Comment

San Diego Temple Open House

When I began working in January of this year, a co-worker asked where I’d received my training to be her assistant in the salad department. When I replied that I was the mother of five children and had experience in my church’s Relief Society organization, she asked me what church I belonged to. She recognized the name of the Church in connection with the San Diego Temple and mentioned that she’d seen stories about it in the media. As we talked about the new temple, she indicated a desire to go but felt it might be too complicated to obtain tickets. I assured her it was quite easy and offered to get some tickets for her.

That was only the beginning. During the past few months I obtained some fifty tickets for friends and co-workers.

In February, I received the March Ensign, which featured the Salt Lake Temple. I took the magazine to work to read at lunchtime. The assistant chef borrowed it, and I haven’t seen it since. He also asked for some temple open house tickets.

The following week, he informed me that he and his wife had decided not to go to Canada for their Easter vacation. Rather, they had chosen to travel to Salt Lake City for the one hundredth anniversary of the temple. “That only happens once every one hundred years,” he said. “And we want to be there.”

Sharreen Touchet
Spring Valley, California

Crushed While Quarrying Stone

I was interested in the March 1993 Ensign, which describes the sacrifices of those who helped build the Salt Lake Temple. It was with particular interest that I read of those who gave their lives in this great project. Let me add another name to your list.

According to our recorded family history, my great-grandfather, Walter Hoggan, was killed while quarrying stone for the temple. A son, who was with him at the time, reported that a rock fell on his father, crushing him to death. He died on 13 June 1871 and was buried in the city cemetery at Salt Lake City. The family had been in the Salt Lake Valley for seven years.

Although the story of Walter Hoggan’s sacrifice has been often repeated in our family, I realize that it is just one of the many sacrifices that have been made to help build the kingdom of God.

James Hoggan
Colorado Springs, Colorado

“I Knew You Were Not Involved”

As I listened today to the announcement from the pulpit that it’s time to renew our subscriptions to the Church magazines, I was reminded of a recent incident.

My doorbell rang. I opened the door and saw two policemen standing there.

“Is that your brown car parked in the driveway?”

“Yes,” I replied.

“Well, it fits the description of an automobile involved in some robberies committed in this area.”

The two proceeded to question me. I told them I was a “round-the-clock” nurse for my ailing husband and did little driving. I hadn’t loaned the vehicle to anyone, either. Finally, they seemed satisfied with my answers and went to leave. One of the officers turned back to me. “I knew you were not involved,” he said quietly. “I saw a copy of the Ensign on the front seat of your car.”

I chuckled. “Well, I must remember to keep an Ensign in my car if that is such a good character reference for my integrity and honesty.”

The officer smiled, shook my hand, and wished me a good day.

Maxine Driggs Thomas
Corona, California

Rallying around Singles

I really appreciated Elder Marvin J. Ashton’s remarks on being a quality person. (Feb. 1993.)

I enjoy reading “success stories” where an entire ward rallies around a single-parent family. What a wonderful idea!

Elder Ashton’s talk was realistic and optimistic. I’m glad the Church has a single adult program to nurture us spiritually.

Marie Stanley
Davenport, Washington

Meeting the Needs of Singles

Thank you for “Single Threads in the Gospel Tapestry.” (Dec. 1992.) The article has helped on more than one occasion. It is comforting that the Church recognizes the spiritual needs of its single adults. I have many friends who are members of other churches who have expressed a wish that their church had such a comprehensive program. Keep the articles coming.

Alex R. Gregory
Dallas, Oregon

It Helped Me through the Trial

The article “Hope and Healing” (Jan. 1993) came to me when it was desperately needed.

I had just spent the day in court, attending the trial of the man accused of sexually abusing my daughter. Struggling with feelings of despair, I arrived home to find the Ensign in my mailbox. That article helped me make it through the trial as well as the many subsequent challenges.

Although I have been less active for many years, the Ensign subscription was provided for me by a loving home teacher. I am now attending meetings in the wonderful branch to which I belong, and I have great hope for the future.

Name Withheld

I Felt Calm

My son, Kyle, was born with a cleft lip. At two months old, he was scheduled to undergo corrective surgery. Both my husband, Shane, and I were extremely worried about him and concerned about the pain he would experience. The day before the surgery was an especially difficult day for me; I was dreading the wait during the surgery as well as the long week of recovery following. I was talking to one of the sisters in our ward, and she asked me if I’d read “Praying Nathan Home” in the April 1993 Ensign.

I went home and read the article. What a wonderful experience! It calmed me down as I ached for the Asay family. I thought of the article the next day as I waited for Kyle to come out of surgery. Again, I felt calm.

The surgery was a success, and my son looks wonderful. Thank you for helping my family when we needed it.

Dusty Melville
St. George, Utah