St. Patrick's Day

The Cow and The Coyote watch over downtown Kirkland. They get decorated for each holiday. Click here to see their various costumes. 

Salt Lake City Visit - Temple Pictures

In January I spent several weeks in Salt Lake City visiting family, friends, and attending two genealogy conferences. I like taking pictures of the temple. I wish there were a way to capture the significance of the work and service that take place in temples, Houses of the Lord. 

Temple Square is comprised of 35 acres in the center of Salt Lake City. The Salt Lake Temple was constructed over a period of 40 years. It is one of 136 operating temples throughout the world. 15 more are under construction and 15 more have been announced. 

Holiness to the Lord

The House of the Lord

"Throughout history, the Lord has commanded His people to build temples. Temples are literally houses of the Lord. They are holy places of worship." In temples we learn about who we are, where we came from, and why we are here on earth - and what comes next. In temples individuals make sacred promises with God. See more here. 

Moroni is atop most LDS temples. Moroni is the prophet who compiled the ancient records which were translated and called the Book of Mormon. Moroni is shown with a trumpet to symbolize announcing "the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people." (Revelation 14: 6)

Looking into reflecting pond in front of temple

These next photos are taken from the 10th floor of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. I like the way the appearance of the temple changes as the light dwindles at the end of the day.

The temple looks massive, solid, otherworldly, grounded - a reminder of reaching heavenward and of making covenants with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ - and a whole host of feelings that are difficult to articulate. A temple and all that occurs within are reminders of and links to the other side. 

This night was clear and we could see the mountains distant in the valley.

Interesting variety of rooftops in these scenes  

I am thankful there are places where we can step out of the hustle and bustle of the world and focus on who we are, why we're here, and where we are going. This life is a time to learn and prepare for all that comes next. With the busyness of earth life, it is easy to lose track of the spiritual part of our being - our divine heritage and purpose. 

Home - More Reflections

My childhood home

Charity Eyre wrote a beautiful "ode to a house" as she remembered her childhood home.  The essay brought back memories of the time my siblings and I were preparing our childhood home for new owners. Every nook and cranny of that house held memories for us.

Eyre comments on special family times as well as family routines. I was struck by her account of spiritual experiences and traditions the family shared - testimonies, prayers, scripture study, blessings, and more.

Good families become even better and family relationships even deeper and more meaningful when Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Spirit are constant and welcome parts of the home and family.

A Thought For Every Day For Each One Of Us & Our Children

I read this quote by David Bednar. I think it is a thought to remember for every day – a thought to remember in the hustle and bustle of every day life - a thought that is important for each one of us and our children. 

“Each family prayer, each episode of family scripture study, and each family home evening, [including each loving action no matter how seemingly small] is a brushstroke on the canvas of our souls. No one event may appear to be very impressive or memorable. But just as the yellow and gold and brown strokes of paint complement each other and produce an impressive masterpiece, so our consistency in doing seemingly small things can lead to significant spiritual results.”  -

Elder David A. Bednar “More Diligent and Concerned at Home,” Ensign, Nov. 2009, 19-20

‘Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great” (Doctrine & Covenants 64:33)


posted by Joe

Why? Pair of Scissors?

The other day I said "a pair of scissors" and thought about the phrase for the first time. Why use the word "pair?" I found a variety of explanations, some of which made more sense than others.

When I looked this up I came across a whole list of terms that are plural but refer to one item. The word "pair" is used with many of them. Examples: 

  binoculars

  goggles

  jeans

  pants/trousers 

  shorts

  tights

Here I learned that a plural noun that "refuses to be singular," such as scissors, is a "defective" noun.  (I never knew there was such a thing.)

Check out this site for interesting information and explanations.  

Book - Mountain of Crumbs

Elena Gorokhova writes about growing up in Leningrad in the Soviet Union. Her descriptions of life during the 1960s and 1970s are fascinating - and so different from my childhood and young adult years. 

A couple in our congregation were born and lived in Romania until just a few years ago. Consuela gives fascinating examples when she teaches. She often speaks of life before and after the Revolution. In Worthington we knew a woman and her two daughters who left family in Bulgaria to come to Canada and the United States for opportunities. She grew up in Belarus. She married and moved to Bulgaria where her children were born. Her father was in the Soviet military, stationed with missiles that were pointed at the United States. 

This was about the same time that Joe was on a military base in Kodiak, Alaska. Joe and others were processing information from listening stations and from planes that were overflying the Soviet Union - probably passing over the missiles being manned by this woman's father - and others. She had interesting stories about life here versus life in the Soviet Union. 

Books like this cause me to pause and ponder the abundance of blessings we have in this country - and the responsibility we have as citizens. 

**********

New York Times review

Elena Gorokhova's website

Brushstrokes On The Canvas Of Our Souls

"In my office is a beautiful painting of a wheat field. The painting is a vast collection of individual brushstrokes—none of which in isolation is very interesting or impressive. In fact, if you stand close to the canvas, all you can see is a mass of seemingly unrelated and unattractive streaks of yellow and gold and brown paint. However, as you gradually move away from the canvas, all of the individual brushstrokes combine together and produce a magnificent landscape of a wheat field. Many ordinary, individual brushstrokes work together to create a captivating and beautiful painting.

Each family prayer, each episode of family scripture study, and each family home evening is a brushstroke on the canvas of our souls. No one event may appear to be very impressive or memorable. But just as the yellow and gold and brown strokes of paint complement each other and produce an impressive masterpiece, so our consistency in doing seemingly small things can lead to significant spiritual results."

David Bednar

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