How To Travel The World Vicariously

When my husband and I began our adventure visiting different temples in 2011, we started with a goal of 34 within a year, to celebrate 34 years of marriage. Since that time I have found myself on a very specific journey, learning how to do my own family history research. I became absorbed in the work of indexing marriage, birth and death records which gave me exposure to the variety of ways information was recorded and the spelling variations of a single name. I developed feelings for these people whose faces I had never seen.

Then one day we received a phone call from our youngest son, telling us of a challenge he had been given by a church leader, to find an ancestor and do their work in the temple. He had attempted to search through the family tree with little success, because the tree looked completely filled out. He asked us how he could accomplish this challenge. We dreaded hearing this question, because we had also tried on our own to do research with no success.

My husband, Bill, serves on the High Counsel in our Stake and has had the assignment for many years to assist others with family history work. He felt frustrated in his attempts to do this when he was not having success himself. This question from our son prompted him to ask the Lord how he could help both his son and other people in our area.

Bill's mother was a passionate genealogist when Bill was growing up. She traveled back east to Wellsboro, Tioga, Pennsylvania, where she advertised in the newspaper for contact with descendants of her ancestors. Eventually she made contact with a Judge Charles G Webb and his wife Sally where she was adopted into their home as though she was a daughter. Each summer she traveled there for 2-3 months to gather maps and books, and visit cemeteries to take pictures of tombstones and record the details. She studied the maps to learn where people migrated to with their families as they moved west. As she gathered numerous sources within a single town she began studying all the families within that town. Her research took her beyond her own direct ancestors into the lives of her cousins and their descendants. At home she found 12 foot long pieces of butcher paper and with a yard stick and a sharp pencil she created descent charts of her ancestors.

One day, borrowing a pair of leather boots to protect her from snakes she took a drive into the country. She went looking for a specific cemetery located on land owned by an old farmer. However, she was told not to go there because he would meet her with a shotgun. Her red hair and disposition would not be dissuaded, and armed with one of her decent charts she approached his home. Sure enough, he came out with his shotgun in his hands, in contrast with the descent chart in hers. Needless to say, the descent chart won and they spent the afternoon rummaging through his attic where precious records and family books were found.

Bill grew up hearing his mother share these experiences and watched her meticulously write the details on her descent charts. From these experiences and while searching for a solution for himself and our son, Bill discovered a way to show hundreds of descendants of his ancestors on one page, and puzzilla was born. From the arial view provided by puzzilla.org we can clearly see where research was done and where it stopped. As a result we, and many others have known where to start new research and fill in the holes in our family tree with thousands of new cousins.

My journey in the past few years has taken me to many more temples than the few I have mentioned thus far in my blog. I could not possibly accomplish all the work that needs to be done for all these cousins by myself, so I have been sharing their names with the temple for others to do the work. In this way it could be said I am vicariously visiting temples all over the world. Here is a list of some of the temples where work has been done for my ancestors and cousins:

Aba Nigeria

Apia Samoa

Billings Montana

Bogota Colombia

Boise Idaho

Bountiful Utah

Buenos Aires Argentina

Calgary Alberta

Campinas Brazil

Caracas Venezuela

Cebu Philippines

Ciudad Juarez Mexico

Cochabamba Bolivia

Columbus Ohio

Curitiba Brazil

Denver Colorado

Detroit Michigan

Draper Utah

Edmonton Alberta

Gila Valley Arizona

Gilbert Arizona

Halifax Nova Scotia

Hamilton New Zealand

Jordan River Utah

Kansas City Missouri

Laie Hawaii

Logan Utah

Los Angeles California

Louisville Kentucky

Lubbock Texas

Madrid Spain

Manaus Brazil

Manhattan New York

Manila Philippines

Mesa Arizona

Mexico City Mexico

Mount Timpanogos Utah

Nashville Tennessee

Nauvoo Illinois

Newport Beach California

Nuku/alofa Tonga

Oakland California

Oaxaca Mexico

Portland Oregon

Preston England

Provo Utah

Recife Brazil

Regina Saskatchewan

Redlands California

Reno Nevada

Rexburg Idaho

Salt Lake Utah

San Diego California

San Jose Costa Rica

San Salvador El Salvador

Santiago Chile

Seattle Washington

Snowflake Arizona

Spokane Washington

St George Utah

Tegucigalpa Honduras

Vernal Utah

Villahermosa Mexico

Washington DC

I have become a world traveler....or perhaps I have become an intergalactic traveler....

How to Fish: Puzzilla.org training and Family History Research

Bill and I have been giving training on how to use puzzilla.org to do family history research and how to find and add cousins to our family tree in familysearch.org. He has been invited by several family history centers and groups to give presentations. We have given personal one-on-one training to family and friends. He is working hard to add additional features and useful tools to the program.

Most of my ancestors have been well researched and my pedigree lines go back many generations on all sides. By using the view on puzzilla.org I can now see all the descendants of ancestors that have already been found by others in family tree, and I can see where the research stopped. When I find a place or "hole" where someone does not have any children I go to their individual page within family search. Next I click on the search button on the right hand side of their page to go into the historical record data base, where all the indexed records are found. I search to find them in a birth, death, census or other record and look for their spouse or children so I can add them to my family tree. Using this process I have found hundreds of new cousins to add to my family tree. Some short videos on puzzilla.org main page easily demonstrates this process.

I like the analogy my husband uses about a father taking his son fishing. He does not take him to the supermarket to pick out a fish that was already caught by someone else. Instead, he takes him to the stream to catch a new fish in the wild. In the same way we search in the historical records to find someone who has not yet been found, and then we add them to the market, or family tree. (The bait is the person already in family tree.)

I am experiencing the phenomenon of moving from a scarcity of temple work to do for my ancestors, to now having such an abundance of names that I am asking family and friends for their help doing the temple work. Even after involving those I know to help me, I am left with much more work than we can possibly do. So I have been sharing the work with the temple. This means anyone attending the temple on any given day can be doing work for someone I have found. I feel that these people have waited long enough to have their blessings and I am excited to share the work.

I track the progress of my work on a spreadsheet. My husband calls it my workflow. I create columns for their Name, ID number, Temple work, Shared Work, Research, and Notes so I can keep track of my progress on each individual. I enter them on the spreadsheet in the order I discover them in my research. Information on one individual stays on one line and is condensed or coded so my mind can easily visually process the information. For instance, in the research column I use the symbol SS, to indicate that person does not have a spouse and I need to find a marriage record. Or I use the symbol SP to indicate they don't have parents.

Typically the names become grouped one family at a time, and I occasionally separate families using a colored line in the spreadsheet. This helps me visually identify families quickly, to follow or share with others. I also use different colors to highlight when my research or temple work is done, where I need to focus more attention, or names I have shared with different family members. This helps me see where I have been and where I need to go next.

Besides this I also have a program on my computer for my own pedigree and their descendants, in addition to the one on familysearch.org called family tree. This allows me to see the relationships I have to each of the people I found and enter other personal details that cannot be changed by someone else.

I hope this is helpful to someone.

Seattle Temple - Outstretched Arms

One of my favorite statues stands in front of the Seattle Temple. It captures the joy of a young family as a young child takes her first steps between the outstretched arms of the mother toward the father. This moment of "independence" is surrounded with the protecting arms and careful attention of loving parents. In addition to reminding me of a similar moment in my own life when our oldest daughter took her first steps, to me this statue also represents times when I need help standing on my own two feet.

As a spouse, parent and grandparent I am constantly wrestling with feelings of concern and worry over family members. When we entered the temple I was seeking relief from the burden and wondering how to have greater faith. I asked what I should be praying for and doing that would help bring about the needed blessings. I wonder how to have joy in the midst of real pain and concern. I am seeking for perspective and acceptance of the agency of others as well as a recognition of the blessings that come through our trials.

The walls of the temple shut out the noise of the world. Other than a few whispers from other visiting patrons the air around me was silent. The worrisome voices in my mind grew quiet and I felt peaceful relief. I let my mind enjoy the wonder of a world beyond my own and the perspective of an omniscient and omnipotent loving Father who wrapped the warmth of his spirit around me. I was grateful to let someone else reach out to steady me and carry the load.

Genealogy Research Help - puzzilla.org

If you want to do family history research on collateral family lines, check out  the website my husband, Bill, developed at:

puzzilla.org

Here you are able to view descendant charts of your ancestors to determine where new research needs to be done.  This website is very new and still in the development and testing phase, so many improvements or changes may be added over time.

This website also gives a link to an eight minute research video entitled, "Finding Herman" and an instructional video on how to use Puzzilla.org. Both of these videos were created early in the development of puzzilla.org and there are plans to update them. 

In order to use this site, you will also need to log into familysearch.org.  Anyone can create an account following the links. However, if you are a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints you will want to sign up using your individual membership number, which can be obtained in one of three ways:

*Ask the membership Clerk
*It is written on your temple recommend
*It is on the membership papers the bishop gives you during tithing settlement

The same user name and password is used to access lds.org, so if you already have an account there, you will not need to create another one. Just use the same log in information.

Important: Write down or remember the user name and password you set up so you can access family search in the future.


The youth in our Stake have been given a goal to find one of their ancestors by August 20, when they will attend a Stake Youth Temple Day and be baptized for the family member they have found. This challenge was first given in June, at their youth conference.  

Each ward called multiple family history consultants consisting of both adults and youth. Several training sessions have been held for the consultants. Each Sunday, during Sunday School, some of the youth and their parents are invited into a special class where they bring their computers and work side by side to find their loved ones. Progress has been very gradual, but we are beginning to see many having success.

Today, we are combining our faith and participating in a Stake fast. We are praying for the spirit of the Lord to guide the youth and their families in finding these individual names. It is thrilling to be part of this work and to feel the Lord guiding and blessing us.

If you are reading this blog post and are not a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you may be wondering why we perform baptisms for our dead ancestors.  Some of my previous blog posts address this question; such as the St George Temple.  We believe every person born on this earth is a child of a loving Heavenly Father.  He wants everyone of us to have the same opportunity to learn of him and return to live in his presence.  

The Lord has provided prophets to teach us and the Priesthood to perform the sacred ordinance of baptism, as well as other ordinances found in the temple.  Those who died without being taught and baptized into the kingdom of God, continue to be taught in the spirit world after this life. Since baptism requires that we have a physical body, those of us still on the earth perform baptisms for them and they have the opportunity to accept or reject the work being done. Their agency is paramount. 

Our priority is for each of us to do the work for our own family. And after we have found a grandparent, we feel it is just as important to find all of their children and grandchildren, not just the one we are directly descended from. After all, don't they, and we, love all our children?

(Note: One hundred fifty-six youth came to the temple that day and performed over 400 baptisms, the majority of which were their own family names. It was a moving experience to see the baptistry completely filled by the youth and their leaders, with many more waiting their turn to enter, all the way down the hallway leading to the baptistry. A fireside was held afterward where they shared their experiences.)

Snowflake Arizona Temple - Ezekiel's Prophecy

With the name "Snowflake", I visualized the town and it's temple located in a mountainous area. And although we traveled north from Phoenix through some beautiful mountains to get there, the landscape changed to a barren desert. Later, I read this place was named after it's Mormon pioneer founders Lorenzo Snow and William Jordan Flake. When we first spotted the temple I wondered, "Where's the city?" But, we soon discovered it hiding over the ridge east of the temple.

Because of the dry desert surroundings, I immediately noticed a beautiful waterfall which began near the temple door and flowed over rocks below.  I thought of the scriptures about the prophesies of the temple in Jerusalem described in Ezekiel 47, "Afterward he brought me again unto the ^adoor of the house; and, behold, ^bwaters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward." This prophesy proclaims that water will flow from the temple toward the Dead Sea, and ultimately heal that stagnant, salty water, located in the desert.

When visiting Israel several years ago, I was taught some of the symbolism of living water to the Jews. Their ceremonial washings are done only in flowing or moving water, which is not under pressure. This represents pure and living water. For instance, when washing their hands before approaching the wailing wall at the temple in Jerusalem, they first run water from a faucet into a pitcher. Then they pour the water from the pitcher gently over their hands.

The Snowflake Temple serves four surrounding stakes of Native Americans.  Several beautiful native rugs, paintings and decorations appear throughout the temple.  One of the temple workers commented they can always tell when someone is visiting the area, because they take more time to look at the walls and furnishings.

I was especially touched by the warm welcome I felt from everyone attending the temple that day.    One sister was celebrating 55 years of marriage with her husband.  She mentioned some of the trials they had experienced at the death of two of their children when they were young.  I noticed the sweet face of another sister as soon as she entered the endowment room.  I thought to myself, "I would like to be like her."  As I prepared to leave the temple I saw her again, and I told her about my feelings.  She just seemed to glow with a peaceful serenity.  She told me it must be because she is there doing work for her ancestors, and she prays for them continuously from the moment she enters the temple.

Mesa Arizona Temple - Reflection

I saw a quiet pond and desert landscaping surrounding the Mesa Temple.  A long row of Hollyhocks greeted us as we walked to the front door.  These are some of my favorite flowers.  They reminded me of when I was young and visited my grandparents in Fairview, Utah.  We would pick the large colorful blossoms and use them as skirts for toothpick dolls.

Inside, at the end of the session, Bill and I descended a flight of stairs and walked down a hallway.  We both exclaimed in surprise as we caught our reflection in a large full-length mirror at the end of the hallway.  I was pleased with what I saw and I noticed our smiles and beautiful white clothing, but I felt self conscience looking at myself in this grand setting.  I kept ducking my gaze and then taking another peek.

Later, as I walked to the waiting area to meet Bill, I noticed several more full-length mirrors around other corners and down hallways.  It was as though I was looking through a portal and seeing myself as others see me.  I asked myself, "If I feel self-conscience looking at my own reflection now, what will I feel standing in the presence of the Lord, where my whole soul will be visible and my deeds will be known?  Will I even be able to look at Him, or will I want to hide my face?"  I realized there is no hiding from the Lord.  He sees all and knows all.

Brigham City Utah Temple - Open House - Shoshone Indians

Before any temple is dedicated, an open house is held for the public to enter and walk through the beautiful rooms.  Every temple has unique furnishings and decorations, even if it might have a similar architectural design to some other temple.  What is most memorable, however, is feeling the spirit of the Lord.

Recently, Bill and I went with our son and his family, to the open house of the Brigham City Utah Temple.  This temple includes imagery of an important locally grown fruit, peach blossoms.  People come from all around to purchase boxes of peaches from the miles of orchards along the foot of the mountains.   Also within the temple, are four new original paintings in the baptistry, "one of the middle eastern Jordan River, one of John the Baptist baptizing Jesus, another of a pioneer baptism in the Box Elder County and a fourth of two brethren confirming an American Indian after his baptism." Later, while sharing our visit to the temple with our daughter, she mentioned there is an interesting story about the painting depicting the Shoshone Indians.  Here is a little information I found:

In the 1860's and 70's, following the Bear River massacre of the Shoshone Tribe, by government troops, some Indian's told about being visited by spiritual messengers, who told them to get baptized.  Elder George Washington Hill and his companion taught and baptized many.  The following is a quote from Elder Hill's account.

"At least five different Indians claimed supernatural visitations telling them to join the Mormons.  The experience of one Indian in Skull Valley in the summer of 1872 was typical.  He claimed that while he was sitting in his lodge, three strangers who looked like Indians visited him and said the Mormons' God was the true God and the father of the Indians.  Find the Mormons and have them baptize you, these strangers said, for "the time was at hand for the Indians to gather, and stop their Indian life, and learn to cultivate the earth and build houses, and live in them."  Then the stranger showed him a vision of all the "northern country and Bear River and Malad" where many Indians were growing many fine crops with a few whites showing the Indians how (Hill 1877, 11).

Several hundred Indians accepted these messages as divine and subsequently joined the Mormon faith.  Apostle Orson Pratt believed the holy messengers were the Three Nephites mentioned in the Book of Mormon.  "We have heard of some fourteen hundred Indians who have been baptized ask them why they have come so many hundred miles to find Elders of the Church and they will reply - 'Such a person came to us, he spoke in our language, instructed us and told us what to do, and we have come in order to comply with his requirements'"

In early August, this year, some of the Shoshone descendants attended a special open house of the temple.

Amos Wright wrote an interesting missionary account about his service among the Shoshone Indians in the Wind River Mountains during the 1880's.  You can read it by entering the following link:

http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=166&sourceId=9f06aeca0ea6b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

Reaching Our Goal - 34 Temples

We did it!  Below, is a complete list of 34 beautiful temples Bill and I visited before our 34th wedding anniversary, this year.   It began as only an idea, but blossomed into an unforgettable journey.  Looking back on it now, I see multiple miracles.  How could we afford the time or expense to travel across the nation?  It was as though the Lord opened up a roadmap for us to follow, as Bill's work took him from place to place.  And we filled in the gaps with a few extra road trips and miles.  But, by far, the greatest miracle is the increased love Bill and I feel toward one another, and the love we feel from the Lord.

We made the decision to include the Kirtland Ohio temple, in our total, even though this temple is not currently in operation.  However, it was the first dedicated temple of the latter-day dispensation, and holds a very important place in the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I hope by sharing our experience, my family, and perhaps others, might feel an increased desire to attend the temple, or are edified in some way by reading some of my poetry or thoughts.  I am attempting to put to use the talents and gifts the Lord has given me, to strengthen others.  I am grateful for my testimony and knowledge about the Lord's plan of salvation for myself and all his children.  I want others to enjoy the happiness I feel.

In the temple, we make covenants with the Lord.  These are sacred teachings and promises, accompanied by heavenly power, to help us change and grow to become like him.  They are glorious and edifying.  I think about them everyday as I make choices and decisions about how I conduct my life.  I have many weaknesses to overcome, but I have faith and hope, through Christ, that he will help me overcome them.

I feel the love of the Lord every day.  I do not have to travel somewhere else to find him.  I feel his spirit guiding and teaching me during quiet moments, and whenever I open my heart to him.  I am happy to live a simple and ordinary life, filled with family memories.

1.   Bountiful Utah
2.   Manti Utah
3.   Mount Timpanogos Utah
4.   Cardston Alberta Canada
5.   Kirtland Ohio
6.   Palmyra New York
7.   Boston Massachusetts
8.   Birmingham Alabama
9.   Atlanta Georgia
10. Winter Quarters Nebraska
11. Draper Utah
12. Dallas Texas
13. Oquirrh Mountain Utah
14. Vernal Utah
15. Denver Colorado
16. Monticello Utah
17. Jordan River Utah
18. Salt Lake City Utah
19. St George Utah
20. Las Vegas Nevada
21. Newport Beach California
22. Los Angeles California
23. San Diego California
24. Redlands California
25. Logan Utah
26. Kona Hawaii
27. Laie Hawaii
28. Twin Falls Idaho
29. Idaho Falls Idaho
30. Rexburg Idaho
31. Reno Nevada
32. Sacramento California
33. Oakland California
34. Provo Utah 

Provo Utah Temple - Agency

Our visit to the Provo Temple was very different from what I imagined it would be.  I thought we would re-live the wonderful events surrounding our marriage there, 34 years ago.  Instead, it was a mix of emotions and memories that began before we even met.  The matured pine trees behind the temple, filled in the years since we were last there.  Squaw Peak, to the east, and BYU University to the south (where we met), held a flood of sweet and poignant memories, hopes, dreams, frustrations, discouragements, excitement, inspiration and longing.  We visited the past and wondered how we got where we are, now.  It began a few days ago, when we saw the pictures of our wedding day.  Real questions surfaced of, 'Who am I?' and 'What happened to the person I was then?'  'Is this the future I imagined for myself?'  Our experience spilled over into the next day as we continued to share our thoughts and feelings, mixed with some tears.

Our life together began one afternoon on the BYU campus, while I was waiting for choir practice to begin, for a special performance behind the DeJong Concert Hall stage, which we were both part of.  I had arrived early, and the room was relatively empty.  A young man entered and walked straight across the room, passing umpteen empty chairs, to sit in the seat right next to me (invading my personal space).  Then he turned and asked if I would be willing to go on a date with him.  I remember thinking, "Why does this good looking guy want to go on a date with me?"  It's not that I felt totally unattractive, but I thought he was very good looking, and I wondered what had attracted him to me.  I asked what he had in mind for the date, and when he mentioned going to a movie at the theatre on campus, I thought that sounded safe enough, so I said yes.  For the next several minutes, we sat in awkward silence, not knowing what to say or do.  When the choir practice began, I felt shy singing next to him.

When he picked me up for the date, he suggested we go to a fun hamburger spot to eat, called Jimba's, instead of the movie, so we could talk and get to know one another.  I decided to be adventurous, and I ordered sprouts on my hamburger, which I had never tried before, (that is about as adventurous as I get, so this should tell you something about me).  The next thing I knew, Bill was asking if he could have a bite of my hamburger.  I wondered who this guy was, to be so bold, especially on a first date.  And, I hate sharing my food with anyone, so, this was almost a deal-breaker.  For the next couple of hours, we  ate, were entertained by the antics of a student in an ape costume who worked for the restaurant, and talked about our families and our studies.  When he dropped me off at my apartment, one of my roommates asked me how the date had gone.  I remember telling her that, at first I wasn't sure about this guy, but I had had a really fun time with him, and if he asked me out again I would say yes.

In the following months, Bill graduated and started working for a company nearby, while I continued to attend college.  And, when Bill asked me to marry him, five months after our first date, I told him no.  I knew a proposal was coming, because Bill's employer was preparing to transfer him to do work in another state.  As soon as I heard this, Bill's best friend said, "Janice, you better start fasting!".  This was sooner than I had anticipated, and I wondered how I could know if I should marry Bill.  One evening, as we were sitting on the couch in my apartment, Bill turned and asked if I would marry him.  I felt bad that I didn't feel to throw my arms around his neck and say yes.  Instead, I told him I needed some time to decide.  Right after this, Bill's employer decided not to transfer him, but here was this big, looming question of marriage.

I prayed, I pondered, I read, I prayed again; nothing seemed to give me the answer I was seeking.  I was waiting for the Lord to tell me what to do.  I wanted a sign of some kind, bells, anything.  But, nothing came, and I wondered how to make such a monumental decision.  I knew I loved Bill.  In a previous relationship, a fellow asked me to marry him.  After several months of uncertainty, I finally told him I couldn't marry him.  He was very hurt.  Yet, I knew I had made the right decision.

Now, with Bill, I was afraid of hurting him, and of dragging this decision on for months.  So, one evening I told Bill that I loved him, but that I did not feel I could say 'yes' to his question, so, therefore the answer had to be 'no'.  I explained that I didn't want the uncertainty to go on for a long time, so I wanted to release him from any obligation to me and allow us both to move forward.  As I told Bill this, it was a very different experience than I had before.  I felt, even though I was telling him no, I knew he would call me the next day and I would go out with him.  I still wanted to see and date him, and I didn't want it to be over.  Later, he told me he felt the same way, and he did call the next day.

This decision, to tell Bill 'no', put us back into just a dating relationship.  We began to have more fun than we had ever had together.  The pressure was off to decide about marriage, so we laughed and got to know one another and had a wonderful time.  Nevertheless, after just a few more weeks of this, I felt it was time again for me to revisit my decision about marriage.  However, this time, I found an important article in the church's Ensign magazine, that helped me understand how to hear an answer from the Lord.

In this article, a young woman described the process she had gone through to make a decision to marry.  It was exactly what I was experiencing.  I took this new found knowledge, and I began to discuss with the Lord my thoughts and feelings.  I told him of my desires and how I felt about Bill, both now and in my future.  In the end, the Lord carefully let me see into my own heart.  I decided that Bill was exactly the kind of person I wanted to marry, and I felt different with him than I had with anyone else I had dated.  I told the Lord that I decided to say yes, and get engaged to Bill.  And I asked the Lord to confirm my answer, by how things would go in the coming weeks.  I told him that I would know it was the right decision, if I felt happy and if things went well between now and the time we were married.  But, if I grew unhappy, and if things became troubled, then I would know I had made the wrong decision, and I would end the engagement.  As it turns out, this was also a very important test for Bill.  Up until then, he had been anxious in his other dating relationships.  Ours was the first time he remained patient and kept dating, in spite of the delay.  So, the Lord had important personal lessons for both of us during this preparatory time.

From the moment I told Bill I would marry him, I felt happier than I had ever felt in my life.  I could not wait to be with him.  Every decision we made went smoothly and all the preparations were put into place without a problem.  And, on the day we were married, I felt happier than ever before.  As we held hands across the altar of the temple, I knew I made the right decision.  I appreciate that the Lord allowed me to know my own desires, and make up my own mind on this most important decision.  It has allowed me to accept responsibility for my choice, and to see how the Lord honors our agency.

Bill describes his decision to marry me, in a very sweet way.  He said he knew on our first date, as he listened to me talk about my family, that he wanted to marry me.  He said, up until then, he often asked the Lord the question, "Is this the one I should marry?".  But after he met me, his prayers changed to, "Please, let this be the one!"

East side of Provo Temple

Our journey, for the past 34 years, has been one of joy, trial and discovery.  In many ways we are opposites; for example, spontaneous vs consistency, grandiose ideas vs steady-she-goes, confident vs hesitant, entrepreneur vs traditional, individual vs group activity.   He helps me dream, I provide stability.   Yet, when it comes to our core values, we are in perfect harmony.  We have strong personal values and religious views.  We respect and love one another.  We are committed to honoring our covenant of marriage and devotion to one another.  We wanted a family and have been devoted to serving them and the Lord.  We acknowledge where we are different and constantly search for ways to nurture the bonds that keep us united and close.  We have our share of disagreements and misunderstandings, but, we work to repair injured feelings and come to an understanding.  It is a work in progress.  Sound too good to be true?  Absolutely! We are in this for eternity.

Sacramento California Temple - Can I Stay?

Can I Stay?  This is what I felt, while sitting in the Celestial Room of the Sacramento California Temple.  It was so beautiful, neither Bill or I wanted to leave.  It wasn't just the physical beauty of this place that kept us there.  There also existed a wonderful feeling of peace and warmth, that I have come to know as the spirit of the Lord.  The glorious chandelier, the full length windows surrounded in tinted blue, the magnificent arches, all echoed a song of love to and from the Lord.

When God created the earth, he made an especially beautiful garden for Adam and Eve.  There they walked and talked with him, and he taught them.  They were told to tend and take care of the garden, and to have joy.  I believe it is good to enjoy
and create beauty.  In reality we are each given a small garden, or world, to manage: our bodies, our families, our homes and property.  We tend, repair, improve, beautify and enjoy these creations made through God's gift and our own hands.  We praise him through our efforts and are accountable to him for these stewardships.  It is all practice and a prelude for a more permanent and glorious place.

When my husband and I planted two honey locust trees in our front yard, 20 years ago, we prayed for them to grow and be protected.  When they were new, a strong windstorm came up, and Bill and I literally held on to them to preserve them.  Our neighbors laughed at our comical efforts.  I have cleaned and painted every corner of every room in our home.  Bill has tended the yard, tilled and planted tomatoes and cucumbers in our small patch of garden.  We have laughed, loved, cried and pleaded with the Lord, for ourselves and our children, within this small plot of ground.  I pray the Lord will continue to sanctify and hallow this small spot in Eden's former plot.

Reno Nevada Temple - Liahona

The wind swirled around us as we drove toward the Reno Nevada Temple, on a hilltop west of the city.  We arrived just in time for the last session, with the help of our phone GPS instructions.  In all of our searches for temples, or hotels, no matter how confusing the streets have been, the GPS quickly adapted to our correct and incorrect turns, and charted us a course that eventually took us where we wanted to be.  (Except the time it gave us directions to Australia, when we only needed to go a few blocks!)

I cannot help but compare this technology to the "ball of curious workmanship", described by the Prophet Nephi in the Book of Mormon.

1Ne 16:10

 10 And it came to pass that as my father arose in the morning, and went forth to the tent door, to his great astonishment he beheld upon the ground a round ^aball of curious workmanship; and it was of fine brass. And within the ball were two spindles; and the one ^bpointed the way whither we should go into the wilderness.

There is a significant difference between our GPS and the Liahona.  The ancient compass operated, based on the righteousness and faithfulness of those to whom it was entrusted.  So, when they neglected their relationship with the Lord, it stopped working and they would wander and get lost.  But, when they followed the instructions correctly, they were eventually led to the promised land.

Later, in the Book of Mormon, Alma (another prophet), likened the blessings of following the Liahona, to following the word of Christ.

Alma 37:45
45 And now I say, is there not a ^atype in this thing? For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise.

I know, if we follow the words of Christ, we will be guided back into his presence.

One of the women (Sisters) greeted us as we entered the front door.  Later I spoke with her, and was surprised to discover she and her husband served a mission in Peru and Bolivia, about 11 years ago.  Her husband is a medical doctor and was in charge of keeping 1200 missionaries healthy, who were serving in those two countries.  They traveled frequently.   It was very challenging and some of the missionaries experienced unusual and rare fevers and diseases, that we don't typically see in the United States.  I felt a kinship with her as I shared some of my experiences while growing up in Bolivia.

This is proof I'm not totally vain!
Believe it or not...this was
the best of three attempted pictures!

She and her husband are an example of so many other missionary couples who, once they retire, choose to serve missions throughout the world, at their own expense.  Some serve in the temples, or they serve humanitarian missions, where supplies are gathered and sent all over the world to those experiencing hardship from natural disasters.  Recent examples are, the earthquake in Japan, and the tornadoes in the southern US.  The supplies and relief, bless all people in the affected area.  Other missionary couples go to places to help strengthen and fellowship members of the church.  Some help train or mentor individuals, help manage farms and distribution centers, or serve on military bases.  The list and the need is almost endless.

I will always be grateful for various missionary couples who have watched over and served beside our sons, while they have been serving missions, and in the military.

A few years ago, our Stake President, challenged each member of the stake to set a future date, when they would be willing to accept a call to serve a mission.  Our date is quickly approaching, but will require a few more miracles between now and then.

Rexburg Idaho Temple - House of Higher Learning

A house of higher learning sits on a hill overlooking Brigham Young University Idaho.  The Rexburg Temple can almost be described as an addition to the campus, where students and others turn for spiritual learning.

BYU-I's mission statement reads, BYU-Idaho seeks to develop students who are spiritually focused and ready for leadership in their families, the workplace, and the community.  Several of our children chose to attend this university, and our youngest son is currently studying there.

Recently, I pondered the account of when Jesus was 12 years old and he was discovered by his parents in the temple. (Luke 2)  And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.  And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

Throughout his mortal ministry, Jesus continued to teach in the temple. (John 18:20) Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.  Therefore, it seems obvious that today we may seek to enter the chapels and the temple to be taught by him.

Someone I spoke with recently, questioned our need for inspiration from the Lord, and they wondered if we are as capable of accomplishing the same things by our own power.  Someone else described this as having faith only in oneself, rather than having faith in Jesus Christ.  I was pondering these comments as we prepared to enter the temple session.  I picked up the scriptures, and as I sometimes do, I decided to open them to a random page, and prayed I would find an answer to whether we need the Lord's help.

I opened to Mormon 4.  The chapter heading indicated this chapter was about the war and destruction of an ancient people who once lived on the Americas, called the Nephites.  Immediately, I said in my mind, "No!".  I really didn't want to read such a sad account before going into the session.  So, my next inclination was to open the book somewhere else.  However, I decided to exercise my faith more, and I silently prayed again that I would find something within the chapter I'd turned to that would answer my prayers.

The account on the next few pages, (Mormon 4, 5) was a perfect description of the need to rely on our Savior, Jesus Christ, and what will become of those who turn away from him and rely only on their own power.

4:18  And from this time forth did the Nephites gain no power over the Lamanites, but began to be swept off by them even as a dew before the sun.
5:2  ...they repented not of their iniquities, but did struggle for their lives without calling upon that Being who created them.
5:17  They were once a delightsome people, and they had Christ for their shepherd; yea, they were led even by God the Father.
5:18  But now, behold, they are led about by Satan, even as chaff is driven before the wind, or as a vessel is tossed about upon the waves, without sail or anchor, or without anything wherewith to steer her; and even as she is, so are they.

This appears to be a very harsh and unloving fate for those who have strayed from the arms of the Savior.  But, these were people who had once known and followed him, and then turned away.  However, the chapter continues by describing the restoration of hope for those caught in this downward spiral.  These next verses are talking about the coming forth of the Book of Mormon.  The whole purpose of the Book of Mormon is to restore faith to those who want to come, know and be brought back into the Savior's presence.

5:12  Now these things are written unto the remnant of the house of Jacob; and they are written after this manner, because it is known of God that wickedness will not bring them forth unto them; and they are to be hid up unto the Lord that they may come forth in his own due time.
5:14  And behold, they shall go unto the unbelieving of the Jews; and for this intent shall they go - that they may be persuaded that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God; that the Father may bring about, through his most Beloved, his great and eternal purpose, in restoring the Jews, or all the house of Israel, to the land of their inheritance, which the Lord their God hath given them, unto the fulfilling of his covenant;

5:21  And also the Lord will remember the prayers of the righteous, which have been put up unto him for them.
5:22  And then, O ye Gentiles, how can ye stand before the power of God, except ye shall repent and turn from your evil ways?
5:23  Know ye not that ye are in the hands of God?  Know ye not that he hath all power, and at his great command the earth shall be rolled together as a scroll?
5:24  Therefore, repent ye, and humble yourselves before him...

It seems clear to me, and I testify, that we need the help of the Lord, to overcome sin and receive the blessings of happiness.  Without him there is eventual sadness, destruction and pain.  I choose the former.

At the beginning of this blog, I shared an experience and poem about the reflections of light in the chandelier in the Bountiful Temple.  They were symbolic of future posterity.  In the Rexburg Temple, I again noticed these tiny sparkling colors, and a new realization came to me.  If each of these sparkles represents an individual person, none of them are forgotten or out of sight of our Father in Heaven.  They remain completely within his vision and power of influence.  And even though some remain hidden from me, although I appear to be looking right at them, each is never out of his sight, reach or understanding.  He looks upon us all with the eyes of a loving Father, ready and eager to help as soon as we are willing to invite and receive him.

I guess this is my Sunday sermon to myself.  I didn't even describe the majesty of the temple interior and surroundings.  This is, without a doubt, one of my favorite temples.

Idaho Falls Idaho Temple - Sacred Trust and Impressions

For a couple of months, each summer, Bill's mother would travel from their home in Idaho Falls, to a town in Pennsylvania, where her ancestors were from.  She studied maps and gathered books containing records, so she could identify her relatives and submit their names for temple work.  Her desire was to unite and link her family together.  My husband has inherited her research books and the family history records she gathered.  It is a sacred trust, and we are quite overwhelmed with the task of how to preserve and add to the work she began.

I can only imagine the greeting she received, when she passed away, from the relatives she found and grew to love over her many years of research and sacrifice.

While looking for someone to take our picture before entering the front door of the temple, Bill approached a young father who was there with his wife and two children.  It took me a moment to see that there were two missionaries with them.  He graciously took our picture, and then we observed his smiling family gather in front of a small water feature, while one of the missionaries took their picture.  I wish now, we had taken more time to visit with them.  I could see evidence of multiple tattoos along his arms and around his neck.  I'm sure he has an interesting story to tell.

While sitting in the Celestial Room, at the end of the session, Bill recognized and greeted a childhood friend.  Later he mentioned how much it meant to him to see a friend who has come to this time of their lives, who continues to serve and have a strong testimony of the gospel.  So many of his friends have had very difficult and troubling lives, and he was glad to have discovered someone who was also happy, like hmself.

Soon Bill's brother-in-law entered to greet us.  He is serving as the men's coordinator in the temple.  I took a moment to ask if he would explain one of the murals on the wall.  He simply referred to the opportunity each person has of receiving personal revelation each time they come.  And we might receive different impressions about each of these things during subsequent visits. I could tell he had been asked to not offer an interpretation, but to allow each temple visitor, myself included, to ponder and receive personal thoughts and impressions.

Waterfalls cascade along the river running in front of the Idaho Falls Temple.  It reminded me of a recent talk by Elder Packer and a scripture he quoted from D&C 121.

Regardless of opposition or “wars, rumors of wars, and earthquakes in divers places,”²⁰ no power or influence can stop this work. Every one of us can be guided by the spirit of revelation and the gift of the Holy Ghost. “As well might man stretch forth his puny arm to stop the Missouri river in its decreed course, or to turn it up stream, as to hinder the Almighty from pouring down knowledge from heaven upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints.”²¹