About the middle of the night on 13 February 1902, which was Valentine's Eve, a rather homely little valentine was delivered to the home of Edward and Louisa Ogden. I was the seventh in line and I imagine my parents would rather have had a boy, in as much as there was only one boy in the family, but of course they couldn't exchange me so they accepted and loved me, I must have been quite a sight as mama has often told me how she used to pick the little white hairs off my face as she nursed me, as that was the only time I was quiet enough for her to do the job. She never did tell me how long it took, but she must have been very patient and thorough, because she told me she was successful in getting all of them.

When I was three months old, a little girl arrived at the home of my mother's sister Emma. She was unable to nurse the baby, so I shared my meals with my cousin Amy Poulson. There must have been a plenteous supply of milk as we have both grown up healthy and strong. We were very close as children and never missed a chance to be together. Although today we see very little of each other. I think she feels the same as I do, a very deep affection for one another.

My early life was just the natural ordinary life of a country girl, although I was up to the age of 16, rather small for my age, and too timid for my own good, When I was 13 my family moved from our farm in Lindon to Provo so that this family of girls would be close to school. our parents were always determined that we should have an education My first year in Provo, I attended the Central High School. For the next 2 1/2 years I went to the Brigham Young University. My last 6 months were spent at the L.D.S. High School in Salt Lake City as we had moved to Salt Lake during that year. I was so home sick for my friends at the "Y" that instead of staying in Salt Lake City and graduating with my class, I went down to Provo to the exercises there and missed getting my diploma. However, I had enough credits if I ever had to show I had attended high school for four years.

After school was out I worked for my cousin in his wholesale jewelry business. I had taken shorthand and typing in high school, but it wasn't long before they had me helping with the bookkeeping. In the years that followed I found there was more money in keeping books than being a stenographer, so far the greater part of my life that has been my profession, if I May call if a profession. I use my short hand some and a great deal of typing.

I also studied violin for about ten years, the last two years under Willard Weihe at the School of Music in Salt Lake City. I didn't have much talent, but with practice, I finally made the first violin section in the L.D.S. Symphony Orchestra, but I must confess it was on the last row back.

In 1924, I married James Alton Mower, whom I had met during my school days at the B.Y.U. In 1926 we were blessed with a darling boy born on St. Patrick's Day, so naturally he was named James Patrick. When he was six months old, I went back to work at N. O. Nelson Wholesale plumbing Co. My mother was with me at the delivery and she cared for Pat while I worked.

After 2 more years our second son Richard Ogden Mower was born June 14, 1928. When he was two years old we moved to Berkeley, California. This was 1930 a period of Depression. My sister Louise took care of the children and I secured work at the Federal Intermediate Credit Bank in Berkeley as a bookkeeper. I held that position for eight years.

In the meantime I had been secretary to the Berkeley Ward Sunday School. Then we moved from Berkeley to Oakland and were residing in Diamond Ward. In 1940 our ward was divided and we were in the Maxwell Park Ward and I was asked to work in the M.I.A. first as teacher and later as counselor. I also taught the Second Intermediate Sunday School Class. Later I served on the Stake Sunday School Board representing the Second Intermediate Department.

Also in 1940, I began working as a bookkeeper for the Fidelity and Guaranty Insurance Corporation in San Francisco. Later I became a cashier in that place.

My travel experience has been very limited: Southern Utah Parks, Tiajuana, Mexico, through California to British Columbia, Glacier Park, then Montana, Idaho and Nevada.

I have had many faith promoting experiences, but the outstanding one was a very serious illness. The doctors seemed helpless. I know that it was through the untiring efforts and prayers of my wonderful mother, Louisa Ogden and the faith and prayers of family and the Power of the Priesthood, that I was privileged to live and care for my family.

Having been brought up in a wonderful L.D.S. family where we were taught to pray, we have hurdled the bad times. Our family has been a wonderful help to me and my family. I love my sisters and brother, there are none better. My parents were the most wonderful people in the world and I will never forget the encouragement and advice I received from my mother.

Now that we have the Oakland Temple in our midst, I have had the privilege of doing work for the dead. It is most satisfying and I expect to do more.