On December 24th 1941 Lois Eriksson and I were married by my grandfather Richards in our Salt Lake home. We wanted to be married in the temple. However, I was between ships, the temple was closed, and Lois was not yet a Church member. Grandfather, a general authority at the time, consulted with President Grant about the situation. President Grant first considered having me baptize Lois and then have a special temple session the same day so we could be married there. Upon reflection, he gave Grandfather special permission to perform a civil marriage and promised us that I would be safe at sea and would have the temple opportunity later.
Lois's father, Erik McKinley Eriksson, was a nationally known historian at USC. He wrote a weekly syndicated column and broadcast a weekly commentary. Both were distributed nationally. He apparently had deep concern for his daughter dating a Mormon, but always was kind and friendly to me.
The history of our married life will need to be told elsewhere. Lois had serious, painful health problems until she passed away in 2004, six days before our 63rd wedding anniversary.
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