Carrie Peterson Wrathall's Autobiography
(written in 1969)
Carrie Peterson Wrathall was born in Sweden. Her parents joined the church there and came to Grantsville when she was a small child. (She remembers as a child of going to Sacrament meeting and hearing the testimonies of people who had known the prophet Joseph Smith and had lived in Nauvoo, and crossed the plains in covered wagons.) These had an influence on her life. She was called to teach in the Kindergarten of the ward Sunday School when she was 14 years of age, and there has been no time since then, up to now, that she has not held some church position, either ward, stake or missionary.
She was called to be Stake Y. L. M. I. A. president by Pres. C. Alvin Orme, whose counselors were C. R. McBride and A. J. Stookey, in the stake. Her counselors were Sisters Hilda Erickson and Lillian H. Anderson. During those years there were 10 wards and one branch. At that time the recreation program of the M. I. A. became a very prominent activity, and social evenings were spent where games of various kinds were introduced under experienced recreational leaders. There were contests and demonstrations in vocal music, stories, dramas and dancing. Most activities, except the dancing, were held in the old Tooele 1st ward church, or on the grounds surrounding it.
The church contest dances, as well as other recreational activities, were held at SaltAir. She remembers these activities with much pleasure. The response of the young people was always good. There were not the many problems of right and wrong that face the young people of today.
She was released from the Y. L. M. I. A. in 1929 when she was called to serve in the Stake Relief Society under Pres. Alfred L. Hanks, Pres. Alex F. Dunn and Pres. Paul E. Wrathall. She served at the Hawaiian Temple for two years. She also served in the Tooele Stake Sunday School Board under Pres. Hugh S. Gowans. Having served under five Stake Presidents . . . .
She is now 81 years old. She enjoys good health, and takes care of her home and her garden. She is still an active member of the church and at present is a visiting teacher in the Grantsville 1st ward Relief Society.