Adam-Ondi-Ahman

    

     In September 2006, the First Presidency called us to supervise the work of maintaining and beautifying Adam-ondi-Ahman in Missouri. We were responsible for the supervision of the 12 missionary couples called to serve and work there. The couples normally served for 18 months, with everyone serving over two summers and one winter.  One of our key responsibilities was to identify worthy couples that had the needed expertise to serve there, and then make recommendations to the First Presidency—to whom we reported directly. In our meetings with Presidency, we reported on the progress of the work, upcoming projects, and a review of the budget and future financial needs. Initially, we served with Elders Burke Peterson and Graham W. Doxey, until both passed away. We recommended to the First Presidency that Elder and Sister Sheldon F. Child then serve with us. We alternated visiting Adam-ondi-Ahman every other month. We flew to Kansas City, rented a car and drove the 70 miles to the property.

     We stayed on the property in a three-bedroom trailer that was owned by the Church. We so appreciated the sister missionaries cleaning the trailer and stocking the kitchen with food prior to our visits. The front window provided a beautiful view of the barns and grain silos.  We loved the quiet serenity of this hallowed site. Unlike other church historical sites, Adam-ondi-Ahman offers no formal tours. There were a few informative signs pointing out locations of historical interest. Other than that, members who came were on their own to enjoy the beauty of Adam-ondi-Ahman. When guests of the brethren or others we knew were there, we often gave more personal tours of the land that once was a bustling center of the Church. When we were not there, Brother Austin Bonnett showed special guests around. This fine brother served as Patriarch in his stake. Often people who visited this sacred place commented on the distinct feeling of reverence they experienced. Even those who were not members of the Church felt there was something unique. One day a man delivered a modular home for the property. He looked around and said, “What is going on here? There is something very different about this place.”

     Every other month when we were in Missouri, a highlight for us was having a pot-luck dinner with all the missionary couples upstairs in the main gathering area. Following the dinner, we would both share a gospel message. Each day we enjoyed lunch in one of the couple’s homes. The couples lived in either farm houses that were part of the properties purchased by the Church to restore the land of Adam-ondi-Ahman, or modular housing the Church had provided over the years. We were always touched by the efforts of the missionaries to provide a lovely meal for us. These personal visits gave us the opportunity to get to know them better; learn how they were doing in their missionary service, the well-being of their families back home, etc. How we loved these stalwart couples. Their dedication to their call and their specific skills and expertise were a remarkable blessing to this great work.

     The elders worked on continuous beautification and maintenance projects. They tirelessly painted fences, and every week cut thirty plus acres of grass along the roads.  They graded 7.1 miles of roads, which were intentionally left as gravel roads to retain them much like they were in the days of the early saints.

     The sisters planted lovely flowers each spring to enhance the property. Every weekday, they did family history work and extraction. Every morning, Barbara shared a special spiritual thought and often gave them a handout or small gift. These faithful sisters provided weekly support at the Seventh Day Adventist second-hand store in nearby Jameson, Missouri sorting donated clothing. They regularly helped with community activities and events in order to strengthen relationships with the local residents.

     There were many mature trees on the property. At times, arborists advised that certain trees needed to be removed in order for the remaining frees to thrive. During the time of our service, the Kansas City Temple was planned and constructed. We felt strongly impressed to recommend to the First Presidency that these extracted trees be used to construct the beautiful temple alters and moldings. It is thrilling that wood from the trees of this holy site—many of which existed during the days of the Prophet Joseph, now adorn the Lord’s holy house.

     We had a sweet experience with President Uchtdorf and his family. We learned that the Uchtdorf’s were planning to take their family on a Church history tour prior to their twin grandsons’ departure on the respective missions. Adam-ondi-Ahman was not on their travel agenda. We encouraged them, that if they could work it out, to stop by this most remarkable place. They did and had a marvelous experience. In fact, they said it was the highlight of their trip.

     Another most significant event was hosting President Russell M. Nelson right after he was sustained as the Prophet. He said, he “needed to know more about this place,” so he came with his wife Wendy, Elder M. Russell Ballard, Sheri Dew, and his secretary. We planned to have a luncheon together with the missionaries, but (for security purposes) didn’t tell the missionaries who was coming until shortly before they arrived. What a great surprise for all of them. We had a wonderful time together and he posed for the picture with the missionaries before leaving.

     During our dozen years of service—with over 70 trips to Adam-ondi-Ahman, we were thrilled to have several of our dear family visit us and tour this glorious site. We loved having them come. We are forever grateful to the Lord for the singular privilege to serve at Adam-ondi-Ahman—“days never to be forgotten” indeed. 

Stake Patriarch

     In 2005, I was called as the Salt Lake Valley View Stake Patriarch with Barbara set apart as scribe. I gave 659 blessings in total over the period of time. Barbara was exceptional as scribe and often had them returned typed to the youth within a few hours. She never let them go longer than 24 hours before receiving their blessing. We fasted for every patriarchal blessing and it was truly a choice experience for us. Going through the list of the stake members, we have had the privilege of meeting with and giving blessings to someone related to most of the families in the stake. Our home has become more sacred and special to us because of all those wonderful people who have come for their blessings and the spiritual experiences we have had. I was recently released on February 16, 2020.

San Diego Temple President and Matron

     In mid-August 1999 we had been released from our duties as a General Authority and wife for nine days when we received a call from President Gordon B. Hinckley. We went to meet with him and he extended the call for us to serve as the President and Matron of the San Diego temple. Judge Wallace was currently serving as the President and his wife was very ill. We asked President Hinckley when he would need us there. He replied: “Next week.” We quickly made all of our arrangements at home and traveled south. Our official start and end dates were September 1, 1999 to November 1, 2002.

     The San Diego temple had 100,000 members in the Temple District of which 20,000 were south of the border in Mexico. The temple was situated on what was known as the "Golden Triangle" - one of the two most expensive pieces of real estate in America. When President Kimball saw the projected cost of temple, he was shocked and said: "We have a lot of really beautiful temples in the church, but we need a few jewels."

     When we arrived, I had the option of choosing my own counselors. Brother Bryant Rosseter and Norman Rossell were already serving as the counselors and we asked them to continue on for which they were very willing and seemed pleased to do. We arranged the schedule so that a member of the Presidency was always in the temple. With the rotating shifts it meant every third day we needed to be there about 4:00 in the morning. The counselors and their wives lived 60-70 miles away and it took them one to two hours to drive to the temple. What early mornings and faithful people! Brother Rossell had serious kidney troubles but didn't miss one assigned shift in the three years we served there. We had it arranged that every three weeks we were available to fly to Salt Lake if needed for baptisms, ordinations, etc.

     Nilda and Lloyd Castleton coordinated all the Spanish speakers coming from Mexico by bus with the sessions of the temple. It was tender to hear of the Mexican sisters coming to count their pennies at the Distribution Center to buy an extra pair or two of garments.

     Barbara’s many assignments included training the sister ordinance workers. With the temple district being quite large, every ordinance worker had only one shift a week and we had a total of 3,200 of them. Barbara also helped the many brides get ready and upon encountering an immodest bride would often say: “Oh here, let me help you with that,” and tuck in fabric wherever needed.

     We would ask the Stake President's for names for 30 or 40 couples per stake to be recommended as ordinance workers. We would ask them to come to a special meeting and while there would tell them that they had been recommended and asked if they would accept the call. Those that were willing would fill out the necessary paperwork and be set apart. Barbara and the assistants to the Matron would take the paperwork that night and snap polaroid pictures of the workers. We were blessed to never be short of ordinance workers while there.

     One day a Russian man not of our faith asked if he could go through the temple and was told that he could if he obtained a recommend. He decided that he would be going in anyway and walked straight past the recommend desk and into the temple. He was by the bottom of the staircase when our security man, who was a Jiu Jitsu professional, grabbed him by the arm and had him out immediately. Many not of our faith loved to come onto the grounds and we even had several take their wedding photos there.

     We greatly enjoyed our time in San Diego. Many of our children and grandchildren came and visited while we were there. We lived just a short walk from the temple and could walk on the beach several times a week. Just adjacent to our gated community was a park where we could walk every day for exercise. We also enjoyed Old Town and visiting the Mormon Battalion.