Vernal, located in eastern Utah, is a small town. But, a unique temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is located there. We decided to drive the three hours to see it this week.
Originally built from 1898-1907, and known as the Uintah Stake Tabernacle, the building was used for worship services and large community events. After decades, the tabernacle became obsolete as the town grew. In 1994, Church leaders announced that the historic building would be converted into a temple for use by Church members in eastern Utah.
We enjoyed very much the spirit we felt inside the Vernal Temple.
We went to the temple to perform proxy sealings for five couples, ancestors of Scott, who didn't have the opportunity to have their marriages sealed for eternity during their lifetime. What exactly does an eternal marriage sealing mean? This three-minute video clip taken in the Rome, Italy Temple tells more about this special gift from God.
Click onto the above arrow to watch the video.
Vernal is also known as dinosaur country, home to the Dinosaur National Monument located a half-hour east of town. Over 1,500 dinosaur bones have been discovered in the rocks and hills. Unfortunately for us, due to the federal shutdown going on, the visitors center of the National Monument was closed.
Still, we enjoyed reading the outdoor explanations of this unique part of the world where dinosaurs once roamed.
A park ranger explains what Dinosaur National Monument is all about.
You can also see this video posted on Youtube by clicking here
Farewell, Vernal. From the prehistoric to the eternal, you have it all!
We were able to gather as a family last week at Lava Hot Springs, Idaho for our Magnusson Family Reunion. It is said that a picture is worth 1,000 words. We'll let the pictures speak for themselves.
We, as a family, are grateful to know that, "I Am a Child of God".
Scott and I had never been to Arizona. Yet, Scott's roots are in the Grand Canyon State.
His paternal grandfather, Ivan Magnusson, met his future wife Cula Haws in Mesa, AZ, in 1919, a community that borders Phoenix.
Ivan and Cula moved to Los Angeles in 1922 to find work. They continued to return to visit their families in Mesa, as well as the Mesa Arizona Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (seen in the background).
Taken from a home movie in about 1940, the Magnussons walk the grounds of the temple. Scott and I decided to take our own trip to Mesa last week! We wanted to walk those same footsteps.
Halfway in our drive was Page, AZ, where we stayed over night.
Page is home to the Glen Canyon Dam that creates Lake Powell. The dam, the bridge that crosses the river, and the hydroelectric power plant can be seen in the distance.
We read the display information at Page City Hall. We learned that the city was originally built to house the workers who constructed the dam and maintained the power plant.
Since first filling to capacity in 1980, Lake Powell water and electricity have helped grow and maintain the western states.
The bridge to the right was erected first, before the dam, to transport the workers from Page and bring essential materials for the dam's construction.
I always know that Scott will read every display in the visitor's center. So, we're never in a hurry!
Lake Powell is a renowned boating and fishing paradise. But, I cheated. I caught my fish in the gift shop!
The drive towards Mesa was breathtaking.
Arizona is famous for its saguaro cactus. Saguaros can have a lifespan of 150 years or more, and have been a source of food and shelter for humans for thousands of years.
Our trip took us through the Navajo Nation. We could see many Native American homes from the highway.
We enjoyed the scenery as we neared the Phoenix valley.
The Mesa Temple was dedicated in 1927. Its appearance is reminiscent of Solomon's temple in Jerusalem, lacking the spires that have become a mainstay of temples built since then.
In 2018, the temple closed for three years for renovations. Necessary upgrades were completed, and the grounds were enhanced and updated.
Above the doorway to the Mesa Temple, and visible on all temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is the inscription: Holiness to the Lord, the House of the Lord.
We consider the temple to be holy, the house of God. Worship in the temple is a sacred privilege for us, and has been the source of many blessings for us, for our children, as well as for our ancestors.
We greatly enjoyed our stay with our dear friends, Harvey and Rebecca Carter, who live in the area.
Our trip coincided with the annual Easter Pageant that's held on the Mesa Temple grounds nightly for two weeks prior to Easter. We arrived early to save seats, in the shade.
The production's cast mingles with the audience prior to the show. (Oops, I photo bombed the photo of a family visiting with a Roman soldier!)
Scott liked his visit with a Jerusalem Pharisee and a shepherd woman.
The Mesa Easter pageant is titled, Jesus the Christ. Here's what it's all about.
To see a longer version of the above video, click here.
Scenes from this year's Jesus the Christ.
Rebecca and I were childhood friends in California. We share many happy memories together.
You can tell we haven't changed a bit.
Farewell, Mesa Temple.
Our last sunset in Arizona. This was a trip we'll always remember.
Yesterday, Scott's older brother, David, was laid to rest after living with the effects of Parkinson's Disease for twenty-two years. David was 72.
David and his wife Aliece were married in the Provo Utah Temple in 1976. An attorney for 37 years in Santa Barbara, they raised their family of five children in Carpinteria, CA. The service yesterday was a beautiful tribute to a family man who honored his covenants with God.
While David's mortal remains are returned to the earth, we know that his spirit continues to live, and will one day be reunited with his body in the resurrection, following the pattern of Jesus Christ. David taught this truth his whole life. We know we will see our brother again.
Funerals are family events. Scott enjoyed this reunion with his sister Karen and brother Eric.
The cousins also enjoyed getting together again, coming from Idaho, Las Vegas, Oklahoma, Utah, Minnesota, and Iowa. Other cousins weren't able to attend in person but viewed the service by live stream.
The cousins in1989 with their Grandpa and Grandma Magnusson.
Some of our children, spouses, and grandchildren were able to attend.
