Our visit to Utah

Stained glass window in the Church History Museum

We started off our trip with a stop at the Far West temple site and Adam-Ondi-Ahman, both sacred sites for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. On arriving in Utah, we had attended a Felsted reunion (descendants from Darlene’s paternal line) in Springville, several family visits with the Farmer side of the family (my brother and sister, nieces and nephews, etc.), visits with returned missionaries who served in Mongolia and others connected to Mongolia, and visits to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City.

This week we are on to northern Utah to visit our daughter Trista and her family, and Darlene’s brother and sister-in-law, Ron and Kathie Felsted, who served a mission in Hungary concurrently with our mission. We will also go to St. George, Utah to visit Darlene’s uncle Jay Taylor, age 95, and have a get together with family members of missionaries serving in Mongolia. That portion of our visit to Utah will be in the next blog.

Adam-Ondi-Ahman - beautiful, pristine, and peaceful

Adam-Ondi-Ahman. We found a neat Amish store near Adam-Ondi-Ahman and bought a number of items Darlene had been looking for since being in our home.

Here is an explanation of the significance of the site.

 

We also visited the Far West temple site dedicated just prior to the Latter-Day Saints being driven out of Missouri in 1837.




Temple site at Far West Missouri

Felsted reunion. While we were in Mongolia, one of Darlene’s cousins showed an interest in Felsted Family History and the two of them help organize a family reunion for this August.

Darlene and Julie Wilson, the organizers, comparing family history records

It was held in a church bowery and included a potluck meal.

From left to right - Raymond K., Effie Lou, Peter, Darlene and Darlene's brother, Ron

Five of the seven Felsted cousins were able to make the reunion and children and grandchildren from all seven family were able to attend.

Ron and Kathie Felsted with their son Patrick and daughter-in-law, Katarina

This was the first reunion of what promises to be many more such reunions. The meeting was fun and also significant in terms of moving family history along as well strengthen family bonds.

My brother Larry at the grill

Farmer family events. Rick and Cathy Jones, (Cathy is my niece) received a mission call to serve as farm managers managing and maintaining church farms in England. We attended their farewell talks at church and then enjoyed a gathering of friends and Farmer family relatives who came to wish them well.

Family gathering Larry and Katie are at opposite ends of the table

My brother Larry and his wife Katie hosted a couple of family meals in which several family members were invited.

Beautiful sunset as viewed from Larry and Katie's backyard

More of their beautiful garden and landscaping

We exchanged thoughts and feelings about Ukranian freedom with Larry and Katie's son-in-law. He had some amazing stories to tell as he is in constant communication with his family and friends in his homeland.  

Larry's son-in-law, Vasil Osipenko, a Ukranian patriot

On each occasion we gave our presentation of our mission to Mongolia. Mongolia is a fascinating country and captures most people’s imagination and curiosity.

Alan and LaNice Groesbeck - just back from Mongolia

Meeting compatriots who served with us. We were extremely fortunate to be able to attend the homecoming meeting for the Groesbecks – some of our good friends we made in Mongolia. Other returned missionary couples were able to be there as well.

From the left - Sis. Briggs, Clark, the Richardsons, the Groesbecks, the Farmers, and Bradley Warner - our Mongolian teacher via Skype

We heard the Groesbeck’s mission report and then attended a get together in their back yard. Our mutual experiences together produced a strong bond – a love for each other and a love for Mongolia and its people.

From L to R - Sisters Richardson, Briggs, Groesbeck, and Farmer

The next day we had lunch with former mission president Jay Clark and his wife Pat.

We had a three hour conversation exchanging memories and thoughts about our time together in Mongolia. It was a lovely visit.


Pres. Clark is now a Stake President of a BYU Stake

The next day on temple square in Salt Lake we met Sister Dulguunzaya who is currently serving a mission there.

Sister Dulguunzaya

It was fun to reminisce with her about Mongolia. We had her (mini-mission) in our home for a meal with her companion, Sister Largin.

We also had a great visit with Steve Nickle, head of records acquisition for Asia and Africa. We shared our insights with him about the progress we made in developing a joint project with the National Archives in Mongolia.

Angel Moroni in the Church History Museum

Other things we saw and did in Salt Lake. I took a few pictures on Temple Square.

Pioneer Home built in Salt Lake in 1847 by an early pioneer family

Seagull Monument

Darlene enjoyed her time at the Family History library.  

Finally we will leave you with a picture of the new temple being built in Provo, Utah.

The temple is being built using the old structure of the Provo Tabernacle. The picture below shows what it will look like when it is finished. It was taken from an artist's rendition of the completed temple.