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Hinckley, Utah April (no date - but likely sometime in early April, after conference)
Miss Mary Lyman
Provo, Utah
My Dear Friend,
Some are born writers, some achieve the distinction and
since I belong to neither class you will not expect much of a letter from me.
However, I will do the best I can in the hope that I may get one of your
lengthy letters. Yet I would like very much to give shape to some of the
thoughts that are absorbing the attention of my mind and heart.
Before we arrived home, I became confidential with Pres.
Hinckley, and told him a great many things that passed between us. And from my
interpretation, he seemed to think our affair was developing nicely. I related
to him how beautifully and skillfully you taught that young couple a lesson on
prayer, which pleased him very much.
The more I think of my dream, the more I am impressed with
its deep significance, and the more I am convinced of its coming from a divine
source and of its being a final and definite answer to our petition. So in view
of its sacred importance, and its decisive impressiveness I must seize this
chance to reiterate and reemphasize the expressions my heart are so anxious to
make to you. The thoughts of your soul, so pure and sweet, makes me falter at
your feet, Makes my happiness complete. Oh! How vividly I recall the picture of
your magnificent eyes as we fondly stood together at parting at our last
evening together! Such an entrancingly sweet expression! Such a deep and
brilliant light shone out from the depths of a soul purified by the presence of
Divinity that my soul went out to you in the tenderest affection. I want to
make you happy. I want to devote my life’s service to your happiness. I want to
love you with all my heart. I do love you, tenderly, sweetly, fervently, and
dearly. Can you reciprocate my love for you? Our lives shall flow silently
sweetly down the stream of life until it reaches the blissful ocean of life’s
eternal happiness. Let me say unto you my dear Mary, will you be my sweetheart,
my companion my love, my wife, forever and forever?
If, dear, you can say yes to this appeal prompted by the
Spirit of God, it will mean your happiness as well as mine, and I feel sure
that by the time this reaches you, your heart will be prepared to answer
definitely and positively. And the quicker we know what the answer is the
sooner we can adjust our life to the results, and the better it will be for us
both. But I sincerely hope that it shall be the great purpose of the Almighty
that your feelings shall be impressed to respond to my own feelings.
I am sure you know how intensely anxious I shall await the
answer, and sincerely I pray that your heart and pen shall be guided wholly and
solely by the Spirit of God. May the peace of heaven forever permiate and bless
your sweet soul is the sublime wish of your devoted and affectionate lover.
(signed) John Reeve
Hinckley,
Utah
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Provo,
Utah April 12, 1915
Mr. John Reeve
Hinckley,
Utah
Dear Brother Reeve,
There’s so many things to say if you were here. But I’m
afraid I’ll get strangled if I begin spelling them into words for thoughts and
feelings are deeper than all words and I’ve lived years within the last eight
days – do you believe it?
You letter came today and I was not displeased to get
it. Strange as it seems to me to say so, But, just as you have prophecied – I
had found my own decision before it came, - And that decision was that I could
meet you and promise to reciprocate the wealth of love you have endeavored to
express for me. I do not see how in the face of the facts I can say this. It
staggers me to do it. When I think of what is ahead, and yet I feel I will be
equal to it, providing you prove yourself to be the man you have made me feel
you are.
Now Bro. J.R. you have my answer. But there are provisions
to be made for our future adjustments as you say it is the best for each of us.
But I must come down and see for myself. Tho what I feel now tells me my visit
will not cause a revision of my feelings, But point out the path to preparation
for the assuming of the responsibility --! See !
You hadn’t been gone long when I knew my feelings; - A most
mature and well established decision I had too and I wouldn’t have cared if you
had been left by the train and found your way back! But! I see you have paid me
as genuine a compliment as a noble man could pay a woman and I appreciate it! I
have written by brother Albert, and of course it will be a profound surprise to
him as of course it has been to me.
I’ve a story to tell you now, - But am afraid you are more
of an adept at such arts than myself. Tho I greatly appreciate them. I find it
difficult to produce them. I have a friend out in Granger whom I have been
wanting to see for some time. Well, last Sunday afternoon I came out. She was
pleased to see me and we had no sooner got into the house than she began
counseling me for my experience last year. Then she stopped and looked at me
and perceived I had a bigger problem on my hands than that. And she stopped and
says, “Mary, what is it?” Is he married? What are you fighting it for?” Well I
tried to turn her off the tract, and endeavored to appear unaffected and
inferred there was nothing. She told me to sit still and imagine my
consternation when she brought in an old photo of yourself and mother! And
asked if that was him! I sat like one petrified! What could I do! She had known
your folks in Dixie and she says, “Mary – mine was a selfish wish for you. I wanted
you for mine! For Martin. But this is where you belong. And don’t you ever
repent of having to put yourself in God’s hands for Him to dispose of you.”
Well of course I had to talk then but it only confirmed my conviction. For
strange and unusual as it all seems I had known that thing three days before,
And had been happy in the knowledge of it, For I had been relying on your
promise that I should know and do, now!
But, Bro J. R you understand the rest. My position in
school, My desire to finish, my wish to go home, My plans for summer school.
And yet new and strange as it seems, my longing to be with you, now! And as you
are to be my captain from now on, I await your further orders! There! You have
my position! What will Bro Lon think now? It stifles me to think of my frank
confession! But that dream of yours left nothing to grope after and I think
your interpretation was correct. For I can answer Yes to your propositions and
feel I am prompted by God’s Spirit. Now I must close as ever.
(signed) Mary
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