Creed Haymond

Walter Creed Haymond was a prominent runner in the early 20th century in the United States of America. He was accepted to compete as a spinter in the 1920 Olympics, but was injured before the actual competition.

Haymond was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He graduated from Springville High School and competed in track and field through his high school years. He attended the University of Utah where he lettered 3 times and was the captain of the track team. He studied at the University of Pennsylvania where he became the captain of the track team. Before a major track event in 1919, Haymond's coach tried to convince him to join the rest of the team in drinking a small amount of wine. Brother Haymond refused. The next day he won both his events, but Cornell University beat his team overall, because none of his competitiors did well. Brother Haymond always attributed his success to following the Word of Wisdom on this occasion and receiving the blessings it promises.

Creed Haymond later became a dentist. He was president of the Northern States Mission from 1945 to 1950. He also served on the general board of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association.

Haymond was one of the patriarchs of the Cottonwood Stake when James E. Faust was the president of that stake. Haymond was always a strong and vocal advocate of the Word of Wisdom. He died on March 8, 1983; his wife, Elna Parkinson Haymond, died the same day.

Sources

• General Conference talk by L. Tom Perry telling of Creed Haymond
• LDS Church Almanac, 2009 Edition, p. 326.
• General Conference talk by James E. Faust