It was in April, 1976, when Bishop Glen Evans of the 34th Ward spoke in Sacrament meeting that he shared with us the Parable of the Talents. He then informed us that the stake had received word that a new chapel had been approved and that we could start collecting money for the 30% required by our congregation. He then asked for a member of 10 families to come forward and stand in front of the pulpit. Our family was named and Clay did as requested. Bishop Evans then came off the stand and presented each of the ten people a $20 bill. We were told this was to be our talent for the next 60 days to multiply as best we could.
Upon returning home, we gathered for a family meeting including our 5th child who had just been born in January. Clay told us of our new challenge to multiply our “talents” and that he wanted it to be done by the entire family if possible. We discussed several options until Doris mentioned that a member of our ward, Louis Hill, made sucker molds. We decided to try it because Doris could make them, Clay could wrap them and the children could sell them.
On Monday, when Clay returned home from work, Doris had made two batches which made 36 suckers. They were wrapped in cellophane, tied with a bow and the children went door to door around the homes near Hannah Holbrook Elementary. It took two hours to sell them for 10 cents apiece. We tried again on Tuesday without greater success. It was then suggested for the kids to take them to school and try and sell them. By the end of the second week, children were coming to our house to buy them during recess. But unfortunately, the principal announced over the PA system that the students were not to leave the school grounds during recess. Sucker sticks were becoming too prevalent on the school grounds.
By the end of the third week, parents were driving their children to our home before and after school to buy suckers. Shortly thereafter, Bishop Evans announced that the church had requested that the new Jordan River Temple would be financed by members along the Wasatch front and asked us to donate 10% of our previous year’s tithing in addition to the temple construction. Thus the money for the new meetinghouse would be put on hold.
This turned out to be a blessing in disguise. School would end before the 60 days had transpired and we worried about selling more suckers. But now wards starting raising money for the temple. Employees in the church office building heard about our suckers and asked Clay if he would sell them for 10 cents so they would sell them for 25. Clay agreed but had to go to work at 6 AM because he was spending 2 hours a day taking and delivering orders.
On the 60th day which was the middle of June, the families gathered in Bishop Evans’ office. He informed us that the Parable of the Talents was alive and well even in our day. Immediately following Sacrament meeting back in April, one family returned their $20 and said they did not want to participate. Two other families gave him their personal check for $40 and said “We have doubled our talents” but had they really?
He then went around the room and asked each family to tell what they had done and how much they had garnered. It became obvious that most had made money making bread, cookies, cakes, pies and suckers. One family put on a full Hawaiian Luau including a roasted pig. Another lady ironed all items which could be stuffed in a pillowcase. From the $140 given to the 7 families, together we had made around $2,185. Our family had earned $1,000 by selling over 20,000 suckers in 14 flavors which covered our commitment for both the temple and the ward.
A reporter from the Church News called and said they had been asked to write an article about our success but said they would decline for three reasons. First, the State Tax Commission would want us to pay sales tax. Second, the Health Department would want to inspect our kitchen. And third, Bountiful would probably issue us a citation for not having a business license.
Because we had been so blessed, we decided to continue to earn more money. We went to the Freedom Festival parade in Provo with our baby stroller filled with boxes of suckers. We did the same for the Handcart Days in Bountiful. We then went to the Days of ‘47 parade in Salt Lake City. As we were crossing through the parking lot of the Church Office Building, President Kimball exited from the Administration Building. Since we looked a little out of the ordinary because Clay was wearing a straw hat with suckers stuck into the headband, President Kimball approached and inquired what we were doing. We explained that we were raising money for the Jordan River Temple. He complimented us and gave each of us a big hug. How special that moment was which we will never forget nor can we forget how the Lord helped us with our talents in this endeavor. We were able to contribute an additional $600.
-Clay and Doris Crowley, 34th Ward
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