Blogger of Jared

In 1987, the Ensign published the conversion story of my Wife’s grandfather, Dr. Cowart.

In it, it notes his experience with his Mother, who made the famous comment this post is titled after.

Her story is briefly given there as follows:

Jim Cowart faced extreme opposition within his own family when he was baptized. His mother, the daughter of a circuit-riding preacher, made no secret of her feelings. Once, Brother Cowart persuaded her to attend a stake conference in Houston, where Elder LeGrand Richards of the Council of the Twelve spoke. Brother Cowart introduced his mother to Elder Richards, who commented that surely she would also be a member soon. “Before I’d become a member of your church, I’d pour kerosene on myself and strike a match,” Clara Mae Cowart snapped in reply. Her incessant criticism of the Church caused Brother Cowart to tell her she would be welcome in his home only if she did not criticize his family’s beliefs. Some weeks later she called from her home near Houston and asked if he could attend a baptism—hers. She had asked the LDS missionaries to tell her why the Church meant so much to her son. She wouldn’t join, she had cautioned them, but when she found she had discovered the truth, she courageously responded.

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While this is a beautiful story, there is a follow-up that must be shared. Yes, Clara Mae Cowart did secretly invite the missionaries over to her house to find out what was behind the new found religion and yes, she did get baptised, calling her son the day of to invite him to come and perform the ordinance. But, like Paul Harvey says, there is a rest of the story.

One year later, Clara Mae went to Salt Lake City tobe endowed and have her temple work there. While in the Temple, who should Clara run into, but none other than Legrand Richards. Upon seeing him Clara asked “Brother Richards, do you remember me?”

He responded “Why Sister Cowart! I’m glad to see you haven’t set yourself afire!”

This is my pioneer heritage, and I am grateful for it.