"I thanked President Winder, but added that I thought there was no hurry, and preferred to wait for awhile.
"However, my wife knew the great importance of attending to this most sacred work without delay. In her life her rule was, not to procrastinate. She used to say, 'Tomorrow has enough duties of its own to attend to. So don't crowd the duties of today on tomorrow.' Besides, being in the spirit world, she had a livelier appreciation of Temple work than I had, with my earthly environment. She knew there was great danger in delaying to do the vicarious work—a fact that all Latter-day Saints should understand who are familiar with the teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith upon the subject. He impressed upon the Saints in the strongest terms that there was none too much time left in which to do the work for the dead; and one of the strongest desires that he manifested during the last few weeks of his life was, that the Saints should proceed to get their genealogies and perform the sacred ordinances in behalf of their dead kindred without delay. Delays are dangerous, and the adversary will always give us abundant reasons for procrastination if we are willing to listen to such counsel.
"Ten days more passed. I was sitting at my desk when the telephone rang. Samuel W. Jenkinson's voice sounded in my ear; `You have let ten days go by, and haven't done that work for your wife yet.'
"My answer was: `No, I thought I would wait awhile; but I have permission from the First Presidency to do the work any time now.'
"Then came a short and vigorous sermon from the blind Temple worker, that has since proven to be the moving cause in my life in the matter of Temple work. Brother Jenkinson in plainness and earnestness said: 'I am impressed with the feeling that your wife wants her Temple work done, and I always act on my impressions. If her Temple work is done she will have more happiness and greater freedom, can progress faster and further, and can accomplish much more for herself and for others, and for you right here on earth. But you can do what you want. I hereby clear myself from all responsibility, and leave it wholly to you.'
"'I am convinced, Brother Jenkinson, and will see to it at once.' I answered, and took the next train for Ogden, where I saw my sister and asked her to be proxy for my wife.
"On seeing me, she exclaimed: 'I have been wanting to see you, and was going to write to you. I had a wonderful dream about your wife this morning.' She then proceeded to relate the dream, which was in line with my wife's wish, as expressed by Brother Jenkinson, that her Temple work should be done.
"Two days thereafter the Temple work was done, and it was the most glorious day of my life. No joy that I had previously felt could compare with the heavenly happiness that I experienced. Tears came to my eyes, and I rejoiced in a spirit of thanksgiving to my Heavenly Father for being permitted to enter His holy house and partake of the blessings therein bestowed.
"Since then I have felt that my main mission on earth is to have Temple work done for as many spirits as possible; thereby aiding in the release of those departed spirits from their prison houses. I have also taken the opportunity to encourage others to search out their genealogies and do Temple work for their kindred dead."
That is his story, briefly told. Others can testify to the fidelity with which he has fulfilled what he conceived to be his mission. He frequently goes to the Temple himself and receives ordinances in behalf of his dead kindred, and he is constantly employing others to do likewise, so that the work for his kindred dead goes on apace. Being asked how many he had now had the work done for, he replied that he did not know—he had not taken time to count—but some thousands.