ON BEING ELEVATED

Guest blogger: Elder David Ames

In the Bible Isaiah says “… let us go up….”  (Isaiah 2:2-3)

Since coming to the Church Headquarters mission we have done a lot of going up – particularly on elevators.  

We started with the freight elevator up to our apartment from a secure parking area.  To get into the freight elevator wave at a red light on the wall to make it green. The door opens and freight can be taken in.  After a few seconds the door closes – hopefully after you are in. 

Now look for buttons to push. SURPRISE - you're not even on the elevator.  Looking around, you find a light on the wall, a red one.  

A security fob turns the light green to allow a choice of up or down.  Doors open and you enter the actual elevator, hopefully with freight.  Notice the shiny utilitarian, bump proof finish. 

Security fobs (yes, again) allow the choice of which floor. We live on the 3rd. We were successfully lifted up - with our first load of furnishings. Repeat as necessary.

Across the street from our apartment, other elevators descend underground to an extensive maze of secure walkways and parking.  Many elevators within the maze, all requiring secure access, transport workers and escorted visitors to assigned locations.  

After crossing the maze to the Joseph Smith Memorial Building (JSMB),  a security guard watches us pass security gates, and if asked will kindly give directions to the next bank of elevators - I think there are 6 total there. 

Notice the lovely decorative interior finish in these ...

Destination Dispatch elevator screen 

Occasionally these elevators are stuffed - like a dozen people all hurrying somewhere! 

Destinations – third floor please – are selected before entering the elevator.

Having chosen your destination a voice announces which elevator you will take and a letter (A through F) above the designated elevator will chime and light up.  Inside there are no buttons to push (except for emergencies - but that’s another story),

 and up you go. 

Of course there are stairs near all the elevators. 

You can choose to go up or down. 

I have thought a lot about being elevated, a lot about ‘going up.’ 

I’ve thought about that scripture in Isaiah 2:2-3. It invites readers to  “go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob.”

I looked up the elevation of some temples I have been to.  The temple in our home town of Moses Lake is at an elevation of 1,157.7 feet. My wife grew up near Cardston, Alberta, Canada. Her maternal grandfather painted many pictures of the temple there. It is at 3,780.2 feet. Here we can see the Salt Lake Temple, elevation 4,335.2 feet. 

That is going up. It has been amusing to watch the crane working (from our third floor apt or our JSMB third floor work stations). This week most of the rennovation scaffolding and the crane are removed.

Bountiful, Utah has a temple on the side of a mountain. It is at an elevation of 5,160.8 feet. (We like to go there because before or after temple worship we can also visit nearby posterity.) 

OK!  I got curious!  Arequipa Peru – 7,970.0 feet; Bogata Columbia 8,371.6 feet; and La Paz Bolivia 10,680.1 feet.  That is really being elevated. 

Each temple is a house of the Lord - the mountain of the Lord where we may go to lift hearts, minds, and spirits. We work every day (40+ hours weekly) to assist others to have that opportunity.

As I was closing my search site I noticed one more – Cusco Peru 11,333.2 feet! That is a sharp contrast to one more that caught my eye – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil at 9.4 feet.  (I spent a couple of hours in Rio about 50 years ago.  But that, also, is another story.)

As we proofread this post, Sister Ames asked if any temples are below sea level. What do you think? Can you identify any?

Stairs are yet another story! One of our mission saftey rules is "Don't Fall!" So, we take elevators.

Good news.  If you are on an elevator that lets you choose your destination, you can go down to the main floor (identified by a star) and out - without security. 

USLCHQM ORIENTATION WEEK LOG

FRIDAY February 27^th

Short version: This was a lllloonnggggg week! 

Thursday we learned we should be moved out of our room in the Mission Training Center (MTC) by 8 a.m. the next morning, Friday. However, classes were scheduled until 3 p.m. We packed all but a single change and loaded the car Thursday evening.

We asked, and were told to do only the morning class list, eat lunch one last time there, and keep appointments and schedules at Salt Lake City, Headquarters mission.

We arrived in the mission area for a brief introductory interview appointment with the Mission Presidency at 2:40 pm in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building (JSMB). A group of approximately 20 other new senior missionaries met together for a first orientation and introductions before meeting assigned ministering missionaries. Most of our classes and training happen there.

I sneezed violently, a lot, in the main classroom so was delighted to walk the block to the cafeteria and another to a different class, and here, there, and elsewhere for the rest of the day. We will seldom need to use our car.

Ironically, our ministering couple are Elder and Sister Long - seriously, no kidding! And we don’t know how we would have managed without their kindness.

They provided directions to the Eaglegate Apartments (where 9 or 10 other apartments have missionaries but the majority are not missionaries), and walked the block or so to wait very patiently while we located our car in the massive conference center underground parking and drove around the required 5 or 6 blocks to get to our parking garage entrance (only one block away). There is a lot of construction in this area. 

The Eagle Gate from our apartment balcony

The apartment is along a street with limited access each way, and of course on the same corner as the famed Eagle Gate.

The Eagle viewed from the street corner

During orientation we were given all the housing, parking, and security information and equipment, met the Long’s, and then moved into our mostly furnished 2-bedroom, 2 bath apartment on the 3^rd floor. 

Eaglegate apartment on move in day

The Longs and Elder Campbell, (another missionary who happened past the parking place) help unloaded our stuffed car onto luggage carts, and drag everything up to a room in the apartment.

Beehive house renovation

The apartment has a wonderful view of all the construction and renovations across the street on Temple Square.

We took a short nap until a ministering Sister missionary brought over a bag of toffees and chocolates, and a package of toilet paper – all proved to be essential! We didn’t know where anything was and were too tired to really care!

Later we walked a block to City Creek Mall (across from Temple Square), to eat a yummy bowl of chicken noodle soup at Kneaders Bakery and Café, before we crashed for the night.

Good night view of the Salt Lake Temple

SATURDAY February 28^th

Our mattress seemed a bit soft, and we requested a firmer one. It is no fun to wake up stiff and sore from sleeping!

We drove to Bountiful and stuffed our car with the things from our trailer that were stored at a son’s home. These included some pre-frozen meals we had prepared in advance, and transported in a cooler. And I almost stopped sneezing!

We managed to unload the car without bothering other missionaries, and attempted to begin to organize basics. Saturday’s will be our Preparation Day (P-day) – a day to chill and take care of errands, shopping, and personal needs.

SUNDAY March 1^st

We were not assigned to a congregation yet (a Ward unit to attend) so drove to Bountiful and attended a Fast and Testimony meeting with our son Benjamin and his family. What a delight.

All the missionaries in Eaglegate and Brigham Apartments had a ‘Complete the Fast’ meal together to break the monthly fast in the social room here at Eaglegate. It was nice to not eat a frozen meal again. We haven’t really had time to go shopping yet, but we do get a good lunch (with ‘to go’ leftovers) from the cafeteria at the Church Office Building.

MONDAY March 2^nd

Pictures! Group pictures – big groups and small! More pictures, and still more pictures. I do not remember ever before having so many photos taken for so many purposes! We hardly recognized ourselves in the photos - we look so tired! And old!

We walked to classes, and lunch at the cafeteria, by following our herd of new missionaries, but afterwards later in the day couldn’t find our way home again. We were in an underground maze and eventually a security officer walked us home through the dark, rainy night. There ARE places we are not allowed to access in these mazes. What a grand adventure!

We were glad for security’s presence when he needed to report the homeless person pounding on doors and windows along the street.

TUESDAY March 3^rd

We walked to the JSMB across campus and by staying outside managed to circumnavigate as needed without getting lost too much or too many times. And we even found the cafeteria again. The food is decent and very inexpensive for missionaries. And yes, that classroom started me sneezing again!

Many essentials are still packed, here and at our son’s home, and some seem to be lost! Where is the cord to Elder Ames electric razor? Shrug! Or his computer? We had to go shopping and buy those so he didn’t show up 2 days in a row with a longer stubble growth. That was about all we got done that evening.

WEDNESDAY March 4^th

One of the things we do most, other than sit at a computer, is walk. We try to do it outside whenever possible and are grateful for mild sweater weather.

And we sometimes walk a bit more because we forget things. Apparently we must have a phone at all times to receive ‘push notifications’ that allow us access to places we don’t even know we need to get to. Elder Ames forgot his phone and had to walk home, and back to class. There are many types of security in many places and we have many ways to accomplish access.

THURSDAY March 5^th

SNOW! Swirling and whirling and wet and cold! Guess what? We walked a lot in that mess. But at least we knew where to walk to!

We met with Elder and Sister Brown, counselors in the mission presidency, and have been assigned to the Family History Projects Zone. We will begin there in the morning. They introduced us to our Zone leaders Elder and Sister Hope - again, a bit ironic.

The Hope’s showed us new ways to walk through the maze and get lost! But at least it was inside and not out in the blizzarding rain!

And yeesss – we did get some new directions from another security officer. We did not, however, require an escort this time.

FRIDAY March 6^th

What a day! We spent the morning becoming oriented to our Zone! What do we do? We may figure that out by next week! 

We also were assigned where and when to attend church: Salt Lake City 12th Ward. That building is located 1.5 blocks south of our apartment building. 

At lunch time we asked what time to return. “Oh,” Elder Hope explained, “Friday afternoons are this Zone’s temple day – we want all missionaries to attend a temple each week.”  

Hooray! We have so missed the mental and spiritual lift of being able to worship in a temple since leaving home. So we drove to Bountiful, the nearest temple, and really relaxed – eventually – because we almost got lost again - inside the temple! It is huge! 

Except for assistance from some very kind temple workers, we would have been too late. I was waiting for Elder Ames standing near the elevator and he was waiting for me seated nearby but just out of my sight! Sigh! But we had a very nice evening, and then stopped by our son’s for another carload of stuff! We do that each time we go to Bountiful.

SATURDAY March 7^th

Cleaning, and cleaning, and cleaning a bit more. How many places can an apartment hide smudges, dust, or downright dirt? Too many to clean carefully all in one day. And that was after I had dabbled at a bit of cleaning every week night! Have you ever looked at the bottom of your closet shelf? Metal hangers leave nasty black streaks. We used up a small box of erasing pads here, there, and everywhere! Then we mopped everything with our newly acquired 'O-Cedar' hands-free, rinse-clean, spin mop - these are superb for most floors, walls, and even most ceilings. 

SUNDAY March 8^th

Finally, a day of rest - and the first week is complete! 

We skipped a morning devotional in favor of a lllloonnggggg nap!

 

SENIOR MISSIONARY SERVICE INDEX

Disclaimer: Contents of this blog represent personal opinions and experiences of some members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

This post is an INDEX of  blog posts during our full time mission in the Utah Salt Lake City Headquarters Mission [USLCHQM] (2016 link)

Christmas morning, as we finished opening our stockings (including the one we always hang for Jesus), I noticed a text arrive. 

It said, "Thank you for your desire to serve. You can view your mission call by signing in ... with your Church Account. ..." 

What? On Christmas morning? 

Yes - December 25, 2025 - Christmas morning at 7:03 am!

What a wonderful present! The rest of our presents got ignored until much later - noon in fact. And just after opening that emailed mission call, our oldest daughter and her family phoned for a Zoom video conference. They got to hear the news almost as soon as we did! 

We spent the remainder of the day sharing the news with loved ones! Merry Christmas to all!  

MISSION 2026

    January:

• CONFIDENTLY Terrified USLCHQM 1
• KEEP or TOSS? USLCHQM 2
• INVITATIONS USLCHQM 3

    February

• COVENANTS and COMMITMENTS USLCHQM 4
• CHRISTMAS IS COMING! USLCHQM 5
• COMPOUNDS USLCHQM 6
• STUFF USLCHQM 7

    March

• AGAIN and AGRIN USLCHQM 8
• SENIOR MISSIONARY SERVICE INDEX USLCHQM 9
• ORIENTATION WEEK LOG USLCHQM 10
• ON BEING ELEVATED USLCHQM 11
• 
  

    April

• USLCHQM 12

MISSION 2027

AGAIN and AGRIN

 USLCHQMission 8

Guest Blogger: Elder David D. Ames

On Monday, February 23^rd at 10:15 a.m., we pulled through the security gates at the Provo Utah Missionary Training Center (MTC).  

We watched as young missionaries met Senior missionaries in the car before us with cheers.  They unloaded the luggage from that car and took them off to their apartment and assignments. 

Next it was our turn.  The young missionaries cheered.  They loaded our luggage onto carts and we received a packet of instructions.  With the packet were keys to our room.  Friendly people handed us an envelope and explained “these keys will not match your room.”

I went with an attendant to park the car, and Sister Ames (followed by the entourage of young missionaries and luggage carts) was guided to a meeting area. I soon joined her.  

When we got to our room our keys did not match. Everyone seemed surprised. We weren't - and reassured them we were warned.  

We were on a schedule so our luggage was stored in a courtesy closet and a young Elder disappeared with our bogus keys.  We were escorted to seven stations, each with important information …

I don’t remember any of that information - other than I saw the Elder who was solving the problem of the keys.  I waved.  He disappeared for about a minute and came back with keys.  

When we got back to our room the keys worked.  I should have gotten his name.  We thought there was a problem but a young missionary with a bit of a smile made it no problem at all! Hugs to that young man!

We moved our stuff into our room and showed up only a few minutes late for our first class. Note: our stuff was merely in our room – not unpacked. As we attempted to find life essentials, we showed up just a few minutes late for meals and many classes for the rest of the week!

We were careful not to be late for Wednesday devotional. In fact, those who wanted to sing in the choir were invited to come an hour early. 

I wanted to sing in the choir. Can see me? There are 2 more sections of choir, one of them double this size. ASL is on the front row of this section.

The usher said that my companion couldn’t come in if she was not singing in the choir.  I suggested that there was reserved seating for senior missionaries.  He allowed her to go down to the senior missionary section.

When everyone was seated they announced that those who had not been to practice on Sunday needed to wait in the mezzanine.  I went, with half a dozen other missionaries to wait.  

Soon they invited us all to come back.  Then the choir director got up and said everyone who had not been there on Sunday needed to leave.  This time about 30 missionaries got up - the director added “except for Senior missionaries.”  I sat back down. 

Sister Ames, from the reserved section noticed that the number was being performed in American Sign Language (ASL).  She went over to them and was invited to join the Choir.  It makes me smile to think that we joined with 300 other voices in praise to the Lord through music.

On our last day at the MTC fences went up and work began to tear down the administration building.  Only a slight inconvenience.  We had to walk an extra block to buy a meal.  

And so, as we experience what seems to be trials again and again, we find that they are most easily resolved with a grin.