Testimony of the Word of Wisdom, Retirement, 50th Wedding Anniversary, and Employment History

Since I was one of the very few Americans on the Inter-American Development Bank staff, my initial appointment was only tentative and for 90 days. This was extended twice and then made permanent with various advantageous provisions of insurance, pension benefits, etc. When I reached the banks’ normal retirement age, an exception was made with a year’s extension in my employment. My salary had been progressively increased. I was always treated very graciously by the bank staff including my senior, Felipe Herrera, president of the bank, and the American executive vice president, T. Graydon Upton, who was quite complimentary regarding the contributions I had made to formulate sound policies to aid in the development of agricultural production and marketing facilities in the Latin American countries.

The Spanish speaking employees were responsible for my election to the Board of Directors of their Credit Union for which I served as President.

Testimony of The Word of Wisdom
I want to testify that people do not make jokes of L.D.S. members who are living in strict compliance with our Word of Wisdom standards. On my several trips to Central and South America, I was the honored guest at banquets and various meetings where it was the practice to serve wine and liquor. I merely turned my glasses over and when toasts were given, used a glass of water.

The same was true when I was a guest in private homes. This often resulted in questions which gave me an opportunity to furnish some information about our Church. Often they would respond “Oh yes, your Church has those nice young men who are missionaries.” During the years I worked at the Inter-American Development Bank, they often had cocktail parties at the end of a work day. They always had a separate little table for me with a pitcher of orange or tomato juice.

The day I retired from the Bank the chief of my division arranged a nice luncheon at a separate dinning room in one of the leading restaurants. I noticed that no one was drinking cocktails that day. At the conclusion of the meal the chief officer made some nice comments about my work and said, “Ken, I presume you have noticed that although the walls of this room are lined with bottles of choice wine and liquor, no one has taken a drink. We have done this in sincere respect of the high standards of your church that you observe.” For several years after that I was invited back to the annual meeting of the Credit Union where I received special recognition and a very cordial welcome by may many former associates.

Other Job Opportunities Declined
After completing this assignment, I received invitations to do other consulting work. One was to do a similar study with recommendations in a development bank in Guatemala, another to review the policies and lending practices of an agricultural credit system in Formosa [Taiwan], another to become President of the International Development Foundation, and another to be the Administrator of the Inter-American Cooperative Bank Development Program. These were declined with the feeling that I wanted to have more time with my family and to be more active in Church affairs.

Standing: Mitchell, Wayne, Walter, Richard, Gerald.  Kenneth and Mary, seated.  1969.

Standing:  Sue, Ann, June, Jeanene, Betty.  Mary and Kenneth, seated.  1969.

Golden Wedding Anniversary
As the date of our Golden Wedding anniversary approached, the members of our family began making plans to help us celebrate that important event on July 20, 1975. Wayne drafted the announcement that was sent to many of our friends. I gave Mary an opal ring. Richard and Jeanene opened their spacious home for a reception that was attended by all of our family and of our closest friends, most all of whom were members of our church.

Kenneth and Mary

That evening, Wayne took candid photos of many of our guests and Ann arranged for many of them to express their greetings on a tape recording. Our five wonderful daughters-in-law catered the party. Brother and Sister Willard Marriott sent us two dozen yellow roses. Neighbors and our study group, remembered us with flowers. My brother Roland and his wife Helen, living in San Jose, California, and several out-of-town friends extended greetings by telephone.

Mary, Roland (Kenneth's brother), and his wife, Helen.

Business Experience Resume of Kenneth L. Scott

• 1921 - 1926     Receiver of failed banks, Idaho State Banking Department.

• 1927 - 1934     Manager, Livestock Credit Corporation, Pocatello, Idaho, Livestock financing, Idaho and Utah.

• 1934 - 1954     Official, Farm Credit Administration, Washington. D.C. A Nationwide farmers cooperative credit system. Policy making, supervision of regional offices of the short-term lending — about 2 billion annual volume.

• 1954 - 1961     Director, Agricultural Credit Services, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. Member of policy staff of Secretary of Agriculture, Supervised: (1) Rural Electrification Administration which financed about 1500 rural electric and telephone cooperatives, (2) the Farmers Home Administration, a national credit system for low-income farmers, member of the Board of Directors of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation; Chairman of the USDA Disaster Commit tee with responsibility for administration of the national agricultural disaster relief programs.

• 1961 - 1969     Member of agricultural staff of the Inter-American Development Bank, Washington, D. C. which involved working on various types of agricultural development projects in a number of countries in Central and South America.

• 1969 - 1970     Leader of a small mission to formulate plans for the reorganization of the Agricultural Development Bank, Port of Spain, Trinidad, and for the training of its employees. This was incidental to financing by the Inter-American Development Bank and was performed under a technical assistance contract awarded to Checchi and Company, Washington, D. C.

Oct. 1, 1970    Kenneth:   "I am 71 years old and enjoying very good health."

Short-term Assignment to Trinidad

Mary wrote:  "Sept. 1968.  Beginning a trip to Port of Spain, Trinidad, West Indies.  Just ready to leave for Dulles Airport."

As I [Kenneth] neared the mandatory retirement age at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), I was requested by the bank to take a short-term assignment to help reorganize the Agricultural Development Bank in Trinidad. I persuaded my long time associate in FCA, James Pius, an experienced accountant, to join me and later we called other specialists as needed.  The contract with IDB was with Checchi company, a large consulting firm by whom I was actually employed. We arranged with a friend of ours from San Salvador who had a year’s contract to work in Washington at the World Bank to live in our home and look after things.

Mary:  "Just before boarding plane for Trinidad...11 Sept. 1968."

We lived at the English Hotel where we had a nice suite on the second floor with a balcony over looking the large ... which included numerous athletic fields and a race track. The campus was surrounded by many magnificent homes. We often took walks in the evenings admiring the many beautiful tropical trees and plantings. Our hotel was a nice “homey” place with friendly employees. We had a regular table assigned with very attentive waiters. Unfortunately there was not a branch of our church on the Island--nor any members.

We took along a fine shortwave radio so we could hear the church programs from the States. We had been given permission by our Bishop to administer the Sacrament to Mary and myself each Sunday, which I did by virtue of the Melchizedek Priesthood which I hold.

Mary soon became well acquainted with the downtown area and regularly walked to and from it most everyday, a distance of about two miles. She acquired a heavy tan that she said made her look nearly as dark as the native ladies of Pakistani origin. We were in Trinidad during the annual festival. This was a most interesting affair with very beautiful costumes for the lady participants, extensive parades and steel band contests and other concerts and performances.  [To watch a brief video of typical steel band music of the era, click HERE.]

Renegades Steelband, on 28 january 2009, during La Folle Journée in Nantes.  By Pymouss via Wikimedia Commons.

Earthquake
Shortly after we arrived in Trinidad, we were awakened during the night by the bed lamp tipping over on Mary, a little plaster falling on us, and trembling which indicated we were experiencing an earthquake. There was no serious damage to our hotel but there was considerable damage to certain other buildings on the Island.

Business and Pleasure On the Island of Tobago
My work took me to the adjoining island of Tobago occasionally and Mary would accompany me. The staff of the Agricultural Bank there were always very considerate and as I needed to become familiar with the types of agriculture they were financing and with the practices of the bank staff including their field officer, I traveled extensively throughout both islands.

Kenneth and Mary on ship deck.

Occasionally there would be a field trip when it would be entirely appropriate for Mary to go along. Then too, occasionally we took vacation trips of a few days. Both of us thoroughly enjoyed the tropical settings and the beautiful beaches.

Parlatuvier Bay in Trinidad and Tobago,  February 2009.  By cheesy42 via Wikimedia Commons.

Once we spent a few days on the small island of Grenada described as “sugar and spice and everything nice” which was no exaggeration. All the shores were very clean with powdery white sand, lined with coconut trees, deep blue water, and white- crested breakers.

Crown Point Beach, Tobago.  By Dominic Sayers via Wikimedia Commons.

The dinning rooms and lobbies of the hotels on the island had no window panes but just overhanging roof as the frequent rains, though usually heavy, came straight down without wind and lasted only a few minutes. Then the sun would come out bright (and hot) again.

Mary wrote:  "Grenada, "Spice Island," West Indies.  Mary E. Scott.  Nov. 1968."

On the islands of Tobago and...they have many little canary birds called “sugar birds” because they stay in the trees near the dinning rooms of the hotels when meals are being served. Occasionally one will come sailing through the dinning room and on through the extensive lobby. Should they see a table in the dinning room where the guests had left, they would fly there looking for the sugar bowl even with guests at adjoining tables. Everyone enjoyed these friendly little birds and the hotels provided sugar in special feeders along the outside windows so the guests could enjoy them. Also there were beautiful flowering trees and bushes everywhere.

Birds of Trinidad and Tobago.  By contributors to Wikimedia Commons.  (I couldn't find a photos of a "sugar birds.")

There is a very interesting section of the ocean behind some “breakers” a mile or so from shore at Tobago. The water is very clear and only about waist deep with fine sandy bottom. There are small boats that take visitors to that area and provide tight fitting goggles so you can put your face into the water and see the great many tropical fish of various sizes and shapes and bright colors all around you but so quick it isn’t possible to catch one.

[Mary wrote a note on the back of a photo of small boats anchored in a bay that reads: "People parked waiting to see the scarlet ibis in the bird sanctuary.  Jan. 1969, Port of Spain, Trinidad.  They come at 5:30 each evening.  I have included the photo below so we could get an idea of the spectacular birds they likely saw.  Maybe we should do a bird-watching reunion in Trinidad some day!]

Eudocimus ruber, Marajó, Brazil;  Scarlet Ibises in Brazil.  By Frank Krämer via Wikimedia Commons.

Need to Learn About Trinidad’s Seafood and Agricultural Industries
Trinidad is located in what are described as the “greatest shrimp beds in the world.” So in addition to enjoying their fine sea food, it was my responsibility to become familiar with how their Development Bank was financing those engaged in catching and marketing sea food. I also needed to become familiar with the production of coconuts, bananas, pineapple, coffee, sugar cane and many vegetable crops.

Kenneth, with camera, touring in Trinidad.

The bank had sponsored a large number of famous cooperatives that I spent considerable time becoming familiar with. The government official responsible for the financing and supervision of these cooperatives was...a shining black fellow who had been educated at Oxford in England and spoke with a distinct English brogue. We became good friends and I helped him formulate a plan to rather completely reorganize those agricultural cooperatives into a much fewer number with stronger management and improved policies. Mary and I were the guests of Mr. and Mrs. ... to attend some nice performances.

Missing Family at Christmas
The Christmas season was the most difficult for us as we had always had our family together then. The hot tropical weather didn’t provide much Christmas atmosphere even though the stores and streets down town were colorfully decorated. A Pakistani couple (the husband being an official in charge of fish marketing that I worked with) invited us to join them in attending a sunrise service in their church. Afterwards we went to their home for a Christmas breakfast. Wayne had sent us a tape which we appreciated very much even though the tears appeared when we heard grand children saying, “We miss you, Grandma and Grandpa.”

After about ten months, our finished report of findings and recommendations was ready to be presented to the bank directors and certain government officials. Mary and I had scheduled passage on the cruise ship ... and on... we bid good-bye to several of the natives who had been most friendly with us and sailed away from that interesting area.

Sunset over Five Islands, Carrera Island, and Point Gourde, Trinidad.  By Jean-Marc /Jo BeLo/Jhon-John via Wikimedia Commons.

Work and Travel in Later Years

At the end of President Dwight D. Eisenhower term of office in January 1961, the Democrats were eagerly awaiting the day to put out of office all Republican appointees. (I had given up an exempted Civil Service position in the Farm Credit Administration when I joined Brother Benson’s policy staff.)

Kenneth Leroy Scott, 1964

As I looked around for another job, I learned that the Inter-American Development Bank was just being organized, so I made application and was accepted in March 1961 to become a member of the Agricultural Loan Division. Practically all of the bank staff were “Latinos” from the several countries of Central and South America.

Learning Spanish for New Job
I was to become responsible for recommending action on certain applications for agricultural loans submitted from the Spanish speaking countries, so it was necessary that I learn Spanish as quickly as possible.

The bank had a splendid language department with fine equipment and good instructors, so I settled down to a strict routine of going there before work in the morning, taking another session “over a sandwich at noon”, and staying after hours. At home I had my faithful wife help me especially on weekends. Presently, with a good Spanish-speaking secretary to check my understanding of submitted loan documents and to aid me in drafting proper memos, I was able to start on my loan approval assignment.

I soon was able to read and pronounce Spanish quite well and to speak sufficiently well “to get by” on trips South. This work continued 7 1/2 years until I retired June 30, 1968. (Incidentally, my ability to read and pronounce Spanish well has enabled me to per form a good many temple ordinances with the use of the Spanish cards.)

Richard was called by the First Presidency of our church to spend four years as President of the North Argentine Mission. At that time, he was a chief assistant to Admiral Hyman Rickover with responsibilities for the installation of nuclear facilities in naval vessels. The Admiral seriously objected to his leaving but Richard said he always responded to church calls and as soon as he had reorganized his office to his satisfaction, he resigned.  (Click here to read Richard's account of this experience.)

Trip to Peru, Chile, Argentina
On one of my trips to South America, when I was on the staff of the Inter-American Development Bank, Mary went with me.

Kenneth wrote this photo was taken at the airport  in Cuzco, Peru, March 7, 1965.  A boy came to his hotel the next day wanting to sell it to him.

Our first stop was at Lima, Peru, where we visited some very interesting museums and took some side trips to ancient ruins. Our next stop was Santiago, Chile where we spent several interesting days. From there, we flew over the snow-covered Andes Mountains on our way to Cordoba, Argentina, to visit Richard and family at the mission home. 

We had sent them a cable message about a week before the date of our arrival but when we arrived, we learned that the cable hadn’t been received.

Richard, Jeanene, Mary Lee, Ken and Linda in Argentina, 1965.

Side Trips to Bolivia and Uruguay
Among the side trips to interesting places was a trip with Jeanene and Richard to attend a church conference at Salta, near the Bolivian border.

Valles Calchaquíes in Salta Province, Argentina.  By Mariano via Wikimedia Commons

Richard supervised about 280 full-time missionaries and established some successful branches among the Indians (Lamanites) located on the other side the Andes on an isolated valley in Bolivia. Jeanene was the first white woman to visit the valley.

Pres. Kimball and Richard in center, Sister Kimball and Jeanene at right.  Quiriza, Bolivia, circa 1968.

We continued our trip by flying down to Montevideo, Uruguay where after an enjoyable visit, we spent a few days in that picturesque old city and where we saw the first chapel our church built in South America for which Richard was able, as a young graduate engineer to serve as supervising engineer, while he was serving as a missionary. When he traveled to and from Uruguay as a young missionary, it was by steam ship requiring about three weeks.

Richard with surveying equipment as they laid out the chapel in Montevideo.

More Business Trips To South America
From Montevideo, we flew to Buenos Aires where I was a delegate to the annual convention of their 4-H Clubs. This was an activity that I was following closely in Central and South America and which I succeeded in having the Inter-American Development Bank place on their list of eligible projects for financing.
Through the years, I visited quite a number of the local 4-H projects which often were the first means we had of introducing improved farming methods and better cultural practices for livestock production in many South American countries.

Our next stop was the new capital of Brazil. Brazilia is a very modernistic city built inland to encourage citizens to move from the very crowded capital on the coast.

Brasilia, the capital of Brazil.  By Heitor Carvalho Jorge via Wikimedia Commons.

From there we flew nonstop over the huge Andes jungle seeing the vast Amazon River with a stop at Trinidad, then on to New York City, and home.

BYU Tour of Israel and Egypt  (written by Jeanene Scott)
Kenneth and Mary took some very special vacation trips not mentioned previously.  They participated in the first BYU-sponsored cruise to the Middle East which began by visiting several Greek islands mentioned in Biblical history that were a beautiful prelude to what they would experience when they arrived in the Holy Land, touring most of the prominent places recorded in the New Testament.

Aponissos landscape, Angistri Island, Greece.  By Ggia via Wikimedia Commons

They loved to recount the Sunday they sat on Shepherd's Hill partaking of the sacrament, sharing testimonies, listening to the bleating of the sheep as they passed by with their loving, caring shepherd, thus storing many precious memories in their minds and hearts.

Bethlehem hills.  By Deror avi via Wikimedia Commons

They visited Egypt and thrilled to see the pyramids and great historical monuments along the banks of the Nile, and even experienced a never-to-be-forgotten ride on the back of a cooperating camel.

Giza Pyramids, Egypt.  By Ricardo Liberato via Wikimedia Commons.

They returned with a deeply strengthened awareness of the life of the Savior as He dwelt in those lands.

Mary recalls their travels
We have been with the B.Y.U. tour abroad and we went to Greece, and went on the boat and went to all the islands around Cypress and that part of the world. We toured Jerusalem and went into Egypt and went down to the pyramids. I rode a camel and Grandpa was scared to death to have me on the camel and I was bouncing around. I didn’t get on it good until they started out and I was half on and half off, but I stayed on and road it nearly a half a mile.

Camel at pyramids, Cairo, Egypt.  By Crashsystems via Wikimedia Commons

We’ve been to Spain, Portugal, and a little bit of Africa. There are only about three countries in Central America that we haven’t been to. We saw many of the Book of Mormon ruins. We’ve been to all fifty states except Alaska. We’ve traveled from coast to coast in Canada.

Mary in North Africa, early 1970s.

Jeanene adds details about Kenneth's and Mary's travels
Kenneth and Mary took some very special vacation trips not mentioned previously.  They participated in the first BYU-sponsored cruise to the Middle East which began by visiting several Greek islands mentioned in Biblical history that were a beautiful prelude to what they would experience when they arrived in the Holy Land, touring most of the prominent places recorded in the New Testament.  They loved to recount the Sunday they sat on Shepherd's Hill partaking of the sacrament, sharing testimonies, listening to the bleating of the sheep as they passed by with their loving, caring shepherd, thus storing many precious memories in their minds and hearts.  They visited Egypt and thrilled to see the pyramids and great historical monuments along the banks of the Nile, and even experienced a never-to-be-forgotten ride on the back of a cooperating camel.  They returned with a deeply strengthened awareness of the life of the Savior as He dwelt in those lands.

In 1967 Kenneth received an assignment to establish local cooperative banks in several Latin American countries while he was working for the Inter-American Development Bank, after his retirement from government.  Mary went with him and they had a wonderful time traveling in new lands and meeting with many fine people.  They enjoyed being with Rich and his family in Argentina and addressing the missionaries in zone conferences.

Their long-cherished dream of visiting Europe was realized when they went to Spain, Portugal and North Africa with Rich and Jeanene.  One of many highlights of seeing great castles and historical monuments was when Mary sat on the same throne that Queen Isabella occupied as she and her husband, King Ferdinand, sent Columbus to discover the Americas.  In Morocco their hearts beat fast as they watched tribesmen from the desert in the ancient city of Fez, roaring down a hill on beautiful silver-saddled Arabian horses, shooting ancient guns high into the air, and being offered drinking water by strange leather-clothed water sellers, pouring water from dirty leather bags.


Kenneth and Mary celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary
 On the back of this photo, Mary wrote:
"25 July 1965.  Family all assembled to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary.  6407 Middleburg Lane, Bethesda, Maryland.  All Scotts."

Back row: Walter, Johnathan, Mitch, Betty, Mary, Jeanene, Kenneth, Richard, Sue, June. Front row: Larry, Debbie, Carol, Mary Lee, Cindy, Steven.  July 25, 1965

Kenneth is baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; the family is sealed in the temple

KENNETH:
Mary and I always tried to provide a good home for our sons, but during the twenty-seven year period (1934-1961) when I had responsibilities to supervise nation-wide organizations and programs, I was obliged to travel extensively resulting in my being away from home quite a good deal of the time when our five sons were most in need of parental counsel and guidance.

It was extremely fortunate that my wonderful wife was well grounded in the teachings and principles of the Latter-day Saint Church and understood the responsibilities that parents have to teach their children the eternal gospel truths and guide them to a life of righteousness.

Wayne, Gerald, Mitchel, Richard, and Walter, circa 1947

In the meantime, with only the right answers to my questions and proper example, Mary quietly brought me to a sincere desire to seek membership in this wonderful church with the Gospel in its fullness and the restored Priesthood of our Savior.

Mary and Kenneth

I was convinced after living with Mary only a few years, attending church services and reading L.D.S. scriptures that this is the true church.  For what to me later was a most stupid decision, I then thought I probably could get my parents to overcome their strong prejudice to the L.D.S. Church that resulted from their living in northern Missouri where there was great prejudice toward the Church.

I now know that I should have become active in the church, received the priesthood and become familiar with the scriptures. That would have enabled me to clearly explain the principles of the Restored Church of our Savior to my dear father, mother, and brothers.

Kenneth with his parents, Elzumer and Carrie Mae Scott, Mary and Mitchel

I am deeply grateful that I finally became active and have been privileged to receive many wonderful blessings from Church activity.

Walter, Mitchel, Wayne, Gerald, Richard,  Mary and Kenneth, 1954.  Mary wrote: Mary Eliza, with all her "boys."

MARY:
Wayne had left school at the end of his second year to serve a mission in Northern California. About that time Kenneth became more interested in the Church. Before Wayne came home, Kenneth was baptized–a wonderful birthday gift for me on the 4th of October, 1958.

When Kenneth joined the Church and was to be baptized, I said "Why don’t you ask Secretary Benson to confirm you a member?” He said, “Ah, he wouldn’t do that, I don’t think.” So I asked him (Brother Benson), “Do you think you’d mind confirming Kenneth a member of the Church?” He said, “I’d consider a very great honor.” So he made a special trip out to the ward to confirm him a member of the Church.

Kenneth was given his first church assignment as the ward clerk in our ward.

Kenneth and Mary with their five sons:  Mitchell, Richard, Wayne, Gerald, and Walter, circa 1960

Wayne, Mitchell, Gerald, Richard, and Walter, circa 1960

It wasn’t long after that Wayne was released and in 1960 we went to the temple in Idaho Falls to receive our endowments. With us were four of our sons to be sealed to us.

Gerald couldn’t join us at this time, but we returned in three years, and all of my sons now are members of an eternal family, and have their temple ordinances completed, so that the family is now an eternal family unit.  [Ken was sealed to Richard and Jeanene on the same day.]

Back row: Gerald, Jeanene holding Ken, Walt? June, unknown? Theo Whittle? Lura Henderson, Mary's sister.  Front row:  Betty, Larry, Carol, Mary and Kenneth.  Idaho Falls Temple, 1963.

RICHARD: (from his talk at General Conference in April, 1999)
"May I share a personal experience to help any who feel anguish when eternal marriage is mentioned since you believe your spouse will not prepare for that sacred experience because of deeply rooted characteristics or habits. About five years into our marriage, we had a growing experience. Our precious two-year-old son Richard died while undergoing surgery to correct a congenital heart defect. Within six weeks, our daughter Andrea passed away at birth. My father, then not a member of the Church, loved little Richard very much. He said to my inactive mother, ‘I cannot understand how Richard and Jeanene seem to be able to accept the loss of these children.’

Richard Watkins Scott, 1955-1957

“Mother, responding to a prompting, said, ‘Kenneth, they have been sealed in the temple. They know that their children will be with them in the eternities if they live righteously. But you and I will not have our five sons because we have not made those covenants.’

“My father pondered those words. He began to meet with the stake missionaries and was soon baptized. In just over a year Mother, Dad, and the children were sealed in the temple. Later, President Kimball put his hands on my father's head, promised him the vigor and strength of youth, and gave him the sealing power. He worked as a sealer for 11 years in the Washington D.C. Temple with Mother at his side.”

From a recording of Kenneth L and Mary E. Scott in the early 1970s
KENNETH:
From the time I was first married to this beautiful and wonderful girl over here, I had great respect for her church. I had grown up in a family on both sides of very strong Baptists but I admired from the very beginning the many things that the L.D.S. Church has particularly for its young people.

Mary was always very faithful to her church work--her church beliefs and principles and that constantly set the character of our home. While I didn’t join the church, she didn’t urge me to but I was continually finding our more out about it and we got the boys started to going to Church early in their lives and I’d always be glad to take them. I know now that I should have stayed with them instead of just taking them and leaving them and going and picking them up but in those days that was what I did. At least I was very happy to see them growing up in the Church.

LDS Church on 16th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., where Kenneth would take the boys to church.

Well, this had continued on and much longer than it should have been because I was convinced that this was a wonderful Church and there were some extraneous things that kept me from getting into serious consideration of it but I see now that I missed many wonderful years of associations in the Church.

So this is the situation and I was seriously interested in the Church when I went over to talk to Brother Benson, Secretary Benson. But I had always smoked a pipe and I thought that I just didn’t know how I was going to give up this pipe smoking business. That was the thing that had been keeping me from getting into the Church and how silly that could be.

I finally got around to joining the Church. My goodness sakes, here were these fine sons that set such a wonderful example. Richard had been on a full-time mission down in Uruguay, and Wayne was serving a mission. People wouldn’t know whether to call me Mr. Scott, or Ken, or Brother Scott and so this was an awful situation I was creating for them.

Kenneth LeRoy Scott, 1959

So it was a happy day when I felt that I was ready to see if they would accept me in membership in the Church. Richard baptized me and Brother Benson came over to the Church and confirmed me a member of the Church. He is one of the Apostles of the Church and he gave me a beautiful, beautiful confirmation and one I shall never forget.

I am especially grateful that primarily from the good influence of Mary with constantly teaching the boys the Gospel, they early became well grounded in the church work and have developed into wonderful Church leaders. It’s one of the outstanding developments in our family to have these five wonderful sons--all High Priests in the Church, all active, each married to a fine, devoted Church member, and now they have their own children bringing them up and teaching them the Gospel as they are expected to.

Business Trip to Puerto Rico With Mary

On the back of this photo Kenneth wrote:
"May 20, 1956.  K. L. Scott, serving as Acting Administrator of the Rural Electrification Administration, Washington, D.C.  Signing the largest loan ever made for a telephone system in northwestern Missouri including Harrison County where I grew to manhood."

Continuing with Kenneth's autobiography:

While I was supervising the Rural Electrification Administration, I reviewed all their loan applications of $100,000 or more before they could be disbursed. Once when there was an application for a very large loan to expand the electrification system in Puerto Rico, I decided to make a survey of the existing system and proposed expansion. Mary was going to accompany me on the trip so we decided to first drive to Miami, Florida and attend the annual convention of the American Bankers Association, as I had many business contacts with the leaders of the agricultural branch of that organization and often attended their conventions.

On October 27, 1959, we parked our Mercury at the International Airport in Miami and boarded an Eastern Airline plane for San Juan, Puerto Rico. Three and a half hours later and 1100 miles into the Caribbean, we saw the light of San Juan and soon were in a strange and beautiful tropical land.

We were met by Mr. and Mrs. Gary Stubbs, he being the Director of the Farmers Home Administration for the Island. They proved to be very thoughtful and gracious hosts who provided complete plans for us to see the main features of that and a few adjoining islands when I was not occupied with the officials of the Rural Electrification System. First we were taken to the Hotel Caribe Hilton where we had a room on the eighth floor facing the Atlantic Ocean. For Mary there was a beautiful bouquet of orchids and other tropical flowers.



Hotel Caribe, San Juan, Puerto Rico.  By Jasenlee via Wikimedia Commons

 I soon found that San Juan was a very modern city with much the appearance of our modern cities — traffic jams, etc.  The first day, I spent becoming acquainted with the activities of the Farmers Home Administration, one of the agencies I supervised.

We drove through the countryside on paved but rather narrow roads where the car horn was quite essential for the frequent sharp turns. There were quaint Spanish towns, built around a public square with a Catholic Church very prominent on one side and the public school opposite. We were especially impressed with the neat white clothes the school children wore and marveled at the ability of the mothers to send their children forth so well dressed when water for washing was in nearby streams.



Breadfruit.  Attribution:  Noblevmy at ml.wikipedia via Wikimedia Commons


The “bread” tree was especially important to low income families and was usually found in each yard. Its fruit, somewhat longer than a grapefruit, is very nourishing. Tropical fruits grow plentifully as well as native vegetables. A few chickens, a milk goat or cow was typical. Roast pig is a favorite treat so it was common to see a pig tied out to grass with a rope around his neck. A flimsy little shack made of whatever materials were available without cost was the housing of countless poor families. The doors and window were just openings in the shack.



Children in a company housing settlement.  San Juan, Puerto Rico, 1941.  Jack Delano, via Wikimedia Commons


I was delighted to see that the electric lines we financed were extending a line to these humble homes with one electric drop for a light and an outlet for an electric iron. We inspected the type of modern home being financed by F.H.A. for farm families of modest means, a cement block structure with tile floor throughout, two bedrooms, bath, living room, dinette, and kitchen with a small electric stove, refrigerator, a well with electric motor and a septic tank, at a cost of $3,000 financed on easy terms.

The commonwealth had a housing program for the lowest income families who couldn’t afford the above described house. They first held training meetings on how to construct and care for a house then the furnished concrete blocks to build a somewhat smaller house than the above. The labor was furnished by neighbors of similar low income. Cement blocks were used for all types of construction as termites were a very serious problem on the island. Mahogany was used for furniture as it is a native tree most resistant to termites.

Helping Bring Electricity To Rural Puerto Rico
The next day, I took a three hour trip over about a fourth of the island in a large Sikorski helicopter viewing the transmission lines and the very rugged area where the Puerto Rico Water Resources Authority wanted to extend their transmission lines to supply services to rural families with the financing of our Rural Electrification Administration.

These big helicopters would lift large poles and fly them to isolated spots where they were eased into holes dug by ground crews. These poles often weighed 4,000 pounds and were put in standing position in the holes in an average time of seven minutes. The previous ground crew method of installation was much more expensive and greatly slower. I was told that they would soon be digging the holes and stringing the lines by helicopter.

I was very favorably impressed with the crew of rather young engineers and by the end of my study of their plans was able to approve the large line of credit. I was told that a main reason why the Island had a very stable government and quite free of rural revolt, as had occurred in other countries with a major population of very low income people, was the housing and electrification programs.

It was a common sight to see children carrying their school book balanced on their head and the women carrying all sorts of things including water pails and jugs and straw baskets of fruit, vegetables, even live chickens (tied) on their head.



El Morro Castle, San Juan, Puerto Rico.   By Roce Ruiz via Wikimedia Commons


The next morning with many joining us, we toured the Island in a twin 8 passenger twin-engine plane used by the Governor. We started west out over Old San Juan with its fortresses that after many years seemed still to be standing guard. 



Fort San Cristobal, San Juan, Puerto Rico.  By Alessandro Cai via Wikimedia Commons


Flying rather low we followed the coast line then inland along the mountain range covering, all the Island had stopping at Ponce the second largest city with a beautiful harbor. It was named after Ponce de Leon who lived there.


Ponce Harbor, Puerto Rico.  By Tony Santana via Wikimedia Commons


We spent about four hours here visiting the R.E.A. financed electric generating plant, then to an interesting public food market, a coffee processing cooperation and finally to an old and prominent country club for lunch. Continuing our flight, and to dodge an afternoon rainstorm, our pilot flew in a wide circle out over several other picturesque islands before bringing us back to San Juan at sundown. We were guests at a nice diner party that night arranged by the manager of the Water Resources Authority, Mr. Descartes.

Trip to St. Thomas Island
The following morning, as guests of Mr. Descartes, we joined a party of bankers and their wives from the Island and the States for a chartered plane trip to St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands. We flew over many pretty islands during the 3O minute flight.  Although St. Thomas is a possession of the United States, they observed the English custom of driving on the left side of the road--with generous use of the horn.



St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands.  By Captain Tucker via Wikimedia Commons

 The two hours were spent in visiting many interesting little shops--stocked with many imported items. The black natives are generally friendly. The women wore wide brimmed straw hats and most had bright colored dresses.

At the dock, we were met by the local hotel keeper, a very congenial Texan and his wife who had enough jeeps on hand to take all of us to the top of a nearby hill to their hotel. The view and cool breeze were great! Next we went down to the beach for a delicious lunch of seafood.

The beach sand was very fine and white. The beach water was very clear but due to the hot sun Mary and I alternated frequently between the gentle surf and the shade of the palm trees.

About mid-afternoon we returned to the main island of St. Thomas and took a car trip to the highest point from where we had a spectacular view of many foliage-covered islands set in the deep blue water of the Caribbean with tiny white caps all around from the gentle surf.



National Park Overlook, Virgin Islands.  By Galen S. Swint via Wikimedia Commons


At twilight, we flew back to San Juan to complete a most enjoyable day.

Tour of Old San Juan
Sunday afternoon (the following day) the Stubbs drove us around Old San Juan which reminded us very much of the French quarters of New Orleans. The narrow winding street, the iron grill work on the porches marked the old city.



La Fortaleza Street, San Juan, Puerto Rico.  By Mtmelendez via Wikimedia Commons


Along the coast line--at convenient intervals--were remains of the ancient fort and embankments, which were started shortly after 1,500 A.D. The walled fort is a seat of the U.S. military base.



Garita del Diablo, Puerto Rico.  By Jan Tazky via Wikimedia Commons


Adjoining the fort on the ocean side is a very old cemetery, and next to it was a large and very congested slum area typical of many South and Central American cities.



Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.  Wikimedia Commons.

 There were no streets in the slum area but just narrow walkways--some of which passed across the small porches of the so-called houses made of any material the inhabitants could find on city dump heaps.  As we drove around that section, we saw many young boys in their “birthday clothes”. The girls from youngest age are always clothed to protect their modesty but the boys until about three years are not so burdened.

Dinner that evening--guests of the Stubbs--was at a fine country club developed by the Rockefeller family in a coconut grove facing a section of ocean front with rather picturesque rough surf.


Monday was spent visiting former associates--officers of the local Farm Credit Administration and with officers of the Farmers Home Administration.

Mary and Mrs. Stubbs spent the day shopping--and at the office of The San Juan Star where Mary received an autographed copy of the first issue. The following morning Mary and I were interviewed by one of the Star reporters. The interview and our pictures were in the issue that evening.

Tuesday morning, November second, our last day on the Island, I started early with a swim in the surf before breakfast. Then Mary and I strolled around the extensive hotel grounds taking pictures of the flamingos and other things of interest. Presently the Stubbs came to drive us to the air port.



Flamingos.  By Hamauss via Wikimedia Commons


The weather was clear for our flight and the steward identified the more important islands--among the thousands most of which were uninhabited. He also identified on a map points of interest including the route followed by Columbus and other early explorers. Most of the water was quite shallow but the deepest spot of all our oceans is in the area “Buerto Reco."  Presently the captain ordered seat belts fastened for landing at Miami.

That afternoon we started our drive home and after a few stops at special interest points, we arrived home November 6th and found that Mitchel had been getting along alright but was happy to turn the house keeping chores over to his mother.