Updates from the chair

Dear Temple Chaser,

I am still patiently waiting for the groundbreaking ceremony to happen so construction can begin and you can REALLY get to blogging. Our fans our waiting. However, as my luck would have it, I have come into some attention lately that I would not have guessed. It has been interesting how a green old vinyl chair like myself could attract so many visitors…people who are actually looking for me. I like it.
I have been become a Geo Caching site. As some of your helper chasers cruised by me today, just to see how things were going, you can imagine their surprise to find a little medicine pill bottle on my seat. Upon further investigation (as that is how one chaser is wired….) they found the following treasurers:Geo Caching instructions
A sign up sheet of visitors
A blue and pink fingerprint smudged bouncy rubber ball Even though the chasers were not REALLY geocaching, they found it a great opportunity to leave a pass along card and a handwritten note (fortunately one chaser had a mini Sharpie in her purse). The note went something like this: There will be a Mormon temple built on across the street from where you are standing.
To learn more, go to http://www.mormon.org/ or google “Kansas City Temple Chaser.” J
They also left $1.20 and a note for the finder to go get a Wendy’s frosty.
I feel so popular!

Love to you Temple Chaser
the green Naugahyde chair

Submitted by Valerie Anderson..fellow Temple Chaser

What's this all about?

I'll tell you.
I posted this entry on my personal blog a couple of weeks ago....it's about a recent trip I made to the Winter Quarter's Temple in Omaha, Nebraska. Val suggested I post here on the Temple Chaser so you can see what all this is about.

Grandma Cheryl

You can call me Grandma now.
No...not that kind of grandma. I've decided that Grandma's can come in all shapes and sizes and ages. It's not having a "grandchild" that makes you a grandma necessarily.I became a grandma a couple of weeks ago in an unusual way. I'm Val's grandma.We believe, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that we can be sealed to our families all through eternity. That means, when we pass away, we are still united as a family. Our lost children, our loved ones who pass away too soon...everyone...through all generations can be together forever. We perform ordinances here on earth for those who didn't have the opportunity in this life, that they may have the blessings of being with their families forever too. When I do this for someone else, I become a proxy or substitute. I act on their behalf as if they were here. We also believe that the person we stand in proxy for, has the option to accept or not...the work that is done for them. Two weeks ago, I acted on behalf of Val's grandma as she was "sealed" to her parents for all eternity. What an awesome privilege. I'm pretty sure Val's grandma was pleased and is looking forward to spending eternity with her family....even her grand kids. So, you see...I'm a grandma. Just don't call me Granny.

That's what it's all about.

Remember Me?

Dear Temple Chaser,

Remember your old friend, the green Naugahyde chair? Well, I'm still here. I'm waiting patiently and saving your spot to watch the temple be built. It's been a long time since you visited me. Oh, I see you drive by often and I even see you glance my way from time to time. Do you know it's been cold and wet this winter? When you're in your nice warm car, do you think of me? Remember the time you brought your friends or "watchers" out to see me? I was so proud to wear your "Reserved" sign. I'm still here...reserving. I look forward to seeing you again soon. I know the temple will soon come and when it does I will be ready. I also look forward to better days. Better weather. I hold on to the memories of green grass and blue skies, birds chirping, you screaming from slithering snakes...ahh, the good times. Hurry back.

Until then, I remain ever yours...Reserved.

In the News...

Go here to read about JE Dunn building the temple.

“We are proud and humbled that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would select JE Dunn as their building partner on the Kansas City, Missouri, Temple,” Dunn CEO Terry Dunn said in a release Tuesday. “We look forward to working to provide members of the LDS Church in the Kansas City region a special, holy place to call their own.”

Okay..now give us a sign!!

Morning has broken

It's a glorious day here at the temple lot.
Even with 6 degree temperatures. There is no wind and the light dusting of snow is brilliant in the sun.Last night I heard that JeDunn, a large construction company here in the Metro, has been awarded the construction of the temple. http://www.jedunn.com/

I couldn't help but drive over this morning and see if they've posted a sign yet. Uh no.

Mr. Dunn sir, I would love for you to get all the advertising you can so get yer sign up speedy! And could you be so kind as to post a schedule of construction. Ah yes, I know, you don't do that for all yer clients, but this is special you see. Yer building the House of the Lord, dontcha know??! You'd think they'd be wanting to stick up a sign announcing to all the world..look at us...we're temple builders! Not everyone shares my enthusiasm I s'pose. But, if it were MY company, I'd be purdy darn excited.

So anyway, I also heard...that pre-construction is scheduled to begin in March with groundbreaking to take place in June. Sounds nifty and fine to me. I'd like to see some action over there.

You can start with a SIGN!

Where on earth did I get the accent from this morning?...I think I just like saying JeDunn...that's J-E-Dunn...roll that off your mouth a few times and see if you don't develop an accent for yerself.

Blessings to come our way

I'm so excited for the members in the Draper area. I can't wait until it's our turn.

http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/draper-utah-temple-opens-its-doors-to-the-public

If you go to the link, you can see photos of the inside of the temple, a rare opportunity and blessing.
Blessings to all who are waiting for the earth to begin turning at Shoal Creek.

Thrust forth your "scythe"

Last Sunday, Sis. Kraft gave an excellent lesson in Relief Society from the Teachings of the Presidents manual entitled, "How Good and How Pleasant It Is...to Dwell Together in Unity". I would urge anyone who hasn't heard this lesson to read it. It is an interesting parallel of how to be unified as saints with the building of a temple, which in this lesson is specific to the Kirkland and Nauvoo temples.

I felt the Spirit so strong as Sis. Kraft related the experience that Hyrum Smith had when the revelation was made known to the brethren regarding where the temple site would be located. Immediately Hyrum ran to get a scythe to begin clearing the land for construction, exclaiming, "We are to build a house for the Lord, and I am determined to be the first at work." I so related to his enthusiasm. If I thought it would hurry along the building of our temple, I would take a scythe and clear off the temple site myself today....even in -5 temperatures.

I found an amazing artist...Tim Johnson, who has made breathtaking sculptures. One of his sculptures is of Hyrum Smith with his scythe....inspired by this very statement made by Hyrum. I love this piece of art...it inspires me.

"The advancement of the cause of God and the building up of Zion is as much one man's business as another's.

...let every man, woman and child realize the importance of the work, and act as if success depended on his individual exertion alone." Joseph Smith

"In order to erect the Temple of the Lord, great exertions will be required on the part of the Saints, so that they may build a house which shall be accepted by the Almighty, and in which His power and glory shall be manifested. Therefore let those who can freely make a sacrifice of their time, their talents, and their property, for the prosperity of the kingdom, and for the love they have to the cause of truth,...unite with us in the great work of the last days, and share in the tribulation, that they may ultimately share in the glory and triumph." Joseph Smith

Even though ground has not been broken, we must not let our resolve fail us and continue "building" and preparing for the temple to be in our midst. There is much we can do. Let us thrust forth our scythe and share in the tribulation and glory and triumph.

Desirable

I found an interesting article this morning that talks about the effect temples can have on surrounding real estate where they are built. I know this has been a positive effect in many areas I've visited.

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/2009/01/08/20090108ldstempleeffects0103.html

One quote in the article, by Steve Brown who lives across the street from a temple, really hit me...
"When I wake up in the morning and look out that window, I have the resolve and determination to live through the day and keep the covenants of being an honest and hardworking person," Steve said.

I know now why church leaders have encouraged us to have images of the temple in our home. Most of us won't have the experience in our lifetimes, of living across the street from one of the Lord's houses. In fact, many will ever only come close by hours of driving. However, the effect of waking up and seeing an image of the temple every day in our home can be just as powerful. I was taught in Young Women's that each young girl should have a temple in her bedroom, to remind her each day as she wakes and prepares for the day, of the goals of attending and making covenants in the temple. I believe that can have a profound impact. We can all have the "resolve and determination" as Steve said, "to live through the day and keep the covenants" and I believe keeping the image of the temple close to us can help. Maybe we could find a desirable piece of real estate in our own homes where we can place or build an image of the temple, that we might see it every day and be edified. Could be a fun FHE....looking for a temple site!

Come and get 'em...

"Every foundation stone that is laid for a Temple, and every Temple completed according to the order the Lord has revealed for his holy Priesthood, lessens the power of Satan on the earth, and increases the power of God and Godliness, moves the heavens in mighty power in our behalf, invokes and calls down upon us the blessings of the Eternal Gods, and those who reside in their presence."
President George Q. Cannon

Who doesn't want to have blessings called down?

"Our labors in the temple cover us with a shield and a protection, both individually and as a people. So come to the temple—come and claim your blessings. It is a sacred work."
President Boyd K. Packer
Come and get 'em!

Who Shall Ascend?

"As we recall the commandment to stand in holy places, we should remember that beyond the temple, the most sacred and holy places in all the world should be our own dwelling places. Our homes should be committed and dedicated only to holy purposes. In our homes all of the security, the strengthening love, and the sympathetic understanding that we all so desperately need should be found.
“Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?
“He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully” (Ps. 24:3–4). For “holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, for ever” (Ps. 93:5)."

President James E. Faust

I may not be able to be in His Holy house in Kansas City yet, but I can prepare now by making my home a Holy place. We need to rededicate our lives to Him for 2009.

Speaking of ascending...

If you go sit in the green chair, you'll be looking right at the temple lot. Best view in the house.