Homecoming talk, given July 12, 2009

Today we are speaking about our pioneer heritage. I'm going to tell you a little about our mission and tie them together. We served in the Family and Church History Mission in Salt Lake for 18 months in the Family History Library, mostly in the lobby where we greeted patrons and helped them find the best place in the Library to search for their ancestors. It was a great opportunity to give a good first impression of the Church. Later in our mission we were asked if we would like to transfer to another zone in the Library. We were given several options. While we were thinking and praying about it, every time that I heard the option "information commons" I would get a warm feeling in my heart, so the Holy Ghost decided for us.
We had great opportunities to learn about many genealogy websites and programs as we served. Most of the patrons who come to the Library are not members of the Church. Many of them asked about why we do this work. It was not a proselyting mission during our service hours but we could answer questions. I explained to some of them that we believe that families can be together forever and that what we are doing is the fulfillment of the scripture in Malachi 4:5&6 that tells that Elijah will come and turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to the fathers. Some of them were touched by the spirit of Elijah and didn't know it. If they wanted to know more about the Church we would send them over to the North Visitors Center which is a separate mission for proselyting.
Last month the Family and Church History Mission held a fast that older member's, especially couple's, hearts would be softened and have a desire to serve a mission. We heard that the numbers of missionaries are down in all missions. Maybe it's because of the financial difficulties many people are having. Our experience has been that serving has given us blessings of prosperity and opportunities to learn better how to do our own genealogy. When I think of willingness to serve I think of Lehi--did he really want to go into the wilderness? And Nephi going back to get the plates or building a ship, and Joseph Smith being persecuted. They were obeying the Lord. Some potential missionaries or genealogists say "I'm too old" or "I don't know computers" or "I can't leave my grandchildren". Heavenly Father gives us experiences to prepare us and help us grow. In one of our mission devotionals someone said "there are sins of omission and sins of commission and sins of no mission".
Let me share some of my ancestral heritage with you. On my father's side of the family my great grandmother, Louise Garbe Wintsch was born in Germany in 1870. Her mother had a friend who belonged to our church. Louise and her mother were invited to attend church with that friend and her friend's daughter. They enjoyed going but Louise's father stopped them because he didn't want them to join our church. Louise was 8 years old at that time. She stayed friends with that family and gained a testimony. When she was 13 years old, a baptism date was arranged and Louise wanted to be included but again her father said no. Louise's family lived in Berlin in an apartment on the 5th floor. She had been very upset and about midnight she got up and was walking in her sleep. Louise went into her parents' bedroom, opened the window and was going to step out. Her mother woke up and caught her just in time. She gently shook her awake. Louise's parents decided that if it meant that much to her they would let her be baptized. They investigated the Church and were baptized too. Later, 2 of Louise's brothers also joined. In 1889 she immigrated to America and to Utah.
My great grandfather on my mother's side, Charles Ernst Christian Musig, was born in Germany in 1852 and immigrated to America in 1867 at age 15. He heard about the rich mines in Utah. While working there as a cook he roomed with 3 LDS boys who shared the gospel with him. He felt the Spirit and knew it was true. Charles was baptized in 1871, and in 1874 he married Emerett Funk. They were blessed with 8 children. Charles was called on a mission to Germany in 1898. His family struggled financially so each child did their part to help support their father on his mission. The oldest son, Charley was 22. He helped on the farm but decided to work for wages in a mine. He was killed in a mine explosion in 1900. On the day of his injury, Charley started for work, then returned and told his mother that he had seen his grandparents and other relatives who had already passed on. He knew that something was going to happen to him. The father Charles returned from his mission about 2 months later. He was a valuable missionary because of his knowledge of the German language and his understanding of the people. My mother said that whenever she visited him, her grandfather bore his testimony to her.
When writing your personal or family history, think about the experiences you've enjoyed reading. What kind do you like to read and what kind do you write? If our pioneer ancestors hadn't accepted the gospel and taught it to their children and stayed true to the gospel, we might not have it in our lives and have that spiritual heritage. The pioneers lost loved ones on the way west but their testimonies and temple covenants helped them be strong and motivated them to sacritice.
Let me share with you some examples of the sacrifices of some modern day pioneers. Dick and Diana Heiner had a dairy farm in Wyoming. Their son Ben had a dream to go on a mission since he was a little boy. Ben has lower than normal intelligence so when he sent in his papers to go on a mission, he was turned down. He said to his mother "what will I do if I can't go on a mission?" Ben's parents checked on the options and were told that it might work out for him to come to the Family and Church History Mission as a service missionary. They knew that he probably wouldn't be successful on his own so Ben's parents also filled out mission papers and came on the mission with him and served full time hours. Their efforts opened the door for many young elders and sisters with mental, emotional and physical disabilities who otherwise wouldn't have been able to serve a mission. Sister Heiner told me that before they came, one day she saw her husband starring out the window. He said to her, "I guess we won't ever have animals again". They were willing to make that sacrifice and sell their animals and leave their farm so their son could have his dream of serving a mission. Elder Ben was very open about his feelings of love for others and very happy to be there. When we left the misson there were about 200 young elders and sisters serving.
Elder Alex Cowdell is a young missionary from Orange, California. He is a tall, handsome young man. We couldn't tell what kept him from serving a procelyting mission. Elder Cowdell just ached to be able to share his testimony. On some p-days he would take some Book of Mormons and get on the trax and ride back and forth just so he could hand out the Book of Mormons and share his testimony.
There are many young elders and sisters who serve along with the older missionaries in the Library. I call them the whiz kids because for most of them it is very easy to learn the genealogy programs on the computer. They've been using it since they were in kindergarten. It seems to me that the computer was invented mainly for the purpose of speeding the work of genealogy. Another older missionary, Sister Marlene Grua came to serve after having many strokes and at least one major stroke that took away most of her physical abilities. She has no feeling at all in her body. She had to learn to walk by watching her feet, and to eat, drink and swallow without choking. She's very pleasant in her trials. She learned to use a touch-sensitive conputer to print temple cards.
We also met Sister Cathy Stephenson, a church employee and former missionary. Her challenge is that she is one of the little people, sometimes called dwarfs. Sister Stephenson joined our missionary choir and sang with us in the Tabernacle. She uses a scooter to get around more quickly because she has short legs. She told us of her difficulty trying to reach things in her apartment. Her service and courage were an inspiraton to me.
Included in the Library is a deaf zone with about 12 missionaries. They served a patron who is blind and deaf and comes to the Library to do his own research. These are missionaries and patrons with great courage who give most of us no excuse for not doing our own genealogy as we have been asked to do.
One sister shared her experience with a patron. As she was sitting with the patron at a computer and helping her search for her ancestors, the patron told her that she had seen this missionary previously in a dream helping her at the Library. The missionary felt very good knowing that Heavenly Father knew that she would be serving. Think how the reality of that dream could affect that patron who was not a member of our Church. We had heard about many spiritual experiences in the Library.
At one point on our mission I was feeling inexperienced and inadequate. I read in Alma 60:24 where Captain Moroni wrote an epistle to Pahoran. He asked those he thought were slacking to begin to be up and doing. That encouraged me to try harder.
In James 1:22 it says "be ye doers on the word and not hearers only". Nephi said "I will go and DO". Missions and callings give us that opportunity. The Lord will help us in our process of becoming who He wants us to be. In 2 Nephi 28:24 we are told "wo unto him that is at ease in Zion". Elder Bruce Hafen wrote about becoming more consecrated members whether on a mission or in a calling. I know that everyone isn't able to serve a mission right now.
D & C reminds us of Elijah's mission and that if we don't do our part, the earth will be utterly wasted at His coming. Genealogy and temple work are among our main purposes for being here. Helping find our ancestors who need temple ordinances benefits both them and us because their salvation is necessary for our salvation. In this way we can keep our spiritual heritage alive. Here are some excerpts from D & C 128:18-24 from an epistle from Joseph Smith telling about baptism for the dead. He said that "the earth will be smitten with a curse unless there is welding link of some kind between the fathers and the children. We, without them cannot be made perfect and vise versa for it is necessary in the ushering in of the dispensation of the fullness of times so there can be a welding of dispensations. We have received a voice of gladness for the living and the dead. Glad tidings of great joy. Shall we not go on in so great a cause? Let the earth break forth into singing. Let the dead speak forth athems of eternal praise to the King Immanuel who hath ordained before the world was to redeem them out of the prison. Let us present in His holy temple a book containing the record of our dead". The first step in temple work in finding ancestors. Our goal is to do temple work and seal families. Technology is helping with this urgency. Someone likened being connected to our ancestors to a train--Jesus Christ is the engine and we are the caboose. Each needs to be connected or we are lost. We won't be connected unless our ancestors are sealed or linked to us.
It was very hard to take off my missionary badge. I'm grateful that I had the opportunity to serve our Savior.
D & C 4:3&4 is written to missionaries: "If ye have desires to serve God, ye are called to the work. For behold the field is white already to harvest and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not but bringeth salvation to his soul." And D & C 84:88 tells how the Lord will help us as missionaries--"and whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left and my spirit shall be in your hearts and mine angels round about you to bear you up." My missionary badge has 2 names--mine and our Savior's. It was a special experience to represent Him. As missionaries we can be a light to the world. Think of these 5 words, "I'm going on a mission". Here are 5 more words from our Savior, "Here am I. Send Me." I pray that we will follow His example in serving to the best of our abilities.

Hi everyone,
It's been awhile since we wrote on our blog. There have been a lot of major changes in our mission and we have been very busy with our new responsibilities! Last September I had some thoughts about where we should be serving when the Family History Library zone changes would be made. In October when we were interviewed we were told about six options where we could choose to serve. Each time that our mission president's counselor said "Information Commons" I had a feeling that it was where we were supposed to go. It is now called Family Search Library. In this zone we help patrons look for their ancestors and do other programs on the computers. We are learning some of the programs as we go and have a lot more to learn. It's a great opportunity for us to serve and to do our own genealogy.
Elder Larsen is one of the assistant zone leaders so we have extra responsibilities which include being in charge of the socials, helping with the schedule, getting patrons to the right place in the Library to look for their ancestors, and helping other missionaries get into classes to learn new FamilySearch which is President Gordon B. Hinckley's inspired program to help us avoid doing so many duplicates of temple ordinances.
I recently had my first experiences of taking my own ancestors' names to the temple because so many of them had already had their temple work done. We have been on this mission for one year now and will be here until the end of June 2009. We had a great time on Temple Square during the Christmas season. We were able to see the lights on Temple Square and attend the spectacular program of the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra and the bells being played.
On January 14th we attended a temple devotional where Elder Allan Packer of the seventy was the speaker. His main thoughts were about finding peace in the hard times that we are facing. He said that we really need the Holy Ghost to be with us, that He is a key to show us all things that we should do. By the power of the Holy Ghost you may learn the truth of ALL things. (Moroni 10:5) He mentioned the scripture in 3 Nephi 9:20 that tells that some people were baptized with fire and the Holy Ghost and knew it not. I have often wondered how that could happen. Elder Packer said that they knew it not because they failed to understand how much the Holy Ghost could help them and they were not in tune and listening or pondering. In D & C 88:33 it tells us that it doesn't profit us if a gift is bestowed upon us and we don't receive the gift. (The Holy Ghost) Elder Packer also talked about the temples and how we need to be worthy to enter them and how we treat them with respect.. He likened that to how our bodies are the temples of our spirits and that we need to not allow anything unclean to enter our minds and bodies.
I recently read a scripture that reminded me of the temple and getting revelation there. It's 1 Nephi 18:3 in the Book of Mormon. "And I, Nephi, did go into the mount oft, and I did pray oft unto the Lord; wherefore the Lord showed unto me great things." A mountain is sometimes symbolic of temples. If we go often when we can and pray there about our problems and give thanks He will more likely give us answers and great personal revelation.
We encourage everyone who can to serve a mission. We are enjoying making friends, learning genealogy programs and serving Heavenly Father.

changes are part of life.

We have decided to extend our mission for another six months so we are moving closer to the Family History Library. Our new address is 74 W. 200 N. Apt B, Salt Lake City, UT 84103. After being in the Family History Library for the past nine mounths and serving in the Guest Services Zone for the most of that time we have heard that some changes are on the way. They will not be happening until the first part of November. They are telling us that the Guest Services Zone will not be its own zone any longer and that we will become part of a larger zone called or to be part of "Library Resource Services." We many still be doing some of the same type of work we have done in the past or we may be transferred to another type of work. The letter we have been given says Library Resource Services will have responsibility for the physical assets of the Library and providing the help to use them. They will have responsibility for facility support, the managment of the collection (books and microfilm), the computers, printers, readers and other equipment in the Library. This group will also provide help for all of the above services, including helping the patrons to use the the computers, finding books, using readers, etc. Library Resouce Services will manage the book and film collection, including the conservation lab and digitization efforts in the Library. Additionally, Library Resource Services will have responsibility for photo duplication, and the information desk, exit desk, and the temple desk in the lobby. They will continue to provide the variety of services delivered by the accsess services in the past, although split among Guest Services and Records Access.
Whatever we will be doing for the rest of of our mission will be the Lord's will. And He will help and guide us in doing the best we can. May our Heavenly Father bless and keep you all. Love Elder and Sister Larsen

Hi everyone, this is an update about some things that have happened lately in our family. Nick and his family came to visit from June 14 to June 18, 2008 on their way from Hong Kong to Washington DC where he got some training and returned to Iraq in July for one year. Sumei and the kids will live in Hong Kong while he is gone so the kids can stay in their school and not have so many changes. He will be able to visit them for 2 or 3 weeks every 3 months. He is representing the State Department to help with reconstruction of the government there. Brianne's family and Haylee came to visit while they were here. Nate and his wife Hyunjin became first-time parents on June 13, 2008 in Seoul, South Korea with the birth of Yeijee Hannah Larsen. After 36 hours of labor Hyunjin had a C-section. Yeijee (pronounced Yeah-gee) weighed 8 pounds and 6 ounces. On Fathers day, June 15, 2008 Natalie and Nathan Pope got their first son after 3 girls. His name is Skyler Lee Pope. He weighed 6 poounds and 12 ounces. Haylee brought her boyfriend with her from Las vegas where she is working as a public defender. They visited us in Salt Lake and got engaged on June 20, 2008. They plan to marry sometime around next spring, probably April. His name is Kevin Kolkoski and he is a policeman. We like him very much. He and Haylee have both been to Iraq. Brett's wife Aino and their 2 children, Sofia and Josef went to her homeland, Finland in July for 7 weeks so she can see her grandparents and other family who have never seen her children. Brooke and Shaun and Tamara and Ryan moved to California earlier this year. The guys both graduated last December. Rachel and Dustin are still in South Carolina where he is in the Air Force. My sister Joann and her husband Roy came to visit his parents because his mother wasn't doing well. She passed away while they were here. My mother turned 89 on June 21st. We are back in Salt Lake serving at the Family History Library. Life is busy! Love Sister Larsen


Hello again! In July our choruses sang in a program about the pioneers. The speaker waa H. Dean Garrett. He is a patriarch right now. He taught institute for many years. He told the experience of John Moyle who walked to the Salt Lake Temple to help build it, 22 miles on Mondays and back home 22 more miles to Alpine on Fridays. He was kicked in the leg by a cow and his leg was shattered and amputated. He carved himself a new leg and tried it out at home and went a little farther over time until he got over the pain. Then he went back to walking the 22 miles twice a week to help with the temple again. He latter carved the words Holiness to the Lord on the outside of the Salt Lake Temple. Brother Garrett talked about how much the pioneers did and how they led the way for us but that we have our own shoes to fill now in our lives to keep being strong like they were. One of the songs the women sang was called Poineer Lulaby. The words tell about burying a child who had been running the the meadow just the day before. The mother talks about the wagon wheels passing by and leaving the child's body there. But the last verse gives great hope because she knows that she will be able to hold that child again because of the Atonement and resurrection. It was hard to sing because of the emotions it brought. At the end we sang Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing. Hope you had a great pioneer day!


The Osmond family was here to help celebrate the 24 th of July. We were not able to go to their concert but we went to the program Music and the Spoken Word where they were special guests with the Tabernacle Choir. All 9 of the Osmond children lined up across the stage and sang 2 or 3 songs. The 2 deaf brothers were on the outsides doing American sign language. They were born deaf and their father helped the next 4 brothers learn to sing and play instruments to earn money to buy hearing aids for them. I thnk that it was wonderful to include them in the performances. Alan Osmond needed a cane because he has MS. We heard that Donny had sung a song at the 24th performances that he had written. It' called Whenever You're in Trouble. He had gotten a phone call from his son Brandon (Tamara's highschool friend) when Brandon was on his mission and feeling very homesick so Donny wrote the song for him. You can find the lyrics online. President Monson presented each of the 9 children with a plaque because they were celebrating their 50th year in entertainment.

Hi everyone, We have been very busy at the Family History Library serving and taking classes and doing our own research. We have been sending emails to our family and forgetting to put our news on our blog so this is a bit of a catchup. Im March we attended a devotional where Elder Gary Coleman of the seventy was the speaker. He told us a liittle of his conversion back in the 60s. He had read only 87 verses that someone had marked in a Book of Mormom before he got an answer. None of it was about war or lands, etc. but about our Savior and the Holy Ghost and Heavenly Father's plan. He didn't know that Heavenly Father had a plan and was grateful to learn that He does. He ended his reading with Moroni 10:4 and was given a witness that it was true. He hadn't had any of the six discussions yet but told the friend who had given him the Book of Mormon that he wanted to join the church. It was hard for him because he was raised staunch Catholic and to them learning about another religion is considered a sin. He based his talk to us on the sixth paragraph in the Introduction to the Book of Mormon which gives us a quote from the Prophet Joseph Smith. The three points are that--the Book of Mormon is the most correct of any book on earth, it's the Keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts than by any other book. Elder Coleman said that if you believe that these things are true you should read it regularly and can have the witness of the truth if you live its teachings. His talk was simple but very powerful and touching so that's why I wanted to share it with you. Elder Coleman's conversion experience was in the Ensign a few months ago but I am not sure which issue. I recently read his conversion in his book titled The Journey of Conversion. It was very interesting. Sister Larsen

On Tuesday, May 20, 2008 we were able to attend a Salt Lake Temple devotional with Elder Richard G. Scott of the quorum of the twelve as speaker. He talked about understanding doctrine related to temple worship. He said that if there were no atonement there would be no mercy--only justice. He advised that we read the scriptures about the atonement for more understanding, recognize the significance of doing family history for temple work, schedule regular visits to the temple and leave enough time so temple visits can be unhurried. Elder Scott's wife died 13 years ago and he committed to attend the temple once a week at that time. If he is too busy traveling, he makes it up later. He said that the longer we are in the temple the more it blesses our lives. He suggested that we do more than one ordinance each time. And that there is significance in all that is said and done there. He also suggested that we notice how we relate to the Savior and how He relates to Heavenly Father. Be mindful of the person you are doing the ordinance for. At times listen in different languages using headphones, especially if the person is from another country and notice how long they have been waiting for their work to be done. We should express gratitude for the blessings of the temple and specifically mention them in our prayers. We need to do the sealing ordinances more often to hear the blessings promised. Even after your spouse dies you can grow together and feel their spirit near. Joseph R. Smith in an April 1916 General Conference talk said that those who have died know more and are interested in those still living on earth. We are closely related to them. We live in their presence. They can see our temptations and problems and care about us. Elder Scott emphasized Alma 7: 23. Being humble means to depend on the Spirit and be teachable, submissive and gentle, having no contention and being Christlike, not stubborn when taught and counseled but to listen. Also be forgiving. Long suffering means to be patient without complaining, also enduring to the end or rejoicing to the end. When you are patient and long suffering you qualify for guidance. Temperate means moderate and reasonable. Be diligent in keeping the commandments. Show gratitude for blessings. Help your children to know that your mission is important and that it increases your capacities and joys in giving service in serving missions. There are three ways to learn--hearing-the least important way to learn. Seeing is more important, we can observe. Feeling is the most important. It helps us to learn and get answers from the Spirit. In a spiritual environment we can learn from the Spirit so we need to be available spiritually. If you take notes on talks you should take the notes on your FEELINGS more than on the words you hear. Elder Scott had a very gentle and kind spirit about him. It was a great experience to hear him speak.

A life built on Truth and light

How does a person build a life founded on truth ? It won't suprise you that the answer is simple enough for a child to understand, but that applying it is easy only for a person who has the heart of a child.
Jesus Christ answered the question of how to build on a foundation of truth with a story. You not only can remember it, but you can visualize it--especially if you've ever lived in a floodplain or in tornado country.
Therefore, whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
And everyone that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be liken unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
And the rains descended, and the floods came, and the wind blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. (Matthew 7:24-27)
Obedience to commandments is the way we build a foundation of truth. Here is the way that works, in words that are so simple a child could understand. The truth of most worth is to know God our Heavenly Father, his Son Jesus, and their plan for us to have eternal life with them in families. When God communicates that priceless truth to us, He does it in the Spirit of Truth. We have to ask for it in prayer. Then He sends us a small part of that truth by the Spirit. It comes to our hearts and minds. It feels good, like the light from the sun shining through the clouds on a dark day. He sends truth line upon line, like the lines on the page of a book. Each time a line of truth comes to us, we get to choose what we will do about the light and truth God has sent to us. God will send more light and more truth. It will go on, line after line, as long as we choose to obey the truth. That is why the Savior said that the man who obeyed His commandments built on a rock so solid that no storm or flood could hurt his house.
In another place in the scriptures, the Lord described in a beautiful way how the foundation could be built so that we could finally come to know all He knows and become like Him and our Heavenly Father. Listen to His words. His words are truth. And listen to see if something comes into your mind that you should do, because these words are true.
I give unto you these sayings that you may understand and know how to worship, and know what you worship, that you may come unto the Father in my name, and in due time receive of his fulness.
For if you keep my commandments you shall receive of his fulness, and be glorified in me as I am in the Father; therefore, I say unto you, you shall receive grace for grace. (D&C 93:19-200
And then a few verses later the Lord says:
And truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come;
And whatsoever is more or less than this is the spirit of that wicked one who was a liar from the beginning.
The Spirit of truth is of God. I am the Spirit of truth, and John bore record of me, saying: He received a fulness of truth, yea, even of all truth;
and no man receiveth a fulness unless he keepeth his commandments.
He that keepeth his commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things. (D & C 93:24-28).
Now you can understand why President Joseph F. Smith made building on a foundation of truth sound like a long list of things to do. He seems to be describing work rather than the exciting adventure that it is. I remember President Benson saying with a smile about his service, "I love this work. And it is work." Here is President Smith's description of the work it takes to build an impersihable foundation of truth. You will notice that the work is simple obedience. It is not complicated things--it is not fancy things or getting great spiritual manifestations. This is work within the abilities of the most humble and the least educated. Here is his list:
But the men and the women who are honest before God, who humbly plod along, doing their duty, paying their tithing, and exercising that pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father, which is to visit the fatherless and the widows in their afflictions and to keep oneself unspotted from the world, and who help look after the poor; and who honor the holy Priesthood, who do not run into excesses, who are prayerful in their families, and who acknowledge the Lord in their hearts, they will build up a foundation that the gates of hell cannot prevail against; and if the floods come and the storms beat upon their house, it shall not fall, for it will be built upon the rock of eternal truth. (GD, 7-8).
It sounds so simple to build on a foundation of truth that you may wonder why everyone doesn't succeed. It takes great humility. This talk was given by Henry B. Eyring in August 2000 at BYU. If you are interested you you can download it at byu.org. The title is "A Life Founded in Light and Truth." Elder and Sister Larsen