by Ida Freeman Winter
taken from Family History of George Richard and Euphemia Jane Freeman (1990),
pp. 375-388, compiled by Glen R. Freeman
Nottingham, the principal seat and emporium of the lace and hosiery manufacturers in England, was the birthplace of Arthur Winter. He was born 20 December 1864 at Elliots Yard, East Street, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, the tenth child and fifth son in the family of Richard and Mary Clowes Winter. As a child he played with the neighborhood children on the street where he lived and began his school years in the St. Mary’s Parish School, which was named for and supported by the parish.
In 1870 a law was passed that all children between the ages of five and twelve must attend school. Public schools were built, and Arthur Winter entered school the first day the Bath Street board Schools opened.
Arthur was a quiet lad and an excellent student. At the close of his school years when prizes were awarded for the best work, he was named the outstanding scholar. He was of slight build and not very strong so he found it difficult to regain his seat with his prize – a complete set of Shakespeare’s works.
His education completed, Arthur found employment in the warehouse of Sylvester and Bridget, lace manufacturers, where he was set to work making lace patterns which were sent all over the world. In those early days all letters were written by hand, and as Arthur was a fine penman, he was soon writing letters for the owners of the business. Here he found his childhood friend, John Wells, employed also. What joy they felt in being together again! They had played together, and been teammates for their school cricket and football teams, and had been close companions until the Winter family moved to another part of the city.
In England it was a custom every Sunday for each wage earner to bring home the week’s earnings to help support the home and family. Arthur often sat at the table while his mother portioned out the money for rent, food, and other needs, leaving little to be divided among the family.
Arthur’s desire for knowledge did not end with his school years. With his limited means he purchased a few books: his favorite poems, history, and an Isaac Pitman book of shorthand. Most evenings found him at home reading, studying, or talking with his mother, with whom he was very close. Soon he was able to write shorthand very well, but he was not to use this skill until later because most of this type of work was still done in longhand.
Arthur’s father, Richard Winter, was a quiet man, contented with his home, family, and work, leaving the home management to his capable wife, Mary. His work as a needlemaker was tedious and painstaking. It was he who brought home the message of Mormonism in Nottingham. At this time, although Mormonism was strongly criticized by most people in England, it was making much progress in the city.
Arthur, his mother, and two sisters soon became acquainted with the missionaries and Mormonism and, after a short time of study and teaching, a testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel grew in their hearts. On 24 October 1880 Elder Orson Hunter baptized and confirmed Arthur and his mother, Mary, into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The two sisters, Annie and Kate were also baptized by Elder Hunter on 13 February 1881.
Arthur Winter was sixteen years of age when he was baptized. He was advancing in his work at Sylvester and Bridget and should have been happy, but life at home was not pleasant. His older brothers often reminded him of the disgrace brought upon them and their name by the word “Mormon.” Arthur’s activity in the local branch, helping the elders and serving as district, branch, and conference clerk, gave him much comfort.
Soon the heartfelt desire of the four Mormon members of the Winter family to join the Saints in Utah brought them to a definite decision. Annie and Kate were to use the money on hand and immigrate to Utah by working and sending some money to those at home, these two could very soon help all of them to be together in Zion. Annie and Kate sailed from Liverpool, bound for New York and Utah, on the ship “Abyssinia” 21 October 1882 arriving in Salt Lake City safely and in good health. But they were able to send little money to those waiting anxiously at home. Annie and Kate were married within a few months after arriving in Salt Lake City.
Arthur was advanced in the priesthood, being ordained an elder on 30 October 1882 and his desire to emigrate grew even stronger. He therefore decided to make other arrangements for transportation. Mary Winter desired to accompany her son and with her husband’s consent to go and leave him in England, she sailed from Liverpool with Arthur on the steamship “Nevada” 11 April 1883 bound for New York City and Utah.
About one thousand people were on board the ship and, of these, about four hundred were Saints, mostly Scandinavians. The Saints were organized into a group with Brother David McKay sustained as president, and Brother W.H. King as secretary. Both men were returning missionaries. Arthur was engaged in doing some work for Brother King during the voyage.
The weather was cold and stormy most of the way and many were sick for several days. Icebergs were sighted off the Newfoundland coast, and the boat was stopped for several hours to avoid danger.
They arrived in New York harbor 22 April at 6:00 p.m. and in Salt Lake City on 30 April. Annie and Kate were waiting to meet them, and the reunion was a happy one. Salt Lake City was not like the busy city they had left behind but was a struggling frontier town, the home of their future. At last they were with the Saints in Utah.
Work had to be found to provide food and shelter. Arthur applied at several places for work, among them the Church Office Building. A few odd jobs of short duration came his way, oneofwhich was the position of hotel porter. The task of carrying heavy trunks, bags, and boxes soon proved too much for his strength and he had to seek other employment.
On the afternoon of 30 August, just four months after arriving in Salt Lake City, he found himself out of work and almost out of money. On the way home he stopped in a store and bought a can of oysters, thinking that his family would enjoy a treat bought with his last quarter. That same evening he received a call asking him to report to the church Office Building the next morning.
The church offices were in the small building between the Beehive House and the Lion House. On 1 September 1883 a happy eighteen year old youth arrived at the church offices and was employed as office boy. He worked for Brother James Jack, then chief clerk in the church offices, but also served Brothers George Reynolds and L. John Nuttal. But Arthur was not long an office boy. On 3 September he started to work in President John Taylor’s office and on Sunday, 9 September, he sat at the reporter’s table in the Tabernacle for the first time.
The first home of Arthur Winter and his mother, Mary, was in the Seventeenth Ward, where Arthur entered the ward activities and sang in the choir. He had been a member of the Church of England choir in his early youth.
Among the immigrants on the ship “Nevada” was a young girl of seventeen years, Hannah Bytheway, with her mother, sisters and brother. They, too, were on their way to Salt Lake City to join their husband and father. Arthur and Hannah became acquainted with each other on the ship. After they arrived in Salt Lake City their acquaintance grew into friendship and their friendship into love. They were married in the Logan Temple 9 December 1885. Their first home was a tiny, two-room house in the Nineteenth Ward where they lived until they were able to build a brick home at 234 West 1st North. This home was twice enlarged and remodeled later for a growing family.
Mary Winter passed away 18 June 1887 in her sixty-first year, in Almy, Wyoming, while caring for her daughter, Kate. This was a sad time for Arthur. Early in May 1890, Arthur prepared to leave for England, hoping to persuade his father to return with him to Utah where he could be with and be cared for by his family, having the comfort of a home instead of lodging with friends. The day before the departure date a letter arrived from England bearing the sad news of the death of his father, Richard Winter on 3 May 1890, at Nottingham England. This ended the hoped-for reunion.
Arthur Winter used the first typewriter and talked over the first telephone in the church offices. He became a church reporter in 1887 and held that position until 1907. During those years he traveled many times throughout the Stakes of Zion in Utah, Idaho, Nevada, and Arizona by team and wagon, horse and buggy, and by train. One or more of the First Presidency, Twelve Apostles, and other prominent brethren attended all stake conference meetings at that time. On one occasion the group, including Arthur, journeyed as far as Astoria, Oregon before returning home, following a conference in Arizona. In addition to reporting general conference proceedings and sermons and regular Sunday service in the tabernacle, Arthur was sustained as reporter for the Salt lake Stake. He reported many funeral services, special meetings, and some court cases, etc. During this time he was offered a position as court reporter, requiring a writing speed of two hundred words a minute. He did not accept the offer; he preferred to remain church reporter.
On 12 July 1899 John Wells, his wife, and baby daughter arrived n Salt Lake City and renewed his close friendship with Arthur which continued throughout the rest of their lives.
Without moving from their home, the Winter family found themselves in the newly-formed Twenty-second Ward. On Friday, 14 October 1892 Arthur was sustained as second counselor in the Seventh Quorum of Elders.
In 1892 Brother Jack and Arthur decided to dispose of two Hammond typewriters that had not proved satisfactory and ordered two Smith Premier typewriters to replace them. During some remodeling of the Church Office Building in 1948 two old typewriting machines were found in a closet. Oneofthem, an old style “blind-writing” machine known as the “speed king” of another century, was a Smith Premier No. 1. It was identified by Cannon Lund, an office associate of Arthur’s, as the machine Arthur used in the old office of the First Presidency just east of the Lion House at 63 East South Temple. The second typewriter, a portable machine with carrying case made in Stamford, Connecticut, could have been the one Arthur carried with him on many occasions and mentioned in his journal.
One of the memorable privileges he had as church reporter was covering the dedication of the Salt Lake Temple, of which he made note in his journal as follows:
“Tuesday, April 4, 1893 the 63rd Annual Conference was begun in the tabernacle. The building was crowded.
“Thursday, April 6, 1893. This is a day that has long been looked forward to by the Latter-day Saints. Forty years ago today the corner stones of the Salt Lake Temple were laid, and this morning, in the presence of all the Authorities of the church and leading members of the Priesthood and invited members, the Temple was dedicated unto the Lord. The dedicatory prayer was offered by President woodruff. About 2000 people were present. I was present as reporter. “Monday, April 24, 1893. Today the last of the dedication services was held. These dedication services have been remarkable for the outpouring of the spirit of God upon both speaker and hearers. I am thankful that my little talent can be used in so worthy and blessed a cause. Of 31 meetings held, I have attended 20 of them. At least 65,000 people have been present at these services, besides abut 1,200 school children. Conference lasted three weeks. April 4th – 24th.” |
Arthur Winter lived the Church and, although his duties at the church offices were very demanding, he was willing to serve wherever he was called, as is shown by an entry in his journal dated Friday 22 December 1893.
“This afternoon President Angus M. Cannon had conversation with me to the effect that the Bishop wanted me as Second Counselor. President Cannon felt it would be better for me to become a Seventy and to on a mission before being appointed to such a position. He had no objection except this, to my being appointed to that position. He would like to have me as President of the Elder’s Quorum, in which there was a vacancy. He asked how I felt about this and whether I would like to become a Counselor to the Bishop. I told him I had no choice in the matter; I would be willing to act wherever he desired me. Brother Cannon said he would lay the matter before the First Presidency of the Church.
“Sunday, December 31, 1893 This evening the 22nd Ward Meeting House was dedicated, and I was appointed 2nd Counselor to Bishop Alfred Solomon. I was ordained a High Priest and set apart as 2nd Counselor by President George Q. Cannon.” |
Arthur was twenty-nine years old on 20 December 1893 and had been in the United States just over ten years.
After an extended period of demanding work, Arthur asked President Woodruff for a leave of absence so he could make a trip to England to visit relatives and friends and especially to gather genealogical information. Permission was gladly given. President Cannon was also consulted and was willing for Arthur to go, but he did not know how he would get along without Arthur’s assistance.
On 25 May 1895 Arthur, his wife, Hannah, and son Arthur (Artie) left Salt Lake City for England. Family and friends welcomed them on their arrival at Nottingham. The next day Arthur went to visit his father’s grave and called on the friends in whose home his father had lived to hear something of his father’s last years. At Wm. Bridget and Sons (formerly Sylvester and Bridget), where Arthur used to work, he found a warm welcome. Hannah was promised that a box of Nottingham lace would be sent to her. Son Sunday at the old familiar chapel on St. Ann’s Street he found friends happy to welcome him and listen to his testimony. He felt a great satisfaction in walking the once familiar streets, noting the many changes, and later seeing the new and wonderful sights of London. After eleven weeks of traveling, how thankful they were to arrive home, tired but happy, and grateful for the safety they had enjoyed throughout their journey.
Being church reporter brought Arthur many intimate and choice experiences with the Presidents of the Church. One such incident is related in Arthur’s journal of Friday 19 March 1897:
“Several days ago President Woodruff dictated to me his testimony on several points connected with the work of God, his intention being to get his testimony written down just as he wanted it and then he could speak into the phonograph. Today he repeated it into the talking machine, so that in years to come, long after he shall have passed away, one may hear, reproduced by the phonograph, the words that he spoke and the very tone of his voice.” |
In surprise he noted in his journal of 29 April 1898:
“This afternoon President George Q. Cannon had conversation with me in the presence of Brother Jack, in which he informed me that the Presidency desired to make some change in my duties in the office. They desired someone to become acquainted with the duties now discharged by Brother Jack as Chief Clerk, to be his assistant and gradually work into the business, to take Brother Jack’s place in his absence, to get closely in touch with the business of the Bishop’s office …. I was much astonished they should select me, the youngest in age and service of the brethren in the office.
“Wednesday, June 1, I started this morning on my new duties in the office.” |
This choice experience is related in his journal:
“On May 5th 1899, at 5:30 this evening I started with President Snow and party on a trip to St. George, by rail to Modena, leaving the train at Modena and proceeding by spring wagon with the team, the others traveling by horse and The party reached St. George in nine hours of actual traveling. A dusty, warm journey, and we were covered with Dixie dust.
“May 17th Conference morning and afternoon. “Thursday, May 18th meeting at 9 o’clock of the Sunday School children. President Snow spoke to the children and shook hands with each one as they arched past him. In the afternoon the speakers were Brother W. B. McDougall, President Snow, and President Smith. At this meeting President Snow told the people plainly that the work of the Lord, to every man, woman, and child of the Latter-day Saints, was to pay a full tithing. The Lord had made manifest to him and he gave it to the Saints as the word and will of the Lord, which would be carried to every Stake in Zion. Meetings were held in Toquerville, Kannarra, Parowan, Cedar, Bever, Kanosh, Meadow, Fillmore, Holden, Scipio, and Nephi. The law of tithing was stressed at meetings held in each town. Nephi, the last place to be visited on this trip, will be memorable as the time when the Lord gave His word and will concerning the payment of tithing. After the tabernacle was cleared, the company had a remarkable meeting. President Snow said everyone would be a witness that the word and willofthe Lord had been given through him on this trip. A delightful trip, in every meeting President Snow has given to the people the word and will of the Lord concerning the payment of tithing. He has announced that the time has now come when the Lord requires the Latter-day Saints to pay their full tithing. President Snow, through eighty-five years of age, stood the trip as well as any of us.” |
In 1902 Arthur Winter was appointed secretary and treasurer of the Church board of Education, and in 1907 he succeeded Brother James Jack as chief clerk in the office of the First Presidency, both of which positions he held during the rest of his life. A great responsibility was his as chief clerk of the Church.
Fifteen June 1905 found Arthur and John Wells on their way to England where they visited relatives and friends and enjoyed being in the lad of their birth once more. It was a welcome change and rest from their busy life at home. Gratitude filled their hearts for the gospel in their lives, their homes, and families in the valleys of Utah.
A change came for the Winter family when on 23 April they moved from 234 West 1st North to 229 C street on the avenues. Once again Arthur and John Wells were closely associated in ward activities, but not for long. The ward was soon divided, forming the Ensign Ward in which John Wells lived. Arthur remained in the Eighteenth Ward.
When the new church office building at 47 East South Temple was completed, the offices of the chief clerk were moved into this large, beautiful, well-lighted building in February, 1918. After the cramped quarters in the old building, which was located at 67 East South Temple, next door east of the new building, the new offices were enjoyed and appreciated.
On 13 November 1919 Arthur left Salt Lake City as secretary to President Heber J. Grant bound for Hawaii and the dedication of the temple in Laie. The first dedicatory meeting was held on 27 November 1919 when President Grant offered the prayer dedicating the Hawaiian Temple to the Lord. Four other sessions were held to accommodate the people. Business and pleasure filled the days. The party returned to Salt Lake City 17 December 1919 having been away just over one month.
Arthur Winter was acquainted with sorrow. Of eight children born to him and Hannah Winter, one was a stillborn son and five other sons – Wilford, Horace, Arthur, Richard, and George – passed away during the years 1890-1916 leaving two girls, Rosannah and Ruth, to comfort their parents. On 6 December 1923 Hannah, beloved wife and mother of Arthur’s children, passed away at home. Through years of pain and suffering she maintained her faith in and love of the gospel to the end. Being deprived of this loving companion was a great loss to Arthur.
Funeral services were held in the Eighteenth Ward chapel. The speakers after commenting on the beautiful qualities of his wife and mother of his children expressed their love and respect for the bereaved husband. Brother Charles W. Penrose expressed his love of one whom they all admired, whose fidelity they revered, as well as his goodness and his dependability. President Heber J. Grant said that he had been intimately associated with Brother Winter during the presidencies of John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, and Joseph F. Smith. President Grant further remarked, “He had the love and confidence of all these men who preceded me in the presidency of the Church, and he has my perfect confidence and love.”
Following the passing of Hannah Bytheway Winter, Arthur continued on in the home at 229 C Street, carrying on his responsibilities at the office and other church duties. Rose came home to be with her father.
Two years later, on 1 September 1925 Arthur Winter and Mary Elvira Truelson, daughter of John A. And Hannah Norgren Truelson, were married in the Salt Lake Temple. Vi, as she was known at the office, was a lovely, gracious lady, active in church work, loving her home and husband. After two short years and following a sudden illness and operation, Mary Elvira passed away at the LDS Hospital on 19 September 1927. Funeral services were held in the Eighteenth Ward chapel. Expressions of love and sympathy, floral and spoken, comforted the stricken husband.
Rose returned home to be with her father and care for him after his operations for cataracts, one in 1928 and one in 1929. The second operation was not successful, leaving Arthur with a visual handicap. In due time he returned to his office work and church activities.
An event of personal satisfaction and interest came to Arthur when he and his friend, Bishop John Wells, were called to fill a special mission to England and Europe. Under the direction of John A. Widtsoe, president of the European Mission, they were to inspect the records and financial statements of the missions and give help and instructions in establishing uniform standards of office records. The accomplishing of this work covered the period 11 June to 27 September 1930.
On 20 November 1931 Arthur and Ida Freeman were married in the Salt Lake Temple. Ida Freeman was born 26 February 1895 in Olney, Buckinghamshire, England, the daughter of George Richard and Euphemia Jane Carter Freeman. She was Arthur’s companion and drove their car many of the miles they covered vacationing during his few remaining years. Arthur’s activities were varied, taking him many places. For him, traveling was a pleasure in the improved roads and was enjoyed from coast to coast and from Mexico to Alaska.
A record was set on Tuesday, 3 September 1935 – fifty-two years of continuous service in the business offices of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Arthur Winter set a record approached by only one other, who retired before the end of the fifty-two years. To reports Arthur recalled the President Heber J. Grant was the junior member of the Council of the Twelve when the new office boy began his work in the offices, and he was the only one of the General Authorities of fifty-two years before who still survived. At this time Arthur paid this tribute to the General Authorities. “No man could ever work with a finer body of men, nor in a better atmosphere. The training, education, and experience have been wonderful.”
“The Free Agency of Man,” was the title of the radio talk given by Arthur Winter on the Sunday night Tabernacle Broadcast 23 August 1936. It was later printed in The Millennial Star, and The Southern Cross, a publication in Sough Africa.
To visit once more his native land and bid it a last farewell was coupled with Arthur’s desire to be present at the British Centennial of the Church, one hundred years of Mormonism in Great Britain. A motor tour of England and part of Scotland prefaced the conference in Rochdale.
Saturday night, 31 July 1937 a pageant was presented by the Saints and enjoyed by a large audience. Sunday morning, 1 August 1937, at ten o’clock, conference convened, presided over by President Heber J. Grant. A number of the General authorities were present. Lunch was served by the local Saints and missionaries to those visiting from Utah. Conference continued at 2:00 p.m. Arthur Winter was called upon to bear his testimony to the truthfulness of the gospel and the blessings received by obedience to its teachings. Following his testimony, President J. Reuben Clark, during his address, paid tribute to Arthur in these words:
“I should like to say something about Brother Winter, who has just spoken to you. He has been one of Britain’s great gifts to the work of the Church. He has spoken of two requisites and having a slightly different shade of meaning though perhaps involved in obedience, I should like to say that Brother Winter has been outstanding for his loyalty.
“No king was ever served with truer or greater loyalty even to death than Brother Winter has shown to the Authorities of the Church with whom he has worked.” |
After the conclusion of the conference a most delightful trip as far as Rome, Italy was enjoyed.
Few have enjoyed fifty-seven years of continuous service in the Church under five presidents. Arthur Winter served under Presidents John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, Joseph F. Smith, and Heber J. Grant. For twenty years, from 1887 to1907, he was church reporter, sustained at general conference only once; for thirty-three years he was chief clerk in the office of the First Presidency and served without bond. He always said, “My word is my bond.” Not one cent in all those years was lost. Throughout those years many missions of trust were his, but he never betrayed a trust to any degree.
Apostle Matthew Cowley said, “During my time as President of the New Zealand Mission I came to depend on Arthur Winter. I knew my many requests would be promptly and completely attended to; other avenues took too much time.”
Other church positions Arthur held included counselor in the Sunday school superintendency of th Nineteenth Ward, second counselor in the elders’ quorum of the Nineteenth Ward, second counselor in the bishopric of the twenty-second ward, member of the high council of the Ensign Stake, member of the high priest presidency in the Ensign Stake, and president of the Ensign Stake high priests.
As early as 24 January 1899 Arthur was elected one of the directors of the Grass Creek coal Company and was re-elected secretary and treasurer for the third year. The First Presidency of the Church appointed him a member of the Board of Trustees of the Brigham Young University on 19 January 1939 He was a director and member of the executive committee of Zion’s Savings Bank and Trust Company, a director of Utah Savings and Trust, a director and member of the executive committee of the Utah State National Bank, a director of Zions Securities Corporation, a director of The Amalgamated Sugar Company, and he was also affiliated with other companies.
Arthur Winter was a servant of man, a friend and steadfast follower of Jesus Christ. He had a strong testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel. His heart was full of gratitude to his Father in Heaven for his many blessings throughout his life and thankfulness that he was able to add his small part in helping to build up the Church on earth. His greatest desire was to be worthy of eternal life with his family and to remain faithful to the end of being active in his work all his days upon the earth. This desire was granted to him. His final illness lasted but a few days. He passed away in his seventy-sixth year, 1 August 1940 at his home with his loved ones around him.
The following tribute to Arthur Winter was signed by President heber J. Grant:
“The Lord in His infinite wisdom has called to work on the Other Side a friend whom we loved, an associate whom we trusted, a citizen whom we honored, and a counselor whom we valued – Arthur Winter. He worked with us and for us over a period of many years. He became a part of us. While we sorrow at his going, we rejoice in the service he rendered to us, to the community, and to his church.
“The Utah State National Bank and Zions Savings Bank and Trust Company will long remember him.” |
In the Deseret News were offered these words:
“One of the highest compliments paid to Arthur Winter by his associates in the Church Office was that while he was thoroughly acquainted with the inside affairs of the Church and enjoyed the fullest confidence of those with whom he worked, he never in action or words betrayed a confidence. He was kindly and helpful to his co-workers and performed many services unobtrusively. Reserved in nature, he disliked personal praise and publicity.” |
His sweet funeral service in the Eighteenth Ward church gave solace and comfort to his family.
The following are some of the thoughts expressed at Arthur’s funeral:
His Friend John Wells –
“Arthur was an extraordinary man with a wonderful mind, unusual self control, a keen memory. A man of faith, wisdom, and understanding. A man of few words and possessed of rare gifts which he exercised for the benefit of his family and friends.” |
President Winslow Farr Smith –
“Arthur Winter was a man of the highest and noblest type. He was devoted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was wise; he was humble; charitable; he was just; he radiated the spirit of a true Latter-day Saint. I learned lessons of faithfulness, promptness, wisdom, the lesson of humility, for he was humble. He was devoted to the men with whom he labored. Every trust that came to him was a sacred trust. The Church has lost a man whose place, I believe, will be hard to fill.” |
President J. Reuben Clark –
”I should like to begin by bringing from the First Presidency their respect and honor for Brother Winter.
“I had known of Brother Winter before I came into the First Presidency, but I never knew him until then; so my acquaintance runs back some seven years. Yet I never had a man draw from me more respect, more affection and love than this man. His position was that of Treasurer of the Church. He was a man of the highest integrity. I do not know how much money he has dispensed, but I would assume that his signature on checks may have expended as much as one hundred forty or fifty millions of dollars. His was the last signature. He was never short a cent. He never was under any bond. His character was his bond, and it was infinitely better than all the bonds which all the insurance companies in the world might have written. He was devoted to the Priesthood, devoted to his duty and God’s work, always at his desk. He had in his mind the unwritten history of the Church, that affected his work. He could bring to bear upon any question that came up all there was to know about it. Arthur always knew the essential considerations and brought them to bear at the proper time upon the question to be solved. In that sense he has left a place which cannot be filled. With him has gone a great mass of unwritten history we must work along without. In all my time with him I have never known Arthur Winter to make one suggestion which, either by direction or indirection, was for his personal benefit or benefit of anyone with whom he was interested. That is oneofthe rarest traits. He was humble, always respectful, always diligent, always careful, always circumspect. He was so faithful, so upright, lived so fully the Gospel, had such a strong testimony of it, surely the words of Paul are more applicable to him than almost anyone else, ‘I have fought a good fight; I have finished my course; I have kept the faith. “For the First Presidency, let me say that we loved him, and more than loving him, we trusted him implicitly, and our trust was never betrayed. He was truly a noble man.” |
From the Deseret News Editorial for 2 August 1940 – Arthur Winter
“His was a personality which reflected dignity, kindness, understanding, and loyalty. He rose to every duty and responsibility which came to him in a long association with the Church. In his fifty-seven years as an employee and official in the Office of the First Presidency he has been intimately acquainted with five presidents of the Church. He has been their confidant and valued associate, and they in turn have had a profound respect for his loyalty and judgment.” |
The following poem, which was a favorite of Arthur’s, expresses as well as any words his lifelong attitude about his life, his work, and his faith:
True Nobility | ||
Who does his task from day to day And meets whatever comes his way, Believing God has willed it so, Has found real greatness here below. Who guards his post, no matter where, Believing God must need him there, Although but lowly toil it be, Has risen to nobility. |
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Author Unknown |