A Good Read

I just finished reading Lengthen Your Stride - the Presidency of Spencer W. Kimball. This is the second biography written by President Kimball's son, Ed Kimball, who is a good friend of my parents. I highly recommend this book. It focuses mainly on Spencer W. Kimball's years as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and highlights not only the major events of his administration - which were of great importance - but also touches on Kimball as a friend, husband, father, and man. This biography is very extensive and took me a long time to read but really touched my heart. I was brought to tears several times but most especially when I read the account of his death after years and years of continued struggles with health problems. Spencer W. Kimball was a remarkable man who truly endured to the end.

I will share one anecdote because it illustrates President Kimball's sense of humor but also has some personal meaning - because I, too, am a Romney. Remember, Marion G. Romney was the second counselor to President Kimball at this time.

"At the Hotel Utah late one night, a hurried Mitt Romney stuck his bag into the elevator door as it was closing. It opened again to reveal President and Sister Kimball. Embarressed, Mitt introduced himself, and Spencer said, "You look like a Romney."

Mitt responded, "Thank you, I guess."

"What do you mean, I guess?"

Mitt said, apologetically, "Well, we Romneys have such huge jaws."

With a straight face, Spencer said, "Camilla is a Romney." Then, after a moment, seeing Mitt's discomfiture, he laughed." (Lengthen You Stride, p. 442)

I must agree - we Romney's do have large jaws!