Mormon Bloggers

For over 150 years, there has been contention about whether the LDS temple ceremonies were essentially stolen from the initiation rituals of Freemasonry. As it happens, I am a Freemason; of course, long-time readers of this blog are well-aware that I am a Latter-day Saint, as well. Being intimately familiar both with the LDS temple ceremonies and the Masonic initiation rituals, I have some thoughts on this matter. I shall be presenting those thoughts as a streaming video on the Worldwide Exemplification of Freemasonry website (http://www.weofm.org/) this Saturday, August 20, at 8 p.m. Eastern. Thereafter, the hourlong presentation will be available through the Video tab on the WEOFM website, at least through the end of 2015. I have wanted to address the controversy on this issue in a productive way for many years. I am very grateful to the Worldwide Exemplification of Freemasonry, and its current master, Brother Albert McClelland, for giving me this opportunity to present my thoughts.... Read the rest of this entry »

Ever since the last General Conference, I’ve had President Monson’s talk on temples on my mind. The part that stuck out the most was this quote by President Spencer W. Kimball: “It would be a fine thing if … parents would have in every bedroom in their house a picture of the temple so [their children] from the time [they are] infant[s] could look at the picture every day [until] it becomes a part of [their lives]. When [they reach] the age that [they need] to make [the] very important decision [concerning going to the temple], it will have already been made.” Temple picture in the girls’ room I’ve been wanting to get a picture of the temple in the girls’ bedroom ever since that talk. It really made me realize the importance of having uplifting pictures in their room of the things that matter most in our lives. Eventually I hope to have a picture of the temple in each of the rooms in our house, but I definitely wanted to ensure the girls had one in their... Read the rest of this entry »

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. Matthew 6:20 An important part of LDS theology is the importance of temples. We believe that attending the temple can provide great treasures of knowledge and inspiration.  But I’m not talking about that right now.  I’m talking about this guy: Yep, you got it. It’s Sundararajan – the retired police officer. Personally, most policemen I know don’t look like Mr. Sundararajan. Perhaps he was undercover. What does Sundararajan have to do with temples? Be patient, and I’ll tell you. Sundararajan lived near his local Hindu temple, called  ”Sree Padmanabhaswamy” in Trivandrum, India. (I promise I am not making any of this up.)  Here is the temple: (I think the building next door is the customer service center that I call when I have questions on my credit card bill.) The local legend... Read the rest of this entry »

Since Kersti blogged about our adventures, I guess it’s about time I get my head in the game, yes? Last month I flew to Utah for a muchmuchmuch overdue real life reunion (because internet and cell phones can only do so much to fill the Kersti-shaped hole in my life). Flight: perfect. Super short. Sat between two pilots who were hilarious. Before I knew it, I saw this out my window wahooooooo  Read More →

Clear skies on the day after the historic installation of the angel Moroni Tuesday was the big day for the installation of the statue of the angel Moroni. Last week final preparations were being made by construction workers for this historic event. On Tuesday I drove to Brigham City to watch the proceedings. However, strong winds delayed placing the statue of Moroni atop the spire for two hours and I left before Moroni was hoisted high above the thousands in attendance. On Wednesday my wife took photographs of the newly placed Moroni. He does look majestic atop the east spire. Click on the images to enlarge. The statue of the angel Moroni atop the east spire About Moroni The first angel Moroni appeared as the Nauvoo Temple’s weathervane, in a horizontal position as if in flight, holding an open book with one hand and a horn pressed to its lips with the other. Moroni symbolizes the restoration of the Gospel and many statues of the angel have gold plates placed in Moroni’s left arm. Brigham... Read the rest of this entry »

Work continues around the spires Wednesday saw work continuing on the spires from last week, presumably in readiness for the statue of the angel Moroni to be installed. Remember that the statue is scheduled to be placed atop the east spire on Tuesday, July 12, 2011, at noon. I am still deciding if I will go to view it. I would like to take photographs of this historic occasion. Click on the images to enlarge. In the photograph above, click once to zoom closer, then again to zoom even closer. Brigham City History Population Changes (continued) Brigham City’s population of 6,790 in 1950 increased to 11,720 in 1960, to 14,000 in 1970 and to 15,596 in 1980 as Thiokol’s sold-fuel motor production and number of employees expanded. By 1984, Thiokol’s Wasatch Division was the largest private employer in Utah with 5,750 employees. In 1990 the population of Brigham City was 16,000. Bushnell, Intermountain and Thiokol all brought new residents with a diversity of religious preferences... Read the rest of this entry »

Ifby Carma SalvesenFrom the November 2010 New Era If I could go to Galilee And walk where Jesus walked And sit in tender grasses On the hillside where He taught.   If I could sit and ponder On a rock that knew His hand, Or walk along the seashore Where His feet had touched the sand.   My spirit yearns within me, But it doesn’t seem my fate. I’ll never walk where Jesus walked. I’ll never see … but wait.   I worship in His temple Where I know He’s walked before. Have His feet been down this hallway? Have His fingers touched this door?   Has He stood here in this very room And looked at what I see? In the beauty of His temple I can feel His love for me.   I close my eyes and picture Him, My worries melt away. I don’t need to go to Galilee Or travel far away.   For my tender heart is filled With what He wants me to be taught And my testimony burns within— I’ve walked where Jesus walked!   Sharing Time: How have you walked where... Read the rest of this entry »

The west spire is now in place Today the photographs of the Brigham City temple construction reveal the west spire in place. Last week there was only the spire framework. The statue of the angel Moroni is scheduled to be placed atop the east spire on Tuesday, July 12, 2011, at noon. Installation will take around thirty minutes. The streets surrounding the temple block will be closed to allow spectators to view the proceedings. Brigham City History Population Changes Bushnell General Hospital, built in 1942 to treat soldiers wounded in WWII, brought some drastic changes to the quiet community. The 60-building facility constructed on 235 acres brought a major boost to the economy. From the beginning of its construction until its closure in 1946, Bushnell provided new jobs for many local people. Local farmers sold produce to the hospital, and business on Main Street increased with the inundation of hospital staff, patients and their families. People from various backgrounds came to work... Read the rest of this entry »

The red roof of the temple Yesterday a visit to the Brigham City temple construction showed the red roof of the temple. Last week there was work on the west side of the temple and that appears to have continued. There is still the unfinished west spire but it cannot be too long before that is completed. I wonder when the angel Moroni statue will be placed on the east spire? Brigham City History Commerce (continued) By 1910 Brigham City’s population was 4,000, and its industries included the new cement plant north of town, Anderson Knitting factory and the Jensen Brothers Milling and Elevatory (changed to Big J Mill in 1946). Retail businesses sold such merchandise as ladies’ fashions, motor cars, furniture and medicine. Hotels, cafes, saloons, shoe repair shops, and a wagon and machine company were among the local businesses. In 1911, Lorenzo Smith, grandson of Samuel Smith who helped colonize Brigham City and organize the Co-op, opened a family grocery store on Main Street.... Read the rest of this entry »

The east spire is in place and work continues on the west side of the temple Yesterday a visit to the Brigham City temple construction site yielded a few photographs. Last week the focus was on the east spire installation. Now work is progressing on the west side of the temple. It will not be long before we see the west spire erected. Brigham City History Commerce The fruit growing business in Box Elder County was thriving in the 1890s. It had been initiated in 1855 when Wiliam Wrighton went to Salt Lake City, bought 100 peach stones for $1.00 and planted them in Brigham City. Peach production was so successful that the annual harvest celebration, started in 1904, was named Peach Days. Many men grew fruit on their own property and sold it to supplement other income. William Knudsen, however, raised and sold fruit as his major source of income. He discovered early on that the Brigham City area was particularly adapted for peaches, berries and small fruits. He established a successful... Read the rest of this entry »

Brigham City temple on Memorial Day Two weeks ago the Brigham City temple walls were being installed. Yesterday the base of the temple spire was the focus. Today the spire itself will be attached. I took a photograph from the webcam at noon (see below) after the spire was erected. It is looking more like a temple every day. One of the sides of the base of the spire is cleaned. The spire is laying horizontally behind it Construction workers ready to install the base walls of the spire A wall of the spire base is installed Another wall being maneuvered in place Video   Another part of the base is aloft Brigham City History Polygamy From 1852 until 1890, leaders of the LDS Church encouraged male church members, especially those in leadership positions, to marry more than one wife. Following the Old Testament precedent of plural wives, church members had the option, but not the requirement, of plural marriages. They believed they were protected in this practice by... Read the rest of this entry »

Installing an upper panel on the south side of the temple On Wednesday we saw a continuation from a week ago of the installation of the exterior panels of the temple. As a tribute to Brigham City and the pioneers, living peach trees will be planted in the grounds. The precast concrete panels have a peach blossom motif that will also be continued for the interior design, etched into the windows, stained glass, and other artwork. You can see the peach blossom motif on the walls in the photographs (click to enlarge). View of the temple construction from the doors of the tabernacle The first upper panel to be installed The installation of an upper panel on the south side of the temple The second upper panel being installed Three upper panels installed Brigham City History The Co-op (continued) Not all Co-op enterprises were in Brigham City. For example, the dairy was established in Collinston, about 20 miles north of Brigham City. Christian Hansen managed the dairy. His wife Elizabeth,... Read the rest of this entry »