June 16,
2013
Reporting for Service
This is the third time
I have tried to compose this message. No more straight to the email.
We reported to the SL
Temple with recommends in hand Monday June 10th at 8am. Our
instruction continued over a three day period through Wednesday and consisted
of video presentations of temple ordinances we would be performing, questions
and comments, reporting to the area in the temple where that particular
ordinance would be performed and then back to the instruction area for more
questions, comments etc. We covered it all. Our instructor was Bro Thueson of
the temple department. We hoped it would be Elder and Sister Hammond but they
have now been released due to health issues.
The final day of
training included a visit to the 5th floor of the temple (assembly
hall) which is used for important instruction to leaders. I have been to three
“solemn assemblies”, once while serving as an Elders Q President in Sandy,
again as a bishop and finally as a stake president. In my last solemn assembly, members of the
twelve passed the sacrament to all in attendance. My row received the sacrament
from President Packer (then Elder Packer). The topic was important and related
to personal worthiness of priesthood leaders.
We were told the
temple fourth floor was only used by GA’s and we were not invited to look. However, we were invited to go to the
basement of the temple and look at early pictures of the temple construction.
Much of the foundation has been secured by a concrete encasement. Some of the
original sand stone blocks were retained but most were replaced by granite when
flaws were detected while being set.
Our visit to the 5th
level included a tour of the room given to Elder James Talmage while he wrote
“Jesus The Christ”. His roll top desk remains in the room along with other
antique furnishings. We also took a look at the spiral stair case in that
corner of the temple and we were told that each step in the staircase weighs
1,700 lbs. The tour concluded with an address by a member of the Seventy. The
spirit was strong in the room and all were lifted spiritually. Our instruction
was short but to the point. The focus of all of our training was “show love and
support for temple patrons”. Do not detract from their temple worship
experience. Too many temple workers are critical of items that really make no
difference other than that’s the way they have seen it done etc. Do not attract
attention to a patron to their embarrassment. The Lord will accept the
ordinance as performed, even if not perfect.
Our flight to Las
Vegas was delayed to the point we almost missed our connection to London
Gatwick Airport. We had to move all our luggage from the Delta terminal to the
British Air terminal, no small task. But we made it with literally minutes to
spare. The flight to the UK was long and tiring. I could not sleep and tried to
keep my leg active by walking around.
We were met at the
airport by Sister Cook, assistant matron and wife of the 1st councilor
in the presidency. We were also delighted to see Ian and Maggie Turner who
welcomed us with open arms. They have been so kind and literally signed over a
car for us to use while here. The 2nd Councilor in the presidency is
President Locke. My good friend Dennis Johnson was instrumental in his
conversion nearly 47 years ago. Other Springville missionaries, Elder Denny
Engle and Elder Roland Senior were part of that process. All because of
basketball. President Locke went on about how wonderful these Elders are and
were in his life.
Our apartment is small
and very cozy. I mean small. We brought way to much stuff. But all will be well after we
relocate our empty luggage. We are literally together 100 percent of the
time. So far, so good.
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| The shower pumps out a cup of water per minute and we're not kidding. |
We were set apart by
the Temple President, President Lowry on Saturday morning. He is a very humble
genuine man and gave us both wonderful blessings as he set us apart. His wife,
the Matron, was with us in his office. His office window looks out over the
temple grounds and is breath-takingly beautiful. He mentioned that the temple
was due for certain renovations but they had been delayed due to temple funds
being moved to the missionary efforts and younger aged missionaries. He also
confirmed the rumors that the temple will be completely closed September 1st
through November 15th while HVAC improvements are made. What will we
be doing? Sounds like they will give us
a two week leave and then we will do whatever they ask, including landscaping
improvements, office work, etc. I think
the diversion will come just at the right time.
Today we were invited
to eat Sunday dinner with Elders and Sisters Murdoch of Logan, and Christensen of
West Jordan. Elder and Sister Littlefield of Lehi joined us. The Littlefields
trained and traveled with us and we have taken a liking to them. This is their
4th mission. First mission was in Nigeria, then Russia, then the
Navaho Nation, and now London Temple. Elder Nelson arranged for them to come to
this mission and said they needed a “cushy” mission after all their previous
assignments. That made us slide down our chairs a bit. They have some very
interesting stories to tell and we have invited them to travel in the car with
us.
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| Elder Littlefield |
We visited Costco on
Saturday. Just like the US Costco in terms of operation but the shelves are
filled with brands and stuff we have no idea what it is. We sent a picture of our little car loaded
with goods including loafs of bread in the back window. But we made it after a
good laugh.
Tomorrow, (Monday) we
will shop again and then it is to work on Tuesday pm shift – 2pm to 9pm. We are called both black and white badge
missionaries and wear whichever badge fits the occasion.
We attended church in
Crawley today. Sacrament meeting was very good along with other meetings. There
is some strength in the church here but just not enough of it. Still, there was
some impressive instruction and leadership.
Yes, we are ready to
serve but we also miss our family very much. I have had to double up on "vitamin
Z" (Strong slang for Zoloft) to get past the first couple of days. Want you all to know how much we love
you and how much we are relying on your prayers. They will be essential to our
success. Thank you for your support and confidence in us. Again, we love and miss you very much.
Love,
Dad and Mom
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| London Temple Sunday morning |
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| Rhododendrons are in bloom |
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| Littlefields from Lehi, Utah |
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