Deacon Clive A. 'Scott' Chisholm remembered

"Lord Jesus Christ, take all my freedom,

my memory, my understanding and my will.

All that I have and cherish, You have given me.

I surrender it all to be guided by Your will.

Your grace and Your love are wealth enough for me.

Give me these, Lord,

and I ask for nothing more."

Prayer of St. Ignatius

HYDE PARK — Deacon Clive A. "Scott" Chisholm was recalled by family and friends as a man who, throughout his life, was on a journey. He traveled from his home country, Canada, to the United States. He went on a pilgrimage from one faith, the Reformed Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to another, Roman Catholicism. He was baptized in St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Logan, March 30, 1991.

Deacon Chisholm died June 16, 2007, in Corvallis, Ore.

Deacon Chisholm was born March 5, 1936, in Wiarton, Ontario, Canada, to Laura Alderson and Herman "Duff" Chisholm. He emigrated to the United States in 1954.

He attended Graceland College (now University), a Christian university in Lamoni, Iowa. He graduated from the University of Missouri.

Deacon Chisholm had a 45-year career as an English and journalism professor, and was a poet and a writer. He taught in universities and colleges across America, including Empire State College, the state university of New York from 1972-1978; and Utah State University, where he also served as head of the communications department, from 1978 until his retirement in 1999. He served as a mentor to many young journalists.

In 1958, Deacon Chisholm, then a member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, first experienced Catholicism at Conception Abbey in Kansas City-St. Joseph, Mo. He often said that first exposure to Catholicism led to his conversion. A graduate of the most recent diaconate formation class, he was ordained a deacon for the Diocese of Salt Lake City Jan. 24, 2004, in the Cathedral of the Madeleine.

In 2003, Deacon Chisholm published "Following the Wrong God Home: Footloose in an American Dream," which described his solo walking trek from the Missouri River to Salt Lake City, following the route of the Mormon pioneers.

Following a stroke, Deacon Chisholm and his wife, Linda Anderson Chisholm, relocated to Corvallis, Ore., in 2005. However, he returned to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish to help celebrate the dedication of the new church in Hyde Park later that year.

"Deacon Scott was always on a journey," said Father Clarence Sandoval, pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, in his homily at Deacon Chisholm’s funeral in Hyde Park June 30. "As we heard in the Gospel of John this morning, Jesus, as he was sitting with his disciples, tells the apostles that he is going to suffer and die. ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled,’ he tells them, ‘I will always be with you.’ Thomas said to Jesus, ‘How will we know? When will we know?’ Deacon Scott is saying the same thing. He was always saying, ‘Show me the way.’ He was the ultimate wanderer – from one faith to another.

"Scott realized the way," Fr. Sandoval said. "He was a follower of Christ. He was constantly asking, ‘Where is God?’"

Fr. Sandoval read a segment of Deacon Chisholm’s writings in which he related being on a long foot trek, stopping along the road, and laying down his heavy backpack. The more he laid down, the younger he felt. He ended up leaving much of his baggage behind.

"I have been a seeker with baggage all my life," Deacon Chisholm wrote. "I set out to discover who I am and who God is."

"Deacon Chisholm became a deacon in service to the church," said Fr. Sandoval. "Fortunately, he did this well. He is still with us. Walking with his hat and a book...

"He believed Jesus’ words, ‘Do not be troubled. I am with you. I will always remember Deacon Scott walking and playing his flute. He no longer needs his books. God will take care of the rest."

Deacon Chisholm is survived by his wife, Linda, a son, Christopher Budd; a daughter, Laura Caitlin Chisholm (Patrick) Garrison; grandchildren Finn and Ry Garrison; and a sister, Laura Carter.

He was preceded in death by a son, Sean Mitchell Chisholm and a granddaughter, Amelia Garrison.

Deacon Chisholm was cremated, and was inurned privately.