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

more mission news

We are in the Salt Lake Second Branch in the Salt Lake Stake. Everyone in our branch is a missionary except for the branch president and his first counselor and their wives. So almost everyone wears missionary badges. There are about 230 to 250 missionaries. There are missionaries going home and coming in on a regular basis so the number changes. Elder Larsen in the new high priest group leader in our branch and also was recently asked to be an assistant to our zone leader at the Family History Library. Our branch president's wife, Sue Laing is my third cousin. Joseph Bartholomew Sr. and Polly Benson are also her second great grandparents through their son John.
We attended a devotional where L. Whitney Clayton of the seventy was the speaker. He spoke about reaping a harvest. He said that when we make correct decisions we seem to pay a price now and receive a reward later. On the other hand when we make wrong decisions now we usually get an immediate reward but pay the price later. The law of the harvest can protect us. The most important seeds are faith in Christ which Alma spoke about in the Book of Mormon (Alma 32:28-43). We are planting seeds every day. If we choose the right we cannot fail. We can receive the precious fruit of the gospel.
We have a get together every two months called "hail and farewell" in our branch where we greet new missionaries and say goodbye to those who are leaving. It's hard to see people who have become our friends leave. Someone said that they all come with expiration dates (don't we all!).
Elder larsen and I belong to the men's and women's choruses. There is also an Elijah Chorus. One of the choirs' leaders asked me if I would join when we first came on our mission. I told her that I was too overwhelmed with all of the new missionary responsibilities. She said "That's why we sing!" A few weeks later they were planning a big Easter devotional where the choirs would sing in the tabernacle and needed more people so she asked me again as we were waiting for a meeting. I told her that I would think about it. I was reading a book while I was waiting for the meeting to start and the first page I opened had the scripture from D&C 136:28, "If thou art merry, praise the Lord with singing, with music, with dancing, and with a prayer of praise and thanksgiving." I thought that it might be some encouragement for me to join. On March 17, 2008 we sang at the Easter devotional where Elder Quentin L. Cook, who is an apostle, spoke. We were able to sit in the same seats where the Tabernacle Choir usually sings. I remember one quote from Elder Cook that went something like this--he spoke about President David O. McKay's quote about how no success can compensate for failure in the home. Elder Cook said that the success of our posterity will compensate for our mistakes. I wish that I could remember exactly what he said. It's wonderful to be here and have so many opportunities to meet or hear apostles and our prophet, Thomas S. Monson.

President Hinckley's funeral

January 28, 2008 we heard at our mission devotional that President Gordon B. Hinckley had passed away. At first I was saddened because he has been such a positive influence in my life. Then I realized that he won't have to be lonely for his wife anymore and that at 97 years old he was ready for a rest. We attended a devotional at the Salt Lake Temple January 30th with Elder Dallin Oaks. He told us that the last day he had seen President Hinckley come to work was the Wednesday before he died. He didn't feel well the next few days so he stayed home, then passed away on Sunday, January 27, 2008. He worked very hard and stayed alert until the end. He was so optimistic and often said, "It will work out!" February 1st we attended his viewing in the Conference Center. Among the displays of flowers there were 3 displays--one from his children, one from his grandchildren and one from his great grandchildren. That one had a note on it that said something like this--"Dear Grandpa, We will always be grateful, we will always be smart, we will always be clean, we will always be true, we will always be humble, we will always be prayerful because we love you!". President Hinckley had once given a talk and said in it something like--Sometimes you will get As but today I will give you some Bs, and then he talked about each "BE" item. On Saturday we were able to go to his funeral mainly because we are here on our mission. President Hinckley will be remembered for his hard work, optimism, kindness, humor, dedication, temple building, traveling to visit members, his love and many other wonderful qualities. Tomorrow morning (February 4, 2008) the apostles will announce the new first presidency. Sister Jean Larsen