Andrew J. Mitchell

Thirty two years ago when we moved to Midway, Utah, Mabel Mitchell, was my Visiting Teaching companion. She was an older woman who had retired with her husband, Andrew J. Mitchell, to Midway. Ten years later, when we were planning a move to Boulder City, I visited here to check out the schools. The elementary school was called Andrew J. Mitchell Elementary! A large picture of my visiting teaching companion's husband hung in the hall! Turns out Boulder City was the city from which they had retired and moved to Utah. Andrew was principal for 25 years at the elementary school and Mabel was a respected and loved English teacher at the high school. My four youngest children all attended AJM Elementary.

Yesterday was Andrew Jackson Mitchell's funeral. He was 91 years old. He and Mabel were great dancers and four days before he died, he "tossed aside his cane for the quickstep when the music began to play." At a celebration some years ago someone asked him to save her a dance and he said, "I only dance with Mabel."

Below is his life philosophy, which impressed me greatly. I hope you enjoy it. (Thanks, Richard S. for the copy!)

Philosophy of Life in a Nutshell

Written by Andrew J. Mitchell, November 1991

I believe that in order to fulfill the measure of my destiny on this earth, in my mortal state I must:

1. Develop a personal relationship with God, my Father in Heaven, and His Son Jesus Christ.
2. Seek knowledge from good books and teachers.
3. Study the scriptures, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
4. Acquire wisdom from righteous living.
5. Find companionship with good people.
6. Develop physical and moral strength through right living: right exercise, right diet, right rest,
right attitude.
7. Develop character through worthy thoughts.
8. Cherish truth, beauty, goodness, freedom, equality, justice, faith, hope, and charity.
9. Protect all God's creatures.
10. Conserve and preserve natural resources.
11. Know my true love and nourish our relationship forever.
12. Shun evil and vice like a plague.
13. Live a life of service.
14. Proclaim peace as a goal for all nations and people.
15. Practice discipline and self control under all circumstances.
16. Love all things pertaining to the Kingdom of Heaven, my wife and family, the center of my Joy.
17. Keep your nose clean and you won't have to blow it so often.