Quotes to Inspire: "What I Hope You Will Teach Your Children about the Temple"

President Ezra Taft Benson presented this talk originally at the Logan Temple Centennial on 17 May 1984.


President Ezra Taft Benson (1899-1994) -- 

Between Moses and Christ only certain prophets possessed the right to the higher priesthood and the blessings that could bring men into the presence of God. One of these prophets was Elijah.

Elijah held the keys of the sealing power and did many mighty miracles in his day. He had power to seal the heavens, raise the dead, relieve the drought-stricken land, and call down fire from heaven.

He was the last prophet to hold the keys of the priesthood, according to the Prophet Joseph Smith. He was subsequently translated and taken up into heaven without tasting death.

He, as a translated being, restored the keys of this priesthood to the Savior’s chief Apostles—Peter, James, and John—on the Mount of Transfiguration. But within a generation, the Church was destroyed by a major apostasy, and the blessings of the priesthood were removed from the earth.

It took a new dispensation from heaven to restore this blessing to our day. ...

[The] Kirtland Temple was completed at great sacrifice to the Saints.

Then, on 3 April 1836, the Lord Jesus Christ and three other heavenly beings appeared in this holy edifice. One of these heavenly messengers was Elijah, to whom the Lord said he had “committed the keys of the power of turning the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to the fathers, that the whole earth may not be smitten with a curse.” (Doctrine & Covenants 27:9.)

Elijah brought the keys of sealing powers—that power which seals a man to a woman and seals their posterity to them endlessly, that which seals their forefathers to them all the way back to Adam. This is the power and order that Elijah revealed—that same order of priesthood which God gave to Adam and to all the ancient patriarchs which followed after him.

And this is why the Lord said to the Prophet Joseph Smith, “For verily I say unto you, the keys of the dispensation, which ye have received, have come down from the fathers, and last of all, being sent down from heaven unto you.” (Doctrine & Covenants 112:32.)

( from President Ezra Taft Benson; "What I Hope You Will Teach Your Children about the Temple"; "Ensign"; August 1985.)



The entire talk may be found at the following link: https://www.lds.org/ensign/1985/08/what-i-hope-you-will-teach-your-children-about-the-temple

Road Trips: Passing through the Farmlands of Wisconsin Where My Ancestors Lived

My family drove up to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan last Friday -- to my father's log home in the big woods along the shores of a beautiful lake.

We wanted to spend time with my father for Easter and to celebrate his birthday.

The route we took was along I-39 and stretched the length of central Wisconsin for nearly 400 miles.

Some of the towns and cities along I-39 are important in the stories of my ancestors.

My parents met in Madison where my father attended the University of Wisconsin and taught ROTC classes. Both of their families had lived in several towns in Wisconsin. My father's family had lived in a few differnent places in northern Wisconsin.

Central Wisconsin is where my mother's family once lived. There are still a lot of farms in Portage and Waushara Counties which seem to stretch for miles in all directions. The huge irritation equipment is in place and some of the fields are plowed and perhaps planted with this year's crops.

North of Madison are the towns of Lodi, Westfield, and Plainfield where my maternal ancestors had settled at various times.

In fact, my maternal grandparents (Fred and Helene) met in Plainfield (Waushara County). My grandmother used to send notes to her beau, Fred Osterhaus, with his older sister. Helene and Lu were best friends in the small rural school they attended and remained for over 60 years.

Fred and Lu lived with their parents, Wessel Marcus Osterhaus and his wife, Addie Beatrice (nee Anglemire). Wessel was suffering from consumption (tuberculous). Wessel and Addie had tried living in Los Angeles, California for a couple of years but later moved to Wisconsin. I suspect they were trying to escape the polluted air of the cities. Some time before 1910, Wessel had bought the farm and moved his family there from Chicago.

Wessel would die in Plainfield of his ailments in June 1913. He was buried in Naperville Cemetery in Naperville, Illinois.

After my grandparents married, they had a farm near Plainfield. This is where my aunt and uncle were born. Fred and Helene eventually sold that farm and bought another one in Portage County.

The farm in Portage County is where they lived when my mother was born. Helene gave birth to this little girl so close to midnight that the family always wondered which side of the stroke of twelve heard Barbara's first cries. The doctor was late arriving but a faithful and experienced mother-in-law helped Helene through the labor and then bathed and clothed her granddaughter.

The 1920 U.S. Federal Census documents Fred Osterhaus and his family living on that same property. It wasn't a large farm but they owned several dairy cows and raised some crops.

While we drove along I-39, thoughts of my mother and her family filled my heart and mind.

We'll be going back north to visit Dad again in June. I hope that we can arrange a stop in Plainfield. My mother has relatives still living near Plainfield but most of her cousins have passed away now.

One of the things on my "to do list" is to visit the rural cemetery there in Plainfield. Some of our relatives are buried there -- including my maternal great-grandmother, Mary Emily (nee Ousley) Davidson. She died in April 1927 but it took me over fifteen years of research to discover where and when she was buried.

While there is no headstone on the grave for Mary Emily, this situation can be easily rectified and I hope to do so this coming year.

The family was probably too poor to spend money on headstones. The economy of the 1920s was especially hard on farming communities. Even before the Great Depression, the farmers and their communities had been suffering and losing their farms.

In fact, Grandpa Fred had lost his farm in Plover Township, Portage County several years earlier. He wasn't the only farmer to have this challenge. The local newspapers reveal the farm was sold already when Fred was advertising his six dairy cows were for sale.

As we passed through the farmlands, I remembered my heritage and the many family stories I have heard and uncovered over the years.

It doesn't seem to matter that these dear family members have been gone for so many years. They still play an important part in my life as I research their lives in public and family records. They are certainly remembered with love and fondness. I am grateful for them, especially their courage as they faced the challenges of their times.

"Days Gone By"

The special book upon the shelf
Was made with many hands.
Our ancestors who posed back then
All came from different lands.
Their pictures were all tucked away,
And rarely did we see,
The importance of these treasures -
The start of you and me.
The history of our families,
Now here in black and white.
Preserved with special care and time,
Each page is done just right.
When time permits, we take it down
And think of days long past.
Our hopes, our dreams, our heritage,
All safe and made to last.

~ Author Unknown

Quotes to Inspire: The Atonement of Jesus Christ

      "It is a significant responsibility to speak on Easter Sunday to Latter-day Saints across the world, who love our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We celebrate this morning His victory over death. We cherish our understanding and feel heartfelt appreciation for the Savior’s willing atoning sacrifice on our behalf. His acquiescence to the will of His Father won the supernal victory over death and is the transcendent event in the history of mankind. I appreciate this opportunity to speak about following the Savior."
     ~ Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; “We Follow Jesus Christ”; Ensign, May 2010; p. 83.

     "This glorious doctrine is another witness of the all-encompassing nature of the atonement of Jesus Christ. He has made salvation available to every repentant soul. His was a vicarious atonement that conquered death. He permits the worthy deceased to receive all ordinances of salvation vicariously."
     ~ Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; “Redemption: The Harvest of Love”; Ensign; Nov 1990.

     “The temple is the house of the Lord. The basis for every temple ordinance and covenant—the heart of the plan of salvation—is the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Every activity, every lesson, all we do in the Church, point to the Lord and His holy house. Our efforts to proclaim the gospel, perfect the Saints, and redeem the dead all lead to the temple. Each holy temple stands as a symbol of our membership in the Church, as a sign of our faith in life after death, and as a sacred step toward eternal glory for us and our families."
     ~ Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; “Personal Preparation for Temple Blessings”; Ensign; July 2001.


      We celebrate Easter to remember the Savior Jesus Christ and reflect on His atonement and resurrection. Family history and Temple work provide the opportunity for those who are no longer living to have the blessings of temple ordinances and covenants.

1940 U.S. Federal Census: Located First Ancestor!

Late last night, past the midnight hour, success marked my safari through the 1940 U.S. Federal Census.

It had been a long day -- not only for me but for many other genealogists as well.

The morning began with the National Archives website freezing or crashing. The website didn't work for me or for anyone else. As much as the National Archives staff thought they were prepared for the anticipation of family history researchers, they admitted later in the day that they had under-estimated the enthusiasm.

As a result, researching on the 1940 U.S. Federal Census was not going anywhere for anyone.

I tried using the website again a few times on Monday but to no avail. The situation even made the news on the Internet because the system had been in "ICU" for most of the day.

Then, just after midnight, I tried the website again. To my amazement and joy, I was able to download the sixteen pages available for the little town of Lindstrom, Chisago, Minnesota. (Maybe searching in the night while the rest of the world slumbers is easier on the system.)

The hunt was on for my Swedish great-grandfather, August Wilhelm Carlson!

After selling his farm in Chisago County, Grandpa August and his wife, Matilda, had moved into the town of Lindstrom. They were living in Lindstrom for the 1920 and 1930 federal census enumerations.

Matilda had died of stomach cancer in 1934 and August had never remarried. In fact, he would die in October 1941 so the 1940 U.S. Federal Census is the last one where he will be found.

It was exciting find August on the census. (Naturally he was on the second to the last image but sixteen pages aren't too many to read for a cherished ancestor.)

August W. Carlson is listed as a widower, age 76 years, and born in Sweden. His house was worth $2000.

Shortly after Grandpa August was located, I headed to bed with a cheerful heart. I was grateful that he had remained in Lindstrom because it made it so much easier to track him down.

I appreciate ancestors who "stay just where I last saw them".

1940 U.S. Federal Census: Excitement in the Air!

This morning marks the release of the 1940 U.S. Federal Census.

What adds to the excitement is that we can examine the digital images of the 1940 U.S. Federal Census at home. We do not have to fight traffic or make appointments at the National Archives or one of its branches. No longer do we have to find the proper microfilm in the cabinets or struggle with an uncooperative microfilm reader.

We don't have to fly out to Salt Lake City either to see the records on microfilms at the Family History Library. No hotel and restaurant bills breaking our family budget. No flight delays or car rental fees. Wonderful!

Yes, we really are fortunate to live today when digital images of important records can be viewed in our own homes. What a marvelous age!

While the release of this census is welcomed enthusiastically by many individuals and organizations, there is also a smaller group who complain that the information should not be viewed due to privacy issues.

This morning there was an article on the Internet stating that 21 million people are still alive who were found in the 1940 U.S. Census.

Since the census records are not released until after 72 years, those 21 million people have to be 72 years or older.

I look forward to reading other researcher's experiences as they search out their ancestors in 1940. The blogs and email lists should have a lot of interesting articles for us to share with one another.

In my own family, all my maternal relatives who were born before 1940 are now dead. Being able to see them in the census is exciting and gives me a chance to remember them with appreciation and fondness. Still I find myself a little more "homesick" for my mother and her extended family this morning.

I am looking forward to finding my mother in the census, plus her siblings and her mother. None of them had an easy life. I appreciate the opportunity to see their information and have some questions answered. Of course, I might have some additional questions after reading the census record.

On my father's side of the family, he and his three brothers are still alive. I don't think any of those four brothers would care that their information is now available for me or any other relative to see.

As for my husband's family, there are no relatives living who were born before 1940 -- except one aunt who is still alive. One uncle died in 1944 as his military unit crossed the Belgium border into Germany so this census will be the last one documenting his life.

There is some sadness when I consider how many individuals we have known and loved who are no longer with us.

So many times while researching family history, I think to myself "oh I wish I could ask some questions of my family members who are now dead". Perhaps some of my questions will be answered through the census enumerations for these individuals and families.

This morning I also started counting some of my more distant relatives who were living in 1940. Tracing them in the census will take me quite a while. The ones who lived in rural areas will be easier to find now. The ones living in larger cities may have to wait until the indices are available.

Nonetheless, I will be able to find many family members in the records. My parents were not married to one another yet so I will be able to check out their families prior to 1940. Additionally, three of my grandparents and five of my great-grandparents were still alive in 1940. Of course there are lots of aunts, uncles, and cousins to track as well.

Some people might count sheep but genealogists count ancestors!

So today is really an exciting day for sure! Good luck with your search!!

Scriptures: Living Again

"If a man die, shall he live again?.."
~ Job 14:14 (Old Testament)




"1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.

2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.

3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:

5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,

7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again."
~ St Luke 24:1-7 (New Testament).




"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
~ St. John 3:16 (New Testament).