Salt Lake Temple Missionary Training, September 14-16, 2015

Fellow sister temple missionaries

Elder and Sister Nichols-headed to Kiev

"Loving kindness," the quietly spoken philosophy of the Salt Lake Temple soon became our inspired reminder of how to minister to our patrons in our temple assignments...and "loving kindness" was the spirit and heart of our three day training.  Our class composed 21 senior couples and two senior sisters hailing from various states who, for the most part, have served previously in 1-3 temples.  Domestic mission assignments ranged from Atlanta, GA, Washington, DC, New York Manhatten (2 couples-us), Palmyra, NY, and Nauvoo IL, to international missions to London, England, Manila, Finland, Kiev Ukrane, New Zealand, etc.   

 Former SL Temple President Richard and Kathleen Hinckley Walker spent countless hours hosting, organizing, training, advising, inspiring us on multiple levels.  The training included viewing films of proper temple procedures and were always followed up with questions and answers (highly instructive and informal).  They were highly instructive and helpful.  "Temple drift" or unsubstantiated traditions are to be avoided, and of course, always defer to the individual temple president for answers to questions and procedures.

Elder Anderson, Managing Director of the Temple Department and a Seventy, delivered a short but powerful speech reminding us to make the patrons' temple experience the sweetest experience of their lives. The culminating experience occurred in a sealing room today, where several of our deceased families were joined together forever after months of genealogical research, sleepless nights, and mighty prayer.   

A special "walk-about" of the basement of the SL Temple (engineering, viewed the mechanical workings of the temple and 100 year historical photos of the construction of the temple, etc), the Baptisty, and the fifth and sixth floors of the Temple was conducted by President and Sister Walker.  Steve found the tour to the upper floors of the General Authority Assembly room (where general assemblies were held in the early days of the Church) most rewarding. What a glorious experience to send us on our way!  We leave at 6:30 am!  Pray Delta Airlines is kind to us!

Back at the same east temple doors where we stood as newly weds, 52 years ago.

Matt and David drove 3 hours from Burley, ID, to host us to  a gourmet Chinese dinner,  and then returned late that evening.  How we love our sons!  Always so thoughtful and generous!

Love this original painting in the SL Temple Annex of City Creek.