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A lovely day with Bethany, Glen, Megan, and Isaac

We peeked into the Tabernacle just as they were having the organ concert so we listened for a bit-

Got to spend a great day with Glen, Megan, Isaac and Bethany. We were fortunate because the Saturdays the week before and after that one were very rainy. Slightly unfortunate that the Family Search Discovery Floor was not yet open on Saturdays - another trip to look forward to. We got to have my sister Chris and her husband Fred take us on a tour of the Beehive House, they do a really superb job. There are some new things to see and learn about there that just opened....

We did get to go to the Church History Museum and see the interactive things on the main floor, the Suffragette exhibit, the new kids exhibit upstairs. And we got a good view of the temple renovations and the city from up on the Conference Center and down near the construction. 

Thanks to our favorite South African sister missionary Sister Robison, many in our zone got to attend a special meeting by one of the people over the renovation where we learned a lot about what is happening and how and why. What a job! The seismic experts had to write new programs and their computers weren't big enough to handle it. They are doing a lot to tie the structure together and then under the foundation there will basically be a bridge that is supported by the gizmos that can move during an earthquake  - up to five feet to any side - without the building itself moving at all. 

We were shown a bit about the plans for around the building. The aim is to make the temple more visible. That's why the visitors center will be replaced by two small ones on the south -- one will have the Christus statue with a view of the temple behind Him. 

We could see some of the work on the plaza behind the Church Office Bldg and how they are now waterproofing (there is parking underneath) and using some Styrofoam to lighten the load where they need some height for planters without that much dirt/weight. They have been playing Tetris with various blocks of white stuff for a couple of weeks so far. They don't know exactly how many country's flags they will display around the plaza because apparently you need permission from some countries to put up their flag!

They are recycling most of the materials and are removing and re-anchoring over 3,000 stones. No welding is being done anywhere, only bolts, as a lesson from Notre Dame.

Unfortunately I can't manage to include all of the spiritual aspects the speaker did so well - The workers, planners, etc. are all very aware of the nature of the building and the project. The are working to Renew the temple as an offering to the Lord. He spoke of the importance of seeking to develop a greater sense of the Sacred - mentioned that we might be more careful in how we say things - the Holy Scriptures, what is Holy and Sacred in your life? He prays for permission to enter the Lords House when he goes in to look over the construction work. President Nelson has suggested that Temple Square could become a Center of Christianity for the world.

The growing/deepening pit on the north side where they will build more temple space - two baptistries, more sealing rooms and dressing rooms. There will be glass ceilings over two sections so people coming in will see the temple above.

You can see some of the work for the foundation below the original one.

"Holiness is the strength of the soul," said the late President James E. Faust, then of the First Presidency, during the April 2005 general conference. "It comes by faith and through obedience to God's laws and ordinances. God then purifies the heart by faith, and the heart becomes purged from that which is profane and unworthy. When holiness is achieved by conforming to God's will, one knows intuitively that which is wrong and that which is right before the Lord."

I hadn't known about the Cedar of Lebanon - a tree planted many years ago from a seed brought back for the Holy Land that has cost a lot to protect during all this!

Other thoughts from devotionals, etc:

ASAP - Always Say A Prayer

When we here counsel  - Lord, is it I?

One couple ended up with a chance for early retirement and came on a mission to use his professional skills in cleaning and sanitation products just before Covid hit and it was crucially needed.

One Elder spoke of a mission with the Natural Resource Services that he enjoyed so much he continued into a service mission and has been working there 13 years - they deal with natural resources of church properties., mineral rights and such.

We have devotionals, newsletters, etc. to help us remember that we Hear Him in our service even when it may seem like just clerical or such, that we are assisting in building the kingdom of God on the earth. One example was given of a sister who continue to serve through her cancer, the desire of many senior missionaries is to wear themselves out in the service of the Lord.

We heard from some working in senior missionary application process and using the pattern of the scriptures to learn to do the job better - study, inquire of the Lord, listen, accept, act. 

Doctrine and Covenant 101:16 Therefore, let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion; for all flesh is in mine ^ahands; be still and ^bknow that I am God.

We had a very interesting "Town Hall" for the missionary department. Great thought from David Weidman  about a failure of a big event he planned in an early job - the boss said "you learned the right things" 

Are we learning the right things from all that has gone on the last couple of years? So much has been learned from the missionaries themselves figuring out new ways to work. The home MTC will be a part of things for the foreseeable future - start getting used to the missionary schedule and classes in comfort of home then go to MTC and you already know your district and teachers and companion. 

We got to see the new Christmas videos and plans - Light the World with LOVE, and a message to invite the missionaries to bring the Christmas Spirit into your home.

I got to see the "Certain Women" exhibit with my sisters, this was one of my favorites. The theme was thoughts on our Heavenly Mother and I love this idea of it looking like she is about to come into focus. The piece on the right of it was also interesting, embroidered landscape and the whole frame is covered in fine netting and the bird is embroidered on that so the shadow of the bird shows in the sky.

These wonderful flowers near the Relief Society Building have bloomed for months and I finally learned they are Chinese Anemones. I want some! They have flowerbeds at their peak for conference but then they disappear and pansies go in and many spots are already covered up now for winter. I love around the Tabernacle how the pansy beds have sort of random poppies sticking up here and there.

Gorgeous fall colors started to face and suddenly early one morning the lights were on! (just being tested, they won't be on for real until Nov. 26)

Mission Devotional got to hear from Peter Vidmar who was an Olympic champ, has since been mission president among other things- Privilege of wearing the Savior's name over our hearts-

Met Elder Wier who is training to go to New Zealand as IFR (though it will be remote until they let people in) - previously as Mission President of the Marshal Islands  sent missionaries out to islands - (two island nations area bigger than continental US, total population of a city) - no communication between islands so they had lost track of about 500 members as they went home to outlying islands, found 40 members on one, sent two elders on charter flight with a short-wave radio to another not knowing where they would stay, who they would find, no one knew they were coming, etc. they eagerly went. Got to little airstrip and older lady was sitting there - said the Lord told her that morning to go to the airport (1 1/2 hour walk). (We love when an IFR actually comes into the office and we get to hear and learn from them a bit.)

We are getting a little more used to the rhythm of the office, some days there are meetings such as the Executive Directors and so the place gets busier with copies being made and assistants rushing about. It is still mostly empty desks and offices though. We love the Prefield area where there is always a person or two ready to answer our questions and help us out. We even occasionally know the answers when we get calls. Several things have been caught up on and we actually had a couple of days with very little to do! 

 A follow-up on a zone devotional that mentioned us and so hit home extra much: 

Subject: Thoughts from today's devotional

 

Dear fellow HSS Zone missionaries,

 

As the Drassos were talking, I was watching the screen with the faces of so many missionaries whom I love and whom I know are diligently, successfully serving.  As I looked at you, so many illustrations of what we were talking about came to mind. 

 

First, I just thought about how much I have been strengthened by getting to serve around you.  I feel blessed that I’m next door to all the medical missionaries so I run into them in the hallway and can go visit when I want—I love visiting with all the wonderful nurses in their pod!  I see Sister Bartell multiple times a day and it’s just nice to feel connected to missionaries; the week she was gone it felt lonely.  And I thought of running into the Bonds while walking to work early on my mission and how I still remember that brief interaction.  And once a week I go to a meeting and see the Merrells and it always makes me happy to feel connected to other missionaries.  And going to see the Wilcoxes in their tower. And on and on.  So while I might not be the person who you wanted to come serve, I am grateful just to get to be around you.      “You can know you have been a successful missionary when you: Teach and serve other missionaries.” (Preach My Gospel pg.11-12)

 

Then there are specific things I see in your assignments.  Sister Clifton who has blessed me so much by being a friend and companion.  But then in her specific assignment she was able to bless my family.  Recently my parents submitted their mission papers and had a rather, um, brusque call from a medical person (not in our zone!) and it wasn’t the greatest experience.  But Sister Clifton took over their case and shepherded it through until the end, including many calls with my mother.  I’m sure that even if the original person had handled their case, the paperwork would have been done; but because Sister Clifton handled it, it was done with love and compassion and my parents were able to feel the Savior’s love. That is successful missionary work!        “You can know you have been a successful missionary when you: Love people and desire their salvation; Develop Christlike attributes; Go about doing good and serving people at every opportunity.” (Preach My Gospel pg.11-12)

 

I know many of you work in departments answering phones and organizing projects.  And I’m sure people tell you they’re grateful, but maybe you don’t always know what a support you are.  For example, I work closely with some executive level employees of the missionary department.  And last spring they were discussing the heavy burden they have had (for well over a year) with all the extra travel and logistics because of COVID.  During one weekly meeting, they mentioned they’d been approved to get a missionary couple to help them.  They were jubilant!   A few weeks later they told us a couple had been called and they (the employees) were SO excited and grateful.  When I met the Merrells just a couple of weeks later and they told me their assignment, I realized that they were the miracle couple, the answer to prayers of need.  As I’m sure many of you are.  “You can know you have been a successful missionary when you: Help establish and strengthen the Church . . . wherever you are assigned to work.” (Preach My Gospel pg.11-12)

 

That’s just my limited perspective.  I’m sure if we all shared stories, there would be thousands to tell about the successful missionaries we see around us.

 

And finally, as I looked at that screen of faces and names, I thought for about the 2,000^th time about how grateful I am for your examples of righteous and dedication.  For the rest of my life I will look to your examples both for my own edification as well as to teach and help others who want to know what enduring to the end and becoming perfected in Christ really looks like.  Thank you for your lives of example.

 

“You can know you have been a successful missionary when you: Live so that you can receive and know how to follow the Spirit, who will show you where to go, what to do, and what to say.” (Preach My Gospel pg.11-12)

 

Love,

Sister Checketts

 

Sister Ruth Checketts

OGC Missionary Attorney

Office of General Counsel