Truman Home Visit / Senior Conference

Sister Williams, myself, Ann and Sister Z went to lunch in Kansas City at "Sweet Tomatoes" and then back to Independence to visit the Truman Home, which had just opened after some renovation. It's a delightful home that Pres. Truman and his wife, Bess, lived in their whole married lives, except when they were in the White House. It was very unpretentious -- especially the kitchen -- when they could have had so much more. I have enjoyed learning more about Pres. Truman and his life here in Independence.

SENIOR CONFERENCE

This is a picture of all the seniors. I'm really there, but hiding.

Pres. and Sister Van Koman

Sister Ann, Sister Lee, myself and Sister Williams

We all attended the Senior Conference at Pres. and Sister Van Koman's home. It's always very enjoyable to get together with the other seniors in the mission. They are all senior couples except for the four of us who work in the library, and Sister Lee who recently arrived and is working in the office.

Weekend Activities

Ann and I with with Bishop Cato and his wife, Sondra, at the Emergency Preparedness activity.

Sister Lynn Williams and I after our Search and Rescue activity.

On May 30 we attended a Stake Emergency Preparedness activity at the Stake Center. They had quite a crew there from the city to conduct different activities, including fire engines. I joined in the Search and Rescue team. It was a great activity on a hot and humid day (actually, it wasn't that bad). We had a great turnout from our ward. Bishop Cato was very happy.

Newly baptized member, Jackie Hardwick, at the Sunday potluck.

Sondra Cato (Bishop's wife) enjoying the potluck.

This is Bishop Cato with a towel on his head.

On Sunday, June 7, we had a "Come on Home" potluck after our 3-hour block of meetings. Members who had moved, as well as friends and neighbors were invited. It was held on the grassy hill above the 3-level parking lot. There was LOADS of food and it was enjoyed by all.

Another Mormon History Event

These are the gentlemen in charge of the ribbon-cutting. Pres. Van Koman is the middle one.

The evening of May 30 we attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Mormon History Room in the Ray County Historical Society and Museum located in Richmond. Again, the ceremony was a joint occasion between the RLDS (Community of Christ-- as well as one (maybe more??) of their breakoff churches and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Conducting and taking part in the ceremony was the Liberty Stake President, our Mission President Van Koman and the President of the Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I tell you, it gets so confusing to have so many different sects from the RLDS.

The ceremony was very nice -- and very hot and humid -- it was held outside.

Mormon History Day

James B. Allen, myself, Sister Ann Marshall, Sister Lynn Williams, and Mrs. Allen

Ceiling of the Community of Christ Temple Sanctuary

Organ in Sanctuary

Community of Christ Temple

May 30 was a memorable day. My ex-brother-in-law, Don Allen and his wife, Sandra, emailed me to let me know that the Mormon History Association Convention was taking place in Kansas City and that there was going to be a religious service at the Community of Christ Temple Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. We would be able to attend as our church doesn't start until 11:30 a.m. Don told me that his brother, James B. Allen, who has written and co-written several church history books was going to be a major participant at the convention. I was very anxious to meet him.

It was certainly an interesting experience to attend the service. As it turned out, it was a musical program called "Devotional Order of Worship." The readers were Alex Baugh, Associate Professor of Church History at BYU and Susan Skoor, member of Community of Christ Council of Twelve Apostles. Also the Mormon Chorale from this area performed. The congregation sang all the hymns that weren't performed by the Chorale. The only hymns I recognized was Redeemer of Israel -- they had one page that was Community of Christ version, and one page that was LDS version. The tune between versions was changed slightly, as well as a few words. Also "Guide Us, O Thou Great Jehovah" and "Now Let Us Rejoice," which was sung to the tune "The Spirit of God Like a Fire is Burning." It was very interesting. No opening or closing prayers, but we did sing Amen at the end of the last song.

It's great that there is such a good relationship between the churches. I think that relationship was built by Pres. Hinckley. There is very little in the doctrine that is the same, however. They do believe in the Prophet Joseph Smith, although to me it almost seems out of place with the rest of their doctrine -- which has changed greatly in the last couple of decades.

I had asked the usher when I went in if he knew James Allen, which he did. When Bro. Allen and his wife came in the usher brought them over to where I was sitting and introduced them. The program was about to start, but afterward we had a very delightful visit. It was such a pleasure to meet them both. I thank Don for letting me know, and also wish he and Sandra my best as they leave to go on their mission to Durban, So. Africa.

Winter Quarters / Kanesville Tabernacle

Sister Marshall, myself and Sister Pat Morris in the Kanesville Tabernacle by picture showing Brigham Young being sustained as President of the Church.

Ann and I by First Presidency Memorial at Kanesville Tabernacle.

Memorials in front of Visitor's Center, Winter Quarters

We had a wonderful tour of the Winter Quarters Visitor's Center where something very special happened. Ann's grandfather, Jonathan Pugmire, Jr., joined the Mormon Battalion at Winter Quarters. His name was on a plaque in the Visitor's Center.

We were then taken to the Kanesville Tabernacle for a tour. It was extremely interesting. I won't try to go into the whole history of it, but it is an amazing story. In a nutshell, the tabernacle was built in approximately two weeks so there would be a place for the saints to meet for the sustaining of Brigham Young as President of the Church.

When we went back to the Visitor's Center, the Sister missionary there had printed out two pages about Ann's great grandfather. There was a paragraph in it that he had written himself. I thought that was pretty amazing. What a treasure. Makes me want to know more than I already know about my own brave pioneer ancesters. I think I'm ready for family history!!

Winter Quarters Temple

Ann and I drove to Omaho Saturday morning, met up with Sister Pat Morris (currently serving a mission in Omaho at the mission office -- (Pat and I are good friends from the Orange California Stake), had a nice lunch and went to a session at the Winter Quarters temple. It was beautiful and so wonderful to be in a temple again. Afterward, we had some wonderful pizza at a little place in Florence (Winter Quarters) -- our noses directed us there -- we could smell it when we went to our car in the parking lot. Then Sister Morris took us on a tour of all historical sites which we enjoyed very much. We stayed overnight and went to Sister Morris' ward on Sunday morning before driving home.

Winter Quarters Temple