Eighth Week of Our Mission

Sister Thulasidass from India - A Day of Temple Work for Her Family

Sister Thulasidass - We Added Three Additional Souls from India That Day

Watching the 24th of July Parade from the Beehive House

 

 

Eighth Week of Our Mission

Salt Lake Temple Square Mission

July 28, 2013

 

 

 

We had a wonderful experience today going to the Salt Lake Temple to do work for the dead for Sister Thulasidass from India.  As mentioned earlier, Taggart was asked to be baptized for her father who had passed away, Brother Creer was baptized for her brother and she was baptized for her aunt.  We also had the chance to do the endowments for these people.  This sister is remarkable, a pioneer in her own family.  Her cousins introduced her to the church but it took some time for her to be baptized.  Her mother disapproved of her baptism but is beginning to accept her daughter’s new found religion.  She is an “older” sister on Temple Square in her 30’s with a master’s degree.  What a commitment for her to come on a mission and be that light to others and her family.  We so admire her.  Also, just as a side note, while we were waiting in the temple hall to do the confirmations of these family members, Brother Neil L. Anderson from the Quorum of the Twelve walked in and shook our hands.  Sister Thulasidass was overcome with excitement and emotion and so were we.

This last week was also Pioneer Day.  It had been a long time since we had been to the Days of ’47 Parade and we were so excited.  Sometimes we just have to pinch ourselves that we are here because we had the great privilege of viewing the parade from the Beehive House porch.  Who really gets to be at the Beehive House anyway?  We had a perfect view of the floats and bands and got to mingle with our Mission President and the new senior missionary couple who will be joining us in October.  They are the Curtis’ from Arizona.  They seem like they are a great couple and we will enjoy serving with them.  Also to celebrate the 24^th of July we were able to go to the Conference Center and see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Pioneer Concert.  We didn’t have tickets but since it was across the street, we took our chances anyway.  We were amazed because the host gave us two tickets about ten rows back in the center.  They were fabulous tickets and we had a perfect view of the entire performance.  What a great 24^th of July!

Also, this week we had fabulous news concerning the White Family.  Mimi is going to be baptized on the 24^th of August and her husband, who is an inactive member of the church, has committed to activity in supporting his wife.  We talked to them today in Kentucky and he told us that they are going to be sealed in the Temple in one year and he said they were coming to the Salt Lake Temple to accomplish this.  We cried because we will still be on our mission and can witness this wonderful event.  Of course, we are hoping that their children will embrace the gospel too and be baptized with Mimi.  There is nothing better than to see a family that is committed to be sealed for “Time and All Eternity.”

We had another great week meeting people from all over the world.  However, we did have a special experience with a family named Schmitt from Indiana.  They are a retired couple traveling at their leisure throughout the USA.  She has some ancestry of the Mormon faith.  Anyway, we met them at the North Visitor’s Center and they wanted to see the film “Legacy.”  They were very attentive and wanted to know more.  They accepted a Book of Mormon and wanted a D & C and Pearl of Great Price.  The mission does not give away the D & C and Pearl of Great Price, so we will be sending them one each.  We told them about a sunrise service at the Tabernacle on July 24th and they came.  We situated them on the parade route and visited with them during that time.  They told Taggart that they would like to know more about the church, so we are hoping against hope that when they return home the missionaries might visit them.  They are in our prayers because she has a legacy of faith from her own Mormon ancestors.

One other momentous moment this week…………we gave away seven Books of Mormon in one day!

Seventh Week of Our Mission

The Chapel We Meet in Every Sunday - Joseph Smith Memorial Building

Sister Smith -AP- On the Day She Left the Mission

Sister Frost - Fountain in Front of The Church Office Building

 

Seventh Week of Our Mission

Salt Lake Temple Square Mission

July 21, 2013

 

 In reading last week’s entry, we were saddened when the family from New Jersey did not come to “Music and the Spoken Word” on Sunday.  Obviously, something happened that made it impossible for them to come.  However, we felt that it may have been the evil one who had influence on them because they experienced something when they were with us.  It was very disappointing when they didn’t attend, needless to say, but hopefully one day they will remember their experience on Temple Square and the spirit witnessing to them.  But, we also had a wonderful experience on Sunday in that we met a couple from North Carolina.  He was a pastor in the Church of God faith and she was recovering from cancer.  What a couple to interact with!  They were filled with so many doctrinal questions and there was so much give and take.  Taggart met up with them in the Tabernacle and from there I joined with him and we went to various sites.  They enlightened us with their stories of faith and courage and hopefully they were inspired with the many displays and doctrinal answers.  We hugged as they left and we vowed we would keep in touch.  However, on Monday we met him again at the reflective pond just before they left for home.  He told us that he had spent fifty dollars at Deseret Book buying various books on our faith.  He indicated that he would have liked to buy Thomas Monson’s biography but he felt he had spent enough.  On Monday, we went and bought the Thomas Monson book for him along with a video on Joseph Smith.  We emailed them as to what we had done and immediately he emailed back and thanked us.  Although he is a pastor in his faith, hopefully this experience will be remembered well into the eternities and impact them.

This week also brought transfer days.  Some sisters got a new companion, a new apartment or went outbound to another state and others were going home.  All the sisters grouped together in their various zones and the news as to the changes was read by the zone leaders.  There was screaming, crying and lots of hugs.  (real girl stuff)  Luckily, Taggart and I are still together, no changes!  The highlight with lots of tears is when they sang their version of “Called to Serve.”  We must get a copy to include within the blog, very touching and emotional.

On Friday and Saturday we were asked to take on another organ recital, so we had the twelve noon and two o’clock recitals.  Because of this, we didn’t have a lot of time to work ourselves around the Square.  There were two big pioneer concerts at the Conference Center on those days and the Conference Center was closed to recitals.  So, we missed our one-on-one time with the people. 

Sister Thulasidass from India came up to Taggart today and asked him to be baptized for her father next week in the Salt Lake Temple.  Apparently her father and brother are no longer living and she is doing the temple work for them.  These sisters are so glowing and vibrant but some have such sad life experiences.  But, you would never know because they are upbeat and smiling.  They really lean on the atonement of Christ in their lives.

 

Sixth Week of Our Mission

Brigham Young Park - A Night of Entertainment

Sister Missionaries on Transfer Day

"Music and The Spoken Word"

 

 

Sixth Week of the Mission

Salt Lake Temple Square Mission

July 14, 2013

 

We were so excited this week in that we heard from the sister missionaries in Kentucky teaching the White Family.  Mimi has set a baptismal date for August!  The sister missionaries are hoping to include the children in their teaching so that they might be baptized too.  We have been emailing Mimi and sending articles to reinforce what she is learning.  She is such a special gal and we are so delighted to hear of her spiritual commitment.  We are hoping and praying for the children to accept the message too.  (They range in age from 10 to 20 years old.)

Taggart had a great idea this last week.  It has been SO hot here with temperatures in the 100’s for days that he thought it would be a good idea to wait for the sisters when they come home from the Square and give them a popsicle.  We waited for them on the porch step and handed them out as they passed by.  However, we didn’t plan accordingly and ran out of popsicles.  Kimm pulled out cookies that she had made that day and tried to accommodate everyone.  Anyway it was fun and those sisters so appreciated the tasty treat.

We have found that we really need to be close to the spirit in all that we do.  So, for the past several days we have been praying to touch someone and know where to go to accomplish that goal.  Yesterday, Kimm felt that they needed to go to the North Visitor’s Center.  As they passed people, they noticed a gal who seemed to be alone.  As we approached her she began telling us her sad story.  She was a woman who had left her husband because of infidelity and had come to live in Utah with her children.  She had an unbelievable testimony of the gospel and was so positive about everything, but of course saddened by her plight.  We took her through “God’s Plan for Families” and she just wept.  Kimm felt a strong impression to be with her during the presentation.  She had an unbelievable testimony and it strengthened ours as we listened to her.  Indeed we were at the right place at the right time.

We are trying to get out of our rut of being weary when we get home, so this week we actually went to a concert in Brigham Young Park.  The entertainers were a group called “Mercy River” a popular Mormon threesome.  They were terrific and their songs reflected such strong spiritual messages to all present.  It really was a wonderful evening.

We had some great visits with people this week.  Taggart had a special experience with a couple in the Beehive House.  They had so many questions for him and listened so intently to his responses.  It was quite a learning experience for them and him.  His 20 minute tour turned into a one hour give and take experience with this couple.    But the highlight of this week was meeting a family from New Jersey.  They were truly a golden family just waiting to be baptized.  The spirit was very strong as we took them to the various sites and we just knew that they were enjoying each moment.  We will be seeing them at the “Music and the Spoken Word” tomorrow before they head to California.  We are hoping against hope that we can make contact with them and something may happen.  They certainly will be in our prayers!

 

Fifth Week of Our Mission

Sister Frost in the Lobby of the Joseph Memorial Building

July 4th Celebration with the Sisters

Sisters Preparing a Special 4th of July Dance

Three Special Couples Interested in the Gospel at the "Music and the Spoken Word"

 

Fifth Week of Our Mission

Salt Lake Temple Square Mission

July 8, 2013

 

Well, here it is the month of July and we have been on our mission for over thirty days!  Time has passed quickly and we are feeling more comfortable each day as we go outside of ourselves to meet and greet people.  We have had some great experiences this week in this regard.

First of all we heard from Mimi and Rick White who we met two weeks ago on Temple Square.  Well, they and their family are taking the discussions back in Lexington, Kentucky.  We contacted the missionaries there and we will help in any way to reinforce the discussions with them.  We are excited and hope we had a small part in their recommitment to learn more about the gospel.  It certainly was a special experience in getting to know them because we felt it was a small miracle when we saw them twice on Temple Square and retrieved lost information.  We are praying that they will continue learning and growing in gospel learning.

This week we honored the 4^th of July.  In our hearts we missed our July 4th celebrations in Star Valley, but we have such good memories of our time there which will never fade.   This year our celebration centered around our wonderful country with our dear sister missionaries.  We had such a good time getting together with them eating hotdogs and watermelon and having a talent show.  We have some gifted sisters here and through song and dance they paid tribute to the USA!  Temple Square was closed that night and the activity didn’t end until after 10:00 pm.  Let the good times roll!

We had a great discussion with three couples today.  They were originally from Scotland and Wales but now live in the United States.   Taggart met up with them in the Tabernacle and went with them to various sites.  Kimm stayed in the Tabernacle and didn’t join them until after the organ recital.  They were so open to gospel discussions that it was a pleasure to be with them several hours.  We were able to share Books of Mormon and Family Declarations at the end of the visit.  They too, while leaving said, “It isn’t by chance we met today.”  Even though they were strong in their own faiths the spirit had a very positive influence upon them and Taggart bore a strong testimony regarding families and being together forever.  Hopefully, we can hear from them again.

Also, we were able to see the Brian Sims Family from Iowa and go out to dinner with them.  Much to our surprise they were in the crowd ready to enter the Tabernacle for the organ recital.  It is so joyful to us to see old friends again and get caught up on their lives.  Also, today, Brother D. Todd Christofferson from the Quorum of the Twelve was spotted at the organ recital.  Taggart was able to shake his hand but Kimm just saw him from afar.  What excitement to be on Temple Square and have so many great opportunities.

 

Fourth Week of Our Mission

Sister Frost in President Young's Office in the Beehive House

Church Office Building - Beautiful Gardens

Our Zone Meeting - We Love the Sisters

 

4^th Week of Our Mission

Salt Lake Temple Square Mission

June 30, 2013

 

Another week is behind us and what a week it was for us.  We felt the spirit in abundance and made some memorable contacts.  We were inspired by the Lord and felt His hand in everything we did.  Our mouths were opened and we have shared our testimonies.  Kimm particularly felt His loving influence in that words and thoughts came freely to her and her confidence is growing with each passing day.

We are still enjoying being in the Beehive House each morning.  Because of the summer months numerous groups of people and youth are on Temple Square and many have been going through Brigham’s home.    Taggart and Kimm are now well acquainted with the house and enjoy the beauty and serenity of it.  It is so fun to share the history of Brigham Young and his family and bear testimony that he was a Prophet of God.

This last week Taggart did something different while we were at the Tabernacle.  He decided to go out on the front steps and answer any questions the visitors might have.  This has become a great moment in capturing people on the Square.  They are coming to the organ recital and waiting and Taggart can share his knowledge and testimony with them.  He had crowds of hundreds!  It reminded us of the time when missionaries stood on a soapbox and bore testimony to a crowd.  The spirit really guided him and at some points tears were visible in his eyes. He continues every day in answering the questions of those who gather around the Tabernacle before the organ recital. The crowd will range from 200 to 350 during the summer months

We had numerous contacts with people and are finding ourselves spending hours with some of the visitors.  On Friday a German couple came to the organ recital and we started talking.  They shared their beliefs and we shared ours.  We took them to the replica of the temple and many questions were asked.  They were very open to our words and at the end of the visit we shared with them a German Book of Mormon.  They were thrilled to receive it!  On Saturday, we had another special experience.  On that day we met up with a couple from Ohio.  They were members of the Church of Christ.  They were especially touched going through the “God’s plan for Families” exhibit.  We were all just crying and he expressed himself so well while we sat in the last room.   They hugged us and we hugged back.  They were truly touched by what they saw and heard for the Holy Ghost was present throughout their visit on Temple Square.  Also, we have to mention a couple we met from New Jersey.  We spent three different days with them and took them to almost all of the sites on Temple Square. They were members of the Lutheran faith.  They were just delightful and we knew that the spirit was in abundance as we talked. 

On Saturday we spent five hours with a couple from Seattle, Washington. He was a member of the Church and she was a member of the Catholic faith. We went everywhere with them and spent almost the whole day sharing all the sites on Temple Square.  They seemed to devour everything we said and were open to our responses.   He was very contemplative and she seemed inquisitive.  We went to “Joseph Smith Prophet of the Restoration” and we believe after the film their mindset had changed toward the Church.  At the end of the day we parted with lots of hugs and he suggested that there was a reason why they visited that day.  We felt the same way.   We will keep in touch with them and hopefully the spirit touched them enough to make a change in their lives.

Third Week of Our Mission

Our First Day on Temple Square as Missionaries

Mission President seated next to Sister Frost and other Senior Couples

Beehive House - We open the Beehive House 5 of 7 Mornings

The Tabernacle - We facilitate the Organ Recital at Noon

 

Third Week of Our Mission

Salt Lake Temple Square Mission

June 23, 2013

Officially we had our first full week of missionary work together.  Kimm struggled with her health but made it through without incident.  We realize how joyful and exciting but draining this work can be.  When we are on the Square we have strength and energy, but coming home is a different story.  We find we must have naps before we can function again.  We were hopeful that we could explore Salt Lake, but are finding it difficult.  Hopefully our endurance will increase soon.

We have had some terrific experiences so far.  We are meeting people from all over the world and from all backgrounds, members and non-members.  They just seem to flow to Temple Square and are so excited to be here.  We have answered questions, borne testimony, felt the spirit in abundance and are really feeling like we are His witnesses.  The sister missionaries are amazing and we are beginning to treasure their friendship.  They work so hard and are such good examples to us of righteous living. 

The Palmers (another senior couple) are officially gone now and we are taking their assignments.  We begin our day at the Beehive House and are opening it up for visitors.  We have each taken several groups through the house and are thoroughly enjoying it.  It is such a special place where Brigham Young lived and worked that we feel privileged to be part of telling visitors about this home.  We love to relate the history of the house, but more importantly we want the visitors to feel the spirit that exists in this special place.  We feel we are on sacred ground.  The beauty of the home is amazing and the grounds with the extraordinary flowers are impressive.

Usually we finish at the Beehive House by about 10:30 am or before.  We then are off to the Tabernacle to prepare ourselves for the organ recitals each day.  We clear the area of people by 11:15 am in preparation for the 12:00 noon organ recital.  Because it is summer, the crowds of people who attend are amazing.  On Saturday 375 people attended!  This is a place where we are really feeling comfortable meeting and greeting.  People have many questions and these questions lead to gospel discussions.

We had a zone conference up at “This is the Place Heritage Park.”  The sisters have such a special spirit and good leadership skills that it was fun being with them for most of the day.  After the motivational talks, we were able to explore the area.  We always wanted to go there to visit and now feel it is important to take our grandchildren there as well.

We had two potential contacts this last week.  We met a gal from San Antonio, Texas along with her uncle.  She is a Lieutenant Colonel in the army and is stationed at Fort Sam Houston, where Taggart served.  She has a new position there with the army in organizational development so she and Taggart really clicked.  She really wanted to talk about OD, but seemed to have an interest in the church.  Hopefully, this connection with OD will lead to something else.  We are hopeful because she was such a special girl so we definitely will keep in touch with her.  Then we met a mother who came in with her son and daughter-in-law.  Wow, the daughter-in-law had such a special spirit, she just glowed.  Her mother explained that she was investigating the church, so we answered her questions.  After our visit, we got her name and phone number because she was interested in staying in touch.  As Taggart got home that night and was transferring her information from the IPAD, he lost part of her phone number.  We were just sick and couldn’t find her number online.  However, a small miracle happened when on Sunday we saw her again after “Music and the Spoken Word.”  Kimm’s mouth dropped as they met again and retrieved the information they had lost.

 

Second Week of Our Mission

Second Week - 2nd District at the MTC

 

Second Week - Our New Home

Love for Sister Frost from the Sister Missionaries

 

Our Mission the 2^nd Week

Salt Lake Temple Square Mission

June 16, 2013

 We had another half week of training at the MTC for those that were at visitor’s centers.  There were only ten of us in our group, one couple going to Kirtland, another to Nauvoo, still other to Martin’s Cove and the last to Mexico City.  Our trainers, Elder and Sister Mitchell were completing their mission and so our training was the last they would do.  We did a lot of role playing but more importantly we both realized it was the spirit that would be guiding and touching the lives of the people we come in contact with. Elder Mitchell was a spiritual powerhouse very humble but very close to the spirit.  Again we had tears every now and then.  The MTC is a place like no other, a sacred place where the spirit is in abundance. Our “final exam” was a full-fledged contact with a supposed couple at a visitor’s center.  We spent 20 minutes greeting and teaching.  It went rather well, but we realized again that the spirit has to be our guide in what we do and say and we need to listen to those we come in contact with.  We hated to say goodbye to our group and especially the Murray’s who were going to Nauvoo.  We had a lot of interaction with them and of course we always wanted to serve in Nauvoo…..Taggart driving the wagon, Kimm dancing and singing in the evenings.  They were going to be doing both of those things!

We officially moved into our apartment on Friday bringing the last of our possessions from Ogden.  Our apartment is pleasant with good sun in the mornings.  In fact out of our window is the graveyard for Heber C. Kimball and his family and Newell K Whitney and his family.  Yesterday groups of people were milling around the cemetery taking pictures.  Also, from our window above the trees is the Church Office Building. We do live in a very historic spot with so much to see and do.  Kimm unfortunately had started to get sick on Monday and it continued to get worse as the week progressed.  Therefore after meeting the President on Friday, she had to go home to rest.  Unfortunately, it wasn’t the best week for her, but Taggart continued to learn as he went to Temple Square every day.  He went and listened and saw many of the exhibits and talked to people.   Of course, this is the time of year when people are on vacation and youth groups are all visiting the Square so there is a lot of meeting and greeting.  We are continuing to study and learn sometimes feeling overwhelmed but knowing the Lord will make up the difference for what we lack.

Sunday was Father’s Day and Taggart went without Kimm to church at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building (she was still sick).  He was touched when the sisters presented shell leis and candy to all the fathers, six men total.  They sang “Called to Serve” and it touched all of them present.  Speaking of being touched, the sisters knowing that Kimm was ill decorated their apartment door with hearts and good wishes for her to get better.

 

The First Week at the Mission Training Center

At the Mission Training Center - Pointing to the Temple Square Mission

 

Arriving at the MTC - Our First Day

 

 

Our First District at the MTC - First Week

                                                  

Elder and Sister Frost in Training - at the MTC

 

Our Mission the 1st Week

Temple Square Mission

June 6, 2013

We can’t believe that we are missionaries for the Church because this has been a dream of ours for many years.  Last week we spent five days at the MTC (Missionary Training Center) and what an experience that was for us.

We arrived on Monday, June 3, 20013, and were greeted very warmly.  After an orientation with about 101 senior missionaries (the largest group of seniors they had seen for many moons) we were divided up into districts.  The rest of the week we were together with three other couples for the rest of our experience at the MTC.  What great couples they were and we couldn’t have had a better time with them, laughing, crying and being uplifted.  They included:  Elder and Sister Simmons (going to Richmond Virginia), Elder and Sister Nielson (going to Ghana South Africa) and Elder and Sister Chaney (going to Tacoma Washington).  We were taught by two young returned missionaries who tried to keep us in line (actually Taggart in line).  Sister Bateman was one of the instructors who herself served on Temple Square.  She was thrilled to see us and gave us some good tips about working as missionaries on the Square.

The days were long and we got up early each morning, not very well rested, but excited for a new day of instruction. Tuesday night we had a special devotional with Brother Tad Callister (a general authority) as the speaker.  He gave a tremendous talk which inspired all of us.  It was incredible for us to see an auditorium filled with future missionaries from all over the world.  When we sang my eyes were filled with tears because there was such a strength and power in the music and words.

Probably for us one of the best experiences was getting to know seniors from all over the country.  We shared a commitment at that moment, a determination to go out and be the best that we could be.  We talked over every meal and grew closer to those who were with us.  I personally was struck by the fact that so many of them were serving more than one mission.  There were widowed sisters who were unafraid to serve the Lord.  Getting too complacent is not good, to get out of one’s self and doing something with one’s life is paramount and these seniors taught us that.  At the end of those five days we had really bonded together, especially with our district.  It was very difficult for me to say goodbye to those three couples in our district and we both hoped we would be able to see them again one day.

On Wednesday 900 plus new missionaries entered the MTC.  It was fun to see them come excited about this new adventure in their lives.  It was crazy though, the sidewalks, buildings and cafeteria were filled to the brim.  It was difficult getting around and we were glad to be in our little chapel receiving instruction without the young ones present.  We are so excited to see this great movement in regard to so many missionaries, young and old, willing to serve.  Truly lowering the age limit for the young people was inspired of God and the seniors too are being pushed by the spirit to serve as well.

We learned so much those five days and are looking forward to next week with further instruction.  We were definitely out of our comfort zones presenting and testifying but the Lord was with us.  In fact the Holy Ghost

was so strong in our interactions that we cried continually.  Taggart and I were surprised in role playing that

our emotions were so close to the surface.  But it was the spirit touching our hearts and we could not deny

it.  Our Savior, Jesus Christ, became real to us and His message was instilled within our hearts.