What Was I Saying?

On our Draper Temple shift on Fridays mornings we are seriously short handed. We need thirty-three sisters to fully staff that shift and we only have twenty-four, but with five trainee's we are getting closer. As coordinator's most of the time we feel like we are putting our fingers in dikes. We put a stop in one and another breaks out. The time flies and it can be a little stressful at times. The wonderful thing is that we are working at the temple where everyone is so nice, and for the most part understanding! I lLOVE being there! As I was pondering on these things I had a thought, "The Lord has a certain sense of humor, just as He sends nineteen-year-old, inexperienced kids on missions, he calls old people, who have lost part of their minds and bodies to work in the temple, and in spite of our weaknesses it seems to work!" We all get tired and we forget things so often we have to laugh at ourselves.

I told another sister this and she quipped, "I was a mission president's wife and we decided the Lord sends nineteen-year-olds on missions so their parents won't kill them. Maybe He sends us to the temple because it's payback time for our kids and we might be driving them crazy about now!"

My Great, Great, Great, Grandfather

I guess because I was abandonded by both parents and raised by a grandmother who was less than thrilled to do the job (meaning she left the job to me) I have never felt connected to anyone except my husband and children who I am passionately devoted to! But, I have never felt any real connection with ancestors. They have been just names on a pedigree chart. I've wondered if I suffer from some attachment syndrome or something---honestly! I guess when your own mother doesn't even care enough to talk with you more than once in the last 20 years and maybe a contact once a year in the 25+ years before that, it's a little hard to believe that a long-dead realative with thousands in posterity, could even know who you are, let alone care about you.

Yesterday I felt compelled to share this experience in testimony meeting. I resisted as long as my beating heart would allow, thinking that this was another wonderful witness, but that it was only for me. I was quite astounded with the reponse of a few in our ward afterward. Well, I thought that if I should share this experience in my ward I should surely share it with my family and friends.

When I first heard the film presented before the tour of the new Draper Temple it mentioned two of the men who founded Draper. Ebenezar Brown (who is related to Ron) and William Draper who is my Great, Great, Great, Grandfather. These two amazing men where friends who lived through all of the persecution of the church starting with Kirtland until they settled Draper. They became brothers-in-law when William married Phoebe Brown Ebenezar's sister. (Girls remember when your Dad took you to Draper and gave you the tour in the park which contains their statues) I had always known I was related to William Draper. But, when I heard his name mentioned in the film, for the first time I really felt something. He hasn't been far from my thoughts since. Last Saturday we served for hours at the open-house and I thought of him again. I've thought of him in the Jordan River Temple as I have administered in the ordinances there.

I got quite emotional (something I really try not to do in church) as I bore my testimony that the Temple is REAL. The ordinances are REAL. People on the other side really do know who we are! I've always known that I was William Draper's great, great, great granddaughter, but for the first time in my life I know that he knows it too! He knows me and cares about me, and is grateful I think, that I will be serving in the Draper Temple!

Draper Temple

Ron and I had the wonderful opportunity to host a V.I.P. tour of the Draper Temple for our stake on Friday, January 9, 2009. Some of the general authorities as well as stake presidents lead tours of their families and various others through. We were stationed in the stake center, but they graciously let each host couple tag along on one of the many tours.

The temple is of course breathtaking! The celestial room rises five stories! I can't wait to plan at least an hour in there just gazing up. It makes you look up! I hope and pray that Ron and I get called to work in this new temple. We will be released in March from our assignment at the Jordan River Temple.

I just want to bear my testimony again that first, God lives! Jesus is the Christ! That I have had the privelege of feeling the Holy Ghost (who is also a God) bear witness to me of this fact! President Monson is the prophet of the Lord for the whole world! Joseph Smith did restore the gospel of Jesus Christ, in it's fullness, in these latter days! The temple IS the house of the LORD! And, I love my family so much!

I have included a link so that friends and family who live too far away to come to the open house, can have a glimpse inside this beautiful temple. I will definately tend Aubrie, Jules, so you can go when you are home next! For everyone else "please" take this opportunity to take your children and let them experience the beauty and reverance and wonder of the temple! Also, in the beginning film our children's ancestors were mentioned twice! Guernsy Brown on Ron's side and William Draper on mine! Be sure to listen for them.

And, I cannot fail to mention the other most significant thing that happened on January 9th! It was our beautiful and wonderful firstborn grandaughter's 12th birthday! Ron and I take the older kids out for their birthday and Becky hit a new milestone this year. She requested Ihop for lunch! At first it was always McDonalds, then she graduated to Wendys, and now . . . ! Happy birthday sweet girl. We love you so much!

http://www.ldsmag.com/churchupdate/090114tour.html