I said, I'd have closed the doors before I would ever have lost anybody
any money.  The bonding company was caught.  They had to pull off this
$25,000 and then they were going to try to hold me on the bond.  They had
renewed the bond to these boys that I had sold out to.  It looked like
I was going to be stuck.  I was surely worried.  That was one of the big
worries of my life when I thought that I was going to be caught with that
bond.  In fact one of the agents made the statement, they said they weren't
worried about their money.  Rube Larsen's on the bond.  He'll have to pay
it.  Well I hired me a lawyer which was a very good man - a man by the
name of Ernie Hannar.  My lawyer, Al Smith, wouldn't handle it.  He sent
me to Hannar and I guess it was a good thing that I got him.  I worked
to help the bonding company out but I never did meet their lawyer - a man
by the name of Jones.  My lawyer wouldn't let me even talk to him.  He
did the talking.  He was a very good man.  It cost me $500 but it was money
very well spent.  I paid him and he was very happy because they accepted
a statement from me of things that I had done.  That's my chapter.  I think
we're about done.


There's been a great change come in this livestock business.  It's
handled entirely by auctions.  There's very few private sales any more.
 And they're handling it in auctions.  There's auctions all over the state
of Utah and Idaho;  small auctions, big auctions, but most of them are
handled through auction companies.  And the quality of cattle has changed
very, very much.  A good top grass-fat steer used to sell pretty well when
it was fat enough for a packing house.  Today they wouldn't be classified
as a top feeder - the cattle they would kill in the early days when I was
handling cattle when I first started in the business.  Today they're grain-fed
cattle.  This country is blessed with very choice grain-fed cattle, very
well-bred cattle.  I've seen the breeding develop a great deal in my life
from what it was when I was a young boy and knew what they were.  Even
in Southern Utah where they used to have bad cattle, they've got excellent
cattle through breeding and proper feeding.

(This is an edited transcription of a tape-recoded interview done in 1968
by JR Larsen of his father J. Rube Larsen.)

SALT LAKE CITY, OCTOBER 8TH 1904

A BLESSING

GIVEN BY JOHN SMITH, PATRIARCH UPON THE HEAD OF JOSEPH REUBEN
LARSEN, SON OF JOHN (CHRISTIAN) AND SUSANNAH LARSEN, BORN IN
COVE VILLE, CACHE COUNTY, UTAH, MAY 22ND 1887.

     BROTHER JOSEPH REUBEN LARSEN, BY VIRTUE OF MY OFFICE I
PLACE MY HANDS UPON THY HEAD AND BLESS THEE WITH A FATHER'S
BLESSING, WHICH IS ALSO PATRIARCHAL, FOR THOU ART IN THY YOUTH
AND HAVE MUCH TO LEARN IN ORDER TO COMPLETE THY MISSION UPON
THE EARTH.  AND I SAY UNTO THEE, REMEMBER THE TEACHINGS OF THY
PARENTS.  AND AS YOU ADVANCE IN YEARS, REMEMBER THE INSTRUCT-
IONS RECEIVED THROUGH  THE PRIESTHOOD; REFLECT OFTEN UPON THE
PAST, AND PRESENT; AND THOU SHALT KNOW OF A SURETY THAT THE
HAND OF THE LORD HAS BEEN OVER THEE-- THAT THY LIFE HAS BEEN
PRESERVED FOR A PURPOSE: AND THAT THOU HAST MUCH TO DO; AND
THE NECESSITY OF INFORMING THY MIND IN REGARD TO THE PRINCIPLES
OF LIFE AND SALVATION -- THAT YOU MAY BE PREPARED FOR THE
LABOR OF THE MINISTRY.

     BY REFLECTION, THOU SHALT REALIZE THAT A DECREE HAS GONE FORTH -- THAT
THOU HAST A MISSION TO FILL. IN ORDER TO SECURE UNTO THYSELF THE BLESSINGS
PROMISED UNTO THE FAITHFUL, LIVE UP TO THY
PRIVILEGES, AND AS AN ELDER IN ISRAEL THOU SHALT GO FORTH AMONG
THE PEOPLE -- AT HOME AND ABROAD -- AND LIFT UP THY VOICE
BEARING THE MESSAGE OF LIFE AND SALVATION UNTO ALL WHO WILL
LISTEN, AND IN WHICH THOU SHALT HAVE MUCH JOY.  FOR OFTEN THOU
SHALT CALL UPON THE FATHER FOR WISDOM, FOR STRENGTH, AND
FORTITUDE -- COMMENSURATE WITH THY LABORS.

     IT IS THY DUTY TO BE A PEACE MAKER, TO SIT IN COUNCIL AMONG
THY BRETHREN, TO TEACH AND TO EXORT, TO HAVE A CARE OVER
THE YOUNGER.  IT SHALL BE THY PRIVILEGE TO RECLAIM THE WAYWARD.
AND IF THOU WILT BE FIRM IN THE DISCHARGE OF DUTY, THOU SHALT
PRESIDE AS A COMMON JUDGE IN ISRAEL, AMONG THE PEOPLE; AND
THY DECISIONS SHALL BE IN JUSTICE AND EQUITY.

     THEREFORE, REMEMBER TO BE OBEDIENT TO THE WHISPERINGS
OF THAT STILL SMALL VOICE -- WHICH COMETH OF THE FATHER --
AND THY PATHWAY SHALL BE MADE CLEAR.  PEACE SHALL BE IN THY
CIRCLE.

     THIS BLESSING I SEAL UPON THEE, IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST:
AND I SEAL THEE UP UNTO ETERNAL LIFE, TO COME FORTH IN THE
MORNING OF THE FIRST RESURRECTION, A SAVIOUR IN THY FATHERS
HOUSE.
                    EVEN SO,  AMEN           (RECORDED IN BOOK X)

Note:

This copy was typed February 24, 1975, from the original, hand-written
blessing.

On page 3, line 9, the word interpreted as PRIVILEGE may have been a
different word.

The typist took liberties with the punctuation. -- EEPV        

     Joseph Reuben "Rube" Larsen, 83, 1142 E. 27th South, livestock business executive
died Sunday in a Salt Lake hospital of natural causes.
     Mr. Larsen was a pioneer in the livestock commission business in the Intermountain
West having offices in Ogden, Salt Lake City and Los Angeles and Fresno, Calif.
     He founded and managed the Utah-Idaho Livestock Commission Co., and the J. Rube
Larsen Livestock Commission Co.
     Mr. Larsen was a High Priest in the Yalecrest Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints, where he served in the presidency of the Seventies Quorum.
     Mr. Larsen was born on May 22, 1887 in Cove a son of John Christian and Susannah
Tittensor Larsen.  He married Anna Charlotte Anderson on Nov. 10, 1909 in the Logan
LDS Temple.
     Survivors include his widow of Salt Lake City; daughter, three sons, Mrs. W.P.
(Bernice) Robbins, Dr. Louis C., John A., all of Salt Lake City; Dr. J. R. Jr., Champaign,
Ill.; 22 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren; brother, sisters, Louis W. Salt Lake City;
Mrs. Thomas A. (Inez) Hendricks, Idaho Falls; Mrs. Thomas (Irene) Rose, Weston,
Idaho; Mrs. Don C. (LaVerne) Merrill, Altadena, Calif.; Mrs. Reese (Edna) Maughan,
California; Mrs. Raymond (Teresa) Green, Logan.
     Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at noon, in the Grant Fourth LDS Ward
Chapel, 11 Charlton Ave.  Friends may call at 260 E. South Temple on Tuesday 6 to 8
p.m., and at the chapel on Wednesday from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m.  Burial will be in the
Logan City Cemetery.

My brothers and sisters.  I feel almost reverential as I face this opportunity today to say a
word or two at the funeral of brother Rube Larsen. Many years ago when I came to Salt
Lake City two of the .brethren waited upon us and invited Sister Kimball and me to join a
temple group.  They told us we would go to the temple once a month and then would
rotate going to the homes of the members.  And for some 27 or 28 years I guess we have
been doing this. So we have become well acquainted with the Larsens.  It was only I
think two weeks ago that our rotation brought us to the Larsen home here in the
apartments. And we enjoyed that evening very much -- a wonderful dinner and the
program that was provided there.  This little temple group has been saddened many times
lately; within two months three of our brethren have died.  Brother James just a week or
so ago. Brother Love two or three weeks before that and so we feel very much bereaved
now with the passing of Brother Larsen. So long he walked in kindliness and peace upon
this earth.  It hardly seemed he would ever leave us.  Now infinity is nearer.  And Job
said "if a man dies shall he live again?  All the days of my appointed time will I wait till
my change comes."  The change has come for Rube.  But it is just a change; it isn't an
end.  When I think of this good man whom I have come to love I think of the man who
was in a tree trying to get a good vision of the Savior and the Savior called him a man
without guile.  And so to me Brother Larsen was that kind of a man.  These are hard days
and for these days since his death it has been very trying for his wife and family.  But
there is hope and that is why we cling tenaciously to this hope, to this knowledge,
because it softens the blow and makes it possible that we can take it.      .
     An unknown author said these words.  "If we could push ajar the gates of life and
stand within, and all God's workings see, we could interpret all this doubt and strife and
for each mystery find a key, but not today.  Then be content, dear hearts, God's plans like
miniscure and white unfold.  We must not tear the close set leaves apart.  Time will
reveal the hidden cups of gold and with sandals loose we may rest.  Then we shall know
and clearly understand.  I think that we shall say God knew the best."  Death is a part of
life and it would be a horrible thought to think that death couldn't come and relieve us
when we are tired and worn out.  Death is the greatest blessing. And yet it always comes
at what seems a cruel moment. Sister Aldridge an aunt of Mrs. Kimball gave us these
words along that same line and they have always comforted me.
	I cannot know the future; nor the path I shall trod,
	But by that inward vision which points the way to God.
	I would not cleanse the beauty or joy for me in store,
	Let patience never restrain me from thrusting wide the door.
	I would not part the curtain or cast aside the veil,
	Else sorrow that await me might make my courage fail.
	I would rather live not knowing; just doing my small might.
	I'd rather walk by faith with God
	Thank try alone the night.
     Benjamin Franklin said "a man is not completely born until he is dead. Why then
grieve that a new child is born among the immortal, a new member added to their happy
society."  When you stop to analyze it, death has nothing dreadful which life hasn't made. 
Death is relief.  I am sure it was to Rube. He has been somewhat deprived of some of his
faculties of late.  I'm sure he would feel relieved.  We wonder where he has been since
his body left the hospital.  We wonder what he has done in the last three or four days. 
We wonder who he has seen, with whom he has conversed.  We wonder how close he
has been to holy people.  Well, I guess we won't know exactly until we follow him down
the path.  But I'm sure it hasn't been sad for him.  I'd rather think that the only sadness he
has suffered these past few days would be to see the loneliness in the hearts of those
whom he has left at this time. My Stake President in Arizona used to sing and at funerals
he used to sing the song "Tired."  I would like to read a verse.
	Tired, ah yes, so tired dear.
	The day has been very long.
	But shadow glomming draws near.
	'Tis time for the evening song,
	I'm ready to go to rest
	At last ready to say good night.
	The sunset glory darkens fast,
	Tomorrow will bring me light.
	It seems so long since morningtide.
	And I've been left so long.
	Young, smiling faces, thronged my side
	When the early sunlight shown
	But they grew 'tired long ago
	And I saw them sink to rest
	With folded hands and brows of snow
	On the green earth's Mother breast.
	Tired, ah yes, so tired dear.
	I shall soundly sleep tonight
	With never a dream, never a fear
	To wake in the morning light.
     We have contrasts in the lives of people, in the thoughts of people in the hopes of
people.  We remember that Ingersol wrote something about "life is but the narrow vale
between the two barren peaks of two eternities.  And then he goes on to explain how
"futile when you call from this valley to the mountain, how futile it was."  But that isn't
what we believe or know.
     Where we lived in Arizona on the south side of the valley was a high mountain range. 
There is snow in the tops of the mountains always, a little even in summer.  And we
found it pleasant to climb to its peaks.  A good road took us through a very heavy forest,
winding in and out to make the grade. For some miles we would drive up this narrow
road where we could see nothing except trees for it is a dense forest on that mountain. 
And then finally we would come and almost without realizing it we were on Lady Bug
Saddle.  It was so named because here they always found great numbers of lady bugs. 
The summit. The breathtaking view was out in all directions from this high vantage
point. We had come from the shadows.  Now we were in the light.  We could see a
hundred miles in Arizona's clear atmosphere and see the mountains across the line into
old Mexico.  We could see the mountains in the east and west and valleys and farms and
homes gradually sinking down into oblivion from the top of this mountain.  And I have
often thought as I have contemplated death and its bereavement, its sadness, that
probably Rube came to Lady Bug Saddle in going through some dark days.  Having gone
through these shadows of the hills and the forest and then all at once what seemed a
tragedy to some, seemed a great release to him and he could see, not a hundred yards, not
a hundred miles, no limitation to his vision.  He could speak not for feet, or yards, or
rods; he could speak and be heard great distances.  I don't know exactly what it is like
over there.  But I am assured that it is beautiful and that it is good, it is holy and its warm. 
I didn't know Rube's family before him, but I'm convinced that a mother and father who
had a great love for their children instilled in him a set of principles that allowed him to
build a testimony in the gospel and prepared him to live the kind of life that has been
exemplary in the sight of his fellow man.  I am sure that he brought with him from his
childhood the warmth and love that he exhibited not only to his family, but to all those
with whom he associated.  Charlotte and you children, while there is sadness in your
hearts this day, I know that you will be comforted by the knowledge that God lives and
that within His kingdom lies the perfect eternal plan that there will be a resurrection, that
you will be reunited with your father and enjoy the fruits of eternal life and exaltation.
     I pray the Lord's blessings to attend you in this hour of grief and to soften your sorrow
with this knowledge.  I leave with you my testimony of these things and I do so in the
name of the Savior Jesus Christ.  Amen.