6. To Jerry

Excerpts from a letter I wrote in Provo, Utah, on Easter Sunday, April 14, 1968, to my older brother Jerry Cleverly. I was a freshman at Brigham Young University and had just returned from a week's visit to the Chicago area in the days immediately following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4.

Now to the late Dr. Martin Luther King. Again this came as quite a surprise to the nation. His funeral in Atlanta was the largest of any private person's in the history of the country. Even the Church sent an official representative to the services, in the person of James O. Mason (first counselor in the Atlanta Stake presidency). President Hugh B. Brown spoke for the Church, saying:

"The leaders and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wish to express to the wife, friends, and associates of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., our profoundest sense of shock and grief. We join hands with all those who see in his death a need for recommitment to all those just principles in which we believe."

We cannot really understand his death from the view point we have here being isolated largely in the Mountain West. The first reason for such widespread reaction was because Dr. King was a leader of a significant segment of the American population. Think how you would feel were President [David O.] McKay assassinated—that is how so many of the Negroes must have felt, because Dr. King was also their spiritual leader as well as champion of their rights. The second reason for such notice was because there is in the East (I sensed it while in Chicago a great deal) a very real fear of total civil war. Had not public leaders from all levels and of all parties praised him, there may well have been much more rioting than there was. Can you sense the urgency? A very real threat of civil war. Troops surrounding the White House and Capitol were protecting the seat of government of the world's mightiest nation from its own citizens. Things are quieter now, but this may be a very bad summer. Events will occur to cause Americans who truly love their country to weep for the troubles ahead.

We were only able to participate in the priesthood session [of general conference] and the Saturday morning session (rebroadcast back there on Sunday). But from that much I sensed the urgency the Brethren feel towards the nation and its problems. The priesthood session dealt with us as a people preparing for the future, the Saturday morning session dealt entirely with the nation and was directed to America as a nation more than to the Church itself. The Brethren know full well what is happening.

President [Alvin R.] Dyer's appointment to the First Presidency was unknown to me until I read your letter. This is especially interesting when learning what his duties are. I quote from his own talk:

"And more recently, I am grateful for his [President McKay's] assignment, to give concern, and to be a 'watchman on the tower,' with regard to Missouri—a consecrated and destined land in the great latter-day work of our Heavenly Father."

Does it sound as if we are getting ready to go home? Things are happening (remember how I said I felt that after October conference?) towards the winding up scenes. Listen to President Brown in the priesthood session:

"The war which began in heaven and has been going on ever since—a war in which the immortal souls of the children of men are at stake—is about to reach a climactic point. This appeal, therefore, is in a very real sense a call to arms. The call to be prepared is sent to each of you by and from the President of the Church, the Prophet of God. It is vital and of paramount importance. The preparation must begin at the center of your hearts and extend to the end of your fingers and toes."

The prophets of God are speaking and we had best listen to what we are being told. President McKay urged unity in the October conference. This conference bespeaks of preparation. President McKay's closing words this time:

"With all my soul, I plead with members of the Church, and with people everywhere, to think more about the gospel; more about developing of the Spirit within; to devote more time to the real things in life, and less time to those which will perish."

Search the rest of the message. To those prepared this last stage of the world's history is going to be indeed glorious.

Today is Easter. . . . I would close with an Easter theme which is really the culminating point of the whole gospel. Were this not true, none of the other principles would mean much. "And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! (D&C 76:22). May we all catch the significance and the witness of that simple statement is my fervent prayer, for we will need it soon.