Creed Haymond Story of the Word of Wisdom, in His Own Words
Cover of The Creed Haymond Story: How He Learned That the Word of Wisdom Is True, by Jay Todd
Since I was young I’ve often held as my claim to fame that I am distantly related to Creed Haymond (1893-1983, first cousin three times removed), the early 20th century track athlete, whose story about the Word of Wisdom has been told several times over the pulpit in General Conference. ((The General Conference talks that were given were:
- Elder L. Tom Perry, “Run and Not Be Weary,” October 1996
- President James E. Faust, “The Enemy Within,” October 2000
The Creed Haymond story has also been told other times within the Church and elsewhere:
- Primary 6: Old Testament manual, (1996), 176–79
- Joseph J. Cannon, “Speed and the Spirit,” Improvement Era, Oct. 1928, 1001–7
- “I Can’t Do It, Coach,” in Inspiring Stories for Young Latter-day Saints, comp. Leon Hartshorn [1975], pp. 123–28.
- Family Home Evening Resource Book, (1997), 228
- Statistical Report, 1982. His passing was noted in General Conference: “W. Creed Haymond, noted athlete and church leader.”
- “Friend to Friend: Callings and Prophets,” Friend, May 2003
- The Gospel and the Productive Life Teacher Manual Religion 150, (2004), 55–60
- “FYI: For Your Information,” New Era, April 1981
- Alden M. Higgs, “From Battlefield to Mission Field,” Ensign, July 2003
- Books for Latter-day Saints: 1980 Update, Ensign, October 1980
- 2009 Deseret Morning News Church Almanac (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Morning News), p. 326.
- Creed Haymond’s obituary
- The Creed Haymond Story: How He Learned That the Word of Wisdom Is True, by Jay Todd
)) I thought that was pretty neat, and there was a short children’s book published, The Creed Haymond Story: How He Learned That the Word of Wisdom Is True, by Jay Todd, which I often read as a child.
Over the years, I’ve learned a little more about Creed Haymond. Apparently he was accepted to compete with the U.S. team at the 1920 Summer Olympics, but he was injured before the competition. ((Wikipedia – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creed_Haymond)) He eventually became a dentist, and served in many capacities within the Church, including as mission president in the Northern States Mission, general board member of the Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Association, and a patriarch (while President James E. Faust served as president of the Cottonwood Stake). His wife, Elna Parkinson Haymond, served as a member of the Relief Society General Board. ((Obituary – Creed Haymond’s obituary)) [Read more…]
