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Show 42 I attended Church this morning. President George Q. Cannon and President Young occupied the time. As I listened to them I wondered how it was possible that anyone could doubt the purity and nobleness of their hearts or the truth of the beautiful principles they advocated. And oh my heart bounded with joy and gratitude that I am permitted to taste the sweetness of this glorious gospel.4 An entry of the same day mentions that she has just received a letter from her missionary husband who, while he does not know the date of his release, "thinks it will not be many months." Oh, I hope not, she says parenthetically. In her next lines we find the pattern of Ellis's perceptions of her husband's role. She a) approves and supports his commitment to the gospel and his work in the church and hopes that his value will be noted by others; b) accepts his pre-emminence as teacher and advisor to his family of wives and children, responding to his criticism not with resentment and retaliation but with self-examination (when calm) and self-reproach (when distressed); c) commits or recommits herself (often accompanying the resolution with a fervent plea for divine assistance) to that which Milford considers the proper course for her. He is doing much good and I believe the Priesthood begins to appreciate him. Oh, who would not respect and love a man who is so faithful and diligent in the cause of truth and righteousness? He bids us cling to our religion to seek to understand its principles, to love and cherish them. Milford thinks we do not write as frequently or ex-plicity as we might so I must hasten and write a good letter, one that will redeem myself from past remissions. I do desire to write good letters, something that will cheer and comfort him in his absence from home and its associations, and encourage and sustain him in his labors.^ |