READY - or NOT!!

 READY – or NOT!

On October 1^st our Emergency Preparedness had a work out.

Water to our wonderful apartment was non-existent – as well as to the entire building! And later we learned that outage included many other buildings on the block!

Then the notice came requesting that all vehicles in underground parking AND the guest lot across 1^st Ave should be moved – both would be inaccessible for an indeterminate amount of time.

North entrance blocked off

However, the Elks parking garage (that is also used as guest parking) would be available, but only accessible from South Temple St – meaning a short walk along a very busy and public street from that parking to our apartment 

WHAT?!?!?

And then the news: a water line on 1^st Ave had burst, the fire department had given notice to turn off the water main, and repairs would take an unknown amount of time. We would be notified when water was on again. 

So much for the luxury of a long, hot soak!

Initial dig for water main on1st Ave, looking downhill West

For how long?

My first concern was the laundry – whew! A full dryer, and an unfolded batch on our guest bed created a modicum of reassurance.

Oh well, at least we already had a case or two of bottled drinking water.

Then reality upped the ante!

Elder Ames always ensures the dishwasher is full after supper and starts a load after breakfast. Clean dishes were ready to put away – but wait – do we have disposables? Not many! We put those on a list for the future.

OH DEAR! What about going to the bathroom and washing hands?

Elder Ames was prepared. We brought two 5-gallon jugs with us from home, and he had ensured they were both filled and standard 1. storage precautions (1/2 tsp bleach per gallon) were followed. 

Gratitude flooded over me as he dutifully lifted a jug to the kitchen counter, screwed the spigot in place, placed the jug so the spigot was out over the sink, and uncapped the air value. AND he went one better! He filled a large pitcher with water for the bathroom.

A pleasant surprise was discovering we still had sufficient disposable sterile wipes there – so we added more of those to our list of future preparedness items.

We managed fairly well until service was restored. I awoke to the sound of water coming on about 11:30 pm and checked all the faucets etc. 

When that notice came it suggested turning on taps and allowing the water to run for about 10 minutes before using – and not to worry if some odd odors or discoloration were evident at first.

The next morning I slept in a bit, and dreaming of an 'after work' relaxing soak, pulled my oily hair into a standard pony tail as we dashed off to work with breakfast bars and fruit for each of us in our bag. Our car remained parked in Elks Parking as the street was still closed.

When we walked home for lunch, the water seemed somewhat minimal, as if not fully on, and dripped to a slow stop just before we hurried off to some afternoon appointments and errands in Bountiful.

Then came the NEXT news!! 

2nd water main dig East of inital break

ANOTHER water main break! Water off again!! We did NOT bother to hurry home, but were relieved that further notices about A/C also being affected (OFF), and “being considerate of others” regarding water placed in the lobby for residents were not a personal concern.

We decided to enjoy some additional time at the Bountiful Temple.

Then we went shopping, and picked up some disposables and two extra cases of bottled water. 

Can we share? Who might need a bit of water? 

How long might the water be off this time?

Hmmm ...???? 

What else might we prepare for? 2.

Do we have gloves? What kind?

Looking South - block closed for most of Oct. 

1. The CDC and EPA recommend adding 8 drops of unscented liquid chlorine bleach per gallon for standard 5–6% sodium hypochlorite bleach, or 6 drops per gallon if using the more concentrated 8.25% formulation now common on store shelves — getting the concentration right matters, since 8 drops of 8.25% bleach over-chlorinates the water. Double the dose for water that is cloudy, colored, or very cold. This maintains residual chlorine protection for approximately 6 months.

2. DISASTER PLANNING

SEEING CLEARLY

 Recently I experienced an episode of reduced visibility. I work at a computer approximately 8 hours a day, Monday to Friday and before work one morning, when my eyes seemed particularly blurry, I had Elder Ames help wash my eyes out with eye drops.

It did not really help, and even though I blinked repeatedly and later removed my glasses to gently (and eventually vigorously) rub my eyes a couple times nothing made any real difference.

At work the blurry view continued. Since I was not working productively I decided to spend a few minutes cleaning my glasses while waiting for any possible changes. (I keep the cleaner and a linen cloth in my desk and regularly ensure the glasses are clean.)

Well!! Duh!! My glasses were disgusting.

My vision improved immediately!

Sometimes the simplest routine routines make a genuine difference.

Whenever I am struggling with something I begin checking basics:

ü  Did I get enough sleep?

ü  Have I eaten? – properly?

ü  And had enough water to drink?

ü  Am I following the Word of Wisdom? [1]

ü  Did I say personal prayers – do I need to pray again?

ü  And what about scripture study?

ü  Am I reading the Book of Mormon?

ü  Is there a possible health concern?

ü  Is there a spiritual concern?

This list could go on and on and on. To avoid wasting time and effort, occasionally I must define routines or processes to improve my own clarity. 

I ask myself: How do I need to refine my understanding? What can I do to improve in any specific area? Have I studied any resources?

I regularly check such things. It bothered me a bit that initially I neglected to check if my glasses were clean!

Like eyedrops and cleaning glasses, first I need to avoid making assumptions – assumptions like thinking that because it was early in the morning sleepy eyes created blurry vision smudges. The eye drops felt wonderful and were harmless, yet something else was needed.

Routines and habits can obscure or reveal – help or hinder! I still wonder about mine. Questions are a helpful habit for me.  

What about you? 

Are you seeing clearly?

[1.] Doctrine and  Covenants Section 89 

President Boyd K. Packer: “The Word of Wisdom was ‘given for a principle with promise’ (D&C 89:3). … A principle is an enduring truth, a law, a rule you can adopt to guide you in making decisions. Generally principles are not spelled out in detail. Members write in asking if this thing or that is against the Word of Wisdom. … We teach the principle together with the promised blessings. There are many habit-forming, addictive things that one can drink or chew or inhale or inject which injure both body and spirit which are not mentioned in the revelation. … Obedience to counsel will keep you on the safe side of life” (“The Word of Wisdom: The Principle and the Promises,” Ensign, May 1996, 17–18).

JSMB Job Site August 22 2026

 We work daily in a building noted for beautiful architectural features, and rich symbolism. 

Outside between the ornate pillars and the front door, a sidewalk compass assists visitors to orient physically in ways similar to how art, music, and beauty can lift, guide, and orient the mind.

The front entry specifically draws you directly to photos of it's honored name sake and his wife, Emma, with golden plaques.

Foyer ceilings reflect skies through stained glass.

On the open mezzanine level there is an ornately detailed chapel with a small pipe organ, and luxurious carpets and seating.

Even bathrooms and our break room have thought provoking elements – are the very angels watching over us?

It is lots of fun to have people ask for details about the building. One day on Temple Square plaza we saw a family of tourists taking selfies, and offered to take photos of them all together. They loved being all together in the photos! They were visiting for 5 days from Chile and were enthralled with the beauty of the building.  

The son asked about the prominently large display of many flags and we explained that the symbolic art installation of world flags on ‘Flag Plaza’ has flags from approximately 181 nations worldwide (more can be added as needed). “Is there one from Chile?” he asked.

“Yes,” I could answer, “look to see if it is there today.” The flags of 91 countries are displayed (in an oval formation) and illuminated at full staff for 3-month rotations to ensure all are seen.  

In response to their questions (in both Spanish and English) we told them the name of the building is the Joseph Smith Memorial Building [JSMB]. “Who is he?” they wanted to know. We loved telling them about Joseph and his contributions to world religion. 

As they continued to ask more and more questions, we invited them to explore the JSMB, inside and out, and guided them around the building to views of the Salt Lake Temple, an even more incredibly beautiful, and purposeful, building.  In 2027 free public tours will be available from April 5th - October 1st by securing free tickets on the Temple Square App.

They began to comment about the wonderful feelings they had and we shared that all these things are to direct our hearts and minds to Jesus Christ and His teachings. 

The mother asked sincerely what was needed to be baptized. We weren’t sure what that meant to her, and felt that full-time sister missionaries would be able to assist them to explore their options. (Our assignment as missionaries is somewhat different.)

We left them touring the fabulous new Visitors Centers - with promises for additional resources and sent a shared text message to the Spanish speaking Sister Missionaries we know personally in the Alta Vista Ward we attend.  

We invite readers here to visit (at your own convenience) and enjoy the wonderful variety of incredible sites, exquisite gardens and landscaping, statue and art installations, current cultural events, and available tours. 

ZONE EXCURSION

 13th & 14th of July 2026

Missionaries from our Zone were invited to tour WelfareSquare OR the Humanitarian Center.

It was a difficult choice for us to make – we wanted to do both! The Zone tour only allowed us to tour one location during our office hours. We dallied about our choice until the majority of full-time and service missionaries had signed up for their choices.

Most selected the Humanitarian Center but, since I avoid crowds whenever possible, when we made our selection we picked Welfare Square. We later learned the Humanitarian group was large enough to divide in half so both groups could more readily move through the tour.  

Grain Silos: 16 million pounds of wheat, daily processing 200,000 lbs

Welfare Square was amazing. I was speechless! So was Elder Ames! We still are! Witness this incredible facility here.

And we got a close up, first hand, personal experience seeing how goods are grown, gathered, or donated for storage, preparation, and distribution. 

Enlarged charts helped us understand the way those in need qualify to receive assistance of food, clothing, education, and even on-site training with job and/or language skills. 

original facilities

One of the fun demonstrations was bread making at the bakery – but being near lunch and smelling all the delicious things was also a humbling experience. We realized more, how secure and affluent our lives truly are.

'Bread vats' make about 40 loaves each

Windows and camera feeds from restricted areas (for safety and/or hygiene concerns) allowed us to view production workers, methods, and quantities. And the smell of freshly baked bread was to die for - but no, they did not provide bread samples.

 

But tour guides (young missionaries) explained how the products, using blind taste testing, are compared with national brand names AND they are some people who get to taste test the products. 

YUMMY!! they said!!

We were so enthralled by Welfare Square that when we got home from our work day we called the Humanitarian Center to find out if, and when, we might be able to tour that. 

statue near front entrance

Apparently it has recently been rebuilt and during July free tours were running Monday – Friday between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. We went the next day.  Even now tours are available between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Call for appointments and information – contacts on the included links.

Be sure to scroll down a bit on the link past all the info about the dignitaries and formal ceremonies to see the insides of some of the warehouses and equipment.

sorting and packaging

The Humanitarian Center was equally, if not more, astonishing! We were absolutely delighted to discover that the cataloging, processing, and organizing that happen over at Welfare Square are only the first steps before the Humanitarian Center.  

The next day and following week we told everyone that did that tour that they missed the first half of what occurs in the process and practices of caring for others.

For example: everything is meticulously numbered, labeled, and dated to efficiently move through the warehouses at both locations, while providing goods and services of all types to the greatest possible number of patrons AND prevent waste. 

Tour participants were invited to spend a few moments at each station to experience the process personally. We thought it was fun to actually do the type of work, even for minutes, that is done there. 

We loved the artistic 'RECYCLE' display showing bits of salvage from computers, and also the HOPE sign built out of ‘fake’ food bottles. 

The red dots spelling the letters 'hope' are made with the lids on peanut butter jars, and ketchup bottles line the top and bottom rows. The rest of the colors are labels on cans showing off fruits and vegetables. 

Milk showed the planning and long cycle of production from farm to table. Watching the factory lines of milk (and other common grocery items) sealed into containers, the dry milk powder process, and butter and different cheese commodities was quite intriguing. Later samples of chocolate milk were shared. 

Clean Water

It was also gratifying to learn about the interactive and interfaith coordinated efforts between many businesses and religions which assist communities to have clean water, medical and educational resources, and many types of assistance for refugees too achieve more stability and security as they begin to build new lives. 

Mobility Aid

“In 2025, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spent $1.58 billion for caring for those in need — an average of $4.3 million per day.” 

These numbers do not include millions of volunteer service hours or programs such as "Just Serve." 

KEEP HAVING FUN

WELL! Repairs and renovations can be stressful BUT also a bit amusing!

Improvisation and creativity are the game! We usually occupy office space in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building (JSMB) but will soon be working in the North Office Building (NOB) for 2 weeks. 

The JSMB needs some serious repairs to the electrical and plumbing systems. All systems were OFF beginning the week after the 4^th of July. Full time missionaries were moved to the NOB Thursday, 2^nd July. What an adventure! 

traffic at State St. (Hwy89) and North Temple St.

We now cross one of the busiest intersections in downtown Salt Lake as we walk uphill to work and downhill to our apartment. That means waits of several minutes at crossings both ways, for trucks, bikes, cars, and buses - are all delayed by crowds of pedestrians. 

Yes, there are stairs, but I’d rather walk up or down the hill than deal with 47 steps. 

down hill from NOB driveway to busy intersection

We love being able to walk most places we need to go (except church – we are assigned to attend a Spanish speaking Ward that is about 20 minutes south. And walking some ups and/or downs make little difference.

Tuesday, 30 June the random construction workers that had been meandering along our hallways and threading through our 3^rd story office spaces all month suddenly became a seriously, coherently noisy crew.

They hammered, drilled, and sawed to remove the lower half of some large windows, replaced that with vented plywood, and after hauling in large black tube and tub looking bits of this, that, and other things, they initially walked away leaving gaping, gigantic holes showing circles of blue sky pouring in fresh air – seriously! We began joking about the new ventilation system! 

And one missionary joked the we now were working in a 'holey' building!

Elder Ames strolling along past the window noticed a noisy field trip of mid-teens passing across campus and, when some looked upward, couldn’t resist sticking his hand out and waving – much to their giggling delight. Someone suggested we should take turns sticking our heads out the holes if only someone below might take our photos. Elder Ames volunteered BUT it was time for lunch and we all decided to save such silliness for after we ate (the cafeteria has deadlines).

And did I mention that our main cafeteria is also closed 6 weeks for renovations?! The elevators to the restaurant at the 26^th floor feel like riding a hay wagon enough that I feel nauseous, so we often pack a lunch or walk home most days instead. We find we like our simple, plain food better than the menus available - plus table seating there in all areas is somewhat limited.

We returned to work on on June 30^th to see construction workers had returned and been busy while we were gone. Sigh! Such disappointment! They put together those black pieces of this, that, and other things to make – WHAT? What are those things? What are they doing? I told the sister nearest the holes that it appeared a giant alien was now lounging along the partition between her desk and the hall walk space.

We worked the remainder of the week with the crews preparing for closure. We learned they were constructing and installing A/C systems. It was ventilation – since all power and water will be off these AC units will be powered independently so that despite triple digit temperatures the repair crews can continue their work. An all time high temperature of 109 F was recorded that week. 

exterior with one of the 'lounging aliens' trouser legs

A snapshot of the exterior shows many windows in various stages of the process.

We had missed our chance to be truly silly but have no fear. That did not stop a creative missionary from taking snapshots of us and telling AI to stick our heads through the holes. We have quite a bit of fun among the missionaries in our zone, even while actually doing some data transfer.

Later I heard someone at the other side of the building claim they had stuck a head out of a hole!

Our main work stations have 2 monitors and Elder Ames and I have stand up desks. We can stand or we can lower them when we want or need to sit. However, our equipment was not moved to the NOB with us full time missionaries. Service missionaries are working from home or having a 2-week break, and a few shortened their missions a couple weeks and went home. The rest of us are working during this change using laptops and one monitor. 

Hallways at the NOB are fairly narrow and some areas feel almost like a storeroom.

AC there is quite cold so some missionaries wear winter coats or sweaters. And we all adapt as best each of us is able. 

I stand the majority of each day because many chairs press awkwardly on my right thigh and cause pain that can be avoided be simply standing. So, using our wagon, Elder Ames brought my stand-up desk from home.

3 work station adaptations

He also noticed a stack of empty binders along one hallway, and realized they could be used to increase his productivity by elevating his laptop, and perching his monitor on a small inexpensive stool we keep in our apartment for visiting grandkids. 

Some of the other missionaries created similar setups, and a few brought in their own versions of possible arrangements. One even bought an extra monitor with stands for her work. 

My father often told us, “If it’s not fun don’t do it – and if you’ve gotta do it, make it fun.” 

Some suggest our work is a bit tedious. We find it exciting to download, compare, standardize, collate and help publish the data necessary for you (and everyone else) to build and extend your family trees. And many times it seems there are angels guiding our work. 

We see and feel miracles every day – YES! EVERY DAY!

Keep having fun!

DAD JOKES

 USLCHMission 19 

What is your favorite 'dad' joke? 

Elder Ames got me a new one for a laugh last week. 

We saw these signs:

He asked: "Why is the traffic so irritated?"

When I finally caught on (‘cross’ grumpy traffic – drivers often honk a lot in Utah), I replied: "They are going the wrong way."  

[Notice the blue and white sign …]

For our Zone potluck last week everyone brought  a dad joke and their dad's or husband's favorite foods. 

There were LOTS of desserts!

Thanks to the organizer, Sister McCombs, for generosity providing main dishes.

SPIRES

USLCHMission 18 

Guest blogger: Elder David Ames

Sitting comfortably in the living room of our third-floor apartment I gaze out the balcony and see spires.  To the south, down State street, are a couple of skyscrapers.  I can’t see the tops of them and I don’t bother to get up and look – they are not historical. 

Just north of those, across the street and a little west from our apartment, is a building just a little higher than our balcony window. It is being renovated. It is topped with an historic golden beehive that glows in the morning sun.  It is the Beehive House.  

Behind it, also being renovated, is the Lion House (with the lion statue lounging above the door on the south - unseen from our balcony view).  We mostly can only see the northeast corner of the Lion House from our balcony because it is west behind the Beehive house, but we often see machines and workmen coming and going between the buildings. 

The next spire is straight out, on the JSMB - the Joseph Smith Memorial Building  (in the past the Hotel Utah) also topped with a beehive that is many times larger than its neighbor.  Historic building? Yes. It is where we spend our days and is just southeast of the Salt Lake temple.

The temple is glorious - especially at sunset.  To the west I see only two of its six main spires peeking out from behind other buildings. The central spire is topped prominently with a golden statue of the angel Moroni blowing his trumpet. 

Poking up, a bit further north and west, is a crane - something is being built or renovated, and miles beyond that in the distance is the control tower for the airport.  

The last spire I can see to north is the top of the conference center.  I cannot see the conference center itself because it is covered by the lower 14 floors of the Church Office Building. 

The Church Office Building is the northern frame to the picture in our balcony window.  It is 28 stories high and, like the first building, the top is not within my view. 

I return to my reflections.  The spires, some topped with flags, are there to be seen. 

JSMB beehive topped with US flag

  We can orient ourselves not only to the particular structure with a spire, but with the spire as a landmark, we are helped get to any place in the general vicinity.

What assists you in orienting a location or direction?

Sister Ames and I wear name tags. They are like spires. People who want to be oriented in some way – either spiritually or physically – will stop us with inquiries. 

I reflect further on the renovations. All these buildings built in the mid 1800’s are putting on their Sunday best. The streets themselves are being torn up and repaved. Everything is being made new for the Salt Lake Temple celebration – a celebration of Jesus Christ.  Its 7 year renovation project is nearing completion. 

The whole world is invited to come to The House of the Lord - to better know Him. He orients us. 

Check your calendars and save a date. Beginning September 1, 2026 reserve a temple open house tour.

Salt Lake Temple Celebration - Open House Tours | templesquare.org

And when you come, we will be here. We hope you find us. We invite you to notice every spire and to consider the invitation being extended by each one.  We look forward to sharing this experience.