have often thought of this song:

The Lord is My Shepherd
The Lord is my shepherd; no want shall I know.
I feed in green pastures, safe folded I rest.
He leadeth my soul where the still waters flow,
Restores me when wandering, Redeems when oppressed;
Restores me when wandering, Redeems when oppressed.

Through the valley and shadow of death though I stray,
Since thou art my Guardian, no evil I fear.
Thy rod shall defend me; thy staff be my stay;
No harm can befall, with my Comforter near;
No harm can befall, with my Comforter near.

In the midst of affliction my table is spread,
With blessings unmeasured my cup runneth o’er.
With perfume and oil thou annointest my head.
Oh, what shall I ask of thy providence more?
Oh, what shall I ask of thy providence more?

This song expresses many of my thoughts throughout my life. Through my trials I know that my Comforter was near and helped me so many times. He protected me and helped me to know the value of prayer. It’s wonderful to talk to God. He has said, “I the Lord am bound when you do what I say, but when you do not what I say, you have no promises.”

David is now in Bellevue, Washington, with Bill and Kolean and their little family. They seem to be so far away. I can’t seem to see enough of them or talk things over with them. I have asked my Father in Heaven to watch over all my children and to protect them from evil and harm. To help them stay on the right route and not fall in the pitfalls or crossroads. To let them know we love them more than life itself. I have thought so many times of what Bill said on his last trip home, of how you can forget your problems by singing hymns and how they would bring peace of mind and strength that would help you when you needed it. I hope and pray that all my children will be married in the temple and live lives that will keep our chain linked together link by link. That they will always be close to each other helping each other with love and kind words or to help each one in this life’s journey. So that later we may all be united together again as a family. If I can do my job as good as my Mother did, I will be lucky. She was always there when I needed her.

John & Arvetta Cannon

When my dear father passed on we were very sad. We watched him fade away for nine years wanting to help so much, but not knowing how. We all loved him so much. When he passed on, I was at the beauty parlor sitting under a hair dryer. I knew the moment it happened; I jumped up taking the curlers out of my hair. I reached the hospital just a minute or so after the others. I had watched my mother helping him over the rough spots of his sickness, and it always seemed that she knew just what to do to make him smile. She set an example for us, more than any words could ever say.

I’ll never forget the time Wendell and Lorna brought them a Christmas tree. This was the last Christmas he spent with us. How their eyes did shine. They were so thrilled. I think there could only be one thing that could bring back that same shine to their eyes; that is to have us all live the way they taught us and to teach his grandchildren for he was proud of each one of you. My father was called home two days after Christmas. It was then that I made a promise to myself that I would try to live the way they have taught me. There are always so many things to make me weak and take the wrong road. I just hope I can stay in touch with my Father in Heaven so I can have help. I want Papa and Mama to know that I wouldn’t change my life if I had to do all over again. My faith has grown and my testimony has become stronger. I want to thank them for they gave me a body so I could have my family. How thankful I am that we have been through the temple and had my children sealed to us. My problem is to keep my promises; to live up to what I know is right.

I am now forty-three years of age (1960), wondering what is going to happen to me as I journey on. I am going to try and keep a close eye on my children, to enjoy and love them. If I can help in any way, I will certainly do it. Maybe as my journey continues, I will be able to see my four bundles of joy find their mates and be married in the temple and if we live and stay on the right route to eternal life, oh, what promises, joy and happiness will await us. I think the Lord was very much concerned with His children, for He gave us life so we could travel this earthly journey. He gave us rules and law to help keep us on the right road. He gave us our church and religion to be baptized, to receive the Holy Ghost which helps guide us. All we have to do is ask and He will help us. Some brilliant men and women have been brought up in the church but later left it. They worked hard in their chosen occupations becoming skilled. What wonderful things could have been said of them, if they had just put the same time and interest in studying religion to gain a testimony of the gospel. To live by the knowledge they had gained, how much father they could have gone. The song, “Sweet Is The Work, My God, My King”, in this song it tells me what will await us if we stay on the right route.

Dr. Roger Brown of Bountiful, Utah, tells a story about his flower garden. When the flowers were small he could see many weeds growing among them. He pulled them out as fast as he could, but in one bed of asters, he forgot to weed. These weeds grew right along with the flowers, in fact, they grew bigger and faster than the flowers. When he finally remembered the flowers, there were hardly any flowers left, only some frail sickly plants with tiny blooms. The weeds were big and strong, so strong he could hardly pull them out. That is the way it is with us. Good clean thoughts, kind polite words, and deeds of service to others are flowers that brighten our lives and make others happy. Bad thoughts, unkind hurting words makes unhappiness and causes ill feelings. We can pull them out and learn to control our thoughts and actions. Then we will grow strong and we will be happy. It is only when our thoughts are good that our bodies can grow best. Remember, “Laugh, and the world will laugh with you.” This poem is a good example:

“Come to our stove, dear playmates,
We have magic words for sale.
Smiles and laughter and “thank you”,
And “please” that cannot fail.

Why don’t you take a dozen?
They are cheaper when bought that way,
And sprinkle them through the hours,
To make a perfect day.”

I am sure if we could live this way, we would have little to fear. So let us love one another and help each other overcome our faults. Faults that can help keep us all from eternal life. Let us all show Daddy how much we love and need him. If we all love and help each other, we will become much closer as a family. This is what I am hoping and praying for when my journey is completed here. You will find these wonderful words in the song, “O My Father”:

O my Father, thou that dwellest, In the high and glorious place!
When shall I regain they presence, and again behold thy face?
In thy holy habitation, Did my spirit once reside;
In my first primeval childhood, Was I nurtured near they side?

For a wise and glorious purpose, Thou hast placed me here on earth,
And withheld the recollection, Of my former friends and birth,
Yet oft’ times a secret something, Whispered, “You’re a stranger here,”
And I felt that I had wandered, From a more exalted sphere.

I had learned to call these Father, Through the Spirit from on high;
But until the key of knowledge, Was restored, I knew not why.
In the heavens are parents single? No, the thought makes reason stare!
Truth is reason, truth eternal, Tells me I’ve a Mother there.

When I leave this frail existence, When I lat this mortal by,
Father, Mother, may I meet you, In your royal courts on high?
Then at length, when I’ve completed, All you sent me forth to do,
With your mutual approbation, Let me come and dwell with you.

May 7th, 2019 by Dorothy Cannon (daughter)
As I read my mom’s history today, I felt close to her and could almost hear her voice repeating the words she wrote so long ago. She always wanted me to help her update her history and left a few notes that I am adding today. She expressed her gratitude for Heavenly Father for entrusting each of her children to her and Daddy.

She wrote, “Each one of you is so sweet and precious to me and Daddy…so special and outstanding. I see how your Heavenly Father loves you so much and wants you to come back to him as a family. He trusts us, He leads us and inspires and He will always help us if we will come to him in prayer. If you all will open the door and ask for His help He will bless you with peace and endurance to help you all to the end of your journey here on this freeway of life. My parents were special and blessed and guided by their Heavenly Father. They had their ups and downs, troubles and sorrows but through family prayer night and morning they were blessed to the end of their lives. I feel they finished their mission here and endured to the end. I know they are working and praying for you and me that we will all be one big happy family. Each one of you have helped me since Daddy left us and took one more step on this freeway to complete his mission here on the earth. Now he is working in heaven for us. I feel that he loves you all very much and that he is watching over you and helping you all that he can. We both love you all more than you know and enjoyed having you for our children. Now you are all parents with beautiful children of your own, our special grandchildren and great grandchildren and even great great-grandchildren. I love all my posterity very much and pray they will be blessed and protected on their journey here on earth.

Larry, than you for taking me to visit Terry’s grave and on rides and out to dinner along with Kay and Gary taking me for rides and dinner. The railing Gary installed has kept me safe and I appreciate that gift very much. Larry has always been available when needed to fix the furnace, air conditioner, my car and helping as needed. Debbie and Kelly taking me to see the fall leaves in Provo Canyon. David and Mark have constantly worked on the rainbirds and have helped me with so many mechanical items. They even set my clocks when the time changes each season. For Jason, Andrew and John mowing my lawn each week, I am grateful. When it became difficult for me to handle our financial affairs, Daddy asked Dorothy for her help. She quietly took care of balancing our checkbook, paying all of our bills, ordering our medications, placing the meds in our pill planners to help us take them properly an became our main driver when Daddy could no longer drive. She did our grocery shopping every week and even carried in our huge supply of Coke each week (I was very thankful when Mom gave up drinking Coke; it made my grocery shopping much easier). Kolean has called me every night to say “good-night”. You have all be there to help me and have blessed me with your love and support.

I want to tell you how happy Daddy and I were before his illness. When he first saw me, he asked my aunt Violet who that olive skinned girl was. Right then he told her that he was going to marry me. We met the next week at a dance in Central where the lights went out. He climbed up a ladder and fixed the lights. I was impressed! He had on tan slacks and a sweater. He was quite handsome and I fell for him right then. We dated two years having fun on his motorcycle, going to dances and having chicken roast dinner. We were married at Grandma and Grandpa Cannon’s home and later sealed for time and eternity in the St. George Temple. You know about the birth of our children and how Daddy became ill when David was young. He became so mixed up during the years that followed things were hard on all of us. We had hard times and bad things happened in our family. But through prayer, counseling and faith I have felt we never should give up on Daddy. After he retired things finally became easier. No father ever tried harder to take care of his family. He was so sick but he never gave up and did the best that he could to provide for us. Before he died he gave up smoking in January and died on June 30th, 1991. I love him and I have never been sorry that I married him. If I had to do it over again I would do the same. I miss him so much. I have been blessed. The first two years I wanted to die. This year I have had peace in my Father in Heaven has been so close to me. I feel His presence and He is so close to me. I want to live as long as He wants me to and do what He wants me to do to be worthy to return to His presence. I have found out that if you tend to your prayers; sing the Church hymns you will receive strength to go on. I love you all very much. I have a strong testimony of the Gospel and know that the Holy Ghost will help us if we will follow His promptings. Heavenly Father loves us, He weeps for us when we are sad and He is always close. He gives us strength to bear our trials and we become humble as we face difficult challenges and rely on Him to help us endure the hard things that come into our lives. We grow from our trials and they help make us more worthy to come home to our Father in Heaven. I know He lives and He wants us to succeed and to be happy. I realize that I would not be anything without His help and presence in my life. He doesn’t want us to weep; He wants us to count our blessings and to trust Him. That is what I am trying to do. I want all of us to be happy and to love one another, help each other and respect each other. I know President Howard W. Hunter is our prophet and that he is here to help us on our journey to return to our Father in Heaven.

Always be happy, and remember I will always be close to you and that I love you.

Love, MOM

NOTE: As I finished typing this I feel that I have had a reunion with my dear mother. Her words are priceless as I have felt her presence and almost heard her voice. She was a courageous, strong and valiant woman. She faced life with strength that she received from her prayers and great faith. She truly believed the words that she wrote above and I could feel her sincerity as I typed them. In February [of] 2000, it became necessary for her to move out of her beloved home on Chapel Drive. As I backed out of the driveway that dark night, I felt tears streaming down my face. Mom did not shed a tear but faced her new future with her STRONG faith. She never looked back. She realized that since she continued to fall down she could not live alone any longer. As we silently drove to Kolean’s home in Taylorsville, I realized that our lives would never be the same. Once again, she accepted the things that she could not control. She endured ongoing chronic pain, failing eyesight and many other physical challenges, quietly suffering day after day. The last six months of her life was spent at Bountiful House across the street from the Bountiful Tabernacle. We moved her in on April conference weekend and we moved her belongings out during October conference. She had been having mini strokes for some time. She had a massive stroke and was admitted to Lakeview Hospital on Saturday and died the following Thursday, September 30th, 2004. She was not able to speak after the stroke and could only communicate with her eyes. I remember giving her a kiss before leaving Wednesday evening and whispering in her ear that it would not be long before it was all over. Somehow she managed to pucker her lips in an attempt to give me a kiss goodbye. The next day around 5 pm she quietly returned to her Father in Heaven with a slight smile on her lips surrounded by her loving family. She is dearly loved and missed by all.