Highlights for July and August

Our director has reported that the month of July was our best month ever for referrals. That included 2006 and 2007. I think having the sculptures got us in the mode of testifying and helping our guests feel the spirit. We have had more guests, single families, from Europe and other countries than ever before. The European 'euro' has helped that--more power against the American dollar.

When we visit with a single family we can get to know them better. That helps us to say things that will fit their situation and personal interest. I think that personal attention helps when we try to give them a desire to learn more about the Book of Mormon and the Church.

Elder Hansen is very good at making presentations and has received several 'green cards.' (A green card is a personal referral from someone who would like missionaries to deliver a Book of Mormon to their home and teach them about it.) It is the best kind of referral.

I am not so bold in my presentations and probably lose opportunities for referrals. But, on the 5th of August, Elder Hansen's birthday, we were in the Tabernacle. It was my turn to greet our guests when two young men came in. They were around 30 years old. They were from Italy and could speak just a little English--asked me to speak slowly and they could then understand.
They were Catholic. They were excited when I explained our Eternal Families doctrine. So I gave them the 'Family Proclamation' in Italian. Before they left that morning they left me a green card and were glad to expect a Book of Mormon delivered to them at home in Italy. I will follow up with them and hope they gain a testimony. They said they would read the Book of Mormon.

I had a happy experience at Jacob Hamblin's Home. A couple arrived to show their granddaughter around before they went to Tuacahn's 'Les Miserables.' She had been to EFY in Las Vegas and was returning home to Layton. I found out the couple, the Pattersons, had served a mission in New Zealand---where a couple from our own Red Cliff's Ward are now serving. They said they knew them---the Duckworth's actually came to replace them when they were released to come home. Jacob's is fun now because the peaches and grapes are ripe and OH! so delicious! Our guests are invited to go pick a few to enjoy---which they do.

Then we learned that the new couple missionaries that will come in October (I think) are from our own Red Cliffs Ward. They moved here in January so we haven't met them, the Parkers---until they came to the Visitor Center and we got a chance to say hello. It will be nice to have mission friends in our own ward.

I had a very sweet experience in the Visitor Center when I met a family from Layton who were showing their mother around Utah. She is from Bolivia and has been a member for many years. She loves the Temple and has had to sacrifice much to ever go there. She is visiting in Utah for a few months and during that time she has volunteered in the Temple cafeteria just so she can be in the Temple. She doesn't speak much English but she came to me and I told her how wonderful it was that she is so strong and good. We embraced and felt a sweet spirit---I hope she felt my love and encouragement.

A grandmother and granddaughter from Veyo came to the Visitor Center and wanted to see our new dvd, 'Pioneer Miracle.' It is 13 minutes long so they were ok to wait for it to end. They started to work on the family history computer. Well, someone started the next movie and they didn't get included. They were ok to wait again to watch it from the beginning. I told them I would watch out for them and be sure they got in next. Six people and a wheelchair came and wanted to see it and I had to get someone to help me get it started---which I did---and forgot the Grandma again! When I realized, I ran over and brought them in---they only missed the opening credits. I was feeling like quite a failure. When the Grandma and granddaughter came out they were so elated. They had talked with the other people in the theater and found things in common. When I apologized---they thanked me. They had found a family member on the family history computer and were going to go home and get his work done. She told me that if they hadn't waited they would not have found him. So, when we are trying to do the best we can, though mistakes happen, the Lord knows how to turn it into a wonderful experience.

But, the very best experience we have had this month was getting the news that our Anna will be married to Darrin Frank the 8th of November in the Salt Lake Temple. They have known each other for six years and have been good friends--so this isn't a 'quick' relationship---it has developed. We have permission to go to the wedding, though it is out of our mission, because it is immediate family. Alisyn and Anna have done most of the planning already---not much left for me to do but go about being a good and happy missionary.

Until next time, remember where blessings come from. We are greatly blessed!

Healing Power of Jesus Christ Sculptures by Angela Johnson

We have been busy with sculptures for the past few weeks. I decided to include all of them for you to see. Thanks to Anna for these wonderful pictures taken during the display in our Visitor Center. The explanations where taken from the pedestal text that Angela wrote for each one. She told us that each text was inspired.

Angela Johnson came twice to meet with the missionaries. She wanted us to understand how she came to create the sculptures. She had been an opera singer for 20 years and decided to change careers about ten years ago. She has four children and grandchildren, now she is 52 years old. She felt inspired to try clay, though she had no training in sculpting. Her experiments convinced she could do it and she recognized she had a gift.

I believe that her success came because she decided to use her gift from God to testify of her love for Him and His love for us. She received inspiration and she says 'intelligence in my hands.' 'Free to Choose' was one of her earliest works. The first sculpture she did in this series dedicated to Jesus' Healing Power was "Be Not Afraid" which had a lot of personal meaning to her. She feels strongly that the world needs strength to not shut God out and wanted to help someone feel God's love for them through her sculpting gift.

The first display of this series was in clay at the Mesa Temple Visitor Center. Ours was the first display of the sculptures in bronze. They will be displayed in Oakland Temple Visitor Center from 1 August to 1 January 2009. We do not know where they will go after that.

'Be Thou Clean'

"And it came to pass, when He was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy, who, seeing Jesus, fell on his face and besought Him saying, 'Lord, if Thou wilt Thou canst make me clean.' And He put forth His hand and touched him saying, 'I will, be thou clean.' And immediately the leprosy departed from him." Luke 5:12-13

Outward sickness has obvious need of healing. But what of the sicknesses of the heart; loneliness, sin, fear or anger? Each of us, like the man afflicted with leprosy, must fall in humility at the feet of Jesus and plead for healing.

'Master, Say On'

When Simon the Pharisee invited Jesus to eat with him, a woman came to Jesus and anointed His feet and washed them with her tears. Simon, knowing this woman's sins, wondered how Jesus could allow the woman to touch Him. Jesus' response to Simon is a lesson to us all.

"Seest thou this woman?...Thou gavest me no water for my feet, but she hath washed my feet with tears and wiped them with the hairs of her head...My head with oil thou didst not anoint, but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment...Her sins, which are many, are forgiven...And He said to the woman, 'Thy faith hath saved thee, go in peace."

Luke 7:44, 46-47, 50

'Lazarus, Come Forth'

"Then said Martha unto Jesus, 'Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know that even now whatsoever Thou wilt ask of God, God will give it Thee.' Jesus saith unto her, 'Thy brother shall rise again.' Martha saith unto Him, 'I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.' Jesus said unto her, 'I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." John11:21-25

Lazarus was not resurrected at this time, his spirit was returned to his physical body in this miracle Jesus performed.

'One Thing Is Needful'

"A certain woman named Martha received Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving and came to Him and said, 'Lord, doest thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me.' And Jesus answered and said unto her, 'Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things. But one thing is needful, and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." Luke 10:38-42

Through His loving words to Martha, Christ invites each of us to refocus on what is most needful. This 'good part' cannot be taken from us.

'Oh My Father'

"And it came to pass in those days, that He went out into a mountain to pray and continued all night in prayer to God." Luke 6:12

"Messiah though He was, He was profoundly conscious of His dependence upon the Father, whose work He had come to do." James E. Talmage

Jesus' meekness and all-consuming love for His Father in Heaven is the perfect example for us in our own upward reaching. Prayer is the loving communion between a perfect loving Father and His child.

'Because of Love'

"But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed." Isaiah 53:5

"Father save me from this hour; but for this cause came I unto this hour. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." John 12:27, 32







'Come Unto Me'

As the Apostle Paul taught, 'But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for He that cometh to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11:6

The Savior of mankind personified the divine attributes of strength, love, compassion and mercy. All who come unto Him will feel His tender love for them.

'This Is My Beloved Son'

God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith in 1820. Joseph describes this experience in his own words.

"I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me...When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other, 'This is my beloved Son. Hear Him!" Joseph Smith History 1:16-17

'It Is I, Be Not Afraid'

"And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, 'It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, 'Be of good cheer. It is I, be not afraid." Matthew 14:26-27

Fear is one of the most powerful and common human emotions. But it is the opposite of faith. Faith in Jesus Christ gives us strength to face and conquer the challenges life brings. Having faith in Jesus Christ means relying completely on Him, knowing that even though you do not understand all things---He does.








'His Gathering'

"O ye house of Israel whom I have spared, how oft will I gather you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, if ye will repent and return unto me with full purpose of heart."
3 Nephi 10:8

Will we have the humility and wisdom to live so that we can know the exquisite joy of being 'gathered' by Christ?

'Let He That Is Without Sin'

"Master, this woman was taken in adultery. Now Moses in the law commanded us that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?'...But Jesus stooped down and with his finger wrote on the ground as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, 'He that is without sin among you, let him cast a stone at her'...and they...being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one...When Jesus had lifted up himself and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, 'Woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee?' She said, 'No man, Lord.' And Jesus said unto her, 'Neither do I condemn thee. Go and sin no more." John 8:4-7, 9-11

'Reach in Faith'

After His resurrection Jesus appeared to the apostles on several occasions. The first time, the apostle Thomas was not present, and he refused to believe that Jesus had been resurrected until he could see and touch Him himself. When Thomas finally did see Jesus, the Savior taught an important lesson.

"Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed; blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." John20:29

One day we will see our Savior face to face, but until then He asks us to reach out to Him in faith and believe.

'Free to Choose'

"Therefore, cheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves---to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life."
2 Nephi 10:23

Each of us starts life in a family. Regardless of our circumstances, the choices we make then lead us into paths of darkness or light. The figures on the downward path of darkness represent shame, repentance, despair and pride. Those on the upward path of light represent bearing one another's burdens, joy in Christ, feasting upon the work, enduring to the end and marriage is ordained of God.

________________

Our experiences with these sculptures has been significant to us. We had the sculptures from mid-March till the end of June--15 weeks. During this time the missionaries conducted tours for 33,179 guests. We were able to identify just over 1,000 as non-members, though we couldn't know this number for sure--there were probably many more. We know that most of these people were able to feel the sweet spirit of the Savior's love conveyed by the missionaries and the sculptures themselves. Angela Johnson has a beautiful gift and as she turned the gift over to the Lord in gratitude of her love for Him, He was able to use her talent as a very powerful testimony of His message to 'Come Unto Him.'

Almost every tour that Elder Hansen or I conducted had a spirit of love and peace and appreciation for the Savior and what He offers to us. Usually people had tears in their eyes and some shared sweet, special experiences they have had when in tune with the Spirit and love of Jesus Christ.

Now we must close this wonderful, fulfilling chapter of our mission and move on.

A Day of Service

We had a good day yesterday. Elder Hansen and I decided that the peaches in the orchard at Jacob Hamblin's home were long past thinning time and only a cursory token thinning had been done on a few trees. So, we went in the morning and thinned them---probably took thousands off the trees. We found a very tiny bird's nest in the crotch of one tree. The thinning shook the branch enough for two little birds to fall out of the nest. They had feathers but were not big enough to fly. I had gloves on so I carefully picked them up and took them back to their nest. There were already two other baby birds there---with room for only one. I had to just stack them on top of each other and hope they could stay up there till they were ready to fly away. Jacob's has an old tom cat that roams around--he reminds me of the tom cat on the farm in Lehi, he has the same stub tail and is big and black. I'm sure he would be glad if a little bird fell down and he found it. Helps you realize how fragile life's cycle is.

Then we went to the Visitors' Center for six hours. We were in the Annex and Elder Hansen greeted a very nice couple from Germany. Since we have spent some years in Germany, he asked them where they lived. They were not willing to tell him they were from East Germany (we found out later from Sister Wetzel). He set the 8 minute dvd for them and went to get Sister Wetzel. She is a new missionary from Germany. She found out that they lived near where she was from and they had much in common. She then took over and taught them the history of St. George and building the Temple. They were very interested so she spent an hour in the Visitors' Center and teaching them the lesson on the Restoration. They wanted a Book of Mormon and to have the missionaries to come to their home in Germany to teach them. She was really excited to have the experience--now she will have them as new friends for life.

I found this quote in the Church News in an article about the Church vaccinating for measles all over the world.

"The things you do for yourself are gone when you are gone but the things that you do for others remain as your legacy.

We have opportunities for personal expression of love through service. We all benefit by reaching out and helping others."

We all have opportunities around us every day to go beyond our comfort zone and serve someone in some way. May God bless us in our efforts to do this. Love, Sister Hansen

A Special Testimony

I want to share with you one of the most outstanding testimonies of the Savior that I have ever read. It was given in 1996 by Neal Maxwell before he was an Apostle. I think you would like it.

Neal A. Maxwell, “Jesus of Nazareth, Savior and King,” Ensign, Dec 2007, 44–47

It matters so very much how we regard and view Jesus Christ. Some seek to substitute Caesars for Christ. Others are blinded because they are “looking beyond the mark” (Jacob 4:14) when the mark is Christ. Many sects—without the reinforcing rods of revelation—have been badly shaken by theological tremors; the resulting ecclesiastical erosion has been so rapid it is measured in months, not centuries. Some crusaders without a cross have actually removed the divinity of Jesus Christ from the center of their doctrines—only to see all the other doctrinal dominoes tumble too.

Thus, foolishness, fear, and fashion have flattened the theology of many. For them, there is neither shelter nor landmark on the horizon.

There is, however, one people and one church bearing Jesus Christ’s name and built upon the fulness of His gospel. This people is seen by the world as eccentric, because they are so Christocentric!

This people strives to follow the counsel of the resurrected Savior, who said, “Hold up your light … unto the world. Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up—that which ye have seen me do” (3 Nephi 18:24).

Today I desire to hold up that light by testifying of Jesus Christ and what He has done according to what I know, have seen, felt, and heard in my life. This testimony involves my reason and my experience—the two limited but helping witnesses! Happily, there has been given to me the third witness of the Spirit—the unimpeachable and convincing witness!

My only regret is that what follows is apt to be the verbal equivalent of a child’s enthusiastic finger painting—because my tongue cannot tell all I know. Even so …

I testify that in our first estate Jesus was the incomparable individual among all our Father’s spirit children. He helped to prepare this planet for us and led—not pushed—us from our premortal post. I thank Him for the untold things He did, across the ages of that first estate, to prepare perfectly for His unique role—while I was doing so very much less. I thank Him, further, for not deserting those of us who are slow or stragglers.

I testify that His intelligence is vastly superior in every field to the very brightest mortals in those fields and that His intellect in scope and truth far exceeds all human intellects. I thank Him for encapsulating that exquisite mind in both perfect love and perfect humility. His brilliance is not the “catch-me-if-you-can” kind, but a pleading and patient, “Come, follow me” (Luke 18:22).

I testify that His premortal performance reflected both an astonishing selflessness and a breathtaking commitment to freedom as a condition of our genuine growth. I thank Him for combining His long view of our needs with a short step forward to volunteer His services. Never has anyone offered so much to so many in so few words as when Jesus said, “Here am I, send me” (Abraham 3:27).

I testify that He assisted in the creation and management not only of this planet but also other worlds. His grasp is galactic, yet He noticed the widow casting in her mite. I am stunned at His perfect, unconditional love of all. Indeed, “I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me” (“I Stand All Amazed,” Hymns, no. 193).

I testify that Jesus was, in fact, actually proffered the kingdoms of this world by Satan. I thank Him for declining this specious offer since all eternity would have been shaken, for Jesus’s grip on Himself was also mankind’s hold on the future.

I testify that He is the Divine Savior and Redeemer of all mankind. He who did not need to die Himself was willing to be bound by the chains of death so He could break them for all mankind. I testify that He is thereby our advocate with the flawless Father. I thank Him for letting us decide how we will regard Him, our Rescuer. I thank Him for His discerning way of knowing us without controlling us, for never letting the needs of now crowd out the considerations of eternity.

I testify that in eloquent example He partook voluntarily of the bitter cup in the awful, but for Him avoidable, Atonement; we must, therefore, drink from our tiny cups. I thank Him for likewise not interceding on our behalf, even when we pray in faith and reasonable righteousness for that which would not be right for us. Our glimpse of Gethsemane should teach us that all prayers are petitions!

I testify that, though He never needed it, He gave to us what we desperately needed—that program of progress—repentance, which beckons us to betterness. I thank Him for helping me, even forgiving me, when I fall short, when I testify of things known but which are beyond the border of my behavior, and for helping me to advance that border, bit by bit. His relentless redemptiveness exceeds my recurring wrongs.

I testify that He has given us, and will give us, living prophets. I thank Him for His superb selection of His special witnesses and for His omniscient orchestration of their varied gifts in a symphony of salvation.

I testify that He was raised in a lowly town and thank Him for the example of rising above His beginnings without renouncing them and for then surmounting all that was set before Him.

I testify that the Jehovah introduced by thunderings and lightnings to a gathered Israel at Sinai (see Exodus 19:16–18) is the same Jesus who later lamented, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem … how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings” (Matthew 23:37). I thank Him for such repeated reachings out to mankind, whether in phenomenal power or in quiet conversation at a wellside.

I testify that He is the perfect example and leader, not asking us to do what He has not done, not asking us to endure what He has not endured, giving us enough, but not more than we can manage. I thank Him who did everything perfectly for sharing His precious work with those of us who then do it so imperfectly.

I testify that He and the Father are serious about stretching our souls in this second estate. I thank the Savior for truly teaching us about our personal possibilities and for divinely demonstrating directions—not just pointing.

I testify that just as He has helped to carefully construct this second estate for all mankind, He also has helped to carefully construct each of our little universes of experience. I thank Him for blessing me therein with a wife, children, parents, leaders, and friends to help me. I thank Him now for the tender times, the jarring times, the perplexing times, and even for the times when my learning is so painfully public—lest in such moments to come I am too taxed to testify or too anguished to appreciate.

I thank Jesus for foregoing fashionableness and for enduring not only the absence of appreciation but also for speaking the truth, knowing beforehand that misunderstanding and misrepresentation would follow. I thank Him for His marvelous management of time, for never misusing a moment, including the moments of meditation. Even His seconds showed His stewardship.

No son ever complemented His Father so gracefully, honored His Father so constantly, or trusted His Father so completely as did Jesus.

Thus, I add my small voice to the anthem of appreciation that has proceeded from this pulpit over the decades. I gladly and unashamedly acknowledge Jesus of Nazareth, Savior and King!

Last of all, I witness that He lives—with all that those simple words imply. I know I will be held accountable for this testimony; but, as hearers or readers, you are now accountable for my witness—which I give in the very name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Some Mission Experiences

I really love to be in the Visitor's Center when young couples and/or single moms (or dads) come in with their little children. I usually try to talk with them so I can reinforce their choice to bring the little ones into a place where they are safe and can feel the Lord's spirit. I think it is important for children (and youth and adults) to feel that there is a place for them in the heritage of the Church. They need to feel that the Church heritage is their own heritage (because IT IS whether they have pioneer ancestors or not) and they can be proud of it and feel secure.

I want everyone to know that WE are who we are because of who THEY (the early pioneers) were and we can be so grateful to them for their devotion to God, loyalty to the Church and family---for their hard work and willingness to give their best in any circumstances---(so I almost always include something to that effect in each tour I conduct).

One day a young couple (Dixie Students) came in with a child in a stroller. He must have been about 14/18 months old. As they pushed him into the Christus Room (where I was sitting at the desk) the baby raised both his arms and with a big smile he exclaimed, "Hi! Jesus!" As I talked to them they explained that when they go into his room to get him in the morning he usually says "Hi! Temple!" to the picture of it on his wall, and "Hi! Jesus!" to his picture of the Savior. What a wonderful beginning this infant has.

Another day a father came in with his two little boys. The boys tip-toed into the Christus Room with their arms folded and went over and quietly sat down in front of the Christus statue. Later the father explained that they often take the boys into the foyer of the Timpanogos Temple to let them get acquainted with and feel comfortable in a Temple. He said he thought the boys probably thought they were in the temple in our Visitor's Center. So I asked the four-year-old (the oldest) why he goes to the temple. He looked at me like I should have known and whispered to me, "So I can feel the spirit." Which is exactly what he was feeling. What a great idea for parents to give their children the gift of feeling and recognizing and being comfortable with the sweet spirit they can feel in these safe places.

I have had three occasions where I was able to spent a some time with young members who needed to talk to someone about death and adjusting and understanding. Both the younger people had recently lost their mother (they were not related) and their dads had quickly remarried and they hadn't accepted the new arrangements yet. The other fellow thought Church standards were just too hard to live and wanted to join a support group that 'helped you not feel guilty about not living the Church standards'---which, by the way, we do have such a group here in St. George. I guess the Church sites and Visitor Center did seem a safe place for them to come to talk to someone.

We do, however, occasionally encounter those who want to come to tear down the Church and try to confuse us with their 'knowledge.' It is astonishing what a bad spirit they bring! Elder Hansen has learned that we don't even need to address their points (because they will not listen anyway). Last week when I was challenged by a couple who wanted to threaten our standing as a Church, I quickly called on Elder Hansen to come give me some support--which, of course, he did. I need to be more discerning to recognize what people want when they come to us. (I just want to love everybody).

I must mention that we do get MANY foreigners---usually at the Visitor's Center. There are often 10-12 French tour buses a week. Then we get English, Japanese, and Italian buses, too. They come to see the Canyons and this is a convenient stop on their way to Las Vegas. Since the dollar is so favorable to the euro now, we get many families on vacation from all the European countries. One couple we talked to from Switzerland this week said it was their 7th trip to Utah (they aren't members---yet).

We feel we are on a foreign mission sometimes. It is nice to have them come to you. We are loving our missionary service!

Petroglyphs

Our good neighbors, Roy and Norma Notley, took us on a day-trip to the Johnson Valley Indian Petroglyphs. They have gone there for many years. It is south of Alton and North-east of Kanab on the edge of the Escalante National Wilderness. The sand is drifting and covering the walls of the rock cliffs where the writings are. Roy thinks the sand has buried at least 10 feet of the walls since they first discovered it. We climbed along shifting sand dunes that were ancient Indian burial grounds. We saw the pottery pieces that they broke up to put into the grave with the woman who died and the chips of flint that the men made as they carved their arrowheads. On the plateau nearby we saw where they gathered for dances and festivals. It was good fellowship to be with them, we really enjoyed the trip.

Spring Excursions

We have enjoyed a couple of outings this Spring. The first one, in April, was with all of the Senior Couples and the young sister missionaries. We drove in caravan out to Pipe Springs on the Arizona Strip. This was an important place in the history of Southern Utah and Northern Arizona. The Mormon pioneers used Pipe Springs area for herding their livestock. It is on part of the 'Honeymoon Trail' the pioneer couples traveled to be married in the St. George Temple. We shared a ride with Elder and Sister Lamson. We had lovely weather to travel. After visiting Pipe Springs, we went to Hurricane to visit their Museum and a historic home---and of course, we had a nice picnic in the park.