Dennis Hadley

As Mark's older brother, I have many, many remembrances of Mark from the time he was born until the time of his passing. I could share several of those experiences. I could share experiences of the great love that we shared as we grew up together on a small farm in Taylor, Utah. I could share experiences of the usual brotherly arguments that we had. In fact, to this day I have a dark spot on my upper arm where Mark threw a pencil at me that stuck straight in like an arrow. However, I would like to share an experience that I had with Mark rather recently. We were at the Bountiful Temple for the sealing of our son, Jared, to his beautiful wife, Shanee. In a quiet moment after the sealing, Mark said to me, "They say that you know how successful you've been as a parent when you see how your grandkids turn out. Mom and Dad must be feeling pretty successful today seeing another grandchild sealed in the temple. In fact," he said, "all of the grandchildren who are old enough have come to the temple to make sacred covenants. Our parents have reason to be proud." I have thought a lot about that conversation since Anita called to say that Mark had passed away; and I would like to share that conversation with Mark and Sheila's grandchildren. If you want to honor Grandpa Mark, stay clean, keep baptismal covenants, prepare to serve missions and marry in the temple. As you do these things, you will bring honor to Mark and you will make his proud as he sees how successful he and Sheila have been as parents. As each grandchild makes sacred temple covenants, Mark will be proud because you are following in the path that he taught and lived.

Dennis Hadley