Spiritual Spotlight
Clo B.
Clo told us of her love for Relief Society and for each sister. She does not know when she gained a testimony because it seems she has always had it. She loves her Savior, the prophet and the prophet Joseph Smith for restoring the truth to the earth. She has had many experiences in her life to confirm her faith.
She was born to wonderful parents who lived the gospel in every respect. Both of her parents were born in Kanab, Utah. As a young boy, her father moved to Mexico with his family. Her parents later met at BYU and were married. A year later her father was called on a mission to Germany and was gone for 3 years. Her mother survived typhoid fever, then her father was drafted into World War I. Finally, after 13 years of marriage, her parents started their family. Four children were born to them, all in Kanab.
During the great depression, her family lost a prosperous business and Clo learned to be careful with everything. She still remembers her mother warning them to “waste not, want not!”. To this day Clo still honors that statement in her own life.
After losing their business, her family moved to Cedar City where Clo mostly grew up. She enjoyed it a lot, had many friends and attended her first year of college there. Then she and her family moved to Salt Lake.
The move to Salt Lake was a trying time for Clo. She did not find friends there easily. No one reached out to her and she realizes now how easily she could have been lost, but her testimony carried her through that period of loneliness. She put herself through the University of Utah by waiting tables at the Hotel Utah.
After graduation, Clo taught physical education. Soon a cousin returned from his mission to Argentina and introduced her to his friend, Ray Barnes. J Through prayer, it was confirmed to Clo that she should accept his proposal of marriage, which she happily did.
She adores her husband and, with him, has had many faith promoting experiences:
On the day President Kimball was sustained, he came to a family reunion with Clo’s extended family. As she shook his hand, she knew absolutely that he was a prophet of God.
Another remarkable incident happened when Clo’s family moved to Salt Lake and looked for a place to live. Their modest circumstance meant many rentals were too expensive. A relative from the colonies had built a rental house and came forward to accommodate the family’s needs.
After Clo and Ray were married, Ray took a job with Corn Products Co. and they soon moved to southern California with their first child. Eventually, they moved to Denver, where they spent 11 wonderful years. In Denver, Ray was called to a bishopric and Clo learned from that bishop that it would be a blessing to their children to share Ray with his callings in the church. Ray became a bishop in Denver at age 28, and later, he was twice called to be the stake president.
One of Ray’s business associates commented that Ray must really like steak. Ray wondered why, then was told by his friend that every time he called Ray at home, one of the children said he was over at the stake house!
Ray and Clo had 6 children, 3 boys, then 3 girls. They moved from Denver to Moraga when their youngest was just 9 days old. That was 50 years ago this month!
Their oldest son, Raymond, became ill when he was a junior and passed away after many months of illness, never complaining. Clo recalls with great appreciation the wonderful help given to their family during those months of his hospitalization. Many contributions were given to them at that time and the funds were used to build the flagpole at our ward in Raymond’s memory. It was a terribly difficult time for the family, but they were blessed with the knowledge they will be reunited with Raymond again.
Soon after that, they were called to open the mission in Spain. What a glorious opportunity that was for the family. Clo told those of us who have missionaries in the field that we need to know how much their children are loved. They were in Spain for 3 years and blessed with miracle after miracle in their service.
Earlier this year, 2 missionaries from that era arranged a reunion with Clo in Salt Lake. Many, many came and celebrated precious memories with her. As her patriarchal blessing stated, “you will influence many youth for good”. And so she had the pleasure of realizing that blessing.
After returning home from Spain, their next assignment was to preside over the Missionary Training Center in Santiago, Chili. Clo realized the sacrifices some of those young men were making when one came with all of his possessions because he would not be welcomed back home at the end of his mission. He chose to serve anyway.
Not long after returning home from Chili, Ray was called to be the temple president in Caracas, Venezuela with Clo as the temple matron. She recounted how blessed it was to serve together in the temple. Almost like not being on this earth.
Slowly, Clo began to realize Ray’s memory was failing. She did not want him to be recalled because of his health so she went into the celestial room and pleaded with the Lord to let her be the one whose health would fail so she could be the reason for their return home. Soon, she began to have trouble with her legs and it became apparent that she needed medical attention back in the U.S. They returned home and within a few years Ray passed away.
How blessed we are to still have Clo among us, bringing her love, her steadiness, her kindness and her great spirit and testimony to strengthen us all!
We love you, Clo!
