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 the ways 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.

WHAT DO WE DO?

USLCHMission 17

For months you have asked this question ...

So have we!

Friends, family, and even complete strangers often inquire about what we are doing on our mission. A short boring answer is that we do data entry 8+ hours daily, Monday-Friday, and yes we do take an hour for lunch. Thankfully, start and lunch times depend on specific tasks and are fairly flexible – usually 7-3 or 8-4, with lunch times beginning about 11 a.m. and ending at 1:30 p.m.

My Desk Area

And often, as we traverse Temple Square Campus,  we have an opportunity to answer questions and chat for a few minutes with visitors when we offer to take pictures for those attempting selfies, etc. (and even of ourselves with BigFoot on Temple Square).

Bigfoot on Temple Square 

In April 2019 Elder Steven E. Snow General Authority Seventy and Church Historian and Recorder provided more extensive information in his 2019 Ensign magazine article titled, “The Sacred Duty of Record Keeping.” [1]  

He reminds us: “The records and history of the Church have been important to the Lord from the beginning. He taught Adam and Eve to keep ‘a book of remembrance’ (Moses 6:5), counseled the ancient prophets to keep records, and checked to ensure that the Nephite records were complete (see 3 Nephi 23:7–13).”

Elder Snow counsels, “Our personal records … are important to us and our children. Some of the most inspiring history comes from the diaries and journals of everyday people like you and me. …Your journal … will be treasured by your children and grandchildren for many generations to come.”

Elder Kyle S McKay began service as the new Church Historian and Recorder in 2022. [2]

Much more information about record keeping in the Church is also available on its website.[3] If you are into such historical record keeping search for ‘Church History and Record Keeping,’ [4] ‘What is a Records Preservation Center,’ [5] and any other similar topic you can think up.  The scope of available information is mind numbing.

TMI already! I know, I know – but our real work is actually a bit exciting and quite interesting.

When Elder Ames was a young boy he asked his mother a question, and she replied “Go ask your father.” His father was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War, a Naturopath, Physical Therapist, and Chiropractor who spoke many languages.

Elder Ames answered his mother, “I don’t want to know that much.”

You also may not really want a long answer. It would start with:

 “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints completed the Granite Mountain Records Vault [6] in 1965 to preserve and protect records of importance to the Church, including its vast collection of family history microfilms. …

 “The vault safeguards billions of images on microfilm, microfiche, and digital media. Currently, the Church is in the process of digitizing the microfilms and making those digital records available through FamilySearch.org.   

 “The images … are collected through agreements with archives, libraries, and churches from more than 100 countries. Copies of these records are given free of charge to the record custodian [in that area] and on occasion, additional copies are provided to replace records that may have been lost in a natural disaster or fire. [See link below] to watch the story of how the Church was able to replace valuable genealogical records for the Pacific island nation of Niue after a devastating cyclone. [7]”

All that to say the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints collects and preserves records about the people and history of the world [8] - especially historical records about the church and its members.

There are several zones in our mission that assist the Church to digitize these records.

 

We are assigned to the Family History Project Zone and spend most of our time correlating records provided by A.I. - artificial intelligence - with records already digitized and available on the free Family Search website. [9]  A different zone teaches AI how to read records in any language and digitize most printed or written documents. There are 13 zones and more than 1,000 senior missionaries in the 4 buildings comprising this USLCHM mission). 

In other words, we link newly digitized records together with data already processed and available, to form cohesive genealogies that may be searched for and found - without cost [10] - by anyone, anywhere. 

What do you want to know about ancestors in your family? [11] 

1. The Sacred Duty of Record Keeping
2. New Church Historian Recorder 2022
3. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
4. Church History and Record Keeping
5. What is a Records Preservation Center?
6. Granite Mountain Records Vault
7. Niue Island Disaster
8. Importance of Family
9. The World's Largest Family Tree
10. Family Search
11. Simple Steps to Preserve Your Precious Family Memories

NOTES AND NEEDLES

USLCHMission 16

On May 5, 2026 in our Family History Project zone it was my turn to present a message about prayer for the morning devotional. We can be asked or we can volunteer. I picked an easy day, and an easy topic before Zone Leaders might request any other time or topic.  

Elder Ames suggested I share it here. The following post paraphrases my notes in an attempt to replicate the general ideas I shared with missionaries of our Zone:

I love Primary songs – “Heavenly Father, are you really there? [1]      

When I taught a Primary class of children, age 6 turning 7, a lesson about the great 1^st and 2^nd commandments, [2] we gave each child two folded hearts numbered 1^stand 2^nd with a card outlining a scripture from study material. 

Inside the heart numbered ‘1^st’, were the words ‘Love God.’ Inside the heart numbered ‘2^nd’ were the words ‘Love Others.’ We started with the 2^nd commandment.

I asked 2 questions:

How do we show someone we love them?

How do we know they love us?

The majority of the children gave a similar answer.

They said, “they listen to me. They talk to me.”

A child often can provide a simple, yet profound, answer to a complex question.

How do we talk to God? 

Anytime! Anywhere! 

He is there – listening.

In Relief Society, one week, a discussion evolved about being loving, and feeling loved. A mother of a young baby (about 6 months) described how her son was driving them crazy. He would put his fist into his mouth and push it so far in that it would sometimes gag him. He is learning about his fingers, hands, mouth – his whole body – and how it functions.

We also are learning.

The mother described that despite their frustration with an obvious problem, their love for their child did not change. Heavenly Father’s love also remains the same – not conditional, even when we can improve.

Do we show respect to Him for his patient love? Revere Him?

How do we talk to Him? Do we? 

Do we listen for Him to talk to us?

How do we listen to God?

We are learning – where are our hearts?

I have many questions. I have few answers. I ask a lot of questions. My children sometimes groan because I ask so many questions. I ask because I sincerely want to know.

I am grateful for the privilege of prayer – both speaking and listening.

I worked in a men’s wear and bridal shop for many years. There were many tools.

I’m going to attempt to outline a few points, pun intended.

I have, here in my hand, a needle. There are many types. (Explaining the types and uses would be TMI BUT– is this easy or difficult to thread? How many of you have threaded a needle? Sometimes a needle seems difficult to thread – almost frustratingly impossible!

I have at times accidentally dropped my needle, and when I picked it up, suddenly it seemed to readily and easily thread smoothly.

WHY? Do you know that the eye of a needle is punched? Although I worked daily as a professional seamstress, I did not know this secret! Punched! I never knew, despite regular use – the eyes of needles are punched – I never knew!

Elder Ames provided each of you with a small paper sticky note and a toothpick. Please push the toothpick through the paper. Notice that the front side has a hole with smooth edges, and on other back side the edge of the hole is ragged. Needles are the same. One end of the wire is sharpened and the edges of the punched eye is polished and smoothed. However, there is a front and a back and small, almost invisible burrs may remain.

SO – when I dropped the needle, if I picked it up with the punched side toward the thread it seemed to suddenly thread easily -  more readily than just seconds before.

PRAYER is the same – knowing details and patterns, being instructed – learning or having an example helps me.

Change may help me. There are many ways to change – the tool, thread, end of thread cut, comparing threads and needles, MORE TOOLS – like a needle threader … many types of those also – what is MY need? What do I need to get the particular thread I am using through the particular needle I am threading?

When I examine my task, my tools, - I learn, I change. I keep trying, I ask, learn more, and get advice – I can ask others with more experience or knowledge – and yes even God!

And I can look for examples too. I ask myself, “what will facilitate the change I need? Scriptures? Sunday as a day of rest? The sacrament? Ordinances? Covenants? Family history? Temple worship?

In the New Testament Jesus provided a pattern for prayer. You are welcome to turn to Mathew 6:9-13 [3] or Luke 11:2-4 [4] and follow along as I read, but be warned - I may stop reading to comment or ask a question. (And I did - however most of those asides are not in my notes.)

The Lord’s prayer is a pattern – it instructs me how to talk with Heavenly Father. I grew up in Canada and every day - every single morning - at school, we began the day by reciting The Lord’s Prayer. It is still engraved in my mind.

    9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

    10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

    11 Give us this day our daily bread.

    12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

    13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power,     and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Scriptures counsel me to “Pray Always” [5] and prophets and apostles of all generations explain the blessings and veracity of prayer. [6] After the passing of his wife and his own near death experience, Elder Jeffery R. Holland spoke in April 2024 General Conference and at Roots Tech 2025 about prayer. He said he was instructed to pray more – and surprised because he prays a lot – and also to testify about the reality of prayer, of speaking to and listening to God, our loving Father in Heaven.  

I likewise share my own witness. I pray often each day, yet I can pray more often, AND more sincerely. 

HE IS THERE!

 1. Children's Songbook #12 "A  Child’s Prayer”

2.       2. Mathew 22:37-39

 3. Mathew 6:9-13 

3.      4. Luke 11:2-4 

4.     5.  D&C 61:39

5.      6.  D&C 65

1.