J. Marriott Library, courtesy Marriott Library archives
An exciting announcement has been made by the University of Utah Marriott Library. The personal diaries of two prominent Mormon pioneers, B.H. (Brigham Henry) Roberts and Frederick Kesler have been scanned and printed and are now available to the public! Not only are these diaries available at a very reasonable cost, but the library has also made them available free of charge to read online, through the miracle of internet and PDF. Continue reading →
Utah ended 2011 with the warmest & driest December on record. We’ve nearly gotten used to wearing nothing more than a light jacket when we go out. Even our bicycles were (until yesterday) sitting in front of the shovels in our garage. So, when a decent sized snowstorm hit Saturday morning, we were more than a little bit surprised! It also happened to be very ironic timing, since any other Saturday we could have simply curled up cozily under the covers and listened to the snow plows rumble by. But, this particular Saturday we were up by 5:30 am preparing to leave for the Bountiful LDS Temple Continue reading →
It’s been a “beautiful day in the neighborhood”! Bountiful residents were out in force on Sunday helping their neighbors clean up from Thursday’s big windstorm. We were also gearing up and “battening down the hatches” in preparation for a second storm predicted to hit tonight with 70+ mph winds. All sabbath services of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Northern Utah were shortened to a one-hour sacrament meeting. Then members were sent Continue reading →
At 4:00 am yesterday morning Mr. MoSop and I had our own Clement Clark Moore moment, i.e. ”when out on [our] lawn there arose such a clatter, we sprang (sprung?) from our bed to see what was the matter”. In our case, we flew to the kitchen and turned on the floodlights where “what to our wondering eyes should appear” our back fence was no longer standing here! There were also plenty of flying objects in the air, but none of them were jolly or remotely resembling tiny reindeer. Continue reading →
This weekend Utah commemorates the first pioneer arrival to the Valley of the Great Salt Lake. On July 24, 1847 a weary and ill Brigham Young raised up on his elbow from the back of a wagon, looked out over a vast desert valley, and confirmed “This is the right place!” Soon, that same desert would “blossom as a rose” and Mormons throughout the world answered the call to leave their native land and “come to Zion”. Thus began a gathering of epic proportions which shaped America in powerful ways. The Mormon Pioneer exodus Continue reading →
This summer marks the 90th Anniversary of the Brighton LDS Girls Camp, located in Big Cottonwood Canyon, east of Salt Lake City, Utah. Brighton Camp began in the summer of 1921, and has the distinction of being the first and oldest continually running Latter-day Saint Girls camp in church history. It has welcomed girls ages 12-14 uninterrupted each and every summer since its dedication, [except one, due to a forest fire which destroyed most of the original buildings]. This summer also marks two more memorable “firsts” for Brighton. Continue reading →
Mormons believe in having fun. We are officially encouraged to find ways to spend time together ”participating in wholesome recreational activities” that will strengthen the family bond, and build unity. These activities can be a planned part of our Monday Family Home Evening, or completely impromptu. Over the past 21 years some of our favorite family activities have included things like hiking, having a picnic, playing frisbee, board game tournaments, making [and eating] cookies, swimming, miniature golfing, walking the dog….etc. etc. etc. Now that our children are nearly grown, we’ve been a little stuck on the “dinner-and-a-movie” activity, and were overdue for something new. So, last Saturday June 4th our family added something to our list that I’m pretty sure still qualifies as a “wholesome activity”, but definitely not ”clean entertainment”…per se! Continue reading →
This is a story about how one unlikely girl fulfilled her dream of becoming a cheerleader. It’s really a story about hope, and love, and what’s still right with the world. Continue reading →
Yesterday I stopped off at my salon to get a broken nail fixed. As usual, a small TV in the back of the room was on. It happened to be queuing up the 6:00 news. Suddenly, I was hearing Utah would be getting another Latter-day Saint [Mormon] Temple! This is our state’s 15th LDS temple, and the 3rd for Utah County.
Payson Temple Site
The new temple will be located in Payson City, Utah - a growing rural community with population 17,500 located approx. 20 miles south of Provo City (home to Brigham Young University, and the Missionary Training Center). Payson is about a 1 hour drive south of Salt Lake City. This will bring the total number of LDS temples worldwide, already in operation or in the planning and construction phases, to 152.
Pres. Young
It is reported that Brigham Young, 2nd president of the LDS church, prophesied that a temple would one day be built in Payson. President Young often stayed at the John B. Fairbanks house on Main Street on his way to St. George.
LDS Gen. Conference
Amidst my joy at this news, I have to say, I was truly surprised. Usually, new LDS temples are announced during a session of the semi-annual General Conference of the church. It’s a moment of anticipation. The prophet comes to the pulpit, he smiles and talks just a little slower to savor the moment, and we all lean in closer to hear the ‘big reveal’. However, Payson wasn’t on the list last October. Not that I’m complaining – I think it’s fabulous! Way to go, Payson! Way to go President Monson for not waiting until April!
Artists’ renderings, the size of the temple, groundbreaking dates and other information will be released as they become available.
In other words, there’s still some mystery and anticipation remaining! At the press conference, President Thomas S. Monson stated:
Mt. Timp Temple
”Temples answer those soul-searching questions of the purpose of life, of why we are here and where we are going. They are sanctuaries from the storms of life and bless the lives of members of the Church who worship within their sacred walls.”
On January 4, 2008, after four years of extensive renovation, the Utah State Capitol building held a formal Re-dedication ceremony. The ceremony’s 2008 program was based on the program used during the original dedication in 1916.
“Into Light” compares the cold dark winter dawning slowly into spring as an allegory for our personal opportunities to change with the season, reach for new possibilities, and become beings of light.
“Lift us again, moon for the season.
From its warm nest the bird breaks into flight.
Set loose we spin with earth into blue,
Heaven’s dome turning us back into light.”
Historic Trivia: The dedicatory prayer for this ceremony was given by the current President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Gordon B. Hinckley. This would be his final public appearance. He passed away 3 weeks later, on Jan. 27, 2008 at the age of 97.
Residents of Temple View Drive in Bountiful City, Utah have a special love for Christmas, and they have found a special way to share it. The creation of a progressive Neighborhood Nativity started taking shape over a year and a half ago, when neighbors were talking about holiday decoration ideas. Steve Ford, resident and organizer, is originally from southern California. He liked the idea of duplicating a version of the Hasting’s Ranch Pasadena Christmas displays, where each street is decorated in a theme. Meanwhile, a neighbor was given a copy of artist Joseph Brickey’s Christmas book, entitled “When Jesus Was Born in Bethlehem“.
The Newborn King - click to enlarge
Brickey’s vibrant, realistic images seemed to leap off of the page. They were not just telling the story of Christmas, but bringing it to life! Each painting had a way of evoking the sights, sounds, smells, and emotions of that very first Christmas. The Temple View community had found their nativity!
Neighbor representatives anxiously contacted the artist about their idea to display his images, and were thrilled when Mr. Brickey happily extended his permission, and blessing, at no charge. Now the neighbors rallied at full speed! Funds were pooled and donations were gathered. A special printer was found that could create large screen-printed banners using UV protected ink on durable high-wind-resistant canvass. Paintings and scriptures for the display were carefully selected, and the perfect display location’s were assigned. Wires needed to be run to provide halogen lighting, and large stakes needed to be driven into the ground to support the banners.
Steve acknowledges his location on the Bountiful mountain bench poses a few extra challenges the folks in Pasadena don’t have to worry about. Namely snowstorms, blizzards, freezing temperatures and severe wind (just to name a few)! In fact, during the nativity’s 2008 debut season, a particularly bad windstorm hit the display. Steve describes how even the heavy foot-long ground-stakes were not strong enough to hold his extra-long banner, and “it took off like a sail”. This year, neighbors have invested in ground-stakes that will be extending over 2 feet deep! Special care is also being taken to ensure that the lighting does not get buried in one of Bountiful’s famous “Lake Effect” snowfalls. The weather may get frightful, but these neighbors plan to ensure each visitor’s experience is delightful.
And the result?
Bountiful Temple Nativity - Click to enlarge
A nativity display that is not only a unique work of art to be seen, but also a work of love, to be felt. [special video sneak peek included below]
This year, the LDS Bountiful Temple joined forces with the neighborhood by agreeing to move their annual nativity scene to the East side of the temple grounds. In its new location, the large Holy Family display can be seen by many more passersby, and creates a beautiful finale for the neighborhood display route. Temple workers recently added a lighted star which hangs tenderly from a tree branch directly over the crèche.
A Bountiful Temple View Drive nativity experience is sure to become a favorite holiday tradition. The display is not only beautiful, but profound. It can be enjoyed from the comfort of a heated automobile, or up close and personal on foot. It offers a lovely way to contemplate the gifts of the season. Steve also assures me that “this is just the beginning”!
A Savior Is Born - click to enlarge
Apparently, neighbors have been suggesting improvement ideas, additional lighting options, and plans to include more of Brickey’s award-winning artwork in the future. The creative possibilities are endless! However, in the meantime, each visitor to Temple View Drive can rest assured they will leave as a recipient of an incomparable gift.
This neighborhood nativity is free to the public and runs officially from Dec. 1st – 31st. Visitors should enter at the north end of Temple View Drive loop to follow the story chronologically. The display will be kept lit until midnight every evening. (Please note that the Bountiful Temple lights, including the crèche, will be turned off at 11:00 PM). To visit, map your route at this link!
For all of my many readers who cannot travel to Bountiful, or will enjoy revisiting the experience, I have created this musical montage video. I wish for you the special joy and peace promised by Christmas! – MoSop
Recently I have been taking nature walks during my lunch hour. Not only has this been refreshing to my mind and body, but also to my soul. I started carrying my camera with me on these afternoon adventures, and ended up with quite a collection of photos! Looking at them has filled me with gratitude for this beautiful world we live in. I realize more each day just how much we owe our Savior, Jesus Christ. He has truly given all light, life and hope to this amazing earth. Thinking about it fills my heart with joy. And naturally, I wish to share it. Thus, I have created a video for you to enjoy these images (all but 3 are my own). The music is Mack Wilberg’s arrangement of the Hymn “There is Sunshine In My Soul Today“.
This is a story about how one unlikely girl fulfilled her dream of becoming a cheerleader. It’s really a story about hope, and love, and what’s still right with the world. 
