Finally - I'm back

After an almost 8 week absence at the temple, I returned this morning and did some initiatory work for my ancestors.  It was good to be back.

Special day at the Salt Lake Temple with Landon and Kacey

It was a special day at the Salt Lake Temple today with Landon and Kacey. I loved being able to share this special time with them. Notable events of the day....... 1. Spoke with Alan Osmond on the elevator, 2. Ate lunch at "The Garden" at the top of the Joseph Smith Building, 3. Took another look at the "miniature" SL temple in the South Visitor's Center, 4. Spoke to some sister missionaries, and Landon inquired after Sister? from Peru. Unfortunately she was "outbound" serving in Colorado, 5. Walked the ramp to see the statue of the Savior in the North Visitor's Center, brought back many memories from my childhood.

Busy Busy

I made a quick trip to the temple this morning to do initiatory work for four women who were baptized by the 6th Ward Young Women on Wednesday night. I don't think I've even seen that many women waiting to do initiatory work before. There had to be at least 20-25. It is great to know that so many people love to go to the temple to do work for our kindred dead.

I LOVE the temple. Families are Forever! We will live again after this life. This life is not the end, families and friendships carry on to the other side, and will be renewed once more. I love you Theresa !!

More Sealings

Early this morning I went to the temple to participate in a sealing team from our ward. Attending were David and Angie Durrant, David's son, Garret, and Angie's son, Alec, myself, and Lois and Orson Harvey. We were able to complete all of Wiscombe's and my names.

I knelt as proxy for all of the daughters, Garret and Alec for the sons, and the two couples for all of the spouse sealings. It was another wonderful morning in the temple.

I know he is aware of me !

Such blessings and tender mercies in the temple today. I wanted to get the rest of my "sealing" names completed. They have been on my desk all summer. I finally decided just to take them all down today, and see what happened.

Well, imagine my surprise and thankfulness when I arrived at the sealing office and found Dan and Carol Wilkinson, and Melia Rees Moore and her husband (can't remember his name!). I asked them if I could "crash" their sealing session, and they were so so accommodating !!

Also, Brother Taylor, from the Ogden Valley was there, and he also helped with the sealing of sons to fathers. I was able to be sealed for the daughters, and a couple of the wives.

I was floating on cloud nine, to think of the coincidence of meeting them there........Coincidence!?!?! I think not. My Heavenly Father is aware of me and my needs.
I am so happy. I love the temple:)

An Old Friend.....

The Ogden Temple to me, is like an old friend. What will I do when they close her to remodel? Maybe find a new friend ;)

I have become accustomed to shopping in a dress. I just can't let a trip to Ogden go by, without getting necessary things accomplished.

Today at the temple I saw 5 friends AT the temple. I am so very blessed to be able to go as often as I do. It seems these 3 words repeat over and over in my mind at least a dozen or more times when I am there. "I'm so BLESSED".

Today I did work for Rosella Holmes. I am happy, and I hope she is too.

Back again :)

I went to the temple today with my good friend Theresa Hyde. I love it when I see so many people I know. Don & Lacy Russell, LuDene Carter, Deona Green, and the list goes on. It was a wonderful day at the temple.

Ogden temple.............NO.........Bountiful Temple :)

Someone forgot the Ogden Temple was closed for a month. Someone headed there at 7am this morning. That someone was me ! I was talking to Landon on the phone as I pulled off 21st street onto Wall Avenue, heading East. He said, "Uh, mom........I think the temple is closed!" He was right, so I turned right at Washington Blvd, and headed South..........All the way South :)

Did you know the Bountiful Temple is set as high on the hill as the "B" for Bountiful HS? Did you know my little white car about didn't make it up the big hill??

All's well that ends well, and I was able to complete 5 initiatory ordinances, and then headed upstairs to see if I could participate in some sealings with my family names. I was so blessed to have a couple come in to do their own family names, and so I was able to get 3-4 husband/wife sealings completed, and ALL of the daughters. It was a wonderful peaceful time. I love the temple !!

Mormon Temples Made Simple

Early Friday morning with Penny

Today I attended the temple with my good friend Penny Smith. I always enjoy being with Penny. We used to work together in Young Womens, and I was her visiting teaching for a few years also. We did an endowment session, she for Harriett Hawkins, and me for Engeltje Van der Linde (try pronouncing THAT first name :)

We saw so many familiar faces, Sheila Wilkinson, Enid Mecham, Darrell Byram, Jay Love. The flowers were absolutely spectacular at the entrance.

I'm glad I was able to get back to the temple after a couple of missed weeks. I love the temple !!

A Wonderful Thing Happened on the way to the Gila Valley Temple Dedication !!

Check out this blog. What a wonderful experience for the Cluff Family.

I'm not going to get to the temple this week, but our good friend Chad Green forwarded this link to me, and it just MADE MY DAY !! Thanks Chad !

Calm in the Storm

I was on a major shopping expedition in Ogden yesterday, it was raining cats and dogs, and I was tired and wanted to go home. But I know that if I took time for the temple it would bring me happiness and peace. It was much needed time. Time to think, slow down, and experience peace. I did not have much time, and it does not take much time to do initiatory work, so I was able to enter and receive a break from my hectic disappointing day. I've also been listening to Dallyn Bales new CD. It is very calming, and some days you just need that in this crazy world.

A day at the Salt Lake Temple

I took the picture below. Awesome, isn't it?

Friday, June 4th I headed to the Salt Lake Temple. I had big plans to do baptisms, initiatory, an endowment, and sealings. Things didn't go as planned, but it was a great day anyway.

This will be a long rambling post, but I want to write it all down for my benefit. First off, when I arrived at the temple, I went through the main doors, and then asked to be directed to the baptismal area. WOW - you can't believe the "walk", it is really amazing. You basically head downstairs, and AROUND the perimeter of the east and south sides of the temple. It is a long walk, along a LONG hallway. I got 1/2 the way there, and realized that I forgotten to stop at the family name file to have my baptism cards printed ! It seems I get so excited and eager whenever I get to a temple, that my mind takes a hike :)

So back I went, picked up the name cards, and started back on my trek. Along the way, I passed the marriage waiting room, and it was full, just like the day Keysto and Kaley were sealed. As usual, there were many brides on a Friday. I continued heading south along the hallway, when I came to an entrance from the parking garage under the Main Street Plaza, and another recommend desk !! Surprising!, then I turned West, and headed along another long hallway. There was a security guy in a golf cart - another surprise :)

Finally I came upon the doors heading to the baptism area (to my right), but I could see that the hallway/tunnel continued west, I'm assuming to the tabernacle. I pressed a button, and was "buzzed" into the baptism area. Here was a busy beehive of activity, filled with youth. I found that they were very very busy, and it would be a 2 hour wait, so I decided to go ahead with an endowment session. I asked if there was another way back to the woman's dressing room, and was directed through a maze of hallways, totally losing my way more than once :)

At this point, I remembered that I was planning to go to the South visitor's center to view the new diorama of the SL temple, BEFORE coming into the temple. This was supposed to help me get my bearings.......ya right ! Oh well, I would look at it after my day in the temple.

I completed a wonderful endowment session, finishing up the work for Susan Anna Zimmerman, one of my ancestors/cousins. I had previously done her initiatory work in the Snowflake Arizona temple a few weeks ago. As always, the beautiful rooms/paintings in the SL temple captured my full attention. I was still twisted and turned around as usual though, not knowing which was was North, South East or West. I don't know why, but it is important for me to have my bearings, so it bugs me when I don't :)

This time, after entering the Celestial Room, I went to the small sealing room just off to the side. It is very small, with seating only for about 10 persons. There is a beautiful stained glass window there, depicting Angel Moroni delivering the gold plates to Joseph Smith - it is spectacular.

Of course, I had planned on bringing some family names for sealing...........but you guessed it? I forgot again, and had left them in my locker.

After a few sealings, I returned to the dressing room, and once again headed back down the LONG ROUNDABOUT hall way, to check on doing baptisms once more........there was still a 2-hour wait :( - so I determined that it just wasn't going to happen for me that day. I debated on doing a few initiatory, but it was now about 2:30, and I was famished !

I dressed and headed over to the top of the Joseph Smith Building, where I proceeded to lunch all by myself at "The Garden" ! You would be proud of me Amy :) I would never dream of eating alone in a restaurant, and will go to all lengths to avoid it, but I asked for a window overlooking temple square, and I sat and enjoyed the view, the wonderful salad, whole wheat rolls, and soup. I was looking out THIS window (see picture below).


I texted Landon a few times. I reminded him that the last time I had eaten here was with him, on our special day, just the two of us, at temple square in 2003. Here's a picture ! Doesn't he look so young? He was 14 at the time.


The building that is going on downtown is something to behold. I would love to work and/or live in this area.

After eating, I visited Deseret Book, and spent too much money !! I love books !

I also saw THIS !! I wonder how many people walk right by this, and never give it a second thought? It's ONLY the GROUND ZERO, by which all locations in UTAH are based upon.


Okay - a quick lesson. I work in the Assessor's Office, and everyday almost, I deal with legal descriptions of property. They all say something like....... Property located in Section 3, Township 3 North, Range 2 East, SLB&M. SLB&M stands for Salt Lake Base and Meridian, and that's just what this marker is. A Township is made up of 36 sections, each of them a square mile. In Morgan County, we have Township 1 North and 2 East. This is located in the extreme southern end of our county, up by Big Mountain. We also have Township 7 North, Range 6 East. This is located up by the Rich County border, in the extreme North end of Morgan County on Deseret Land & Livestock property. If you were to go to St. George Utah, the Townships and Ranges there would be something like Township 27 South, and Range 8 West. All directions/locations like these are based upon this tiny little marker on the South East corner of Temple Square. Thank you Brigham Young !! :)

Then it was a walk back through temple square, the flowers were spectacular.

I did stop in at the South Visitor's Center, and viewed the new display of the interior of the SL Temple. It was awesome, but you know what?? I still wasn't totally understanding it all. I've had to come home and sketch it on paper. There are so many rooms that the day to day temple patrons to not need to use. While in the temple, I had even asked one of the workers if it was possible to use or see the circular staircases (there is one in each corner of the temple, top to bottom). They said, "Sorry, but no".

Well, was my day over? Not yet. I walked across the street to the Conference Center and took the tour there. It was just me, and two ladies from Ontario Canada who were in town for a work conference. They were not members, and the sweet lady who took us on the tour (and myself) were able to answer, explain, and discuss may of the things that Mormons believe.

They were of course, impressed with the seating inside the big auditorium. Who wouldn't be? And we were lucky enough to hear an organist practicing. They loved that !

But the paintings throughout the building were the most talked about. They were interested in every one, and it was inspiring and testimony building to explain to them about Joseph's first vision, the Savior appearing in the America's after his resurrection, and all of the Book of Mormon pictures. Oh how I wished I would have had a Book of Mormon I could have given them, right then and there. I loved it, and I'd love to be able to serve as a worker here one day.

Last but not least, we went to the rooftop of the Conference Center. Did you know there is about 3 to 4 acres up there? Water features and trees, planted not in dirt (too heavy), but in crushed shale with nutrients added. The East side is planted like a forest with pines, etc. and the West side is planted like a natural meadow. This simulates what the pioneers saw as they came out of Emigration Canyon, those many years ago. It was beautiful.

And we ended the tour, looking across and down on to Temple Square. It was a wonderful day.

Standing next to the Savior

When you have the chance to “stand next to” the Savior, whether that is being in the Temple or partaking of His Holy sacrament or being enveloped by His love as you kneel to pray, you take it.

When you have the chance to stand up for what is right, to testify of truth, to courageously walk away from worldly pursuits and choose Him, you take it.

And in those moments,
nothing is more important than being right there,
as close as you can be,
to Him.

- Laurel Christensen

I am so excited !!

If you are like me, when you go inside the Salt Lake Temple, you get SOOOOO twisted around! As we move from one room to another, and from one floor to another, I don't know which way is what. I have always wished for an "overview", or a blueprint, or SOMETHING I could wrap my brain around.

Imagine my total and complete excitement this morning when I logged on to the Deseret News.

I am going to see this - SOON !! Anyone want to go with me??

Meeting Landon at the Temple

Yesterday morning I met Landon at the Ogden Temple at 10am. It was great to see him and catch up, in fact we had so much catching up to do that we paused at the entrance and finished our conversation.......softball, work, married life, etc. He is really really happy, and that makes ME happy :)

As we proceeded into the temple, he to do initiatory work (our family names) and me to an endowment session (Esther "hettie" Anderson), as always, I felt so very blessed to be able to enter the temple.

I don't talk much about what goes on inside the temple, because it is sacred, but I want you to know of my feelings. I love to be there. I feel peace. I know my Heavenly Father and my Savior LOVE ME. My faith is renewed once again. And the words, "I feel so blessed", repeat over and over in my mind...many times.

This quote is from the Sunday School lesson this week. It about sums it up.

Elder John A. Widtsoe said: “I believe that the busy person … who has his worries and troubles, can solve his problems better and more quickly in the house of the Lord than anywhere else. If he will [do] the temple work for himself and for his dead, he will confer a mighty blessing upon those who have gone before, and … a blessing will come to him, for at the most unexpected moments, in or out of the temple will come to him, as a revelation, the solution of the problems that vex his life. That is the gift that comes to those who enter the temple properly” (quoted by David B. Haight, in Conference Report, Oct. 1990, 76; or Ensign, Nov. 1990, 61).

Arizona Temple?

Of the many times we've been to Arizona in the last 10 years to visit Manda, I've never taken the time to visit this temple. I'm so glad I finally made the time in the EARLY morning (6:30 am) session one week ago today (March 15, 2010).

I've always called this the Mesa Temple, and was surprised that the wording on the temple itself said Arizona Temple. Apparently this was the original name (now changed), and it's not surprising, since this WAS the only temple in Arizona for many years. Now there is one in Snowflake (operational), one in Gila Valley (Open House stage), and TWO MORE in the planning/building stages (Phoenix and Gilbert). I can hardly wait to visit the others when they are completed.

You can read more about the Mesa Arizona Temple here.

I enjoyed an endowment session, and am always intrigued by new things. Endowment sessions are basically the same, but the way you progress/move into different areas/rooms in different temples changes with each temple. When you are experiencing a temple for the first time, it is exciting, and you are not sure what to expect. Wondering what beautiful paintings, murals, furniture, carpeting, color scheme, etc., you might encounter. Some things that caught my eye in the Mesa Temple, were the antique furniture, the square walls, the wide staircase, right angled veil......... It was a unique experience, and I want to return again.

When I came out of the temple about 8:15 am, I passed brides and grooms entering, and I couldn't help but think about Landon and Kacey, just a few weeks ago. There were also many people working on the temple grounds, trimming bushes, raking, etc. They appeared to be volunteers. One other thing I might mention is the housing surrounding the temple. There are signs, proclaiming this the "Temple Historic District", and the houses, circa 1920, are as cute, tiny, and well maintained as can be. I would love to live in one of them !

Snowflake Arizona Temple

Have you ever been to Snowflake, Arizona? Have you even heard of Snowflake, Arizona? I didn't think so :)

Snowflake was founded in 1878 by William Jordan Flake and Erastus Snow. They were Mormon pioneers and colonizers sent by Brigham Young.

When we drove in to town, it was unlike Monticello, and there was no temple to be seen from the main road. It was obvious however, that this town had a strong LDS presence. We counted 3 LDS churches, including an Old Rock Tabernacle building that reminded me of our Rock Church in Morgan.

Holbrook to the North, and Show Low to the South are bigger towns, but the temple was built in Snowflake and dedicated in 2002. It was built upon a hill, which is now known as Temple Hill, along the road leading west towards Phoenix. It's not an extremely tall hill, and even with directions I didn't spot it right away, but Roger with his trusty eagle eyes scoped it right out.

This hill is in the middle of a golf course, and a newer subdivision surrounds it. I think the home right below the temple is bigger than the temple itself !

I completed initiatory work for two more of my ancestors, and also two temple names. They were Spanish names, and I pronounced them really well, thanks to Landon's coaching :) Again, the workers were so accommodating with my time schedule, and I appreciated it. A funny thing that one of the sweet sisters told me about her ancestry, "I was a Frost, and I married a Flake, so now I'm a Frosted Flake!" :)

The temple as always was beautiful, with a red stone waterfall feature outside of the front entrance. I wish I would have taken a picture of it. I love the temple !

Monticello Temple

If we had a temple in Morgan, this is what I would HOPE it would be like. As we drove into the small town of Monticello, just three blocks off the main road to the right sits The Temple. The house right next door, could have been MY house. A completely normal home, not too fancy, not too big, just right.

When I entered at 4:30pm on a Thursday night, planning on a 5pm session, it was virtually empty. There was one sister sitting in the waiting area with a big smile. She directed me through the frosted windowed door to the recommend desk, where one brother glanced up with a big smile, "Welcome to the temple". I love to hear those words :)

He directed me to the right, and I followed the small discreet signs leading me to the Sister's dressing area. It was also deserted, but feeling completely at home I proceeded to change. By the time I was finished, patrons had began to arrive, and they all were so welcoming. It appeared that everyone knew everyone, had a connection, was smiling and happy, and I think this is how a temple in Morgan would function.

Three beautiful paintings covered the walls in the first ordinance room. They were set in huge frames on the two sides and back of the room, approximately 4 feet tall, by 15 feet in length, and depicting the southern Utah landscape of the area. The unique thing about these paintings were that they were set in the early morning light, before the sun was up......the colors were muted in deep shades or purple. I've never seen anything like it before. It was spectacular.

During the session I noticed a young man and his father. I was pretty sure he was a future missionary, and that this was probably only his second or third time at the temple. I spoke to him afterward in the Celestial Room, and sure enough, he has been called to serve in Brazil. I love missionaries !

The Celestial Room is on the North side of the temple, and had gorgeous stained glass windows in the colors of green. They were complimented by lamps in the room. I wish I had the verbiage and skill to describe every detail in the room. It was beautiful, peaceful, calm, safe....I felt the Spirit there.

In leaving the temple, I noticed across from the recommend desk, and through the clear and frosted windows, the baptismal font where it seemed like TONS of young people were assembled. Again, it made me think of Morgan, and OUR youth. What a wonderful opportunity and blessing and privilege it is for the people of Monticello, and the southwestern part of our state to have this temple in their midst.

Manti Temple

Have you ever seen THIS view? I hadn't either. This is the North side of the temple where you enter. I have only seen the South side, from the viewpoint of the Manti Pageant production.

The Manti Temple was dedicated in 1888, the 2nd temple (St. George was the 1st) completed in our dispensation. The Salt Lake Temple was still under construction. What a beautiful building. Walking down the hallway, I couldn't help but notice the embossed baby pink wallpaper that looked to be velvet to the touch, the deep rose carpet (old fashioned replica), and the antique lamps with hanging glass prisms, reminiscent of Pollyanna's movie.

I didn't complete an endowment session here, only initiatory work for my ancestors, Anna Susan Friedmann and Catherine Schneider. The workers were so accommodating with my need for speed :) as Roger was cruising the happening town of Manti while he waited.

I look forward to attending an endowment session here this coming June.

4 temples in 3 days

On our recent trip to Arizona, I was able to stop by these four temples. Roger was so accommodating, and I really appreciate his support. I'll post of the next few days, a little bit about my experience at each of these beautiful temples. It was wonderful !

Today is the day !

Landon and Kacey will be sealed for Time and All Eternity
in the Bountiful Utah Temple at 9:40 am.

Her Own Endowment

This evening, Kacey will make her own covenants with the Lord, in His Holy Temple. Only 7 more days..........and Landon and Kacey will be sealed for Time and All Eternity.

Just like Heaven

Today I had meetings in Ogden, and it was our Ward Temple Night at 7pm, so I went there after the meetings. The only ones in our session 6:50 (a little early) were Bishop Birt and myself. I did see Dan and Diane Dickson and Richard Wiscombe at the temple also. I did work for Ellen Robinson (one of my ancestors). I had a hard time keeping my mind on the session. I kept thinking of next week, when Kacey will receive her own endowment. We talked about it tonight, and she is very excited! It was a very very busy night in the temple, and the Celestial Room was full to capacity. It reminded me of Heaven, or what I think it will be like, everyone smiling, greeting each other.........Remember that old movie we used to see at Temple Square? Man's Search for Happiness.....and the old grandpa dies, and when he comes out through the clouds in Heaven, there is his wife, and a daughter? who had died previously, waiting there for him...., and the music swells.........that is ABSOLUTELY my favorite part. I know that's how it will be. Ambure will be there with outstretched arms, and I'll be like, "I know you!".

Wedding Pictures at the Bountiful Temple

Last Wednesday, I was able to go with Landon and Kacey to the Bountiful Temple grounds for Pre-Wedding/Bridal photos. It was beautiful.

Friday afternoon at the temple

So after posting 2 weeks ago, that I never miss a week...........
I missed a week.
The spirit was willing, but the flesh was weak.
That's how it is sometimes, and I let the hecticness (is that a word?) of life get the best of me.

Yesterday, my spirit was stronger, and I made the time, and still managed to get everything else done :) I did work for Ida E. Halliday, one of my ancestors, who's "pink" card has been riding around in my purse for over a month, just waiting for the endowment.

It was a wonderful time as usual. Landon also was able to attend the temple this week. He did some initiatory work on Thursday, for the baptisms that our ward completed on Wednesday.
The work goes on !!

Can't miss a week......

A few years ago, if you had told me that I could/would go to the temple weekly, I would have said you were crazy. Now it seems it is something that I need to do to feel complete. Another bonus, is my 4-day work week, which I DID NOT like for the first 9 months, has become a blessing because I know that on FREE Friday, it's my temple day !

Yesterday I met Landon there in the late afternoon, and we accomplished initiatory work for our ancestors. I did 3, and Landon did 5. We also saw President John Porter there, and had a chance to talk to him in the Family Name room. He stopped by there, as everyone should, to see if there were any Morgan Stake names to be done. I LOVE the temple !!

BIC

I was BIC - Born in the Covenant. As a small girl, I remember looking at mom's genealogy papers and seeing BIC by my name and my brothers and sister's names. I took it for granted. My three oldest kids were not BIC, but were sealed AFTER they were born (and died in Ambure's case). I was THRILLED to finally get to put a BIC next to Landon's name.

Last night, I had the most wonderful opportunity to attend a sealing session in the Ogden Temple where some of my ancestors were joined together for time and all eternity. I have been working with these "names" for a couple of months now. First the baptism, then initiatory work, then their endowment, and finally last night, the sealings. They are from my Grandma Dickson's line, and many many have Danish names which are hard to pronounce. The names of Terstall, Gerstall, Schaling, Koosen, Renjse, Tintje, Prage.......... they are burned in my mind, and I KNOW I will meet them someday. We were able to seal grandparents to their children, and then those "children" as parents to THEIR children. It was a very special experience for me, and I felt the Spirit very strongly.

The words, "as though they had been Born In The Covenant" are the SWEETEST most TENDER words imaginable.......

Landon was planning on meeting me at the temple, but he had to work late. Brother and Sister Staples, and Brother and Sister Ralphs, and Brother and Sister Robinson came from our ward, and 2 couples from Coalville also were there. Something interesting happened concerning one of my ancestors on the Dawson line.  After he was sealed to his parents (his mother was my Grandma Tonks' first cousin), Brother Reese, from Coalville spoke up, and said, "I think I knew that man!". Sure enough, he was born in *1915, in Henefer. It is such a small world. I love the gospel, and I love Family History work.

*The policy of the church, is that you need to ask permission (from immediate family) to do someone's work who has been born less than 95 years ago.  When I completed Brother Hennefer's work (sealing to his parents), I was contacted by his grand-daughter anonymously (via non-published blog comment), who was understandably upset that his sealing to his parents had been done by someone who was not a close family member.  I feel really bad about this, and in the future will wait even longer than the 95 years required. The last thing I would want to do is hurt someone's feelings and possibly cause bad feelings towards temple work. I wish I could apologize in person, but hopefully she will check back and read this post.

Yesterday I went to Ogden Temple in the afternoon. I did an endowment session for one of my distant relatives, Anna Andersdotter. It was nice and peaceful, and I enjoyed it. I'm as so blessed to be able to go as often as I do.

Betho Rojas, our tour guide in Cusco, Peru included this information in a recent letter to us. It sure makes me appreciate all I have.

"Our Ward has been planning to go to the Lima Temple at the end of March. Our family has been waiting for this experience for 7 years. This is probably the last time we will go as a group. It takes about 40 hours on the bus for the round trip. Our family has saved some money so we can go. In the past four months, we have made cakes to sell, and also typical Peruvian food. We have also rented sleeping bags to travelers on the Inka Trail, and of course I have provided my services as a tour guide to LDS families and other tourist groups."

Awesome Picture

My good friend Bonnie Thomson emailed me this picture today. I've seen it before, but not with President Monson in it. I just love it. The setting is the Celestial Room in the Salt Lake Temple. I was just there there other day, and it was wonderful.

Can you name them all? Let's see if I can run the song through my head - gotta love those Primary days :)

Latter-day prophets are, number 1, Joseph Smith, then Brigham Young, John Taylor is third we know, then Wilford Woofdruff, Lorenzo Snow. Joseph F. Smith, remember the F. Heber J. Grant, and George Albert Smith, David O. McKay was followed by Joseph Fielding Smith. Then Harold B. Lee, Spencer W. Kimball, Ezra Taft Benson, we honor him. All Latter-day prophets show the way, we hear and honor their words today ! Of course since the time I learned that song, we have also had Howard W. Hunter, Gordon B. Hinckley, and now, President Thomas F. Monson. I'm really excited for General Conference - it's coming soon !!

A Great Story - Santiago Chili Temple

Message from the Santiago Temple President, Ted & Cheryl Lyon, written by his wife, Cheryl:

Thanks to all of you who have emailed your concern for us. We can state unequivocally that we're fine. We can also state with the same emphasis that riding through that quake in our rocking fourth-floor apartment was for me the scariest experience I've ever been through!

I was sure we were about to die - that either the ceiling would fall on us or that we'd collapse through the floor. It truly was an emotion I'd never experienced before. My whole body shook for the next two hours, and after that I couldn't stop crying.

We didn't even have the presence of mind to get out of bed during the quake. I felt paralyzed, staring at the ceiling and wondering when the earth would stop rolling. It was the longest two minutes of our lives! We could hear things falling out of cupboards, and pictures falling off the walls. But the sound and the movement was the worst.

Our sturdy building held up fine. Just lots of dust and a few broken dishes. But elsewhere, as I'm sure you've seen on the news, people didn't fare as well. Lots of damage. Virtually no stores open. Most parts of Santiago still have no electricity. Collapsed overpasses have closed major highways. The airport is closed because of damage, and planes have been rerouted to northern Chile or to Argentina. Our new missionary doctor was to arrive this morning, so I don't know where he and his wife have ended up.

What a joy to walk into the temple and find it in perfect condition. We just had to close a few drawers and straighten a few crooked pictures. It felt so good to be there in that peaceful refuge and find normality. Moroni did lose his trumpet, however! That was the only noticeable damage.

How grateful we are for how well the Church takes care of us. We've often thought the 24-hour emergency lights in our building were excessive, but we were surely thankful for them at 3:30 this morning as everyone was evacuating the building - including the missionaries downstairs in the MTC. It was so disconcerting to get out of bed in the dark and stumble over fallen items in the bathroom. We got just a taste of what the Haitians have suffered, though their damage and deaths have been so much more devastating, even though their quake a weaker one. So far here they're reporting 123 deaths, but we assume the toll will climb.

We had to decide what to do about the temple. We had every session booked for the day, and wondered if people would arrive. We met with one of Ted's counselors - who had arrived at 5:00 for the early shift, as faithful as ever - and our registrar. We knew it would be difficult for the employees and workers to get to the temple and there was not electricity at the time. One faithful laundry sister came a great distance to help, but there was no gas for the dryers, so she had baptismal clothes from last night lying out all over the laundry.

The temple has an emergency generator which roars into action the second the power goes out. But we learned that it runs on petroleum which lasts only four hours. By 8 a.m. we knew we were about to go dark again, so we made the decision to simply close the temple for the day.

Then, just in the second that the lights began to dim, the power came back on! (We've learned since that we're the only section of Santiago that has power yet.) So then we decided to hold just one session, since we had three out-of-town couples staying in the hospedaje who were expecting to receive their endowments and be sealed today. We mustered all the missionary couples, along with a group of faithful sisters who work the late shift on Fridays and then stay over for the Sat morning shift. We had a most moving morning. The quake had brought such a sense of unity to workers and patrons, and the Spirit was amazing. I've seldom had such a moving experience at the veil - with three consecutive young sisters who were receiving their endowments.

Right now we're sleep-deprived, and Ted has already gone back to bed. The stress has left us exhausted - but we're alive and well! We're still feeling aftershocks - called "replicas" in Spanish. They're reported about 25 of them. One just rolled by as I was writing this.

So, that's the report. After some rest we may venture out and about to see what we can see. Thanks for your love and concern.

I am so blessed !

Those are the words that I thought, as I took the opportunity to go to the Salt Lake Temple yesterday. I had meetings at the State Capitol, and afterward as I drove the short little bit down the hill to the temple, all I could think of was how going to THE SALT LAKE TEMPLE is such a dream and desire of SO MANY members around the world.......and here I was, able to go, without much effort, cost......how very blessed I am.

I spent a few hours inside, doing initiatory work and an endowment session. I have never done initiatory work in the Salt Lake Temple, only participated in baptisms, witnessed sealings, and attended endowment sessions. I was able to do initiatory work for 5 of my ancestors, 4 of whom were a mother (Alice), and her 3 daughters, Alice, Kate, and Margaret. Their last name was Hatfield.

The endowment session was wonderful. I enjoy moving from room to room, enjoying the beautiful mural paintings on the walls of the Creation, Garden, and World rooms. I am always in awe of the Celestial Room at the end, it is indescribable. The intricate workmanship just leaves me shaking my head in awe. I sat there for quite a little while, just feeling the peaceful spirit, and observing the people. Young couples, older couples, a sister reading her patriarchal blessing, and little old man who couldn't have weighed over 80 pounds shuffling along, everyone a child of God. How blessed we are to be members of this church, and to have the gospel in our lives, and to enjoy the blessings of the temple.

When I came out of the temple, it was raining and snowing, and I didn't have a coat, hat, or umbrella, because it had been sunny when I entered. The young sister (who was reading her blessing) and I were soaked as we waited to cross the street and enter the conference center, to take the elevators down to the parking garage. It was an adventure ! I suppose the next time I will attend this temple will be for Kacey's own personal endowment, which will take place a week or two before the wedding in April. I can hardly wait !

Early Morning

I needed to be home in Morgan by 9:30 am, so I arose early, left my home at 6am, and arrived at the temple by 6:30. As I walked in the temple, I noticed a few individuals in the lobby, waiting in chairs. This wasn't unusual, so I just continued back to the dressing rooms. It was deserted. I knew the temple workers were probably in Prayer Meeting, and I just thought I'd go ahead and get dressed and ready. When they came in at 6:45, they were surprised to see me ! Apparently I should have been stopped in the lobby to wait. It was kind of funny :)

It was a good session as usual, but at that early morning hour I really kept dozing. The ladies behind me probably got a kick out of my head-bobbing.

I saw Sheila Wilkinson, and she commented on the Slavic names from ancestry. Apparently she had see a bunch of them come through. I told her it was from my Grandma Dickson's, "Peterson" ancestors. It made my day. I love the temple.

A Good Decision

Yesterday afternoon I was shopping in Ogden, and by the time I got things done it was about 5:30 pm. I was tired, I didn't want to go to the temple. I wanted to go home and relax....... I chose to go to the temple.

When I got there, it was PACKED. There were literally no parking spaces, not in the covered parking, not on top of the parking garage, not in the tabernacle parking lot..... I decided to try the street parking, but then decided against it, because my car was packed with purchases, and I was afraid that my car might be broken into on the main streets of Ogden.

I tried one last time, driving back into the parking lot, and I saw an older gentleman walking out. I followed him, and was able to get his spot. As I walked into the temple, there were people everywhere. There was a line at the recommend desk, and there were about 20 women waiting to do initiatory work. I was undaunted. I got dressed, and proceeded to wait. I read from Genesis as I waited, the Sunday School lesson about Lot and his wife, and Sodom and Gomorrah.

After an hours wait, I was able to take my five ancestors, and have their work done for them. I'm so glad I took the time and effort. It was worth it :)

Exciting News !!

My temple - The Ogden Temple, is going to get a facelift, a make over, an overhaul........ Wow !

We are going to go from this......



To this !!


Check out the article here.

Work is expected to begin at the end of 2010, and continue for 18 months to 2 years. During this time we will be asked to attend either the Logan or Bountiful temples. What wonderful and exciting news !!

Families can be together FOREVER

Today I was able to attend an endowment session with my good friend, Teresa Rhodes. We did the work for Anna Arnolda Koosen and Oltze Stavannar. This was in preparation for the their sealings to their spouses, which will be done tonight by members of the Morgan 6th Ward (my ward). Most of the families which I have been working on since November, will have their families made eternal tonight. It's a great feeling.

Landon also was able to attend the temple this morning, doing initiatory work for the short time he had between college classes and work meetings.

I forgot to mention that the Morgan Singles Ward (10th ward) asked me to provide some baptism names for them last week. I was able to send approx 10-15 names. The work goes on !

Finally - it was found :)

We traveled to Arizona to visit Amanda and Cam in Mesa, and mom and dad in Yuma. On the way down and back we stopped in Las Vegas, and I found out MUCH to my dismay, that I couldn't find the temple in the dark! I drove around for an hour, looking for Bonanza Drive, but no luck :( My Tom Tom was no help either, because I had the WRONG address plugged in.

On the way back from AZ, I was able to find the temple(after perusing an actual map). As it turns out, I was only TWO block from Bonanza, (going North on Nellis), when I gave up and turned around two nights previous.

Anyway, all's well that ends well, and I was able to attend an endowment session for my ancestor, Free Temger. I was alert and attentive, and so excited to get in the temple, that I completely forgot my clothing in the car, and had to rent :)

The Las Vegas temple is beautiful in the muted pinks and mauves (desert colors), but in the early morning (before sunrise), the blue was showing through the beautiful windows in the Celestial Room. I had never noticed that color before. It was a wonderful way to spend an early morning.

A day with Landon

Landon and I participated in an endowment session today. I was proxy for one of Susan Wiscombe's relatives, and Landon was proxy for one of ours. It's always a wonderful, peaceful day in the temple, and I was grateful to share it with Landon.