"The gospel of Jesus Christ means more to me than all the gold and silver of this
world, and all that this world has to offer, I prize my standing in this Church above all.

"I pray that God will bless you, and each of us, that we may continue faithful unto the
end, and those who have not yet made covenant with God, that they may seek until they
shall find.  Go to God and he will not turn away from you, but will show you the way, the
truth, that shall eventually save and exalt you in His presence.

"God bless you.  Amen."

In 1928 I was informed of a great price reduction sale planned by the
Smith-McCord-Townsend Co. , a wholesale drygoods establishment in Kansas City,
Missouri.  We were dealing with this firm in the purchase of dry goods and notions, and I
considered it a sound business venture to attend this sale. I left Logan February 16, 1928.
Upon arriving in Kansas City I at once began purchasing dry goods. The president of the
institution being informed that I was in the house sent an invitation to meet him in his
office.  We had a very interesting and friendly conversation on various subjects, first upon
business matters and then politics, He spoke very highly of Senator Reed Smoot.  He then
referred to the Mormon Church which gave me an excellent opportunity to explain the
gospel to him.  It would have been unusual for a missionary to experience such a privilege
of explaining the gospel to such a great man of the business world.  At parting I promised
to send him some literature explaining our faith.

While in Kansas City I purchased dry goods, notions and gents furnishings to the
amount of $5000.

After returning home I sent the president, Mr. Fred R. Castle, a fine copy of the Book
of Mormon together with a number of Mormon tracts.  I also wrote him a letter of
appreciation for the fine, cordial reception tendered me in Kansas City, and also explained
what the Book of Mormon meant to us.  In reply I received a fine letter, as follows:

Smith-McCord-Townsend
Drygoods Company
Exclusive Wholesale
Kansas City, Mo.
Feb. 21, 1928


Jno.  H. Anderson, Pres.,

First National Bank,
Logan, Utah.

Dear Mr. Anderson:

You can imagine my great surprise when I opened your package and found the most
beautiful book, together with several pamphlets. I had no idea, Mr. Anderson, that you
would send me anything like so expensive and beautiful a book as that.  I feel that I might
have sort of asked you for something, not knowing exactly what I was doing. I hope you
understand (and I believe you do) that my only thought was that you would send me some
little pamphlets like the ones you did enclose and that would be all there was to it.
However, I will say this: for some reason or other I feel that I have known you for a long
time.  I wonder if you have ever had that same feeling about certain people.  If you have it
is a most gratifying fact I assure you.  You sort of feel like you have had a new real friend
added to the list, and I am sure that one friend is worth a million enemies.

That has always been my policy, Mr. Anderson. I am much devoted to my friends. It
is with the utmost appreciation that I accept this gift and I wish to assure you that I shall
read it carefully. I don't think there is any question about a man knowing too much along
the lines in which you are so deeply interested.  If we had more knowledge on such subjects
this would be a much better world.  I wish I were as well posted on matters pertaining to
the Holy Book as you are.

I will look forward to your return visit to Kansas City, and when that time comes I
hope it may be my good fortune to have the pleasure of entertaining you at lunch or dinner,
whichever may suit you best.

Assuring you of my personal esteem, I am
Yours sincerely,
(Signed) Fred R. Castle
I also received a letter from the vice-president, as follows:
Kansas City, Mo.
Feb. 21, 1928

John H. Anderson & Sons,
Logan, Utah.

Dear Mr. Anderson:

We sure do appreciate and thank you for your nice remittance received yesterday,
$3734. 23, and I can't tell you how much we all enjoyed having you visit us here in our
own store.  Hope your goods opened up to your entire satisfaction and you will have such
a good trade on them that you can see your way clear to visit us again during the fall
season.

We never have had an account on our books that was kept in nicer shape than yours,
and I am sure no one has visited us here in the house and made himself more popular with
anyone than you did.  With kindest regards and hoping to hear from you often, beg to
remain

Yours very truly,
(Signed) Geo. G. Hindman, Vice
President

The following year the Tootle, Wheeler and Motter Co. of St. Joseph, Mo.
announced an entire close-out of merchandise, with the plan of retiring.  I had purchased
dry-goods from this firm for years, and thought it expedient to attend this sale.  I left Logan
March 19, 1929 for St. Joseph, Mo.  I was received very courteously by the management
of this Company, having been there on a previous visit.  I purchased $5500 worth of
merchandise at greatly reduced prices, Although buying in such large quantitie, no items
became stale or a drag on the market.

August 28, 1929: Mother and I went to Berkeley to visit with Luella and her family.
September 5, 1928: We went to Los Angeles.

May 1928: Charlotte had an automobile accident. Mother and I went to Ogden at
once. Charlotte had received a severe shaking-up and tremendous pains in her head.  I had
administered to her during the day. About eleven or twelve o'clock she took worse. I arose
and sat by the side of her bed. I placed my hands on her head and offered up a silent prayer.
Charlotte seemingly obtained a perfect rest. Next morning she said she had never felt such
a peaceful, comfortable, soothing feeling. I told her that I was praying for her while I was
sitting by her bedside, that is why the influence of the Holy Spirit was realized.

September 1930: I had a wonderful dream or vision, I do not know which it was.  I
beheld a most wonderful personage.  I stood in his presence; He said: Behold and see the
twelve apostles.  I looked and saw the ancient apostles of the Lord Jesus.  The wonderful
and inspiring influence of this experience remained with me for many days.

October Conference, 1931: Sunday morning about ten minutes before services began,
while sitting in the Tabernacle, a new thought illuminated my mind.  Mathew, Sixteenth
Chapter, Eighteenth Verse: The Rock spoken of was to mean God revealing His Son Jesus
to the world at the opening of each and every Gospel Dispensation, the very thing that had
just taken place according to the remarks of Jesus.  God had revealed to Peter that Jesus
was the Son of God.  Mathew, 3rd Chapter, 17th Verse, Mathew 17. 5, Nephi 11. 7: The
opening of this Gospel Dispensation God revealed his Son Jesus to Joseph: Upon this rock
God builds his Church.

May 1932: John Carlson was very ill; he had not been able to talk or open his eyes for
ten days.  I felt impressed to call and see him. I told my wife that we must call and see John
Carlson.  We got in the car, drove to his home, and were met at the door by Mary.  Brother
Moser was there.  We went in to see Brother Carlson.  It was suggested by Brother Moser
that we administer to him.  He anointed him, and while he was attending to this sacred
ordinance, I was thinking: What blessing can I pronounce on him ? I prayed in my soul that
God would give him a blessing.  I did not know what it could be; he was not able to say a
word; his eyes were closed and gummed with matter.  All power to open his eyes had left
him.  In my prayer and blessing while sealing the anointing, I promised Brother Carlson his
eyes would be opened and he should be able to see.  After leaving, Brother Carlson sat up,
opened his eyes, called the children and admonished them to be good to their mother. 
Then he lay down and never opened his eyes again.

In January 1902 I was asked to be a director in the First National Bank.  A few years
later I became Vice-president.  In January 1919 I was sustained president of the First
National Bank.

1929 was the beginning of the worst panic I had experienced.  Hundreds of banks
were closed on account of losses and in a number of instances depositors became
frightened and withdrew their savings, thereby causing a run on the bank.  Thousands of
good, strong companies went down and out of business.  We had been careful in making
loans, also in all our operations.  Knowing the struggles of the farmers as well as all men in
business made it a real problem.  Strong corporations who sold bonds to protect large
deposits refused to renew or guarantee further protection.  This was a stinger.  Brother
Sonne almost lost courage.  I left the bank under this dark cloud, went home and did as
Jesus said: When ye pray, go into your closet and when thou hast shut the door, pray to thy
Father which is in Heaven, and thy Father which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. I
did this. I sought the Lord in prayer.  A few moments after my importuning the Lord, a
dream that I had had many years before I became president of the bank, came to me again. 
I saw myself, quite advanced in years, as president of the bank.  I saw I had been successful
and my advice was sought by others.  I was considered a real banker. This dream I had not
thought of for the last fifteen years, but it now entered my mind as a flash.  It was in answer
to my prayers, Although banks were failing all around us, I always had confidence that
better times were coming and we would succeed.  How wonderful that this dream should
be renewed and brought to me as real as if I had just seen it in a vision.

The years 1931, 1932 and 1933 presented probably the most serious financial crash
ever known.  Thousands of wealthy people, among them multi-millionaries became
penniless.  Great and powerful corporations and business houses found themselves
bankrupt.  About one-half of all the banks in the United States were closed.  In Utah, such
large banks as Bigelow Bank of Ogden, the Deseret National and the Deseret Saving of
Salt Lake City were forced to close their doors, as well as many others. Gloom and
pessimism were brooding everywhere.

At the October conference 1931, President Ivins in his talk painted a dark and
alarming picture.  Quote: "When our own government is wrestling with problems which
they hardly know how to control, but is doing its very best to meet them; when banking
establishments are going down like block houses, and hundreds of millions of dollars of the
savings of the poor people are being lost to them because of these failures it appears
obvious to me that we are passing through a time of tribulation."

President Charles W. Nibley followed in the same spirit of uncertainty and gloom. 
Quote: "We have fallen upon strange times, as have been outlined by Pres.  Ivins, and the
end is not yet.  The distress of nations, not this nation alone, this people alone, but the
distress of nations and the perplexity of nations are here now.  At the present time there are
signs about us that are ominous, in some ways almost terrible.  "

Again in about three months later, while addressing the students and faculty of the Utah
State Agricultural College, Pres. Ivins portrayed the same pictures or uncertainty and
despair, with the accompanying failure of banks.  People became frightened, lost
confidence, mistrusted everyone, and as a result deposits were withdrawn from banks daily
by the thousands of dollars.

The First National Bank in one day suffered withdrawls amounting to $200,000. 
Those were days long to be remembered, and we hope they shall never reoccur.  We not
only had these difficulties to meet, but bank examiners were very exacting, and profuse
with criticism.  Notes that appeared slow were set up as a loss.  Unfair and unreasonable
reports were sent to the comptroller at Washington.

During these dark days I had a wonderful dream one night, I dreamed that I was in
the bank discussing affairs with Bro. Sonne.  Inquiring as to how the deposits were coming
in, Bro.  Sonne replied in a very positive and strong tone, "Deposits are coming in by the
thousands, " with the word thousands especially emphasized.  I knew this dream was not in
reference to the present time, but to some future date.  I told Brother Sonne next morning,
"We need not worry about the ultimate success of the bank.  We will not be closed out. 
Our deposits will all come back stronger than ever.  I then related to him my dream.

Deposits did come back by the thousands.  Not only that, the government deposited
$150,000 in our bank without drawing interest.

During all these days of depression and uncertainty, I have always had an assurance in
my soul that the First National Bank would weather the storm of depression and survive,
even when the government declared a moratorium on all banks and every bank in the
country was temporarily closed, and some never to qualify for reopening,

Sonne, Hansen and I were requested to go to Salt Lake to be interviewed by Mr.
Partner, manager of this Federal Reserve Bank District. I was satisfied in my own mind that
we would reopen the next day, although Mr. Partner had no positive word to give us, as
that must come from Washington.  When we returned, next day, the First National Bank
was opened for business, and now our deposits are higher than they ever were in the
history of the bank; so deposits have surely come back by the thousands.

October 1932, I was asked by the Brigham Young Camp to talk on the industries and
conditions of the pioneers of Logan and Cache Valley.  The following is a synopsis of my
talk: The first enterprise was a saw mill owned and operated by Hezekiah Thatcher in 1862. 
This mill was operated by manpower, one man standing under the log and one above
sawing the log.  Later this mill was operated by water, sawing the logs into block then
splitting them into thin parts, finishing them with a drawing knife.  That is the way shingles
are made.

A little later Brother Thatcher erected a grist mill.  Two large stones were trimmed
down and one laid over the other.  The wheat or corn was placed between the stones, then
turned by man-power until the grain was mashed or pulverized.  In the Bible we read of the
upper and nether mill stones.  Prior to this the wheat was ground by placing it into a round
bowl, put in a round rock in the bowl or an iron ball, then whirling it around until the wheat
was mashed.

Barney Standord established the first tannery.  Hides were tanned into leather, shoes
and boots were made from this leather.  It was coarse and heavy.

Brother Birdneau established the first blacksmith shop, while the first harness shop
was set up by William McAllister.

A building was erected near the Deseret Mills for carding wool.  This wool was spun
into yarn, then woven into cloth.  Jeans were made from this material; they were a good
wearing article, but very coarse.

Mrs. Thomas X. Smith was the first hatter in Logan.  She braided straw hats; to make
them she would split the wheat straw, then braid them into what was considered fine hats.
It is said this good woman was so industrious that she would braid this straw while going
to a neighbors home, or down town. She was never idle.

Gold dust was the legal tender.  Gold was found in California, brought to Utah in
exchange for food stuff.  This gold dust was weighed on a small scale in exchange for any
article.

Chas.  Frank was our first banker; be carried his bank under his arm.  It was a small
pouch.  He wrote drafts on banks in the East or any part of Europe. O. S. Ormsby was the
main doctor in Cache Valley.

Our first merchants were Morris and John Conrad, later Jennings and Godby and
Robins and Goodwin. This business was later taken over by Thatcher and Sherman.

President Brigham Young advocated cooperation; about 1865 and 1868 the Logan
Coop was organized with Ezra T. Benson, President, Peter Maughan, Vice-president,
Moses Thatcher, Manager.

In 1883 Thatcher Brothers Bank was organized.

In those early days food consisted principally of bacon, beef, lard, flour, mush,
potatoes, beets, and carrots, Red beets were made into syrup. This syrup was not very
inviting.  Later sugar cane was grown by almost every family; this was made into molasses,
which was very good.

All merchandise, as well as food stuff, was very high.

Sheeting, now 8¢, then $1.00
Calico, now 7¢ per yard, then  $.75
Soda, now 7¢, then $. 35

Thread, now 5¢, then $. 35
Sugar, now 5¢ per pound, then $. 60

Nails, now 7¢ per lb. , then $. 60
Blue denims, now 20¢, then $1. 00
Flour, now 65¢ per bag, then $10. 00

I am told Thomas X. Smith bought a yoke of oxen for ten bags of flour valued at
$100.00.

December 20, 1932: I caught a severe cold which terminated in a case of flu; January
6, while pondering over what Jesus had done for us, I arose and wrote the following lines:

The dark, dark night is gone,
The shadows flee, the morning star appears.
The Gods meet, in exultant counsel held,
Divine messengers from courts of glory speed,
Exultant news to earth did bring.
Behold your king, not a scepter brings,
But humbly, meekly our Father's wishes brings.
My Child lost, yet open I heaven's portals for thee, 
Behold I am the way, the truth, and the life;
If you come unto Me, and in my footsteps tread,
I will pilot the way, your debts I will freely pay,
Heaven's gates will stand ajar, angels bid you enter there, 
Your name enroll, and the Chorus sing
Glory, Glory, to God the King,
Jesus triumphant wins.

After fifty years of service in the Church and careful study, also considering all claims
made by the Church, such as its divine origin, Revelations from the Father and the Son, the
marvelous manifestations of the power of the priesthood, also considering the teachings of
the Church from a doctrinal point of view, I have this to say: The entire plan of
organization together with the doctrinal code does not seem to be a new thing to me. It
rather appears to me I knew it before I came into the world.

I have not discovered one solitary thing that should be changed in the least particular. 
I am just as positive that this Church is ordained of God as I am that I live.  Although at
times some may question this and that, yet back of it all the stamp of Divinity is placed
upon it, as the heavens, the sun, moon, stars and this earth are the handiwork of God, so
this Church is His divine accomplishment, given to his children as a means of escape from
pitfalls and a possibility of returning and going back into His presence.

Jesus asked his disciples on one occasion when many left him, Will ye also go away

Peter answred him: Lord, to whom shall we go; thou hast the words of eternal life,
and we believe and are sure that Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

So also am I sure that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God; and this is the only
true Gospel and Church of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

In 1933 President Joseph R, Shepheard of the Logan Temple called on me and
explained how the work of sealing in the Temple was piling up, and asked if I would help
them with this work three nights each week.  I unhesitatingly announced my willingness to
do this. President Shepheard reported the need of this additional help to Pres.  Grant, and
recommended me for this service.  Friday Oct. 6, 1933, Pres.  Shepheard and I followed
the request to call at Pres.  Grant's office to be set apart.  Pres.  Grant, Ivins and Clark
received us kindly. Pres.  Grant conferred upon me the authority to seal for time and
eternity, and also imparted to me a wonderful blessing.  Pres.  Grant then said, "Brother
Anderson, you will have a lot of joy in performing this work."

To be called to the Temple to do sealing was not at all a surprise to me, as I have felt
in my soul for a long time that someday I would be asked to do this work.

The conference was remarkable; a real spiritual feast.  I cannot understand how any
one who listened to these sermons could remain careless and indifferent in attending to his
duties in the church and continue to absent himself from priesthood meetings. We should
not figure how much we have done in the Church, but rather how much more we can do.

There is a wonderful influence experienced by those engaged in temple work;
especially in sealing, as Pres.  Grant said, there is an unexpressible joy.  I have had the
pleasure of performing many thousands of sealings. Pres, Shepheards health began to fail. 
Before long he was unable to walk the stairs to the sealing room, so it fell my lot to do
sealings during the day time as well as at night, especially Mondays were there many
sealings to perform.

On Oct. 11, 1938, Mama's birthday, I arranged for the doing of several sealings for
my relatives, John, Joseph, and their wives, Charlotte, Marie and Melvin represented the
dead, I first sealed a number of husbands and wives, then sealed the children to their
parents, there by perfecting the family unit. On other, earlier occasions, I performed several
sealings for my ancestors.  The privilege to do this work has brought me much happiness. 
My father was very much concerned over his dead relatives, and often admonished me to
see that this work was performed for them.  I am sure that it never entered his mind that I
some day should have the privilege of performing this sacred work for them.

In 1934 a caravan to Independence, Mo., and other places of interest to L. D. S.
Church members was organized.  Pres.  Jos.  E. Cardon and I joined this tour which left
Salt Lake City Oct. 8. When we reached Denver, Colo. , we were taken by auto on a tour
of the city, parks and places of interest.  We then continued our trip to Kansas City, and
then to Independence, Mo. A dinner was prepared for us at the church auditorium.

Independence has a population of 18,000.  The membership of the reorganized church
here is about 6000, and there are 180 members of the L. D. S. Church.  Independence is a
very remarkable place, Apostle Orson F. Whitney gives the following statement: The
choice Seer declared that the Garden of Eden was in Missouri on the very spot where the
New Jerusalem is yet to rise.  Independence was designated as the center stake of Zion.  Of
the 63 acres thus designated, the Hedrikites own 3 1/2 acres. The great temple is to be built
on this spot of ground.  The corner stones were laid and some excavating done by the
prophet and the saints.  The L. D. S. Church owns about 36 acres of the original 63, and
the Reorganized Church owns the balance.

When Adam and Eve were driven from the Garden of Eden they evidently went north,
because about 50 miles north of Jackson Co. is Spring Hill, or the place the Prophet named
Adam-ondi-Ahman, While Joseph and a number of his brethren were surveying this place
for a city, they found an old alter.  The Prophet inquired of the Lord concerning this and
received the revelation that this was the alter Adam built and upon ,which he offerred
sacrifice unto the Lord after being driven out of the Garden of Eden.  In this valley Adam
called his posterity together, three years before he died, and blessed them.  The Lord
appeared unto them, and they rose up and blessed Adam and called him Michael, the
Prince, the Archangel.  We are also told that Adam will come again, and at this place sit in
judgment previous to taking possession of the kingdom.

At Independence we walked over the temple ground, the spot of ground which had
been dedicated for the building of the temple of the Lord.  We also visited the large new
building of the Reorganized Church, which is a very substantial and expensive building.

From Independence we went by auto to Richmond, where Joseph, Hyrum, Geo.  W.
Robinson, Sidney Rigdon, P. P. Pratt and Lyman Wight were imprisoned on charges of
treason, murder, burglary, robbery, arson and larceny.  The six men were chained together
with two chains and padlocks. They were compelled to sleep on the floor, were offered
human flesh to eat, and their suffering was beyond expression.  At this place is where the
Prophet rebuked the guard for boasting of the many horrible deeds they had perpetrated
against the Mormons.  The Prophet suddenly arose to his feet and spoke in a voice of
thunder uttering the following words: "Silence, ye fiends of the infernal pit.  In the name of
Jesus Christ I rebuke you and command you to be still.  I will not live another minute and
bear such language.  Cease such talk or you or I die this instant.  " They remained in this
dungeon from Nov. 9, 1838 until Nov. 28th. This prison has been taken down and the
courthouse erected on the same ground.

At Richmond we visited the cemetary and the graves of Oliver Cowdery and David
Whitmer, also a monument erected in honor of the witnesses to the Book of Mormon. 
From Richmond the Prophet and his Brethren were taken to Liberty.  We motored to
Liberty and entered the old jail house where the Prophet and his brethren were held six
months.  The floor is composed of rough flat rocks, and the brethren suffered intensely. 
They were offered human flesh to eat, and their food was adulterated with poisons so that
they became deathly sick.  To sleep they must either lie on the floor of damp rock or on the
flat side of an oak hewed out with an axe.

We then went to Monroe and crossed the Mississippi River to Nauvoo. Our tour here
covered the important parts of the city, seeing the homes of Orson Pratt, Brigham Young,
John Taylor, Erastus Snow, H. C. Kimball and many others.  These buildings are in very
good condition, considering that they were built about ninety years ago.  We also entered
the home of the Prophet Jos.  Smith and inspected the furniture used by him and his wife
Emma. The remains of Joseph and Hyrum were reburied a few rods from Joseph's home. 
Emma Smith is buried by the side of Joseph and Hyrum. A large cement slab covers the
resting place of these very remarkable people.

We had dinner in the historic mansion house located across the street from the
Prophet's home.  The dinner was served by members of the Reorganized Church.

We viewed the place where the first baptism for the dead was performed in the
Mississippi River, probably six or seven rods below the Prophet's home.

Our next trip was to Carthage by auto.  We stopped a short time and viewed the great
dam across the river, which was built to obtain power.

We visited the Carthage jail where on the second floor the Brethren were imprisoned .
The murdering mob began firing thru the door, severely wounding John Taylor, four balls
piercing his body. Hyrum was the first to be shot, a ball piercing the left side of his nose. 
He fell on his back saying, "I am a dead man.  " When Hyrum fell the Prophet cried, "Oh,
Dear brother Hyrum, " and sprang to the window.  Two balls pierced him from the door. 
He fell outwards into the hands of his murderers exclaiming "Oh Lord, My God.  "

There is a loose rug on the floor.  By lifting this we saw the blood stains, a witness of
a true servant of the Lord, who sealed his testimony with his innocent blood.

After returning to Nauvoo we entrained for Chicago, where we remained several days
visiting the World's Fair. Returning home I found my loved ones all well.