MARY E. CHRISTENSEN

                                                                       an autobiography

 

Sister Mary E. Christensen was a faithful servant in the Primary Association for many years.  She was President of the Manassa Ward Primary from July 18, 1932, until August 1, 1940, and has served as teacher for a good many years. Her story follows:

"I am the daughter of Peter Rasmussen and Margret Sornsen, who were born in Denmark and joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints there, and came to America in  1853-54.

When I was a child, my parents lived about four miles from the town. One day, there were four Indians who came to our home, where they talked for about a half hour. My parents knew there was something wrong, as they wanted them to count their money. After they left, my father thought we should move to town for a  few days, so we did and, there, we learned the Indians had had a battle with some white men, and had killed nine of them.  I have always believed that we were saved because my parents were truthful and were very strict in having their prayers night and  morning.

My courtship was not a romantic one, just an old-fashioned one, my having only one boyfriend at a time.  We had no automobiles, so my boyfriend rode ten miles on horseback to come and see me. 

When he took me to his home-town to a dance, he came in a lumbar wagon, and, on the way home, it was full of young folks. 

I was married at the home of my parents in Sanford, Colorado, with our immediate families present.  This was on September 10, 1888, with my father performing the ceremony. 

To us were born ten children, two boys and eight girls.  Three of them, two girls and one boy, have passed away, leaving one boy and six girls still living.  All are married and live in the United States. 

The first work I did in the Church began when I was fourteen years of age, when I was Secretary of the Primary Association in Ephraim.  Ephraim at that time was northeast of Manassa.

For about six and a half years, while I was in Old Mexico, I was a counselor in the Y.S.M.P.A., a teacher in the Sunday School, vice president of the Secretary Club (where the young men and women met together, there being no enough men to hold their meetings alone). 

After returning to Manassa, I was a teacher in the Primary.  Then, again, I was the Primary President for a while.  Then, I served as a counselor to Sister Daniels in the Y.W.M.I.A.  I was, then, a teacher again in the Primary.  Later, I served as President of the Primary for eight years.  After I was released I was called to Leader, and to work in the Ward Primary as a teacher.  I am now a teacher, a topic intstructor, and a scripture reading instructor in the Relief Society. 

When I was quite young, I was often asked to sit up with the sick or dead, and I developed a desire to assist in taking care of the sick.  Often, I was called to help the doctor with his cases.  Later, I took up nursing and received pay for it, but the real enjoyment of it all was when I could help for the sake of being useful. 

The Primary Association means a lot to me, it helps me to study the scriptures, and teaches me to pray for faith and the blessings of the Lord to guide me that I may teach the youth of Zion the principles of the Gospel.  It helps me to talk to children with an understanding heart and makes me love to be with them.

My favorite songs are "Rock of Ages," "Nay Speak No Ill," and "Called to Serve".