There seems to be a presidential theme running in the family of Wayne A. and Madge K. Reeves.
Pres. Reeves, who is president of the Los Angeles Temple, was president from September 1957 to January 1969 of the San Bernardino California and the Rialto California stakes, respectively. Three of their eight children also have the title of president before their names: David, 48, is first counselor in the BYU 12th Stake; Melvyn K., 40, is president of the Arcadia California Stake; and Robert C., 36, is president of the La Verne California Stake.The other Reeves sons and daughters are Marilyn Rose, Donna Carol Vivian, Lou Ellen Stout, and Laurence and Richard A., who are both deceased.
Pres. and Sister Reeves have tried to adhere to the admonishment in D&C 68:25, which states that children need to be taught gospel principles or "the sin be upon the heads of the parents."
"Our obligation is to teach the principles," said Pres. Reeves. "The oblligation is on the child to accept and follow those principles."
Pres. and Sister Reeves took their obligation seriously, and as a result their children were taught the principles of the gospel at an early age. The focus of their home was always to live the gospel and build testimonies - "hopefully by examples," added Pres. Reeves.
Through family prayer and scripture study, a "strong, deep and abiding testimony and a knowledge fo the scriptures" were engendered, explained Sister Reeves.
Setting goals was important to the Reeves family. They set aside time at the beginning of each year for a family planning meeting. During this time, they established spiritual and temporal goals for the year and discussed family financial matters. They followed up with progress reports to each other several times a year.
The boys also learned the value of serving in the Church through their parents' example. Pres. Reeves is a former bishop and regional welfare chairman for the San Bernardino region. Sister Reeves has served as a ward Relief Society president, as a counselor in a stake Relief Society presidency and as a ward Young Women counselor. She is currently matron of the Las Angeles Temple.
Through these examples, the children learned a willingness to accept any calling. "It didn't matter what they were, whether it be deacons quorum adviser, class teacher or a sports director," noted Pres. Reeves. "Whatever the call, accept it and do it."
All three sons served missions: David to the Eastern States Mission from 1962 to 1964, Melvyn to the Bolivia Mission from 1970 to 1972 and Robert to the Spain Mission from 1974 to 1976. They have since served as bishops and seminary teachers.
The three sons all married in the temple. David married Vickie Peterson in 1966; Melvyn married Linda Sheffield in 1973; and Robert married Janet Heagle in 1976 - all in the Los Angeles Temple.
Pres. and Sister Reeves, who married in 1940 before he joined the Church, have known years of love and respect for each other, but there was a time when Sister Reeves bore the responsibilities of parenthood alone. From 1945-46, he served in Guam with the U.S. Air Force, leaving his wife behind with two young children. Shortly after his return, he joined the Church. The family was sealed in the Arizona Temple in 1948.
The eternal aspect of family became even more apparent to Pres. and Sister Reeves at the death of their two sons. In 1964, Laurence, the third son, died in a car accident at age 11. In 1972, Richard A., Robert's twin brother, died of heart failure at age 16.
"Their deaths made us want to live in such a way that we are assured of the promise that we will all be together someday," commented Sister Reeves.
Today, the Reeves' living sons continue to follow in their father's footsteps, even in occupation. For a number of years, David and Melvyn worked with their father for a life insurance company and helped run the family pension administration business. David and Melvyn have since moved full time into the life insurance company. Robert helps operate the family business.
