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Show te.Tr BEN iifir lirfliliSm LOMOND BEACON, Jan. 4, 1979, Page 8 sM . r-.-- rm C one m Jacksonville Florida Our train stopped in Indianapolis and we got off to by Keith Duncan Beacon Editor Friendships are forever1 rest a and to pick-unewspaper He went on to say that the two of them missed their train and all their belongings that were on it There was a call made to a near by Indiana farmer andmeans were made in which a plane was made ready Pres Benson had asked for someone to meet them at the airport in Chicago and escort the way to the prescnbed meeting When the Bensons arrived in Chicago they were met by a man who spoke Finnish along with English Sister Bensoi proceeded to interview him as her charming personaht; would always direct her to d Last weeks memorable -- etirement dinner for Henry D Matis and Elwin Marriott will be best remembered for the numerous friendships that were once again renewed The special occasion was held at Plain City Elementary and scores of Plain City natives, including the little children, were included in the program Pnncipal of Plain City, Bob Stewart, was the officiator of the distinguished events which saw President Ezra Taft Benson of the Council of the Twelve in attendance President Benson, an old friend of Mr Matis, was one of the guest speakers After the invocation by Richard H Thornley and a delicious dinner of roast beef and potatoes, everyone in attendance was priviledged to hear from the Plain City Community School Youth r Choir Matis at and his wife pose with Mr. and Mrs. Henry clusion of retirement banquet President Benson was guest speaker for the event. PRESIDENT D. EZRA TAFT BENSON Karren, Nancy con- were all Little Rick Jensen charmed the crowd with his solo voice on several occasions during the different numbers rendered President Bensen addressed the gathering after the children had taken their places Before touchin the crowd with a rather spiritual message of how he came to meet Mr. Mahs, President Benson told the following, There is the story told of a Texan who found he wasnt living in the biggest state of the union So he picked up and moved to Alaska and he hked it there But the people there 'J A V proposed he do two things before he could stay and he agreed First he was to shoot a polar bear and second was to dance with an eskimo The next day he came back all beaten and bloody and the Texan said to the people, Now, wheres that Eskimo supposed to shoot 1. 'X Jm Benson pause with Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Knight. Marriott is retiring after several years as an elementary administrator. Knight was the other guest speaker for the event. MR AND MRS. ELWIN MARRIOTT school board) St Peter noticed that Elwm knew Dale and he quickly summoned Elwm back and said he had surely suffered enough if he had known Dale and was allowed to Both retireees were given special gifts, Mr Matis a specially engraved silver platter and Mr Marriott a special made quilt I 'r C President had Benson but admiration for Matis and described him as a faithful, devoted, and the greatest lover of Finland than probably anyone else living in Utah President Benson said he was back in Finland a year ago He tried to convey to the audience that night the great love that the Fmish people had for Mr Matis and for the great goundwork that he had laid Knight speaks , Wallace Knight took the spotlight immediately after President Benson and charmed the crowd with a few humorous sayings and wor- remarks, crowd with President Benson told of his first meeting the retiring Matis and how their long friendship got started. THE TOUCHING tear-erkin- g dings Knight did express his admiration for Mr. Marriott '4 I Ii J K r i ? v - t rh it v x f ; v c ;k. ' 4 Yt I 7 ,W f- r i Jt v V-- "I N '7 PLAIN CITY S Community School Choir sang several songs ust before President Benson com- menced to speak. PRESIDENT and Mrs. Benson n m m imtu r along with Mr. and Mrs. Matis watch and listen to Plain City f I PLXmJ CITY ELEMENTARY S school leader, Principal Bob Stewart, presented gifts to Mrs. Miairiott M,s Benson and Mrs. Matis. PRESIDENT BENSON has many years. , nothing ! f : I Finland , J4) the go through gate was to be the beginning of a long and admired friendship Mr Matis, who was the polite Fmish speaking guide, later was called to serve as the first mission president in proceeded 4. 1 The meeting of Mr Matis and Pres Benson in Chicago from tell of his first there meeting Mr Matis In part, President Benson said, My wife and I were on our way to Chicago for a stake conference just after attending to somewhat humorous at times, were voiced with thankfulness for a man having served so many devoted years at a worthy cause He related one humorous wording that won the gathermgs approval It went as follows, One night Elwm had a dream and m the dream he met St Peter at the gate to heaven After conversing for a while it was decided thai Elwin just had I knew shortly afterward that that meeting with tha Fmish speaking gentlemen was an answer to prayer Sometime before that I had been called to Finland for a year There was something special about the Finish people and as soon as I arrived home, I asked for a mission of the church to be orgamzed there It wasnt long before it was approved President McKay said all we needed then was a mission president and he left it up to recognized for the work they put forth in preparing the children for the event 'kN.- not suffered long enough on earth On his way from the gate, he met Dale who said hello to him (Mr Schimmelpfennig is a membber of the county who was retiring as suprin-tendeof elementary education m Weber County His though remarks, so Rindy Bond, Thayne Lon Adams, and Hori p 7&5s. pre-me- chat with Henry Matis. Both are good friends, dating back - |