Friday the 13th - Relief Society Temple Trip

Jody Carter, Gwen Rich, LuAnn Rich, Jenni Earl, Vicki Rose, Valarie Lyells, Jill Hatch, Sharlene Olsen, Lynelle Rich

Friday the 13th, our Relief Society Temple Trip commenced.  We met at the church at 8:30 am, and traveled to the Ogden Temple to catch the 10am session.

It was a great time to be together.

Other's we saw from Morgan were, Jill Allred (came later with her husband), Chris Carrigan, Steve and Suzanne Carrigan (temple workers), Beth Belinski, and others I can't remember. 

Ward Temple Excursion

For Ward Conference, we had a Ward Temple night on March 16th.


I drove down with Vicki, LuAnn, and Jessie Mae as my passengers.  We had a great time talking and visiting on the way down.  Others who were there that evening were Bishop Aaron Rose, and wife Lisa, John and Debby Wilkinson, Johnny Wilkinson, Chris and Kim Mikesell, Cody and Shara Birt, Deona and Chad Green, Richard and Susan Wiscombe, The Gublers, Scott and Sherilee Olson, Malan and Deanne Johnson, Brother Smith (from the High Council), Annette and Jeff Streadbeck.  It was great to be together as a ward.  In the celestial room after the endowment session, it was like I imagine heaven to be, as we greet our loved ones.

Relief Society Presidency visit to the temple

Beautiful morning at the temple with

Angie, Jody, Vicki, and myself

We did 3 of mom's names, and some of the people from Morgan we saw there were Connie Porter, Frankie Little, and Myra Turner.

It was wonderful to be together. 

Bountiful Temple with family

Today I took Mom and Dad down to the Bountiful temple where we met Erika, Aaron, Tiana, and Brian.  We completed an Endowment Session.  It was great to be together.  So glad that we were able to go in between snow storms, and the roads were good.   

Cedar City Temple Open House

I stopped by on my way to St. George meetings.  It was beautiful.  I loved the paintings, some of which I had never seen before.  Also the stained glass (taken from a Presbyterian church back east) was spectacular.  There were hints of Juniper trees and columbine in the motif.  It is a small temple, and sits high up on the hill.  You can see it as you are coming from the North, but not the South.  Best way to get to it is to take the 2nd? exit, the one that has a lighthouse by it.  So glad I took the opportunity to stop. 

Cleaning the Temple

I signed up to clean the Ogden Temple last night/this morning.  I worked there from 9:35 pm (we actually started cleaning at about 10:15 pm), and stopped at 12:25 am.  I worked with Melanie Rose, and we "mopped" the tile and marble floors in the basement of the temple, including the cafeteria, laundry, engineering rooms.  What a wonderful experience.  One I will definitely do again if I have the chance.

Early Morning at the Temple

I met Mom and Dad at the Ogden temple today.  It's been a long time since I've been.  It was good to be back.  We did Initiatory Work.  I love my parents and their dedication to the temple.    

To the Temple with LuAnn

Grandma Ben (LuAnn) wanted to get as many of the family together as possible, and all of us go to the temple.  It was a great afternoon, and a special time to be together.  Kerry, Joni, Landon, Kacey, Chans, Tausha, LuAnn, Hunter, and Eric (and myself - not pictured) were able to go.  Keysto and Kaley were stuck in traffic in the canyon, and didn't make the 3pm session.

Some of the people I knew and saw there that afternoon were, Kraig and Debra Walker, George and Margaret Hopkin, and Mr. Russell (Don Russell) - my 6th grade school teacher, and Jan Gailey.  I hope to be able to work in the temple one day.  

Salt Lake Temple with Hugo and Landon

Our friend, Hugo Perez is visiting from Peru.  Landon baptized him and his family back in 2008 while serving as a missionary there.  Hugo has spent an enjoyable week here in Utah with our family.  We topped it off last night, by  a session at the temple.  A temple he has only be able to IMAGINE going to.  It was a very special experience for him (and us).   Afterwards we walked around Temple Square, the Joseph Smith Building, and had supper at the Lion House.  Such a special time. 

Early morning - Ogden Temple

I met Mom and Dad here for initiatory work at 8am.  

Utah County Temple Tour

Today Mom and Erika and I traveled to Payson the LONG way......... and we went to the Payson temple and did initiatory work.  I looked for Matt Hone's mom to introduce myself and say hi, but her shift had ended.  I think the temple was so pretty.  It reminded me of an Arabic building out of Alladin.  It almost had a pink tone to it.  The stained glass windows were beautiful. 

We then grabbed us some lunch at Zupas, and made it to the Provo City Center temple in time for the 1pm session.  What a beautiful restoration has taken place in that building!  We parked underneath, and entered the main doors (which are on the basement level).  The ordinance rooms we started in were covered in the most beautiful nature murals, and when we moved to the second ordinance room on the level above us, we climbed the winding narrows stairs in one of the corner turrets!  The celestial room was gorgeous as was to be expected.

We saw Roger and Karen Bigler who used to live in Morgan, and also Marianne Merz, the wife of Michael Merz, who is mom's first cousin.  It was a great day to be in the temple with my mom and sister. 

I love the temple.  My next date is to attend the Vernal Temple in June when I go to the Assessor's Summer Workshop.  (didn't end up going to the workshop)

Planning for it

At our last ward conference, Stake President Joey Skinner said to always have a date planned, for the next time you will be going to the temple.  I knew I would be down in Ogden on Friday for UAC meetings, so I planned on going afterwards to the Ogden Temple.  When I arrived there about 11am, it was PACKED.  I could barely find a parking space.  As I was walking in from the Washington Boulevard side, there was a bridal party that was just finishing up with pictures, and the FLOWERS!!  Oh my, beautiful, smelled so nice.  Spring is beautiful. 

I was able to make the 12 noon session, and our old Stake President councilor, Brother Bohman was officiating in the chapel.  I also saw Kathy Collins, and Byron Porter and his wife and daughter, and low and behold, my visiting teacher, Heidi Eggett and her husband Roger were in the same session, and I was able to sit next to her.

It was a wonderful day in the temple. My next plan is to go down the Provo City Center Temple with Mom.

Orlando Temple

Mom and Erika and I visited this beautiful temple today while vacationing in Florida.  We performed initiatory ordinances.  It was so nice to be here, away from the hustle and bustle of the world.

Provo City Center Temple Dedication

This morning I was able to go to the Morgan Utah Stake Building with my parents and participate in the Provo City Center Temple Dedication via satellite.  It was a great experience.  I have only done this once previously, with the Brigham City Temple Dedication.  I hope to go here in person soon.

Wonderful afternoon in the Salt Lake Temple

I was in meeting in SLC most of the day, but had decided that I was going to go to the Salt Lake Temple when I finished.  Last week we had Ward Conference, and it was very inspiring, and helped me and buoyed me up.  One of the things that I am determined to do, is to always have a "date" set when I will go to the temple NEXT.  So right after that meeting on Sunday, I made the decision to go the the Salt Lake Temple on Thursday after my meetings.  My NEXT date to go to the temple in on April 1st, when I will be in Orlando Florida with Mom and Erika, and will attend the temple there.

I loved my experience at the Salt Lake Temple today.  After the session in the Celestial Room, I was able to sit for about 30 minutes, and since I was so close to finishing the Book of Mormon, I did so, right there in the Celestial Room.  That was a special experience to read Moroni's promise there.  To have faith that all will be well, everything will work out, I'm on the right course, and will endure to the end.  

Missionary Endowment

Coming out of the Ogden Temple, after participating in an Endowment session for one of my FAVORITE people :)

Miss Rinon is going to the Ohio Cincinnati Mission.  She leaves on December 2nd
 (her birthday !)
President Porter is the mission president there (our former Stake President).
She will be AWESOME !!

Hunter's Endowment

Eric and Hunter (Darrin's daughter) will become husband and wife for eternity on July 11th.  Today, I was able to go to the temple for Hunter's endowment.  Landon and Kacey went also, along with Joni and Grandma Rich.  It was a beautiful morning in the temple.  We are so happy for Hunter and Eric. 

Finally Back

I was able to go to the temple with Mom and Dad this morning to do sealings.   When we got down there, Marta West was also in our session.  We also saw Jean and Stephen Dickson, and Betty Holman, and Brent Porter and son, and Geary Mecham.  It was a great morning.  The new Ogden Temple is very beautiful.  We parked right on Washington Boulevard, and walked in the East entrance.  It is kind of confusing, once inside.  Sure different from the old one, which will always hold a special place in my heart.

Looking forward to this !

My recommend is renewed, and I'll be going soon :)

Ogden Temple Open House

I went to the Ogden Temple Open House with my grandson Treyson, my parents, and my sister and her family (The Bettinsons).  What a beautiful temple renovation...........but part of me misses the old one.  It will be great to have a temple close again.  I don't know why Bountiful seems so far ;)

Back..............after a long time

I haven't been to the temple since March.  6 months..........  too long away.  I went down this morning with my parents and we did initiatory work.  I felt such a peace and happiness there today.

One of the women that worked with me at the temple was Barbara and Wellen Carter's daughter Joanne.  I thought she looked familiar, so took a chance and asked if she had ties to Morgan.  It's such a small world.  Her brother, Gary gave me my first "real" valentine.  A heart shaped box of chocolates.  I was in 5th grade.  He was in 6th.  He delivered it to my classroom, and all eyes were upon me.  I just about died of embarrassment.  Funny the memories.

Wonderful Explanation of our Temples

Ward Temple Night

I drove down with my mother-in-law, LuAnn, and neighbor, Sharlene Olsen last night to the Bountiful Temple.  It was great to be there with many of our ward members.  Some who went were, Bishop and Terrie Stephens, Dave and Michelle Manning, Roger and Heidi Eggett, Clif and Virginia Burwell, Mark and Lauri Robinson, Chris and Kim Mikesell, Rodney and Vicki Rose, Brandyn and Amanda Thackeray, Richard and Susan Wiscombe, Mark and Sherrie Rich, Kurt and Angie Bryant, Denise and Howard Hansen, and Matt and Jessie Frannich and Brett Earl.  There may have been others, but those are who I can remember.  The Temple President and his wife spoke to us before the Endowment.  It was a very nice evening.

Sealing with Family

I went with Mom and Dad and met Erika, Aaron and Tiana at the Bountiful Temple to do sealings today.  I was finally able to get all of my family history work that I have been procrastinating on DONE!  About 15 couples sealed together.  It was a good day.

Temple with Tiana

I took Mom and Dad down and met Erika and Aaron and Tiana at the Salt Lake Temple today.  

Tiana received her endowments in preparation for her mission next month.  It was a great day !

FIVE Temples in Two Weeks

Kansas City Temple - July 2, 2012
We were there on a Monday and it was closed, but we were able to walk around the grounds and take pics.  It is not very far from the Liberty Jail.

We visited the Kirtland Temple, which is not owned by our church now.  This is a picture of a painting, showing the building of the temple back in the 1830's.

Here is the temple today - July 2012.  We were able to tour it for the cost of $3.00.  I was glad to go there, but sorry to see that the upkeep is not what I hoped it would be.  

Wonderful Nauvoo Temple - we enjoyed an endowment session, and were able to meet Sister Memmott, wife of President Memmott who used to live in Morgan, and who sealed our family together forever in the Ogden Temple on December 12, 1987.  It was SO SO hot in Nauvoo, and it was a great escape to be within the cooling walls of this temple.  

The sacred grove - picture taken by me on a beautiful early morning.   Later we attended the  Palmyra Temple, which is adjacent to the Grove.

The Palmyra Temple - see the window right in the middle?  It is clear, at the request of President Hinckley, so that you can look right out towards the Sacred Grove.  We attended an endowment session here.

Winter Quarter's Temple - again, we were here on a Monday and it was closed.  It is a beautiful temple, right next to the cemetery.  

Back to the Temple

‎"As we come unto Christ and journey to higher ground, we will desire to spend more time in His temples, because the temples represent higher ground, sacred ground."

—Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

I went back to the Bountiful Temple after 2 1/2 months........... It was good to be back. It seems when you don't take the time and effort to go, it's easier NOT to go. Hopefully I'm back on track :)

Saturday Sealings

I went to the temple today with my parents, and Bruce and Carol Tonks, and my sister Erika and her husband.  We were able to complete many sealings.  Our officiator was Brother Oaks, the brother of Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the quorum of the twelve apostles.  It was a wonderful day in the temple.

Early morning at the Temple

Early morning to the temple with my mom and Sherilee Olson.  I needed to be home by 10:00, and so we left at 5:45.  Worked out perfectly.  I love to attend the temple.  I miss being able to call Theresa up and meet her at the park-n-ride.  I thought about her alot while at the temple today.  I know she is in a better place, and isn't in any pain, but I miss her.

Last day at the temple in the year 2011

Mom arranged for all of us to do a sealing session.  I also asked Richard and Susan Wiscombe to help out, and it's a good thing I did, because Landon was sick.  Erika and Aaron met us (mom, dad, myself) for a 9am sealing session.  We were able to get many of mom's names completed.  Our sealer was Brother Richardson, and he was great.  He looked quite old, but he was sharp as a tack.   As we walked into the temple, we saw Sheri Dew, and then I also saw former Lt. Governor, Val Oveson who was working there.  It was another great morning at the temple.

Morning at the Temple with Mom

Yesterday I went to the temple with my mom.  We each did 10 initiatory, and then we went to an endowment session.  It was a wonderful morning at the temple with my mom.  Afterwards, we went to lunch where she introduced me to Chalupas at Taco Bell, and then Christmas shopping.  We had such a fun day.  We need to do this more often !

Refuge in the Storm

Today was the day of the BIG windstorm in Davis County.   I had traveled to Salt Lake for meetings, and stopped here on the way home.  At first I was surprised, and thought because of all of the wind and power outages that the temple had closed.  There was NO parking on the upper level, but then I noticed the signs on the gates that said "Temple Open - Use Underground Parking".  I was so relieved !

The temple was pretty much deserted, as there was only partial power, and very few workers.  The power had gone out about 5am, and they had tried to run everything on the auxiliary power, but couldn't keep everything up and running.  A sweet sister was coming from Evanston Wyoming to receive her own endowment, and they were determined to keep it open, and have the 12:30 session, and then close for the day.

I decided to attend this session even though I was about 45 minutes early.  I read the Book of Mormon in the chapel, as I listened to the wind howling outside.  Even within the walls of the temple, the windstorm could be heard faintly from outside.  It was also kind of chilly, as the heat had been off for a few hours.  They were handing out white crocheted shawls for the women who wanted one.  Pretty soon, it was time for the session.

Imagine my surprise, as the woman from Evanston, Wyoming turned out to be about my age (only a couple of years older), AND she had grown up in Morgan and I knew her !!   I spoke to her afterwards in the Celestial Room, and told her how happy I was for her.  It was another great day of peace and safety within the walls of the temple.

Early Morning Arizona Temple

As we were in Arizona for Manda and Bren's wedding, we decided to get up REALLY early on Saturday (November 12, 2011) morning, and complete some initiatory work in the Mesa Arizona Temple.  Mom and I did the work for 15 of our relatives.  Erika and Aaron were able to take more time and complete and endowment session.  It was a wonderful morning, followed by a wonderful day and evening at the wedding and reception.

A Day (and I mean A DAY )at the Temple(s)

Yesterday my mom and I met Theresa at the Park-n-Ride @ 9:30 am.  We traveled down to the  Oquirrh Mountain Temple, where Theresa and I were baptized for 20 women.  Mom was then confirmed for them.  Then we headed to the Jordon River Temple where we were going to complete initiatory work, but they had such a line up, and it was close to noon, so we headed downtown.  We ate lunch at The Garden restaurant, and then completed the initiatory and endowments for three of the twenty women in the Salt Lake Temple.  A special treat was to see Elder Fisher (my former Bishop) in the session !  Afterwards, we attended a sealing session, where we were able to participate in sealing families together forever.  Mom was able to do the work for the Berlin children, which was a special treat for her, and Theresa and I were able to complete the sealings of  twin sisters, Ruth and Rose to their parents.  It was a very special experience, one that we will remember forever.  We left the temple at 6pm and headed home.  It was a LONG WONDERFUL day at the temple(s).

Bountiful Temple with family

Today my mom, me, Kacey & Erika and Aaron went to the Bountiful Temple together.  Aaron did initiatory work, while the ladies went to an endowment session.  We had family names (both mom and mine) and it is great to be able to do this work for our relatives who cannot.  Afterwards we ate a Paradise Bakery & Cafe.  It was a wonderful morning.

Temple Tripping :)

On Friday, October 7th, and Saturday, October 8th, Theresa Hyde and I traveled to Idaho to visit the temples there.  First stop - Idaho Falls, with 3 inches of snow on the ground from the day before !  We did initiatory service here.

Then on to Rexburg - it was overcast and rainy, and notice the snow on the side of steeple?  We could see it shining brightly on the hillside, but got "lost" trying to find it :)  We enjoyed a beautiful endowment session here.  The walls had gorgeous murals, of an elk herd, and mule deer.

The next day we traveled to Twin Falls and it was sunny but chilly.  This temple is so busy with Boise Temple closed, that we couldn't get into an endowment session, but had the most wonderful sealing session, and finished with the last of the initiatory work.  All in all, I we were able to accomplish temple work for 50 individuals.  It was a wonderful two days.

Bountiful Temple with friends

Spent a wonderful few hours with my good friends Theresa Hyde and Bonnie Peterson, fellow missionary moms with sons who served in Peru together.  We visited on the way to do initiatory at the Bountiful Temple, and visited during lunch at Joy Luck afterwards, and visited in Bonnie's home after that !  Loved the day !!

Finally - the Logan Temple !

We finally made it happen - my good friend Theresa and I.  We made it to the Logan temple for an endowment session.  I took two family names.  It was a good day.  We left bright and early and caught the 8:30 session.  Afterwards we ate at Cafe Sabor, and then went to the Gossner Cheese Factory.  It was wonderful to visit and catch up since our June visit to the temple.

On our way home we stopped in Brigham City to check out the temple that is being built there.  It is beautiful. 

Here is a time lapse video of the Brigham Temple. Pretty amazing.

Sealings at the Temple

Today I was able to complete 67 sealings at the Bountiful Temple, thanks to Richard & Susan Wiscombe, my parents, Lee & Veloy Dickson, and Brother Otis Rose and Brother Phil Carter. We acted as a sealing team, and spent over one hour completing these sacred ordinances. My dad was able to be proxy for his 2nd cousin's sealing to his 2nd wife, and also mom, for dad's Great Grandpa William Slade's first wife's daughter's sealing to her husband. Their daughter Sadie was finally sealed to them after these many many years, and also Myna's family of ranchers up in Montana. I know much of this doesn't make alot of sense to whoever is reading this. But to me, who has worked with these names over and over, it means a great deal. I sure hope it means a great deal to them also. I was privileged to kneel proxy for some daughter's as my parents knelt proxy for the parents. That was a special experience. It was a wonderful afternoon.

Theresa and the Temple

Today I picked up my good friend Theresa Hyde, and we had a wonderful session at the Bountiful Temple. We did the endowment work for a mother and daughter. I love to be in the temple, and I love to be with Theresa. Both uplift me so much. Afterwards, we grabbed a bite to eat at Paradise Bakery. It was great to visit with her and catch up. What a wonderful morning !

Hours of Peace

I took a day off of work, and spent most of the day at the Bountiful Temple.  From 11 am to 4 pm, I was able to complete all of the work necessary for Sarah A. Babcock.  Some Young Women were busy with baptisms, and the kind officials took the paper work in to the font area, and a young girl was baptized for Sarah, then confirmed right there outside of the font.  It was very special and moving to me, and I felt the Spirit very strongly.  I then did all of the other work for her personally, initiatory, endowment and sealing to her husband.  I felt so good and happy and peaceful, and I think she did too.

In the temple today, I witnessed two different women with disabilities, who even though it must have been extremely hard for them, made the effort to be there.  There was this sweet little old lady who was blind, and another young woman in her late 20's in a wheelchair.  Their determination and strength inspired me.  What a wonderful way to spend a day !