on the 10th had a long conversation with Brother Nelson Holder Ritchie, father of 12 children and living in the Pleasanr view ward. As soon as he crossed the thresh hold of the front door, I felt that he had negro blood in him. He came for a recommend to go through the temple and I asked many questions concerning his birth. He told me his father was a pure blooded Cherokee India and that he never knew his mother, but was told by some friend sshe was very dark, Creole or mulatto, and a woman by the of Nancy McNeal raised him. he told me he explained to his present wife before he married her all he knew of his gebeaology and they want to go through the temple. He has been faithful and a good provider and saw no reason why he could not. But that feeling still persisted and I had my conversatoins with him on the matter and final ly sent for his wife and learned all the facts she knesw still I felt the same and told them how I felt. They were really disturbed over the matter and I told them I would take their geneaology and all the facts and submit the case to the First Presidency of the Church. I did and they held several meetings with the Twelve and finally President Smith Sent for me and said: Johnny (He always called me by that name for years) We hae fully considered the case of Brother Ritchie, and have concluded that as you are common Judge in Israel, we return the case to you to decide." That was a terrible responsibility, but I again had several meetings with the Ritchies and finally told them I still felt the same, that I appreciated they were good saints, and that feeling as I did, I dare not issue a recommend to the temple unless my feeling changed; that if they remained faithful and true, if they did not go to the Temple and died without getting in the Temple, the Lord would give them all that they were entitled to. But according to my understanding of the gospel anyone with Negro Blood was not entitled to temple rights. They said their children, at least some of them had already been to the Temple for their marriage. So I told them to be faithful and no one could eventually hinder them from receiving all blessings earned by them but not to think I had any personal feelings in the least, but must not go against my continued impressions. I made them feel that I was responsible also for anything I did to hinder good people from going to the Temple temple that thus far, No one has been given a recommend to go to the temple by me unless my blessing went also.