On Sunday, Oct. 7 at 12:30 pm BYU cable television will show The Legacy of J. Reuben Clark. This documentary details the life of our law school’s namesake and was produced by the law school with Dean Kevin Worthen as executive producer, Dean Scott Cameron as producer, and Professor Jane Wise as writer and narrator.

I’ve had the chance to see the documentary and was impressed with how well it was done. I certainly gained a greater insight and appreciation for J. Reuben Clark. In his opening remarks on the first day of classes at the Law School, President Marion G. Romney said, “I recommend that you law students and you faculty members familiarize yourselves with President Clark’s accomplishments and with his writings.” (p. 18; See the full text here) This documentary helps us take a step closer to doing just that.

Professor Wise has provided me with the summary that will appear in the program guide:

The Legacy of J. Reuben Clark captures the compelling story of the life of J. Reuben Clark from his earliest childhood in the farmlands of Grantsville, Utah through his law school education at Columbia and his years of government service including his work as Ambassador to Mexico. While serving as Ambassador, President Heber J. Grant issued him the call to return to Salt Lake City and serve as a counselor in the First Presidency. The calling came as a surprise as the sixty-one year old Ambassador had never served as bishop or stake president. Dutifully, J. Reuben Clark heeded the call and served nearly thirty years as a counselor to three LDS presidents.

Featured Interviews include prominent biographers and scholars, relatives of J. Reuben Clark, as well as commentary from the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints.

“He was an example of the very best of our people, and others recognized those qualities in him, and as a result they came to respect not only him, but the church of which he was a member. A generation is almost gone since he died. J. Reuben Clark was loved by everybody who knew him, certainly respected by everybody who ever came up against him. I am grateful for his life.”

President Gordon B. Hinckley

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