TLS, one page, 8 x 10.5, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development letterhead, February 15, 1971. Letter to Aristotle Gavros of Los Angeles. In part: “It is true that my forebears were missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and I spent two years doing missionary work in Great Britain. As a result, my principal heritage was to be raised in a home where religious principles were paramount. Because of the great faith of my parents in their Creator and their great spiritual resources, they were able to work under unusually difficult circumstances without having their joy of living impaired. I refer to the fact that in their middle age my parents were driven from Mexico on forty-eight hours notice, with five children and a sixth on the way…As a result, they had to start over in destitution. In subsequent years my father suffered repeated financial reverses but, as I say, this did not result in despair or pessimism that affected their children. Indeed, as a child and as a young man, while I realized that I had to work to earn spending money and even money with which to go to school, I was not particularly aware of the difficult material circumstances with which my parents were contending. As for the benefit of missionary work in my own life, its principal result was the development of my own basic belief. Because I was undertaking to teach others, I had to be certain as to what I personally believed. Consequently, through study and prayer, I acquired a profound faith in my Creator, the mission of His Son and the truths that have been revealed through the ages by His prophets, including those that have lived in modern times. This has been a constant source of strength in dealing with problems and responsibilities that have befallen me in my family, church, business and public activities.” A few scattered creases and some foxing to the upper right, otherwise fine condition. RRAuction COA.
