Mormon Life - International

Winter Adventures

Tue, 30 Nov 2010 00:02:00 -0700

by Jamie Cline and Megan Withers
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Looking for something adventurous to do this winter? Here are five exciting destinations that are sure to get your heart racing! Adventure can be defined in many different ways. And while each of the following destinations can be equally exciting, one may appeal to your family more than another. Check out these venues to decide which makes the coolest winter adventure for you.

Lake Placid, New York

The Big Attraction - Bobsledding: This is one of the few places in the world you can take a ride on an Olympic bobsled. At the Olympic Sports Complex, you can ride with a professional bobsled driver down the competition track. Each sled in this program has been built especially with you in mind, providing a safe, comfortable, thrilling ride. Even though this activity is a bit pricey at about $75 per person, with every ticket you receive 20 percent off a second ride and a free ticket to a world championship event.

While you're there: Play up the Olympic theme and visit the MacKenzie-Intervale Ski Jumping Complex and the Lake Placid Winter Olympics Museum. Also, the Olympic Speed Skating Oval is open to public ice skating daily.

Where to Stay: The Crown Plaza Resort is located close to the Lake Placid Olympic Center, giving easy access to tourists. Immaculate rooms are accompanied by amenities, such as four unique restaurants, an indoor pool and spa, a fitness room, and a cross-country ski and snowshoe center. Ice fishing and horse-drawn sleigh rides are also available close to the resort.

The most luxurious option near Lake Placid is Mirror Lake Inn - known as both a family-friendly lodge and a romantic destination. A private ice-skating rink is provided for lodgers, and dogsled rides are available nearby. The interior is beautiful, but visitors are encouraged to take advantage of several winter adventures, including the toboggan chute. This thrilling ride takes several people on a three-foot toboggan sled down a chute, which lands and slides onto the ice of Mirror Lake. The inn's day spa is a great place to enjoy some pampering after a long day out in the snow.

Ely, Minnesota

The Big Attraction - Dogsledding: This city is considered the "Dogsled Capital of the U.S." Minnesota takes the cake (or should we say "bone"?) when it comes to man's best friend. The wonderfully thick snow and beautiful mountain scenery lends itself to dogsledding. If you are interested in giving dogsledding a try, the Wintergreen Dogsled Lodge offers several winter adventures, ranging from half-day sled tours to five-day dogsled camping trips. No experience is needed, and you'll quickly learn to drive the dogs yourself! Food is included, and trips run from December to March. They also feature workshop trips, which include lessons in photography or creative writing. All ages are welcome (visit dogsledding.com to learn more).

While you're there: Snowmobiling can be another exhilarating experience in the winter months, and Minnesota is just the place to do it. The Taconite Trail spans 170 miles and includes several scenic offshoots. You can snowmobile here for a few hours or a few days, depending on your level of expertise and your low-temperature threshold. Cross-country skiing is also popular in this area of the North. There are six groomed trails, but more advanced skiers are welcome to strike out on their own.

Places to stay: Truly a wilderness destination, Ely offers mostly cabins as lodging. Moose Track Adventures has several beautiful lakeside cabins for rent. Each cabin includes its own microwave, refrigerator, stove, kitchen utensils, and linens. Several different sizes of cabins are available, allowing vacations for both small family getaways and big family reunions.

However, if you are looking for something a bit less wild, the Grand Ely Lodge is wonderful. A stay at the Lodge includes access to their indoor pool, whirlpool, and sauna, and features a restaurant with an impressive menu. Sixty-one rooms and suites are available.

Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia

The Big Attraction - Skiing: Whistler Blackcomb is the selected skiing venue for the 2010 Olympic winter games. These two mountains provide the best skiing in all of North America, with the biggest vertical drop (5,280 feet). Natural beauty encompasses the area and creates an outdoor-lover's paradise. This area of Canada features excellent terrain, wide alpine bowls for skiers and snowboarders, glaciers, and a thriving town. There are more than seven thousand acres of land for skiing, and though more than sixteen thousand skiers and snowboarders come to the area per day during peak season, there are plenty of unexplored slopes.

While you're there: Go tubing at Blackcomb's Coca-Cola Tube Park. This park has eight 1,000-foot-long lanes varying in difficulty. A conveyor belt lift makes reaching the top of the slope easy and fun. Whistler also features the number one zip line tour in North America. There are two distinct zip line tours to choose from: Skyline and Ziptrek. Located at Cougar Mountain, Skyline allows adventurers to zip-line in a seat. Ziptrek allows adventurers to glide in a harness between the Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. Other great things that you can do include dog sledding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and heli-skiing.

Places to stay: Fairmont Chateau Whistler set at the base of Blackcomb combines unique architecture (which reflects the natural landscape), beautiful design and decor, and magnificent outdoor surroundings. For skiers, this hotel offers ski-in/ski-out convenience and a giant soaking tub in every room - perfect for tired muscles. Other amenities include a dry sauna, a sixty-foot outdoor heated pool with underwater music, and private cabana rentals. Rates start at $269. Visit fairmont.com/whistler for more information.

Crystal Lodge, located in Whistler Village, has been awarded for its impeccable service, newly renovated lodgings, and numerous amenities. The hotel offers the largest selection of on-site restaurants of anywhere in the area. Other amenities include complimentary ski valet, an outdoor heated swimming pool and hot tub, sauna and fitness rooms open twenty-four hours a day, heated underground parking, and an Olympic meeting room which can accommodate up to sixty people. Rates begin at $180.

North Lake Tahoe, California

The Big Attraction - Snow Caving: Ever wondered what it would be like to spend the night out in the snow? Treat yourself to an unlikely adventure in the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains. The company Adventure Out features a snow cave camping trip, during which you learn about winter survival and how to build snow caves. During this three-day, two-night excursion, you have the choice of sleeping in the lodge or in your own snow cave. Expert instructors do the teaching, so it is completely safe. Food is provided, but you should bring warm clothes and some camping equipment. All ages are permitted. Go to adventureout.com/snow_camping.html for more details.

While you're there: A fantastic winter festival is located right down the road. Snowfest at North Lake Tahoe features fireworks, a laser light show, and a parade . . . on skis! However, the best part about this festival is Wacky Winter Bowling. Both kids and adults participate in this silly game: sledding down a hill trying to knock down inflatable pins.

Snowshoeing is a popular winter pastime here, and snowshoes are readily available for anyone wanting to give it a try. Although Tahoe receives about six hundred inches of snow each year, most of its winter days are sunny, providing the perfect opportunity to explore this paradise in the mountains.

Places to Stay: Northstar at Tahoe is just one of the twelve beautiful ski resorts in the Sierras. This amazing resort offers several children's activities, live music, and even bungee jumping. Northstar has several different housing possibilities, including romantic rooms with one bed and family lodges with five rooms. A heated pool is available to patrons, as well as three spa tubs and a game room.

Another Tahoe resort, the PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn, combines just the right amount of comfort with access to the slopes. Ski and snowboard rental and waxing are available on-site as well. Sixty rooms and suites are available to patrons, all of whom are invited to take advantage of several offered amenities. This hotel is known for its extraordinary cuisine and boasts an excellent in-room dining service.

The lower-scale Big Pines Mountain House is a more affordable option for Tahoe visitors. Big Pines offers comfortable beds, functional rooms, a friendly staff, and a continental breakfast. With a private beach and a location close to Heavenly Village shopping center, Big Pines is close to everything you could want without offering more than you need.

Zermatt, Switzerland

The Big Attraction - Heliskiing: Three hundred and thirteen kilometers of some of the highest north- and west-facing slopes in Europe are found in Zermatt. Here, you have the opportunity to try heliskiing, the adventure of a lifetime. In this sport, a skier is carried high above the mountains by helicopter and then dropped onto otherwise inaccessible slopes. However, for those not as daring, hundreds of groomed slopes are available for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels. Located at the foot of the majestic Matterhorn Mountain is Zermatt, a tiny town of 5,500 inhabitants, known as "the village without cars." Here, in order to prevent pollution, electric cars and horse drawn sleighs and carriages are the only transportation allowed. The town is built on the image of exclusivity. The streets are brimming with gourmet restaurants, luxury hotels, and designer shops. In fact, forty world-class restaurants dot the mountain range.

While you're there: The sport of curling is a long-standing tradition in Zermatt. Curling is played by two teams of four players. Teams take turns sliding heavy, polished granite stones down the ice towards the target, which is called a "house." Two sweepers with brooms direct the stones to the house. To win the game, teams must understand the complex nature of stone placement and shot selection. Some refer to curling as "chess on ice." Although it requires great skill, the sporting arena in Zermatt, which offers sixteen curling rinks on a natural ice rink, invites all visitors to try the sport. To make reservations, visit Zermatt's curling web page

Places to stay: Zermatt's Igloo-Village is one of the few places in the entire world where you can spend the night in an igloo. The hotel enhances the beauty of nature's wonders and prides itself on its gourmet cheese fondue - the food of the "Alpine Inuit." You can enjoy the fine cuisine inside the igloo or on the snow terrace. Get your sleeping bags ready and visit iglu-dorf.com for more information.

For those who prefer a little more warmth and luxury, Riffelalp Resort is a five star hotel with only sixty-five rooms and five suites. The rooms of the hotels bring the outdoors in with warm colors and beautiful wood molding and furniture. The hotel offers a large, indoor heated pool with whirlpool, as well as a steam bath, a Finnish sauna, and an organic sauna.

For another great winter adventure . . .

The Ice Hotel A beautiful building made of glimmering ice, covered with snow, and filled with sculpted ice furniture - sounds like something you would read about in a fantasy book, doesn't it? But talented sculptors and designers travel every year to Sweden to create the ICEHOTEL, a masterpiece of ice, snow, and imagination.

The ICEHOTEL is located in Jukkasjarvi, Sweden. This magnificent structure gets its foundation from the Torne River, which freezes every winter and supplies the hotel with the ice necessary for its serene, frozen beauty.

Inside, the temperature is never lower than 41 degrees Fahrenheit, which is a relief after spending all day in the -22 degree outside temperature. Guests stay in rooms made completely of ice - including the beds, chairs, and tables. Reindeer skins are used as bed sheets, and guests sleep on top of them in thermal sleeping bags. Guests can also enjoy the club room, which features ice armchairs and a frozen fireplace (with a light instead of an actual fire, of course), and can worship or even catch a glimpse of a wedding in the Ice Church, a beautiful chapel with a stunning ceiling. After spending a night in the cold, ICEHOTEL recommends going next door to stay in the regular, heated hotel.

Because of the extreme low temperatures, adventurous souls may want to give this place a try; those of us who prefer more tropical vacation sites may just want to check out a few pictures of this wondrous marvel and stay in our own cozy abode.

Destination: Cardston

Mon, 17 May 2010 18:00:00 -0600

by Sara Duke
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Settled in the shadow of the great Canadian Rocky Mountains and Chief Mountain, Cardston, Alberta, offers enormous adventures. Discover its rich history and dive into exciting explorations of this astounding Canadian countryside. Only sixteen miles beyond the United States' border, you can find the friendly town of Cardston, Alberta. With just under four thousand residents, this small town offers a relaxing getaway through options of camping under the Alberta stars, exploring the nearby national parks, and visiting local museums. Unbeknownst to many, Cardston was actually founded by Latter-day Saint pioneers directed there by President John Taylor.

Back in the late nineteenth century, the United States government passed the Edmunds Act that made it legal to fine or jail any person who was practicing polygamy. Several Latter-day Saints had to rush into hiding, and many of them sought out for Mexico. Charles Ora Card was one such man who intended to go towards Mexico; however, President John Taylor asked him to change routes and head in the opposite direction: Canada. With a group of only ten other families, Card traversed the mountainous terrain and settled in what is now the town of Cardston, Ablerta. Today Cardston is home to many Latter-day Saints.

The green rolling hills and panoramic scenes of the mountain vistas entice travelers to stop by this historic town. Cardston boasts a nationally famous museum of horse-drawn carriages, wagons, and sleighs, and is proud to have been the first town outside of the United States to have a temple erected. There are also many more historical sites to visit, and the adventure to Cardston is never complete until you experience the wonders of the outdoors!

Historical Sites Cardston, Alberta Temple This white granite edifice sits on a raised hill at the city center and was officially named a Canadian Historic Site by the government in 1995. It should definitely be on your list of places to visit. As you walk around the temple grounds with your family, be sure to point out the unusual design and architecture. The Cardston Temple was the first temple whose design was commissioned to architects instead of being designed by Joseph Smith or Brigham Young. Built in the shape of a Maltese cross, this temple is one of three in the world that was not built with a spire (the others are the Laie Hawaii Temple and the Mesa Arizona Temple).

As you continue your walk around the temple, be sure to stop in at the visitors center, open every day through the summertime (closed in the winter). There you will find photographs from the early days of construction (it took ten years to build because of World War I) and several other interesting displays showing the rich history of the temple and it's completion in 1923.

Remington Carriage Museum When you walk in the doors of this museum, you'll wonder if you really have a car to drive anymore. Hundreds of carriages, wagons, and sleighs surround you as you are guided through the interior. With an overwhelming number of horse-drawn vehicles (over 240), you will find yourself transported back into the early nineteenth and twentieth centuries. As you tour the museum, you will learn about the different types of carriages that were made and used in earlier days. A variety of displays - set up like a stage with lights and background facades - will show you wagons used for the prairie, city, school, and leisurely activities. This museum is very kid friendly with its interactive displays and carriage rides, so bring the whole family on your trip to Cardston.

If the museum alone does not pull you back a century or two, taking a ride in these rustic contraptions surely will. The museum also offers carriage rides where you can experience the rugged travel of earlier pioneers. And if you are feeling quite adventurous, try renting a carriage of your own. The museum supplies you with a driver, groom and two horses. The prices vary on how long you want the carriage and what type you rent out, but it will definitely be something you and your family might not be able to do anywhere else!

Courthouse Museum This sandstone structure offers a taste of Cardston's history like nothing else. With the original judges' bench, witness box, and some jail cells still in place, it's like you have stepped back in time when you enter this building. As you explore the jail cells, make sure to point out to the kids the original graffiti that has been preserved. The Courthouse, built in 1907, holds the record of being the only courthouse in Alberta to have been used the longest.

Card Pioneer Home This "little house on the prairie" was built by Charles Ora Card when he first settled in Cardston in 1887, and it offers a taste of the pioneer heritage. Still standing in its original spot, the cabin was used as a community center and resting spot for travelers because there was no hotel built in the town until 1894. Although this cabin was once one building out of a few, there are now many businesses located right by this Registered Provincial Historic site. You can learn more of the history regarding Charles Ora Card and the settlement of Cardston.

Seabiscuit Monument Cardston was also the birthplace of George Woolf, the famous racehorse jockey of Seabiscuit. This summer, the city will commemorate their success by revealing a large, bronze statue of the horse and jockey on July 17, 2010.

Outdoor Adventures Waterton Lakes National Park Just a half hour drive outside of Cardston lies some of the beautiful mountains in the Rocky Mountain range. This gorgeous area is part of Waterton Lakes National Park, which is open year round. If you are looking to have a fun, family picnic or just an escape into nature, this National Park is the best place to retreat. The park offers various trails for you to hike and witness magnificent views of stunning mountaintops and glistening lakes. Waterton Lake National Park's namesake is the deepest lake in the Canadian Rockies, a well-known fact about the park. You can have the option of taking a scenic boat tour on one of the northern lakes and have the chance of looking for all the different types of wildlife. Make sure to also check out the Prince of Wales Hotel, a national historic site of Canada that overlooks Upper Waterton Lake.

Going-to-the-Sun-Road Cardston is also just 15 miles away from the preferred Canadian entrance to the famous Going-to-the-Sun-Road in Glacier National Park. Most foreign visitors to this area love to take the twists and turns of this road as a way to see beautiful Glacier.

Great Canadian Barn Dance Being so near the Rocky Mountains makes it impossible not to enjoy the outdoors. What better way to be plunged into the scenery than by going camping? Immerse yourself and your family in nature when you stay at the Great Canadian Barn Dance resort. With fantastic views of the Rockies and a small lake on the property, it is hard to believe that family won't have a good time here.

The Kunkel family, owners of the resort, offers a great family atmosphere with fun barn dances, good food, and clean entertainment all of which take place in a 94-year-old barn. It is an alcohol-free area with the goal of making their resort a family friendly place. If you are a bit skeptical about roughing it out on the campground, they do offer RV camping and six rooms at a bed and breakfast.

Mountain Meadows Trail Rides What better way to enjoy the scenic outdoors than by going on a trail ride? Located just outside of Cardston, Mountain Meadows Trail Rides is a company that offers adventure to those wanting to feel the breeze in their hair. Make sure to check the dates each package is available (at moutaninmeadowtrailrides.com). You can select a trail ride that lasts an hour and a half or a two and a half hours. You also have the option to take a ride for a half day, full day or try a little more adventure with a Cowboy Cookout ride. Before you make these decisions, make sure you know how long each family member can last riding on a horse. The company will match a horse to the level of skill each person has, but remember to not exhaust yourself or your children on this vacation.

They also offer overnight pack trips where you can wind your way through meadows of wildflowers and through beautiful pine forests for two, three, or even four days. You and your family can have a real cowboy adventure by joining the cattle drive - although it is required that you have previous riding experience for this journey. The cattle drive can be a rather rigorous ride and may not be the best for younger children. But this is surely a way to explore the outdoors. No one knows the outdoors better than a cowboy!

Kimball River Sports If you have had your fill of pioneer and cowboy culture, head out to Kimball River Sports where you can raft down the river and explore other water activities. Although river rafting can be for anyone and any age, Kimball River Sports is experienced with white water rafting. This adventure may be a little too rough for younger children, but Kimball River Sports claims to work with intermediate and beginning level customers. They provide a safe journey down the river and emphasize their experience with wilderness first aid and swift-water rescue.

If river rafting is not for you and your family, Kimball River Sports also offers guided fly-fishing tours. It doesn't matter if you have never been fly-fishing in your life or if you live and breathe fly-fishing, they are there to help you no matter what stage you are at. They will also take you to ideal areas where you will be sure to come home with something at the end of the day.

Cardston, Alberta may be a small town just north of the border, but because of the rich pioneer history and the beautiful scenery, it is one destination that should not be skipped. You are guaranteed to have a wonderful family adventure once you enter this historic town. To find out more information about Cardston and different activities, go to town.cardston.ab.ca/visit.

Destination: Sweet Spots

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 18:00:00 -0600

by Mary Olsen
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Did you ever fantasize of vacationing in Candyland? Or on the Good Ship Lollipop? Your sweetest dreams are about to come true. We’ve found the real-life sugar wonderlands of the world, and they’re bound to put your sweet tooth into overdrive before you even taste their goodies. Both the young and young at heart will enjoy these sugary locations. Just don't forget to bring your toothbrush.

Hershey, Pennsylvania Known as "the sweetest place on earth," Hershey, Pennsylvania, actually smells of chocolate. Hershey is home to the world's largest chocolate factory (two million square feet of manufacturing space); boasts some Candyland-like streets, such as Cherry, Almond, and Cocoa; and is lit at night by Kiss-shaped lamps.

To start your indulgence, take a jaunt down Chocolate Avenue, where you'll find the Hershey Factory. While you cannot tour the factory, Hershey's Chocolate World, just a stone's throw away, will give you all the chocolate history and wonder you could want. On the Great American Chocolate Tour, visitors walk through the process of making chocolate--from the tropical rainforest where the cocoa beans grow to the transformation of beans to chocolate. At the end of this free tour, you'll get to enjoy a chocolate sample. Other attractions at Hershey's Chocolate World include a factory worker experience, create-your-own desserts, and a chocolate tasting adventure. And in time for this summer, get the chance to create your own candy bar on Hershey Chocolate World's newest attraction.

When you're ready for a little fresh air, hop aboard Hershey Trolley Works to see the sites. The History and Chocolate tour is the better of the two tours offered, although it is offered only between Labor Day and Memorial Day.

At the end of the day, take a rest from the festivities by stopping by Hotel Hershey for a decadent spa experience of chocolate-themed treatments. At the Chocolate Spa, regular spa treatments are available, but we recommend taking this one-of-a-kind opportunity and trying the Chocolate Bean Polish (exfoliation with cocoa bean husks and walnuts) or the Cocoa Facial Experience (with caramel, strawberry, rose, and mint aromas).

While you're there: Next door to Hershey's Chocolate World you'll find Hersheypark. This extensive amusement park (with water park) doesn't generally feature chocolate-themed rides, but it does have a Reese's Xtreme Cup Challenge with opposing peanut butter and chocolate teams. The park is closed January through March. Adjoining Hersheypark you'll find ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park, which has over two hundred species from North America. Try visiting in late afternoon when the wolves are fed.

Only ten minutes from Hershey in Hummelstown, you'll find Indian Echo Caverns, a beautiful limestone cave that was used by the Susquehannock tribe until they disappeared in the 1670s. Regular tours explain the geology, biology, and history of the caves, and at the nearby Gem Mill Junction, visitors can prospect for amethyst, jasper, gold, and more. The cave is a consistent 52 degrees, so don't forget to bring a sweatshirt!

Cadbury World; Bournville, England For those who always wanted to take a tour of Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, Cadbury World in Bournville, England, was created for you. The chocolaty smell you sense upon arriving in this picturesque town will be only your first reminder of why Cadbury World's slogan is "where chocolate comes to life."

Follow your nose to the park, where you'll find glittering buildings of Cadbury purple. A path will lead you to the factory building to enter the main tour area.

Once you begin the self-guided tour, you will encounter fourteen interactive attractions (not to mention workers handing out free samples about every ten feet). These fourteen areas take you all the way from chocolate's beginnings in Aztec society to virtual demonstrations where you can chase creme eggs and see yourself made out of chocolate. One memorable area is Cadabra, which includes boarding your bean-mobile and riding through a chocolate wonderland, complete with dancing and lawn-mowing chocolate beans. At the end, you'll wind up in the factory store, where discounted and exclusive chocolate is available.

Now, you will likely be startled at the calories you've eaten in just over two hours' time. Look at it this way: you may have just eaten your weight in chocolate, but at least you'll be cured of the craving for weeks to come. Maybe.

Some things to consider before arriving: Look for discount coupons on admission. Some websites have 20-percent-off coupons for admittance, while others offer vouchers for free admittance. Reservations are recommended. And start your visit on a near-empty stomach--the heavenly smelling chocolate will initially have you in raptures, but even the most die-hard chocoholics will be tested for endurance as the day progresses.

While you're there: Take the Bournville Village Trail around beautiful Bournville--one of the "nicest places in Britain to live," according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. You'll pass some of the best spots the town has to offer, including Selly Manor and Minworth Greaves, two medieval homes refurbished to resemble the period in which they were built. Meandering through these rooms will bring you up close to heirlooms over four hundred years old, and out back you'll find an authentic Tudor garden.

Off Acacia Road and Maple Road in Bournville, you'll find Stocks Wood, a relic of the ancient Forest of Arden and one of England's bluebell woods. While you cannot walk around in the woods, the sight of blooming bluebells in spring is not to be missed. Take ten minutes to walk by the forest and look in from the street.

About fifteen minutes away, inside Birmingham, is the Thinktank--an interactive science museum perfect for following a visit to Cadbury World. Here kids can work with over two hundred hands-on exhibits, including exhibits on everyday life and the natural world (with a 10,000-year-old giant deer skeleton), eMo the emotional robot, and a 360-degree full-dome planetarium.

Finally, for a taste of something different, stop by the National Motorcycle Museum in Shropshire--the finest and largest motorbike collection in the world. Britain was once the top producer of motorcycles in the world, and this collection of shiny pieces pays homage to it. Careful: a visit may just strengthen Dad's resolve to get one of his own.

Jelly Belly Factory; Fairfield, California Jelly Bellies are the iconic American jelly bean. Manufactured by the company that first produced gummi bears for the U.S. market, this gourmet jelly bean was so loved by Ronald Reagan that he served them at his inauguration, kept a jar on his desk, and made them the first jelly beans in space. Jelly Belly's Fairfield, California, manufacturing facility has won awards for being the best factory tour in the United States, and it's free.

Starting in the foyer, you'll be bombarded by jolly colors--the red and yellow of the brand, as well as the jelly bean artwork, which includes portraits of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and, of course, Ronald Reagan.

You'll proceed to the tour, where, unlike many of the other food factory tours, Jelly Belly has made provisions for visitors to see the process of making the product. On the tour you'll stroll along suspended walkways built above the bustling, multi-colored manufacturing floor. With the help of video segments, you'll see how each bean experiences steam treatments, sugar showers, multiple sugar coats, polishing, and stamping--an intricate process for producing fairly innocuous beans. The tour ends in a store where you can buy regular beans and "Belly Flops," two or more jelly beans that got fused during manufacturing and are sold at discount.

Before getting there, make sure to check that the factory will be running. Scheduled closures include weekends and the end of June, when the factory rests. Finally, Jelly Belly also has a distribution facility in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, which also offers public tours.

While you're there: Near Fairfield are other suburban cities like Vacaville, which has some amazing outlet stores, like Coach, Burberry, Columbia Sportswear, and J. Crew. But if you're willing to drive, Fairfield is positioned within an hour of San Francisco, where every corner is full of possibilities. The city has something for everyone: bustle at Fisherman's Wharf, shops and restaurants at Pier 39, history at Alcatraz and Coit Tower, wildlife at the San Francisco Zoo, beauty in the Japanese Tea Garden and along Lombard Street (the world's most crooked street), and simple fun on the cable cars.

A site that deserves special attention is the California Academy of Sciences. Located in the 1017-acre Golden Gate Park, the newly refurbished academy building includes a rainforest and "living roof," as well as the original natural history, botany, astronomy, and marine biology exhibits. In the aquatic area, kids will love Claude (a rare albino alligator), penguins, poison dart frogs, and deep-sea fish that glow in the dark. The entire experience is amazing--but be prepared to pay for it. Prices range between $24.95 for adults and $14.95 for children 7-11 (children 6 and under are free). Free admission is offered the third Wednesday of each month.

If the Jelly Belly Factory wasn't enough for you--and even if it was--make sure to visit San Francisco's own sweet spot, Ghirardelli Square. At the chocolate company's flagship store on Larkin, order some great ice cream sundaes and watch the chocolate-making machinery while you wait. Don't be tempted to order something fancy--the classic World Famous Sundae is the best. After you get your fill of delicious sweets, poke around the whole of the square; you'll find some one-of-a-kind shops that are entertaining to look through.

Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory; Waterbury, Vermont A Vermont destination, including a stop by the Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory in Waterbury, is the epitome of low-key. Ben & Jerry's may in fact have the only crowds you'll encounter on your trip, which is understandable when you realize that the state capital (one of the state's biggest cities) has only 8,037 people.

Your tour of this ice cream mecca will be brief (about thirty minutes), so it's good to have other things planned for the day. Starting with an intriguing video outlining how ice cream is made, you'll get to walk through and see the inner workings of the plant. Take a good look and see if you can recognize the flavors being made. If you see a favorite, you're in luck--you'll get to taste test those flavors at the end of the tour. You'll also get a chance to purchase rare flavors, like Mountain Blueberry.

Don't think you're finished, though. One of the best parts of the tour is the darkly humorous Flavor Graveyard, located on a peaceful knoll behind the plant. Eight to twelve flavors join these ill-fated ranks every year as underperformers get the axe. See if you can find one of your favorites. Still pining over the loss of Peanut Butter & Jelly (1998-99)? Now you can pay your respects.

While you're there: With rolling hills and a sparse population, the best outings in a Vermont vacation will be understated. One such visit is Mount Mansfield, said to have the profile of a person (from east to west). Drive your car up the toll road to the "nose" and hike up to the "chin." Be prepared: the toll road is steep, has hairpin turns, and is mostly unpaved.

After working up your appetite, stop by Cold Hollow Cider Mill, where you can watch workers make fresh cider from Vermont apples, sample free cider popsicles and specialty Vermont mustards and jams, watch bees making honeycombs in summertime, and try the legendary cider donut. Drive fifty minutes from here and you can visit the Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial in Sharon, Vermont.Nauvoo Hotels

For those who like to look in unique shops, stop by Church Street Marketplace. This brick-building street has a quaint feel, much like traditional "main streets" in America. Stop by Lake Champlain Chocolates for some delectable, fresh chocolate. (If you haven't had your "watch them make it" fill, you can visit Lake Champlain Chocolates' factory store a few blocks away, on 750 Pine Street.) You can also find the entrance to the underground Burlington Town Center Mall on Church Street.

--- Another kind of fun . . .

Gilroy Gardens Had enough sweets? Try visiting the vegetable- and plant-themed Gilroy Gardens, located in Gilroy, California--known also as the "salad bowl." This garden, which features nineteen rides situated among beautiful gardens, will be celebrating its tenth season in 2010.

With a purpose to educate and foster a greater appreciation of horticulture, the park focuses mainly on agronomy. It even has a special "produce section," with rides like Artichoke Dip (ride in a giant artichoke and avoid the mayo!), Apple & Worm (ride through an apple), and Garlic Twirl, a ride that pays homage to Gilroy's most important crop. The park also has traditional theme park rides.

Aside from roller coasters and fruit and vegetable rides, you'll find world-famous circus trees--painstakingly grafted trees that form unique shapes--and majestic gardens, including one where you can drive through a back-roads garden inside your very own antique car.

Destinations: Wild Things

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:00:00 -0600

by Kate Ensign-Lewis and Megan Withers
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Do you dream of spotting zebras on an African safari or seeing kangaroos on an Australian outback expedition? If you love wildlife, you’ll love these five different animal encounter destinations that are fun for the entire family. And while some are exotic, you may also find some astonishingly close to home. Whether you are an animal lover or not, catching a live glimpse of earth's wildlife can be a truly majestic experience. From whales to wolves, parakeets to pythons, we've got excursions you're sure to love. Read on to find out how and where to see all kinds of fascinating creatures.

Swimming with Manatees: Florida

Nicknamed "sea cows," manatees are gentle giants. Swimming at languid speeds (an average of five miles per hour), these animals gracefully frequent coastal waters and rivers despite their massive size. Manatees are an endangered species, with only approximately three thousand remaining throughout the world, and Homosassa, Florida, is home to the world's largest number of wild manatees. From October through March, these docile creatures congregate by the hundreds in the 72 degree Homosassa and Crystal Rivers. Homosassa is the only place in the world where you can swim with and touch a manatee.

Manatee Safaris offers manatee lovers of all ages this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. In tours of six to twelve people, swimmers are briefly trained in manatee awareness before a two-hour swim with the manatees. If you do not wish to swim with the manatees, you may remain on the boat and watch as the manatees surface about every fifteen minutes, or two to four minutes if the mammals are swimming (cost is $29 per person + $20 equipment rental if needed; visit manateetours.com or call 1-866-FLA-SWIM for more information). Manatee Safaris also offers a three-day dive training ($199 per person, minimum of four people).

While You're There

Rent a kayak or canoe and explore the area on your own ($35 for a half day; visit manateetoursusa.com to learn more). To encounter more wildlife in the area such as alligators, wild hogs, and river otters, visit the Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park (see floridastateparks.org/homosassasprings).

If you're up to driving to the Florida Keys, your options expand dramatically. In Key Largo for example, you may swim with the dolphins at Dolphins Plus ($165 per person; go to dolphinsplus.com to learn more). For a definite change of pace, you can take a relaxing stroll through a tropical butterfly paradise at the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory, a home for sixty different species of butterflies (cost is $10 per adult, $7.50 per child over four years old, free for children under four; check out keywestbutterfly.com for more information).

Wolf and Bear Spotting: Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho

Yellowstone, the first U.S. national park, was established in 1872. Vast, undisturbed land, rushing rivers, and breathtaking sunsets are just some of the sublime characteristics of this territory. Spanning Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, Yellowstone is a sanctuary for both grizzly and black bears, as well as wolves. Bison, moose, eagles, and elk also inhabit the area. May through July at either dusk or dawn is the best time to encounter these animals. You may explore this beautiful habitat on your own ($25 entrance fee for a private, noncommercial vehicle) or with a tour group. Yellowstone Tour & Travel offers guided tours which will teach you more about the wildlife and geology of the area ($69 per adult, $59 per child; private tours are also available for a minimum of nine people for $525; see yellowstone-travel.com).

For spotting bison, elk, and gray wolves, the best spot is Lamar Valley, although bison and elk can be seen many places in the park. For bears, general guidelines are to look in forested country for black bears and in wide, open meadows for grizzlies. In fact, in Rexburg, Idaho, you can find Yellowstone Bear World, a park replete with bears. Don't forget to read the safety precautions before going out!

While You're There

You can't leave Yellowstone without seeing the world's most extraordinary geyser, Old Faithful. You can also make the three-mile climb up Observation Peak or the twelve-mile Blacktail Deer Creek-Yellowstone River Trail hike, which drops 1,100 feet to the river below, to observe more wildlife and natural, majestic beauty. You can also go horseback riding in the mountains, fly fishing in the Madison River, or white water rafting in the Gallatin River.

Whale Watching: New England

It's no wonder that Herman Melville set Moby Dick in nautical New England. Cape Cod is the best place to see whales in the United States, and, according to the World Wildlife Fund, one of the top ten best whale watching destinations in the world. Hundreds of whales frequent the cold, coastal waters of New England from May through October. In these waters are found Humpback, Minke, Finback, Sei, Pilot, and North Atlantic Right (the rarest species in the world) whales. There's no experience like seeing a whale breech out of the water.

Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises offer you this opportunity with an unforgettable three-hour-long whale watching adventure ($40 per person; visit whales.net to learn more). On the cruise, you may also see Atlantic white-sided dolphins, sea turtles, and seals, which are also common in this ocean region. Hyannis offers a video recording of your whale watching expedition so that you will be able to relive your adventure for years to come.

While You're There

Climb the 30-foot Scargo Tower atop Scargo Hill in Dennis, Massachussetts. On a clear day, you can see as far as the Massachusetts mainland. This is the highest location on the entire cape and will offer a breathtaking aerial view of the region.

Elsewhere, in Harwich, you can take a free, self-guided tour of Cape Cod Lavender Farm. As one of the largest lavender farms on the East Coast, this plantation's twelve secluded acres, which overlook Island Pond, is replete with more than 14,000 beautiful plants. Their signature plant - the self-cultivated Harwich Blue - blooms beautiful dark lavender flowers in late June and early July.

African Safari: Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania

Traveling to Simba's stomping ground provides a truly once-in-a-lifetime trip. From majestic birds to fierce predators, Africa holds countless wonders for the adventuresome family. One popular location for first-hand encounters is Stanley's Camp at the Okavango Delta in Botswana, where families can walk alongside semi-habituated elephants (who might just stretch out a welcoming trunk to you). Further south, in Kenya, visitors can find the Masai Mara Game Reserve. Aside from being one of the traditional homes of the Maasai people (who still live there), Masai Mara is home to a July through October migration of zebra and wildebeest so big that it is called the Great Migration. A visit here also affords you the opportunity to see numerous lion prides and to mix with the Maasai warriors, who share some of the oral history of the tribe with visiting children.

Neighboring Kenya to the south is Tanzania, home to the Ngorongoro Crater, which has an incredible variety of animals and the densest population of mammalian predators in Africa, particularly lions. Other animals include elephants, zebra, gazelles, leopards, and black rhinoceroses.

While there are numerous expedition companies to choose from, Maniago Safaris (maniagosafaris.com) has distinguished itself as a wonderful purveyor of child-friendly safaris. They can organize itineraries throughout the continent. Differences in accommodation quality and group size make rates vary significantly.

While You're There

If you want to go whole-hog on your trip, stop by Giraffe Manor (see giraffemanor.com) in Nairobi, Kenya, to have breakfast with the beautiful animals that give the inn its name. With an impressive farm of endangered Rothschild giraffes, this 1930s Scottish manor offers guests the opportunity to watch, photograph, and even feed the giraffes. Additionally, warthogs, bush buck, and more than 180 species of birds can be found on the 140-acre estate. Because the manor has only six double rooms, availability is limited. (Double room, full board - including breakfast, lunch, and dinner - runs $655/night; single room, full board runs $425/night; specials for children are available.)

Surf and Turf Adventure: Australia

There's a reason why Australia is called the Land of Wonder. There are thousands of things to do in this country-continent, and thousands of species for the animal lover to observe.

The first place to go is the Great Barrier Reef - the first site ever named to UNESCO's World Heritage list, and a place that is disappearing at an alarming rate. Some experts speculate that ninety-five percent of this great marine treasure will be gone by 2050. So, if you've wanted to see it, and want your little divers to see it, there's no time like the present. Most boats for snorkeling leave from Cairns, Port Douglas, or Cape Tribulation (where the reef comes right up to the coast). The Low Isles and Heron Island, both off the coast of Queensland, are also great places for a fish-filled experience. At the Low Isles, you can swim alongside sea turtles and other large fish, and Heron Island is so close to the reef that you can simply stand on the beach and admire the wildlife.

Next, try visiting the Rainforest Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary in Port Douglas, Queensland. Although visions of green rainforest don't come to mind when one thinks of Australia, Queensland's northern area is tropical. At the Rainforest Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary, you can have breakfast with the birds, lunch with the lorikeets, and hold or touch all sorts of animals, including pythons, parakeets, tree frogs, koalas, and crocodiles (called "living fossils"). To give you an idea of the birds, the only Victoria's Riflebird in captivity is at the sanctuary. There are multiple free tours and activities available after admission (adult, $29; children ages 4-14, $14.50; family of 2 adults and 2 children, $72.50), although breakfast or lunch with the animals costs extra.

Finally, to get your animal-encounter fill, travel to Southern Australia, where Kangaroo Island - Australia's third largest island - waits to win you over with its beauty and charm. The name of the island comes from its estimated one million native Kangaroo Island Kangaroos, but don't let that fool you. There are plenty of other animals to see - echidnas (porcupine-like creatures), seals, platypus, goannas, and wallabies. The island is an excellent example of unspoiled beauty, as a quarter of the island is protected, more than half of its vegetation has never been cleared, and most animals can be seen naturally throughout the island. Seal Bay, Flinders Chase National Park, and the Marine Center in Kingscote are all great places to visit.

While You're There

Cairns, Queensland, is home not only to a bustling port but also to the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park (tjapukai.com.au), a 25-acre spot of native land where visitors can see, learn about, and experience aboriginal culture. With the companionship of indigenous guides, guests can enjoy aboriginal face painting, dance classes, instruction in the circular breathing necessary to play the didgeridoo, and theater shows that tell the Tjapukai creation myth and native stories. (adult, $31; child, $15.50; family, $77.50)

For your trip . . .

Close (and Careful) Encounters

Being in close proximity to wild animals is exciting - probably partially because of its forbidden nature. As you and your children have fun with your animal encounters, follow these guidelines to keep you - and the animals - safe.

Let the animal move naturally; don't block or inhibit the animal from natural behavior.
If swimming with animals, try to do it in the wild; captive situations are dangerous and stressful for humans and animals alike.
Allow marine animals or animals in close proximity to come to you.
Avoid camera flashes, perfume, loud noises, and rustling clothes, which can disturb wildlife.
Never poke; it can bait the animal and, in some cases, harm or (as with sponge) kill.
Be patient; encountering what you want is never guaranteed, and impatience can lead to foolish decisions. Enjoy everything you experience.
Always read additional animal care information provided by the facility or guide.

Ever Heard of This Kind of Herd?

While researching for this article, we found some very interesting terms for groups of animals. Here are some of the most poetic:

A crash of rhinoceroses A pride of lions A pod of whales A tower of giraffes A troop of kangaroos A leap of leopards A sleuth of bears A trogle of snakes A turn of turtles An exaltation of larks Visit askoxford.com/asktheexperts/collective to find more.

Touring the Holy Land

Tue, 05 Jun 2007 15:30:00 -0600

by Dean Hughes
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: "Was it wonderful?" "Were you frightened?" These are the two questions my wife and I have been asked since returning from Israel. We traveled there in the late spring of 2006 with a tour group and visited many of the sites named in the Old and New Testaments. We walked the streets and hills where Jesus walked, as many before us have done. Was it wonderful? Were we frightened?

The answer to the first question is that the experience was more interesting, more inspiring, more exciting than we had ever expected--and we went with pretty high expectations. What was so wonderful? Let me see if I can explain.

We tell our children Bible stories: David and Goliath, the birth of Christ, Christ's healings and miracles. Later, as adults, we discuss those same events and draw deeper faith from them. But to a large degree, they continue to feel like stories: distant people and places in ancient days.

Standing on a fishing boat, looking out across the Sea of Galilee and gazing on the hills and towns where Jesus taught the people, everything seems different. These are real places. You watch the waves and imagine Jesus walking toward the boat and Peter venturing out to meet Him. You picture the fishermen who became disciples, toiling on a boat much like the one you're sailing in. And when you sing, "Master, the Tempest is Raging," you envision Christ rising up to rebuke the elements. Those stories seem to take on flesh, and the power of familiar Bible events sinks deeper into your emotions.

Becoming Part of a Bible Story

The most difficult part about a visit to Israel is that many sites are described as the "traditional" places where certain events might have taken place. That is to say, word of mouth has suggested, over the centuries, that a Bible event happened there. Sometimes, traced to the origins, the evidence doesn't hold up very well. In many cases, the approximate site is easily located, but no one knows the precise location. Often, too, churches or mosques or shrines have been constructed on the sites. These are well-meaning attempts to honor sacred places, but often the sense, even the spirit, of the original site seems lost.

But in the long run, it doesn't matter. The Garden of Gethsemane may have been a short distance away from the traditional site, but the Mount of Olives was always the Mount of Olives, and to sit in a garden by ancient, gnarled olive trees and think of what happened very near--if not exactly on that spot--is not only moving but life changing. You feel as though you can see the Lord falling on his face and crying out to his Father, as you've imagined it before, but this time you have a context: an actual place to envision. With that kind of engagement of all the senses, you feel a deeper connection to Christ's ascendant pain and ultimate sacrifice.

At the top of the Mount of Olives--or from the LDS Jerusalem Center on nearby Mount Scopus--the entire old city of Jerusalem lies before you: Kidron Valley, which divides the Mount of Olives from the Temple Mount; the walls that surround the Temple Mount; the sealed up Golden (or Beautiful) Gate, which Christ will enter; the House of Caiaphus, to the south, where Christ was held for the first of his trials; Golgotha, to the north, outside the temple walls. The whole story of Christ's crucifixion falls into place as you visualize, chronologically, the events of Christ's final night and morning. For the first time it strikes you how many arduous miles He walked during those final hours of His life, from the time of His arrest until His crucifixion.

Some may not like learning that there are at least two theories about the place of the crucifixion. Is the "traditional" Garden tomb really the tomb where Christ was laid? The evidence seems strong. But it isn't terribly important. What's profound is to see the old city, the wall, the probable "place of the skull," and know that as you walk the streets of Jerusalem, you really are walking where Jesus walked. And if the tomb is not the one where Christ lay, and from which He rose, it is one very like the one used for Christ's burial. When you walk inside and see the resting place carved in the rock, the idea of the resurrection takes on tangible form.

Amazing Experiences

There are certain experiences in Israel that I will never forget, but my favorite is the moment our bus emerged from a long tunnel and everyone in our tour group--at the same moment--spotted the Dome of the Rock. We were suddenly looking at Jerusalem, the old city, and our tour guide had started music on the speaker system. We hadn't paid attention to the music until we broke from the tunnel, and with exact timing, a choir began to sing, "Jerusalem! Jerusalem!"

We all began to sing, joining the choir, and the good brother across the aisle from me, in a booming, rich bass, belted out the chorus. I wasn't prepared for how I would feel, and I'm not sure I can explain it now, but tears ran down my face as we sang. Tears ran down many faces. We had come to visit the holy city of Jerusalem, and in an instant, it lay before us. I had seen pictures and knew what to look for, but I hadn't known it would feel like home, feel like the gathering place it is.

There were lots of great moments--experiences you can have if you make the visit. I would suggest, however, that unless you're an expert on Bible history, or willing to put in a year or two of preparation, you should probably go with a tour. The Israeli guide we traveled with, Asher, was remarkably knowledgeable about the history of Israel, but also about the Old and New Testament. He even knew enough about the Book of Mormon to make accurate connections to ancient Bible events.

It's good to have an LDS guide as well, who can bring a familiar perspective to the history, someone who can help the group share the spirit in those stories. It's also comforting to travel with someone who knows the locations and best travel routes, who knows what time of day works best for different visits, and who can work out all the details of travel, lunches, and lodging. We stayed in only three hotels, and from those central locations, traveled easily to nearly forty sites. It would be almost impossible, on a first visit, to work out all those details, learn enough information, and coordinate the travel schedule.

Various tours visit most of the same sites. Some do add a few days in order to travel to Egypt, but within Israel, a tour of about a week, with a day on the front and end to fly, will take a person to all the most important sites, and a knowledgeable guide can make those places come to life in a fairly short visit. Having said that, if you like to sleep in and then take your time wandering through locations, that could be a reason to travel on your own. We found ourselves putting in long, full days, and while a great deal of walking is not necessary at many of the sties, others gave us all the exercise we wanted.

What to See

Most of the tours start out in Tel Aviv, where the main international airport in Israel is located. It's probably not important to stay in Tel Aviv very long, but you shouldn't miss ancient Jaffa (or Joppa), the port of entry for the Cedars of Lebanon. These timbers were shipped in for the building of Solomon's temple and again for Herod's later reconstruction. This was also the exit port for Jonah. In the old village, Peter healed Tabitha. He stayed with Simon, a tanner, and upon his rooftop beheld a vision of "unclean" animals. The Lord told Peter not to call unclean what was purified by God, and the vision signaled a beginning; the apostles would, from that point on, preach to "all the world." Jaffa, then, was a starting place of great significance, and symbolically a great starting place for a tour.

Tours usually head north after that, as we did, through the Jezreel Valley and on to Galilee. Other tours may go east to Jerusalem and then north to Galilee. It doesn't matter. Almost all the important sites are near those two places, and a hotel stay in each can put you close enough to the locations you'll want to visit. A traveler soon realizes that Israel is actually a very small country, and the grand history contained in the Bible occurred in an area that is a distance shorter than two hundred miles, north to south, and shorter than fifty miles, east to west.

We stayed in Tel Aviv only one night, saw Jaffa, and then departed the next morning to Caesarea, a fascinating Roman ruin. It's one of the cities that Herod the Great built. It was here that Paul appeared before King Agrippa and defended himself. You'll walk along the Mediterranean shore, see a well-preserved Roman amphitheater and the remains of a great fortress.

We traveled from there to Mount Carmel, where the Prophet Elijah contested with the Priests of Baal and called down fire from the heaven. In this case, the top of the mountain (western Americans would call it a hill) is the site of a monastery with a garden area nearby. It's a peaceful place where you can contemplate the dramatic events that occurred there.

At Megiddo, you visit another Roman ruin, but you also look out upon the Jezreel Valley, one of the greenest areas in Israel, and there you review a history of multiple wars fought where crops now grow. More importantly, you are looking at the "winding up" place, where the battle of Armageddon will begin.

We continued from Megiddo toward Galilee and stopped in Nazareth. It's an Arab city of considerable size now--not the small village you might expect. The old section is a neighborhood of the modern city, and there's not much there that signals the importance of the place to Christians. But within a commemorative church is a dwelling that is thought to be Mary's house--the place where she received the annunciation. Whether it's actually her house or not, it is the kind she would have lived in, and it's interesting to see what a different place a "house" was at the time. Near Nazareth is also Cana, the town where Jesus joined his mother at a wedding feast and performed his first miracle, changing water to wine.

That night we stayed in a hotel near Tiberias, on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. We ate a good dinner in a nice hotel. The meal was served buffet style so we could sample lots of Israeli delicacies. Salads were served with every meal, including breakfast, and lots of good fruits were combined with fish and other meats. After dinner, some of us walked down to the shore. Arab families on vacation were fishing with pita bread inside a little net they cast with a fishing rod. Boys were catching fish, and though they spoke no English, they were glad to meet Americans, and we did lots of communicating with smiles and gestures.

The following day we visited Mount Tabor, the possible site of Christ's transfiguration. Some argue that Mount Hermon is the actual location, but President Kimball, in visiting Mount Tabor, said that he "felt sure" this was the place. We all felt the sense that we were visiting a sacred area where one of the holiest events of all history had occurred. We also visited En Herod Springs, where Gideon asked his followers to drink as he watched to see whether they lapped like dogs or only knelt and kept an eye out for danger. He then, according to the Lord's command, trimmed his forces to three hundred so the enemy would know that God fought with him.

Next we visited Bet She'an, a place I had never heard of until I prepared for the trip, but it's one of the most remarkable Roman ruins anywhere (and the place where Saul's head was displayed after his death). We walked down ancient streets, saw examples of exquisite rockwork, and sat in a three-thousand-year-old theater. Then, at the end of the day, we continued on around the Sea of Galilee, which we had watched out the bus window all day, and we visited the gentle river called Jordan. Jesus was probably baptized farther south, closer to Jericho, but it was still an emotional experience to envision Christ coming to this lowest of all rivers, which descends deeper below sea level as it flows toward the Dead Sea. We discussed John the Baptist greeting Him, then immersing Him, "to fulfill all righteousness."

Sabbath in Israel

The next morning was Saturday, and it has been the practice of Latter-day Saints in Israel to honor the Jewish Sabbath. We sailed across the Sea of Galilee that morning to Tabgha, where Christ fed the multitudes with a few loaves and fishes. We then held a fast and testimony meeting on the Mount of Beatitudes, the most likely site for the Sermon on the Mount. We partook of the sacrament and testified to each other of our belief in Christ. I believe for most of us it was the most spiritual hour of the trip. It was easy to picture Christ preaching in these hills and following the paths from village to village, performing miracles, healing the sick, and preaching the gospel.

After, we traveled the very short distance to Capernaum, Christ's "second home," and the place where so many New Testament events took place, including the conversion of his fishermen disciples after his invitation, "Follow me." The town's ruins include a synagogue where Jesus preached, near the ruins of the home thought to be Peter's.

From Galilee we headed south, down along the Jordan, passing Jericho. Jericho is an Arab city, difficult to visit now, with little sign of its ancient heritage evident. Some stop to visit there, but most do not. We continued on to the Dead Sea and took the tram to the top of the ancient fortress of Masada. It was there that Jewish zealots held out against a Roman legion and then took their own lives rather than face destruction. Today it is the site where many Israeli fighting units swear their oath of allegiance and vow that "Masada shall never fall again."

That afternoon we swam in the Dead Sea, or rather, bobbed about, floating more easily than in the Great Salt Lake, and we visited the site where we could see the famous Qumron cave, where the first of the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. That evening we reached Jerusalem.

Jerusalem

The Old City of Jerusalem is filled with experiences. We started early the next morning by visiting the Western Wall, also known as the Wailing Wall. It is believed to be the only remnant of the ancient temple in Jerusalem and the place where the Jewish people mourned its destruction. We had to pass through a security gate, but once we did, we--or at least the men in our group--were able to walk to the wall, stand among those praying, see the prayer notes stuck into all the crevices. It is only a retaining wall, but it's one of the holiest places left on earth for Jews, and it was touching to see them bowing and praying, dressed in prayer shawls.

We visited, then, the Temple Mount and saw the Dome of the Rock--one of the best-known landmarks in Jerusalem and a site holy to both Jews and Muslims alike. The rock that lies beneath the gleaming dome is believed by Muslims to be the spot from which Muhammad ascended into heaven and received the Islamic prayers. In Judaism, it is the site where Abraham took Isaac to be sacrificed and the rock that rested inside the Holy of Holies of Solomon's temple where the Ark of the Covenant was placed.

We saw the Pools of Bethesda and Antonio's Fort, where Pontius Pilate often stayed in Jerusalem, and where he held his "trial" of Christ. We followed the Via Dolorosa--the path Christ might have taken when carrying his cross. We visited the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, one of the sites considered by some to be Christ's burial place, and after that, the traditional "upper room," where Christ shared His last supper with his apostles. It was a long, hard day--and for us, a very hot one--but throughout the day we knew that we were walking the streets where so many great Bible figures walked, and above all, visiting places where we knew Christ Himself had been.

Some people had told us that we wouldn't be able to visit Bethlehem, but that was not the case. It's an Arab city and extra security exists there, but that only required a change of buses and a switch to local guides. We were able to visit the shepherds' fields, and a typical sheepfold, and then to visit the Church of the Nativity--the church that celebrates Jesus' birth. Perhaps no site in Israel is so ornamented, and the simple idea of the nativity feels lost, but we learned interesting details about the likely conditions of the birth, many of which didn't match the typical portrayals we have come to associate with Christmas.

We returned to the fascinating Israel Museum, and then to the Shrine of the Book, a museum that displays fragments and facsimiles of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

We spent the next day in Jerusalem again. We visited the House of Caiaphas, and saw the tomb where Christ was held part of His last night, and then we crossed to the Mount of Olives where we spent time contemplating the events that took place in the Garden of Gethsemane. As we often did along the way, we sang hymns; in this case, it was, "I Believe in Christ." At the BYU Jerusalem Center, we heard a beautiful organ concert and listened to a young man from our group who was challenged by cerebral palsy. He bore testimony of the resurrection and told us how much he looked forward to the day when our bodies would work "the way they're supposed to." It was another one of those moments no one in our tour will ever forget. Fittingly, we then visited the Garden Tomb and had time to share testimonies again.

Before heading for Tel Aviv and our return trip home, we had a free day to wander in the Old City, to shop, and for some of us, to walk the city walls. I haven't said anything about shopping until now, but we did plenty all along the way. Olivewood, of course, is the big item people buy--olivewood nativities are especially nice--but Israel is also a great place for purchasing diamonds, and, of course, there are plenty souvenirs of various kinds. Our favorite purchase was a tall olivewood statue of Mary and Joseph holding Jesus.

But Is It Dangerous?

Soon after we came home, war broke out in Israel (the July 2006 conflict with Hezbollah). Since then, things have calmed again. Troubles certainly come and go in Israel, and I don't blame people for wondering whether they ought to visit. I can only say that we felt safe every minute of every day. We didn't have a single experience that felt threatening. It may also be helpful to know that BYU resumed student programs on a limited basis at its Jerusalem center the 2006 fall semester.

In the Old City we walked among Orthodox Jews in black suits and Palestinians in their traditional dress. They seemed to live comfortably alongside one another. There are armed Israeli soldiers posted throughout the Old City, which can be shocking at first, but soon you come to accept them as part of the Jerusalem experience. My own thought is that danger exists in every city in the world, but if I had let the idea of danger in Israel keep me from going, I wouldn't have experienced what I did. Bombings in Jerusalem have stopped, and now that the open warfare seems ended, I would personally not fear to go back.

When I read the Bible now, I visualize individual sites and I see the lay of the land, the proximity of one place to another. For me, that makes a great difference. President Kimball once said that it's not necessary to visit the Holy Land to gain a testimony of Jesus, but anyone who can go, should. I would agree. The experience really does change a person's life.

Dean Hughes has published more than ninety books for readers of all ages, including the Children of the Promise series, Search and Destroy, Saboteur: A Novel of Love and War, and the Hearts of the Children series. He and his wife, Kathleen Hurst Hughes, have three children and live in Midway, Utah.

Bienvenidos á Madrid

Fri, 01 Sep 2006 09:24:00 -0600

by Michael Strayer
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Via Madrid, families are invited to experience the uniqueness of Spanish culture that sets Spain apart from the rest of her European cousins. Madrid is the perfect launch pad for your family’s Spanish crusade.

In 1870, Miletón Trejo emigrated from Spain to Utah, where he became the first Spanish member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Later, he helped in translating the Book of Mormon into the Spanish language. But a lack of religious freedom and other forces prevented the Church from being established in Spain until nearly one hundred years later.

During the 1960s, members of the Church stationed on U.S. Army bases in Spain formed the first LDS branches near Madrid. In 1966 one of the first Spanish converts, José María Oliveira, was baptized in France because baptisms were illegal in Spain. But the Spanish Religious Liberty Law was passed in 1967 and the Spanish government officially recognized the Church by October of the next year. The first missionaries in over one hundred years arrived in May of 1969. Five years later, seventeen branches were operating in Spain.

It wasn’t until 1978 that the Constitution of Spain defined modern religious freedom. The 1978 document guarantees complete religious freedom and declares that there will be no state religion. It also affirms that public authorities are to take into account the religious beliefs of Spanish society and that they are to maintain cooperative relations with the Roman Catholic Church and with other religions.

Shortly after the realization of Spanish religious freedom, the Book of Mormon was translated into another language spoken in parts of Spain, Catalan. Spain’s first stake was established in Madrid in 1982, with its first convert, José María Oliveira, as stake president. Several stakes followed, and members had high attendance and many native missionaries out in the field.

During that same year, several Church presidents visited King Juan Carlos and Spanish mayors, accompanied by Royal Senator Victor de la Serna, a great friend to Latter-day Saints. Ten years later, President Gordon B. Hinckley presented the King and Queen of Spain with a personalized copy of the Book of Mormon and Queen Sofia told him how much she enjoyed songs by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. During this time, Spain became one of the countries to receive general conference broadcasts by satellite.

Thirty years after the Church’s humble beginnings in Spain, the Madrid LDS Temple was dedicated by President Hinckley as the fifth temple in continental Europe. Today, there are nearly 40,000 members in nine stakes throughout Spain.

4 Places You Must See in Madrid

The Madrid Temple

The Madrid LDS temple sparkles with white marble, Arabic style gardens, and Moorish fountains. The grounds are perfect for contemplation, and missionaries stationed in the adjacent stake center give free tours and history lessons about the temple. The temple grounds are also home to the Madrid MTC and Spaniards take pride in decorating the entire Madrid “temple square” for holidays. The temple is just ten kilometers south of the Madrid airport and near a metro stop close to the center of the city.

The Alcazar of Segovia

The Alcazar of Segovia reigns high above its quaint host town in the mountains outside Madrid. Kids will love the museum located within its walls with an impressive collection of armor, canons, and swords directly from Spanish history books. Visit the throne room where Queen Isabel and King Ferdinand commissioned Columbus to set sail and walk on the turrets, pretending you’re the king or queen of Spain for a moment, an hour, or even an entire day!

The Prado National Art Museum

The Prado National Art Museum houses the world’s foremost collection of Spanish Renaissance, Romantic, Flemish, and Italian masterpieces. You could spend a week within the walls of the Prado and still not see every piece of art in detail. The museum offers tours in English and is reasonably priced. Do not miss it if you love Velasquez, Rubens, Van Eyke, or Goya.

El Escorial

Felipe II’s sixteenth-century palace is just an hour’s drive from Madrid and well worth it. The palace-monastery boasts more than twelve miles of passageways and 2,673 windows affording stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

Segovia

Segovia, only a two hour train ride from Madrid, beams with ancient charm and serves as a country getaway replete with historical significance. The still-functioning 2,000-year-old Roman aqueduct dominates Segovia’s central plaza with its 118 arches. Then make your way through the winding streets to the gothic cathedral and then Segovia’s Alcazar. Now a Spanish war museum, the palace Alcazar stands as a lasting testimony to the power and wealth of renaissance Spain. Looking out from the ancient city wall, the Alcazar of Segovia rivals the beauty of more popular European castles. Economically, Segovia is also a winner; the Aqueduct is free, and the Alcazar offers cheap family tours.

Toledo

The ancient city of Toledo is another dynamic destination for those adventurers looking to daytrip near Madrid. Contrary to popular legend, Toledo is not just a bastion for Lladró and sword collectors, although it is exceptional if either of the two tickles your collecting fancy. The city of Toledo rises above the Tajo River, which acts as a virtual mote, like a mythical spire. Toledo is famous for its diverse cultural tradition laying claim to two ancient Jewish synagogues, two Moorish mosques, and innumerable Christian fortifications and religious landmarks.

Don’t miss the Synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca and the Synagogue of the Terminal with their beautifully worn Jewish iconography and staunch pillars. Another artsy attraction of Toledo is El Greco’s famous painting “The Burial of the Count of Orgaz,” a must-see for its unusual use of colors (El Greco’s trademark) and composition. The painting is located in the Church of Saint Thomas with its exemplary Mudéjar style (an architectural style resulting from twelfth-century Jewish, Muslim, and Christian cultures living side-by-side).

Casa De Campo

Casa de Campo sprawls on the outskirts of Madrid, and is a perfect haven for entertaining children. Casa de Campo sports an amusement park, the Madrid Zoo, and the Zoo Aquarium. State of the art subway and bus systems make it easy to visit the amusement park of Casa de Campo, catch a bullfight, and watch the world’s number one soccer team, Real Madrid, quickly and efficiently. If buses and subways do not appeal to your family, then taxis are another option. Ride on the newly reconstructed rail car located at the end of the metro line that gazes out over the city. However you get there, get to Casa de Campo, and allow a few hours to enjoy the many trails and forested park.

Buen Retiro

The Park of Buen Retiro (good rest) is perfect for relaxing, picnicking, and playing a game of football (soccer, that is). Picnic and enjoy its artificial lake, forest setting, and grandiose seventeenth-century monuments. The park was the personal stomping grounds of King Phillip the IV, and now the public can paddle a boat across his pond, critique his personal art collection inside the palace, and jump and play in the piles of leafs in its forested periphery.

Flamenco Dancing

The art of flamenco dancing is native to Andalusia, but common also in the capital city. It makes stomping and singing at the top of your lungs socially acceptable behaviors and your kids will love it. However, flamenco is not a childish tantrum, but a gateway into the Spanish soul, impressively improvisational, and captivating. An experience at a flamenco concert will leave you wide-eyed and dancing in the streets.

An Insider’s View

Don’t miss a chance to see the world’s number one soccer team Real Madrid play in Bernabéu Stadium. Get decent seats at short notice and watch up close soccer legends Beckham, Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, and Raul.

An Insider’s View

If you love shopping, the Puerta del Sol and nearby Gran Via will be your most coveted stops for Spanish shoes, trendy euro-clothes, and gypsy scarves. The Puerta del Sol is ground zero, and legend has it that all Spanish roads stem from this metropolitan plaza. If you’re lucky, pick up some cheap knockoffs from the street vendors as you climb and descend the narrow streets and alleyways of Hapsburg Madrid.

Along The Way

The Moncloa district is home to the Museo de las Americas which holds treasures brought back from Spanish expeditions to America. Incan pottery, Mayan sundials, and primitive basketry line its cluttered halls. The museum is a jewel for history buffs.

While in central Madrid don’t forget to visit its many plazas. La plaza de Cervantes is a great place to end an evening stroll along the Gran Via and look over the huge bronze statues of the ineffable Don Quixote and his incorrigible sidekick Sancho Panza guarding the plaza. Take a snapshot on top of Quixote’s horse or feed the pigeons.

The Tower of Moncloa, as locals affectionately call it, is a great place to watch the sunset after a long day of sightseeing. Descending from the tower, the Casa de Campo houses an enormous refuge from the blazing city life of downtown Madrid.

The Royal Palace lies on the outskirts of Hapsburg Madrid; make an effort to visit its beautiful Roman gardens overlooking the Manzanares River.

Dublin

Sun, 26 Mar 2006 09:00:00 -0700

source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: After helping the Saints in Liverpool, England, Elder John Taylor traveled across the Irish Sea to Newry to spread the gospel and help recent English converts who had moved to Ireland. Elder Taylor was accompanied by James McGuffie and William Black, who had recently converted, and an investigator, Thomas Tate. Elder Taylor gave a sermon on July 18, 1840 in Newry to six hundred people, few of whom returned the next evening. James McGuffie stayed in Newry and eventually baptized many members of the Church. The other three men traveled toward Belfast. Once they reached Loughbrickland, Thomas Tate said, “There is water; what doth hinder me being baptized?” On July 31, 1840, the first ordinance of baptism was performed in Ireland. This fulfilled John Taylor’s prophecy of Tate being baptized in the newly opened country.

As the men worked their way north, they preached in market squares and taught the Irish people. In Hillsborough in 1841, they established the first branch in Ireland, consisting of thirty-five members. Although most of the Church’s growth began in Northern Ireland, recent progress had been made in the Republic, specifically in Dublin. Dublin’s first branch was established in 1850. Throughout years of famine and national revolts, the branch experienced a period of alternating growth and recession. After being closed due to inactivity, the Irish Mission was reopened in 1884, bringing another branch in Belfast and annual Irish conferences. The members were scattered across the Irish states, but they remained righteous. After 1857, many of the Saints had emigrated, and so numbers remained low. In the 1900s, however, the missionaries began having luck with some Germans thanks to the influence of German LDS families who had settled there. The Dublin branch swelled slightly with the increase of German members and by 1920, the Dublin branch had grown to about sixty members. In 1976, the Ireland Dublin Mission was opened and the Dublin Stake organized in 1995. Currently, the LDS population in Ireland remains relatively low, though steadily increasing. There are about 2,300 members in meetinghouses all throughout the country. Despite their minority status, the Saints are active and devout followers of Christ. They come from many backgrounds and cultures; some members are from eastern Europe and even Africa. Although there is yet to be a temple in Ireland, the Saints in Dublin still hope and pray for that day. In the quaint yet modern Irish capital, approximately two hundred Saints meet together weekly to strengthen each other and have continued to do so despite any political or economic struggles they have faced or continue to face.

Despite its violent history, Dublin is relaxing and interesting. Irish magic twinkles in the lush hills, the beautiful coasts, and in the eyes of the Irish Latter-day Saints.

4 Places You Must See in Dublin

15a Wicklow Street

This address in Dublin is the sight of the first original branch in Dublin. A new hall here was opened for the members in 1912. The local men donated thirty-four pounds in order to finish the building before the local priesthood meeting. The Sunday School and the Relief Society were also established here, in 1903 and 1916 respectively. Wicklow Street is located near the Bank of Ireland and Trinity College.

Trinity College

Just a quick walk from Wicklow Street is Trinity College. Trinity College was founded by Queen Elizabeth I in 1592. Although it began as a Protestant college, Catholic students were admitted after 1970. Playwrights Oliver Goldsmith and Samuel Beckett, as well as political writer Edmund Burke attended Trinity. Located in the heart of Dublin, the college’s beautiful lawns and quads serve as a haven for much of the city’s population. Be sure to check out the Old Library, the Treasury, and the Campanile.

The Dublin Castle

Seven centuries after the Anglo-Normans built this fortress in 1204, the Dublin Castle served as a symbol of English Rule. Most of what remains has been modified. Throughout the years, the luxurious rooms were homes to the British-appointed Viceroys of Ireland. Be sure to see the Throne room (built in 1740) and St. Patrick’s Hall, which includes famous banners and ceiling paintings dedicated to the Knights of St. Patrick and the relationship between Britain and Ireland.

O'Connell Street

Talk a walk down O’Connell Street, which has a combination of historical and modern styles. Some venerable buildings you can see on your way are: the General Post Office (1818), Gresham Hotel (1817), Clery’s department store (1822), and the Royal Dublin Hotel. There are also many important monuments lining the street, including the statue dedicated to Daniel O’Connell.

National GalleryThis gallery was opened to the public in 1864 and has been a popular attraction ever since. Recently, a new wing was added to the gallery, which now holds over seven hundred artistic masterpieces. When you visit the National Gallery, enjoy the emphasis on the Irish landscape, which is almost as beautiful on canvas. Also, take note of the Irish portraits and other major European art represented by the works of Goya, El Greco, Vermeer, Titian, and Monet. The highlights of this gallery include Jack Yeats’ “For the Road,” Caravaggio’s “The Taking of Christ,” and Juan Gris’ “Pierrot.”

Christ Church Cathedral

This church, once established by the Hiberno-Norse king of Dublin, is now the main cathedral for the Church of Ireland (Anglican) diocese of Dublin and Glendalough. Here you can admire the early Gothic arches of the Great Nave and the ornately carved Romanesque doorway. The features of this cathedral include the Strongbow Monument, the Medieval Lectern, and the twelfth century crypt.

National Botanical Gardens

Need a breath of fresh air? A little “R and R”? Take a side-trip out of Dublin to the National Botanical Gardens, Ireland’s center of botany and horticulture. It was opened in 1795 and still possesses an ancient feel due to the cast-iron Palm House and other beautiful greenhouses. This forty-nine-acre park contains over 20,000 species of plants. Be sure to see the collections of cacti and orchids, the rose garden, and the one-hundred-foot-high redwood tree.

Moore Street Market

On the northern side of Dublin, check out Moore Street Market, a bustling marketplace and one of the busiest streets off O'Connell. You'll be sure to hear the cries of the stall holders who offer a variety of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. If you're craving fresh produce, be sure to stop by on Mondays and Saturdays. If you're looking to buy anything and everything, Moore Street Market is a great palce to visit. This market creates a multicultural atmosphere where Dublin meets the rest of the world.

Ha'penny Bridge

If you're crossing the Liffey River, take the famous Ha'Penny Bridge (now called the Liffey Bridge). The Ha'Penny Bridge was built in the Georgian style in 1816 and is the oldest bridge in Dublin. Until the Millennium Bridge was opened in 2000, it was the only option for pedestrians crossing the river. If you're heading north across the bridge, you'll reach Liffey Street; if you're heading south, you'll come to the Temple Bar arch and eventually the Meeting Place Square. This national symbol, once known as the Wellington Bridge, gets its nickname from the halfpenny toll levied on it until 1919. Recently restored in 2001, Ha'penny Bridge is as shiny and beautiful as the year it was built. And don't worry, now it's free!

Dun Laoghaire

You’re probably wondering how this one is pronounced. Say “dunleary” a few times over, and you’ll get it. Dun Laoghaire is Ireland’s major passenger ferry port and yachting center. Tourists flock to this area for the magnificent walks around the harbor and the lighthouse. Visit the Mariners’ Church and the National Maritime Museum in this quaint town. Ireland’s novelist, James Joyce, stayed here for a week and had many ties here. This is the ideal artist’s and sailor’s town for those with a meditative, yet adventurous side.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral

St. Patrick’s Cathedral is Ireland’s largest cathedral, built next to a sacred well where St. Patrick is said to have baptized converts around 450 a.d. Archbishop John Comyn rebuilt the original wooden chapel with stone in 1192. Over the years, this cathedral was seen as the people’s church, contrasted with Christ Church Cathedral which was associated with Britain. Today, St. Patrick’s Cathedral is the main church of the Protestants. Many tourists visit this church to see the memorials associated with Jonathan Swift, a satirical writer and the Dean of St. Patrick’s. Don’t worry, wearing green isn’t required for admission.

Hong Kong

Tue, 06 Sep 2005 09:18:00 -0600

by Kristy Ann Pike
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Hong Kong is the only city in the world that can boast such a truly dynamic fusion of East and West. In culture, religion, and even politics, this geographic kaleidoscope blends the tradition of the past with the hope of the future and what results is a land pulsing with personality.

When the first missionaries arrived in Hong Kong in 1852, they were greeted in a strange tongue by a people hostile to foreigners, and most especially to Christian missionaries. Those early Elders lasted only four months.

Over 150 years of subsequent British rule has opened the area to western influences. Gone is the hostility, and the China Hong Kong Mission is marking fifty very successful years in 2005.

The combination of British and Chinese culture makes for some uniquely Hong Kong cultural twists, starting with the language. Although Cantonese is the primary language, Mandarin is also spoken, especially by those who have come from Mainland China. While both are dialects of Chinese, the differences are, well, pronounced. Signage throughout the city is in Chinese and, conveniently, English, but unless you learned your English on the right-hand side of the Atlantic, phrases like “Please mind the gap,” (watch your step), “No hawking,” (no street vendors), and “No padding” (no idea) may require some translation.

Four Places You Must See in Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Temple

Dedicated by President Hinckley in May of 1996, the Hong Kong Temple is unique in its design and function. Temple patrons use three of the building’s six levels; other floors house a chapel, classrooms, and offices and living quarters for the mission and temple presidents. Sessions are somewhat limited, so call to check for times (852) 2339-8100.

Victoria Peak

If you have only one evening in Hong Kong, spend it at Victoria Peak, and hope the weather is clear. The views are breathtaking, day or night. At the top you’ll find restaurants (nothing inexpensive) and mall shopping. You can also see the place where Elder Matthew Cowley officially opened the Chinese Mission on July 14, 1949. To find the spot, walk down Peak Circle Walk (adjacent to the Peak Lookout Restaurant.) When you get to the waterfall, take about seventy more steps, and then check the rock cliff at eye-level for the date etching. (You’ll have to look carefully; although they’ve known of its existence for years, Church members have only recently been able to locate this date.)

Hong Kong Harbour

Whether by ferry or boat tour, from Hong Kong Island or Kowloon, be sure to see Hong Kong Harbour at night. Dark comes early here, so you don’t even have to stay up late. A light show at eight pm nightly can be experienced from many parts of the city. Photographers on the Kowloon side (near the museums and clock tower) will gladly barter for the right to take your picture in front of a stunning harbour backdrop.

Big Buddha

If you have a day, make the trip to Lantau Island to see the Po Lin Monastery and Big Buddha. Sitting 111 feet (34 meters) high, this Buddha’s height is accentuated by the fact that he sits atop approximately one million stairs (okay, we lost track after about 103). Today’s climb is well worth tomorrow’s tight calf muscles, though, and the views from the top are not to be missed.

The Great Buddah is a major center of Buddhism in Hong Kong as it symbolizes the relationship between man, nature, and religion.

Religion and Spirituality

To appreciate the gap in religions, try a temple day. Start your day with a 9:00 a.m. session at one of the Church’s most unique temples. You’ll appreciate the small waterfall and garden separating the entrance from the street, the familiar paintings, and the quiet (if somewhat compact) climate-controlled atmosphere. (The temple is one of the few buildings in Hong Kong that does not appear to be decaying. Here, climate control is as much about humidity as it is temperature.)

Next, hop on the MTR (the mass-transit rail line) and get off at the Wong Tai Sin Station. There you will find the Wong Tai Sin Buddhist Temple. With its beautiful landscaped garden, clouds of incense, and the bright colors typical of a Buddhist Temple, you’ll be in for sensory overload, especially if you spent any time in the peaceful Celestial room earlier in the day. Visitors are welcome at Wong Tai Sin, and for the most part, photography is acceptable, just be respectful; many people there are worshiping.

Historic Meets Modern

Much of the architecture of the city has been highly influenced by Europe. Everywhere you look, the city is under construction, and astounding glass and metal high rises loom over stately colonial-style cathedrals and churches, parks and botanical gardens.

This is especially evident in the central part of Hong Kong Island, as well as across the harbor in the museum district of Tsim Sha Tsui (TST). Here you can see an actual Ming vase (pronounced “vaz,” of course) at the Museum of Arts or check out the planetarium at the Space Museum. The Science Museum, Museum of History, and Cultural Centre round out the collection of ultra-modern buildings in the complex.

Nestled among them is the Clock Tower, part of the original Kowloon-Canton Railway terminus. This landmark hails back to the Age of Steam, when people spent days traveling across Europe and then Asia to this TST terminus.

World-Class Shopping

Hong Kong is a shopper’s paradise. Whether you’re looking for British fine-bone china or U.S. $1 silk ties, it’s all here. Upper-end shops cluster around the upper-end hotels, like the Peninsula Hotel, the “Grande Dame” of Hong Kong hotels (located across the street from the museums in TST). Harbour City, a couple of blocks away is home to Hong Kong’s largest shopping complex and includes fifty restaurants, thirty-six shoe stores, thirty-one jewelry and watch stores, and the aforementioned fine china stores, including Royal Doulton, Wedgwood, and Lladro.

For a real Hong Kong experience, however, you must try one of Kowloon’s street markets. Brush up on you bartering skills at Ladies’ Market (open noon to11:30 p.m. daily), and Temple Street Night Market (open 4:00 p.m. to midnight daily). Hang on to your purses in these crowded, open-air shopping stalls! Here you can find anything from watches to electronic toys to Chinese silk pajamas at bargain-basement prices. For browsing interest, check out the Flower Market, Bird Garden, Goldfish Market, or Jade Market.

For great deals in a friendlier, less-crowded environment, take an afternoon to visit Stanley. Linens, clothing, souvenirs, and furniture are the highlights of this beachside market. The bus ride from Exchange Square in Central (take No. 6, 6A, 6X, or 260) is half the fun. (For the best effect, ride on the front row of the upper level and try not to gasp.)

Just for Fun

For family fun, try Ocean Park’s dolphin shows and roller coasters, or visit the new Hong Kong Disneyland. Just opened in September, Hong Kong Disneyland includes four lands: Main Street USA, Tomorrowland, Adventureland and Fantasyland. Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel and Disney’s Hollywood Hotel provide accommodations for families visiting this somewhat remote area of Lantau Island. The latest version of the “happiest place on earth” has its very own MTR stop, complete with mouse ears, so access is easy.

The Church in China: Ever Onward

Thu, 01 Sep 2005 04:29:00 -0600

source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Ask a general authority of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints what questions he is most asked as he visits Saints around the world, and chances are good that he’ll say people want to know about missionary work in China.

Perhaps we’re anxious for 1.3 billion Chinese to hear the gospel. Whatever our reasons, the fervor among Church members regarding this topic has spawned a vast network of Mormon folklore, including rumors about how many missionaries will someday be called to China and the unorthodox methods that will be used to call them.

In truth, missionary work has been going strong among the Chinese people for some time now. And while membership within mainland China is, by Chinese law, limited to mostly expatriates and a few Chinese who have been baptized in other countries, in August the Church celebrated fifty years among the Chinese people in Hong Kong and Taiwan .

The Early Beginnings

There is a quiet spot on a trail at the top of Victoria Peak where Ted H. Ong, current president of the China Hong Kong Mission, likes to take new missionaries. There they can see almost the whole of Hong Kong in grand vista below, but it is not just the view that makes this place special. On the rock cliff next to the trail is etched a date, barely visible, but very important to those who are aware of its significance.

The date is July 14, 1949, the day Elder Matthew Cowley and others stood on that spot and in solemn ceremony officially set up the Chinese Mission.

Elder Cowley was not the first Church authority to visit China , however. Elder David O. McKay offered a dedicatory prayer over the land of China while in Beijing during his worldwide tour of Church schools and missions in 1920–1921. And the first official LDS representatives in the area were three missionaries who arrived in 1852, but left after only four months because language barriers and political unrest made missionary work futile.

Political concerns also forced the Church to abandon missionary work in China in Elder Cowley’s day, when the Korean War precipitated the moving of the China Mission office to San Francisco in 1951. The retreat was short-lived this time, however, and in August 1955, just fifty years ago, Joseph Fielding Smith arrived in Hong Kong to organize the Southern Far East Mission. At that time, the mission included Hong Kong, Taiwan, the Philippines, and all of Southeast Asia.

The work among the Chinese people has moved steadily forward ever since.

Church Growth

Hong Kong remains the focal point of the Church in China and much of Asia. Today there are 22,000 members in Hong Kong, including five stakes, one district, one mission, 37 congregations, and 150 missionaries. Most missionaries speak Cantonese, the Chinese dialect spoken in Hong Kong. Only a few are trained in Mandarin, the dialect used by most of Mainland China . There are also Indonesian, Filipino, and Thai members, and missionaries are even beginning to teach investigators from places like Nepal and Vietnam.

The Hong Kong Temple draws members from a vast array of Asian countries and cities, including Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, India, Sri Lanka, Mongolia, Guam, Malaysia, Pakistan, Indonesia, Micronesia, and Cambodia. In this atmosphere, headsets for translation are more the norm than the exception.

Among such diverse groups, the Church is a magnet for the humble and devout. One Hong Kong resident originally from Thailand regularly gets her Thai sisters together to feed groups of missionaries in the small common room she shares with several other families. The members and missionaries “give” each other hymns and share testimonies following the meals, and then take photos of each other. The walls are plastered with these pictures of friends. “The space is small,” this sister says, “but the love is big.”

Another recently baptized sister finds joy in the Church’s teachings about work for the dead. Many Buddhists regularly light incense and leave food for dead ancestors. Some even purchase and burn “hell money” for their family members to use on the other side. A devout Buddhist for most of her life, this sister rejoices in knowing how she will now be able to help her ancestors through temple work.

The Church in Taiwan has also seen great growth since the first missionaries arrived in 1956. Although it was originally part of the Southern Far East Mission headquartered in Hong Kong , Taiwan became its own mission in 1971, and is now home to three missions as well as the Taipei temple. In this country of 22.7 million people, there are about 39,000 members in 90 congregations. Like Mainland China, the primary language spoken here is Mandarin.

Growth throughout Asia has been significant enough that President Hinckley recently dedicated a new building on Hong Kong Island . The beautiful red brick structure is located in Wan Chai, and houses, among other things, the new Asian area headquarters.

Hong Kong and China

The history that allows the Church to be in China , albeit Hong Kong , is a miracle. In 1842 Britain won control of Hong Kong as part of the treaty that ended the Opium War between the British and Chinese. By 1898 the colony of Hong Kong included a peninsula attached to mainland China (divided into the New Territories on the north and Kowloon on the south,) and more than 235 islands (including Hong Kong Island).

For years China disputed Britain ’s right to Hong Kong , and eventually a settlement was reached in which the British handed over control to the Chinese in 1997. Under the agreement, Hong Kong is a special administrative region of communist China, and will be allowed to keep its capitalistic system for fifty years.

This chain of events allowed the Church to become firmly established in Hong Kong before the area was returned to China in 1997. It also made it possible for the Hong Kong Temple to be located geographically (but not politically) on the mainland. Under the current system, missionaries in Hong Kong remain busy, and the Church continues to gain Saints.

Surprisingly, there is little concern expressed among the people of Hong Kong about what will happen as 2047 approaches. The reason may have more to do with China ’s role in the world economy than it does with any real political reform. The Communist Party of China began in 1979 to promote policies aimed at restructuring the struggling Chinese economy. With an eye toward foreign investors and increasing its exports, China has made impressive progress, and the economy has grown at around 9 percent a year for more than 25 years. To put that in perspective, China’s exports to the U.S. have grown by 1,600 percent over the past 15 years, and US exports to China have grown by 415 percent.

One of China’s exports not counted in that statistic is students. A surprising number attend colleges in England , Australia , the U.S. , and elsewhere. As these students finish school and take their places in Chinese companies, they are bound to bring with them a Western look at the world. Combine that with an increasing number of foreigners working and living in China , and the influence grows. Many Hong Kong residents express optimism that that influence will ultimately expand to include the areas of culture and religion. “The closed door has opened a crack,” remarked one Chinese tour guide. “It would be difficult to close it again.”

Until that front door opens wider, some groups may be tempted to sneak into the mainland through the back door. The Church, however, characteristically remains obedient to the laws of the land, and LDS officials wait patiently on the front porch, faithfully praying for an invitation to come in and share the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ with the people of mainland China.

Faith and Hope

One Chinese sister who moved to Hong Kong from the mainland as a teenager tells her story. When she first was converted to the gospel, she faced serious opposition from her parents, who refused to allow her to be baptized until her eighteenth birthday. At the time, there was much contention in their home, and the gospel was an unwelcome complication and very upsetting to her family. As soon as she reached the appointed age, however, she was baptized, and her sister soon followed suit. Then a remarkable thing happened. Things calmed in their home, and the gospel in the lives of two daughters brought a new spirit of peace and love. That sister is now serving as a missionary in her home city of Hong Kong , and while her parents have not joined the church, the former animosity has faded.

One can hope that this family’s story foreshadows the story of the Church in mainland China . Perhaps someday soon this country’s leaders will allow, and then welcome the Church into their homes and know the change for good that comes from Saints who live and love the gospel.

Munich, Germany

Wed, 06 Jul 2005 07:23:00 -0600

source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: With the air of a capital city about it, Munich draws visitors from around the globe. Students love to study here; people from around the world love to live here, and writers, painters, and musicians come here for inspiration. Munich resonates big city flair yet rural charm, traditional customs yet a high tech aura. It’s this "Munich mix" that allows the Bavarian capital to remain so intriguing.

Located in the heart of Europe is the capital of Bavaria: beautiful Munich. The city's people have long been noted for their love of the arts, and the architecture and masterpieces that fill the area's buildings and streets are a perfect backdrop to enjoy a festive culture that fills the air.

Munich is southern Germany’s main metropolis, with its lively international atmosphere, beautiful buildings, and countless shops. If you love culture, there are fascinating museums through which you can wander. It’s also perfect for peaceful strolls through the park, exploring royal palaces, or checking out the hottest technologies. Not only is it a spot for everyone, it’s also a culturally enriching experience in a country with some of the Church’s most faith-promoting history.

It took perseverance to finally get the Church rolling forward in Germany. Daniel Carn was the president of the first German mission in Hamburg in 1852. His first months were both peaceful and successful—he baptized twelve and participated in a miraculous healing. But shortly after arriving he was arrested and imprisoned for his missionary efforts. Carn was released, but only after consenting to leave Germany within eight days. Fortunately, the work continued in Hamburg for about two years until the mission was closed due to more missionary arrests.

Following the short-lived Hamburg Mission, the work in Germany met endless resistance as it continued slowly. After World War I began, the missionaries once again had to be evacuated, but missionary efforts finally began to pay off when in 1924 the Swiss-Germany Mission had more members than any LDS mission in the world with 1,795 converts that year. And that’s not all; by 1930 Germany had more non-English speaking members than any other nation, and more members than any country outside the United States.

But these successes didn’t end hardship for the Saints. During World War II, bombs destroyed the mission home in Berlin, along with many meeting halls. About six hundred Saints and two local German mission presidents lost their lives. The end of the war brought transportation and utility breakdowns, food and fuel shortages, and widespread disease. But the faithful Saints moved forward with the help of many others. Although the Dutch suffered harshly during the war, in 1947 the Saints in Holland sent most of their sixty-ton potato harvest to the afflicted German members. Many Germans later said they would have died without this help.

These many hardships, however, have not halted the work of the Lord for the members in this region. Today Germany has 36,721 members, 14 stakes, 89 wards, 92 branches, 4 missions, and 2 temples. Such growth could never have occurred without the faithfulness and devotion of Saints during trying periods in earlier days of the Church.

Four Places You Must See in Germany

1. Frankfurt Temple

Although it’s a four-hour car drive north of Munich, you may be flying in and out of Frankfurt anyway. If this is the case, you must visit The Frankfurt Temple, which sits in the picturesque town of Friedrichsdorf, Germany, just nine miles north of Frankfurt. After battling intense opposition from religious leaders, this temple with white granite walls and a copper roof, was finally built and later dedicated in August of 1987 by President Ezra Taft Benson.

The Frankfurt Temple covers 24,757 square feet and has a single spire standing eighty-two feet tall. It not only serves stakes in Germany, but also Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, northern France, and a small portion of Austria.

2. Neuschwanstein

Located a two-hour train ride southwest of Munich is the most famous castle in the world, Neuschwanstein. You’ve probably seen pictures of this illustrious castle, or at the very least you’ve seen the Disneyland castle, which was modeled after it. It was commissioned in 1868 by the eccentric monarch King Ludwig II of Bavaria. He wanted an enchanting castle built in the style of the ancient German knights’ castles, and that’s basically what he got. His grand project began in 1869, but Ludwig’s early death at the age of forty-one kept him from seeing the castle completed. In fact, it’s still not finished inside.

3. Garmisch-Partenkirchen

With its soaring mountains overlooking the classic German village, Garmisch-Partenkirchen is that it’s breathtaking. It’s a winter sports resort situated on the northern slope of the Wetterstein Mountains. Here is where the Zugspitz, Germany’s highest mountain at 10,000 feet, is located. In 1936 Garmisch and Partenkirchen were merged for the Winter Olympics. Although Garmisch-Partenkirchen is one of the most popular ski resorts in the area, there’s also lots of camping and hiking available in the summer.

4. Oberammergau

The centuries-old passion play puts this city on the map. It’s the world’s longest-running show and began in 1634 when the town’s citizens promised to present the play out of gratitude for being spared from the devastating plague in 1633. The play is divided into episodes introduced by Old Testament scenes, which connect predictions of the great prophets to incidents of Jesus’ suffering. You can watch these magnificent plays in the enormous Passionsspielhau.

Oberammergau is a delightful village. This is the place in Germany to buy carvings because almost every street seems to have a wood-carving shop.

Munich City Center

There is plenty to do in and around the Munich city center, the first of which should be visiting Marienplatz. This square attracts everyone from fire-eaters and musicians to magicians and acrobats. Plus, if you’re here when the famous glockenspiel chimes at 11 a.m., noon, and 5 p.m., you can watch charming figures pop out of the clock and dance—great entertainment and it’s free! When you’re ready for shopping and a bite to eat, hop on the Kaufingerstrasse, a pedestrian-only area with lots of shops and cafes.

There are also spots kids will love around Marienplatz such as the Spielzeugmuseum (toy museum) where toys from all over the world are exhibited. Children also might enjoy the Jagd-und-Fischereimuseum (hunting and fishing museum) where a vast collection of fishing and hunting exhibits show eye-catching dioramas of the wild animals of Bavaria.

For a taste of history, visit Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady). It was rebuilt after World War II and has an exhibit showing bombing devastations, which only makes the current building more remarkable. This church also has dome-topped towers and a magnificent pipe organ. If you visit Frauenkirche in the summer, it has organ concerts. Whatever you do, don’t forget to take the elevator up to the observation deck where you can gaze out across the rooftops of Munich.

The last thing you must see just east of the city center on an island in the Isar River is the Deutsches Museum. It is the most popular museum in Germany and attracts about one-and-a-half million visitors each year because of the way it brings science and exploration to life. It is the largest technology exhibition in the world featuring everything from astronomy exhibits to exhibits of the decorative arts. You’ll find the first petrol-driven car built by Carl Benz here as well as airplanes belonging to the Wright brothers.

Englischer Garten

At the north end of Munich, the Englischer Garten is the perfect place to catch some fresh air. It’s an enormous park designed to imitate the English countryside with the Isar River diverted into the park and small streams trickling through the woods. Here you can go pedal boating on the Kiehasseloher See, a big artificial lake. It’s also a great place for bike rides, picnics in the park, and even horse carriage rides. Enjoy a day of relaxation, but do be careful where you go—there are spots designated for nude sunbathers in the summer.

As for food, if you don’t bring a picnic, the Chinese Tower Biergarten is here. Don’t worry, biergartens aren’t bars, they’re more like open-air cafes. Here you can get some great traditional German food including bratwurst (sausage), spatzle (noodles), and apfelstrudel (apple pastry). In the summer, you can also attend live concerts while enjoying your authentic German meal.

Nymphenberg Palace

Want to see some royal glamour? Visit one of Europe’s most beautiful treasures, Nymphenburg Palace. It’s much more ornate inside than you’d guess from looking at the outside. A seventeenth century confection of high baroque architecture, the palace was dedicated to the goddess Flora and her nymphs. The inside of the palace is a vision of gold and white and includes a Gallery of Beauties featuring portraits of the most beautiful women of the time. On the outskirts of the palace are botanical gardens, which hold Germany’s largest collection of orchids.

Olympic Park

For a little more action, take a ride to the top of the Olympic Tower at Olympic Park. After a speedy but smooth ride to the top you’ll find excellent views of the old city, the Dom, red-tiled roofs, the Alps, and even Austria. Olympic Park was built for the 1972 Olympic games and there are a handful of fun things to do.

The stadium at the park seats 62,000 spectators. If your kids are soccer fans, look into getting tickets to watch the Munich soccer team, FC Bayern. There’s also a swimming pool—indoor and heated—plus a sauna and trampolines for everyone to expend more energy. Olympic Park is another place where you can rent pedal boats or rowboats for cruising the artificial lakes. Minigolf and bike paths can also fill your day at the park.

Another museum you must check out is the BMW car museum, which is right by the Olympic Park. This building was designed by K. Schwarzer and looks like a nineteen- story-high, four-cylinder engine! It has over four hundred BMWs that date back as far as 1916, along with over eighty exhibits showing off the latest technologies.

Finding Faith in the Desert

Fri, 01 Jul 2005 04:41:00 -0600

by Anthony W. Horton, U.S. Army Chaplain
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: As I participated in a sacrament meeting in the Coalition Provisional Authority Palace, the new central government building in Baghdad, Iraq, I was bombarded by several thoughts. To what extent did my understanding of the Word of the Lord influence my thoughts, feelings, and behavior?

My mind reviewed the many years of study, prayer, and gospel lessons I had received, and a single thought began to materialize as I sat in the middle of a war zone. King Benjamin’s words seemed to come to the front of my thoughts: “For the natural man is an enemy to God…”

After the events of September 11, 2001, I spent more than a year preparing to deploy to the Middle East. Originally, I was to go to Turkey with my assigned unit, but the trip to Turkey never materialized.

Our group waited many days for a boat containing our war equipment to return so we could shift our efforts to another location. So instead of being on the battlefield, I watched the initial combat of Operation Iraqi Freedom on television from inside the comfort of my home in Germany.

In a sense I felt left out and unimportant, but my “hurrying up to wait” (an Army expression) paid off as I received a call in May 2003 telling me to pack my bags. I was going to Iraq with another unit to serve as an LDS chaplain. I was excited and relieved all at once. The waiting was over and I would join our good soldiers already serving in the War on Terrorism and the effort to rebuild Iraq.

To follow are just a few of my experiences while serving in Iraq, along with some of the insights I was able to gain about the hand of the Lord in helping and guiding the gospel and the good people in this historic region. I learned that the testimony of Christ is to be found everywhere, even in a blistering desert.

My First Assignment

Before I left Germany I served on the Kaiserslautern Military Stake High Council. The Stake President had given me an assignment to find a certain soldier in Iraq, Captain Weber, and set him apart as a serviceman’s group leader. I had no idea where this soldier was located, or what unit he was in. All I had was his name and an assignment from my stake president. I turned to the Lord in humble prayer, left the matter in His hands, and simply went about my business.

On my third day in Iraq, I received an email from a young captain named Janet Hall from California. She asked if I would help her find a soldier and give him a blessing. She said he was a good friend of hers, and she was concerned about him. Captain Hall provided me with his unit, address, phone number, and email address. To my amazement, it was the same Captain Weber that my stake president had assigned me to find!

I thanked the Lord, then immediately went to work finding Captain Weber. As it turned out, on the day we were to meet, I ran into my dear friend Chaplain Helms, who is one of the finest LDS chaplains. He assisted me in giving Captain Weber a blessing and in setting him apart in his calling. Because of distance, I wasn’t able to have much contact with Captain Weber after we parted ways, but by setting him apart that day we were able to ensure that a worthy priesthood leader would be properly organizing and overseeing sacrament meetings in another area for LDS soldiers.

I felt truly blessed that day. Life couldn’t get any better than that! I was able to participate in the program of the Lord, and felt His presence in that humble setting. I wondered just how many other priesthood blessings had been given in that historically significant area just outside of Baghdad.

I have often thought about the events that fell into place to make that blessing happen. It should have been impossible, given the lack of information I originally had, the size of the area I was in, and the number of American soldiers moving through the area—not to mention the restrictions imposed on us for safety’s sake. But I have learned that when the Lord wants something to happen, it will happen.

Following Him

A few months after this experience I met an Iraqi man who embodied an important principle and taught me a valuable lesson. He approached me after a council meeting and said, “You are a man of God, and you have come to my country with a message from God. Please help me. My daughter has no hearing and I need you to help her.”

After seven months of living in Iraq, I had grown a bit tired of being approached by Iraqis begging and pleading for money, food, and medicine, but something about this man captured my attention.

I saw there was something different in his eyes. Light illuminated his entire being, and I felt the strength of his spirit. I decided to visit his home and meet his family, and upon doing so, I was overwhelmed with a feeling of love.

Nearly eleven years earlier, this man was a young lieutenant serving in Saddam Hussein’s army in the southern part of Iraq. Ironically, about the same time he was walking the ground of the southern portion of Iraq, I was assigned to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as an air defense liaison officer.

On a couple of occasions during that time I was able to ride as a passenger in an Air Force AWACS—the big 707 aircraft with the large disc on tip—flying high above the border of Iraq as we looked out over the horizon with our powerful radar for any possible air threats.

During those flights I often thought about Moses and the children of Israel wandering around in the wilderness for forty years. I also thought about the future of Iraq and the possibility of having the restored gospel taken to its people. It is interesting that during those flights this same Iraqi man was living in the very area over which I flew.

Also at this same point in time a couple of Bedouins had crossed the border of Saudi Arabia into Iraq and were captured by this Iraqi man’s unit. He was given orders from his leader to execute the men, but his conscience wouldn’t allow him to do it. The Bedouins were innocent of any crimes other than not recognizing any boundaries or borders—they only wanted to herd their goats and camels. My Iraqi friend was then taken prisoner by Saddam’s secret military police and tortured with electricity and various other implements of torture. Today he wears the scars—given him by his fellow countrymen.

Eventually my friend managed to escape, and by using his military training he evaded Saddam’s police for several years. I asked what had kept him going while in prison and his response inspired me. He said, “I knew that God was watching over me, and I didn’t dare do anything to make Him angry with me. I knew that God’s wrath would be more fierce than anything those men did to me.”

With a broad smile he told me how he had learned to hide and earn money to both survive and return to his wife and daughter so they could also survive. He told me of the many blessings he had received from God, and how he knew that God had preserved him for something important. He felt God had called him, and that calling required an empty net (referring to Peter, James, and John leaving their nets to follow Jesus). So today in Iraq this man lives humbly, reunited at last with his family, and as a free man. But as he said, he carries no net, and wastes no time dwelling on the past horrors he had to endure.

On many other occasions I was welcomed into this family’s home and treated like a beloved member of the family. I spoke with them often about the restored gospel and left them an Arabic Book of Mormon. I also told my friend that I could see both he and his wife worshiping our God together. To this, he smiled and hugged me and said that the honor would be his.

One of the more emotional images in my memory of Iraq is the image of his good wife breaking down and weeping as I took a doctor to their home to begin the process of getting a hearing aid for the oldest daughter. I had learned that she felt responsible for her daughter’s deafness, in spite of her Muslim belief that Allah’s will was that she be deaf. She began to weep nearly uncontrollably as the doctor examined her daughter, and she looked up at me and showed me with her eyes that she had no words, but had every bit the feeling of pure gratitude.

I was speechless also and could do nothing more than smile and assure her husband, who also had tears in his eyes, that Allah was indeed great and that he knew even the smallest of details of our seeming unimportant lives.
He promised me that he would read and cherish the book I left with him, holding it to his chest as an object of great worth and honor.

"How is it you can know such a thing?"

While walking the halls of the great palace where the Coalition Provisional Authority was based, I ran into an Iraqi to whom I had been introduced several weeks earlier. This man had grabbed me on a couple of occasions, wanting to know about my religion. This time he asked me if I believed in Joseph Smith and the vision that Joseph claimed to have seen.

I was surprised at his question and wanted to know how he had learned of Joseph Smith. I told this man that not only did I believe in Joseph, but I knew that he actually had seen the vision he claimed to have.

The man couldn’t believe it. He thought that God was trying to tell him something, but couldn’t figure out what it was. “That is fantastic,” he said. “If it is true, it changes everything in the whole world! How can it be true?”

I asked him how he had learned of Joseph Smith. His reply was that he had heard another chaplain talking about churches in America that are based on lies and deceptions of evil men. Not surprisingly, the LDS Church received much of the chaplain’s attention. Somehow this sparked an interest in the Iraqi’s mind. He had asked himself, “Why would a Christian be so angry and opposed to any church that claims to believe in Christ?”

He had wanted to know more, and consequently searched the Internet. I briefly told him the story of the First Vision, and then bore my testimony of it. He seemed more interested in my testimony than the actual story itself. “How is it you can know such a thing?” he asked. “Were you there?”

I thought briefly of my own experiences that helped me gain a testimony of this event, and then simply told him that by the power of the Holy Spirit he could know the truth of all things. But, he would have to think and ponder deeply what it is he was seeking and wanted to know, because once given, he would have a new responsibility to live and become different. He would be expected to be equal to the new knowledge given to him. He would have to change his perception and his whole life.

My Iraqi friend put his hands on my shoulders and told me that God’s light was in my eyes, and that it wasn’t in the other chaplain’s eyes that had spoken badly of my faith. He wanted to know more about the story and again commented on how that story, if true, would change Iraq forever.

Most of the Muslims with whom I spoke during my time in Iraq could not only not see any other possibility for truth existing outside of Islam, but did not want or desire to see any possible chances of there being an alternative to what they believe. This man, however, not only wanted to see what I saw, but wanted to understand it as I did. He was truly an anomaly.

We talked, read scripture, and I taught him how to pray. He assured me that he prayed already, but that he would attempt to pray as I showed him, and would continue to seek an answer to his prayers for understanding.

My unit was moved from that area in March of 2004, which broke off my contact with the remarkable gentleman. I only pray that the seeds of truth were sufficiently planted and that, over time, he will develop his own testimony. In his eyes I saw determination and desire to know personally, as I did, the truth of Joseph Smith, Heavenly Father, and Jesus Christ.

Constant Prayer

On one afternoon I had an opportunity to sit and discuss religion and life with an Iraqi woman named Shahanez, who lost her husband to Saddam’s regime. This sweet little Muslim woman taught me more about Christianity in a few minutes than I have learned from many of the Christians I know.

During our discussion she looked me in the eyes and said, “I am a Muslim, as you know, but I hate Islam and what it has become. Today, Islam is not real or true. True Islam means to love God and all of God’s creations. We Muslims must pray five times a day. People go to the mosque and say the same prayers over and over. I do not go to the mosque and pray. I know that God sees into my heart, and knows my prayer to Him. I love my God too much, and I do not pray five times a day, or ask Him anything for me—just to never leave me—because I need my God in my life all the day. So I pray all the time, in my heart and in my mind. I love all of the God’s messengers. Your Jesus is very dear in my heart. I always pray to God. He knows my heart, and I am pure before him.”

I had to take a moment to let her words sink in and settle against my own feeling of needing and wanting my Father in Heaven’s presence in my life.

Living Water

On one occasion while visiting families in Janain I ran into a man who claimed to be neither Christian nor Muslim. Instead, he told me he led a group that followed the teachings of John the Baptist. He had my attention! I had to learn more about this man and his group. He invited me down to the Tigress River to meet with members of his congregation and to learn more about their religion.

The distance wasn’t far, and in a few minutes I was standing along the Tigress, surrounded by people all dressed in white robes—men and women alike. Priests were conducting baptisms in the Tigress.

After the morning’s baptisms, their priests invited me to their temple down the road to meet with their high priest. I was excited by this opportunity to learn more about a people I had never been aware of before.

Upon meeting the high priest I could see in his eyes a different light. We talked a long time, and during the conversation he mentioned a few times that I looked like a messenger from God. He said that he could see God in my face and wanted to know more about what I believed. His eyes were searching for some link between his beliefs and mine. He asked what I thought about John the Baptist, and at the same time he assured me that it was John that baptized Jesus Christ, and that they were cousins.

I sat listening and praying about what I might say or do that would plant the appropriate seeds in the minds and hearts of the men sitting in that office. They explained how they purposely performed their baptisms in the current—or “living water”—the part of the river that carried “life.”

I suddenly felt I should share with them what I knew of John the Baptist, so I began with the “living water” of the Susquehanna River near Harmony, Pennsylvania on May 15, 1829. I told them how Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery received a visit from John the Baptist and were both given the Aaronic Priesthood. They were then instructed by John to baptize each other in the river. I told them that John was sent to those two men by Jesus Christ, and that through this visit John the Baptist did the same thing he had done anciently—he prepared the way for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

As soon as I said this all the priests came off their seats. The room exploded with chatter. I was peppered with questions such as, “What is that you say? How did John appear? Was he a ghost? When and where did this happen? Tell us more! Are you sure about this?”

The high priest grabbed my hand and said, “You are a messenger from God, and have been sent to us. We welcome you here. No other American or outsider has been in our temple. You are the first and I ask you to be our friend. You must come to us every week and speak to us.”

They were hungry to know more about their beloved John the Baptist, and I was grateful for the opportunity to meet these genuine, humble people. Their faces were pure and happy. I could see that they had suffered dearly from the oppression of Saddam Hussein’s regime, but they were an industrious and happy people, governed by the same strict laws the Lord gave Moses in the wilderness.

My time spent with this group was eye-opening as I witnessed how the Lord is preparing the way for the gospel of Jesus Christ to reach all people.

The Lord’s Time Frame

As I pondered the situation in Iraq, and our presence there, I couldn’t help but remember a time in Japan during my mission when Gordon B. Hinckley spoke to the missionaries about the time clock of the Lord. I felt humbled that I was allowed to participate in the events shaping this country and preparing it for the restored gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. I could sense the great pendulum of time shifting and bringing with it a change in the hearts of the people here in Iraq.

This war has changed me, and will ever be a mark in my life directing me to be more, give more, and live more for the Lord, that I may walk simply in His light and Spirit.

I have grown to love the Iraqi people. I have seen the characteristics of Father Abraham in many of them, and I have felt the great spirit of the Lord working among them. They are being prepared for the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and to have many of them brought back into the fold of God. I am grateful that the Lord has allowed me to participate in such a grand event—an entire nation and people being prepared to receive and accept God’s Only Begotten Son.

Yucatan Peninsula

Tue, 01 Mar 2005 07:01:00 -0700

source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: One of the richest archaelogical zones in the ancient Meso-American world, the Yucatan beckons visitors to stroll along a quiet, white beach, swim in a clear cavern, or stand dwarfed by one of the vast pyramids of an ancient culture. The unique luxuries of the ocean and the adventures found on shore have brought people from all around the world to experience the culture of the Mayan.

Missionaries first arrived in Mérida in 1959, offering a prayer in behalf of the citizens who welcomed them. Ever since, missionary work on the Yucatan Peninsula has flourished and Church membership has grown.

Beginning with eight investigators who attended the first Sunday service on February 8, 1959, Church membership in Mérida has reached over 13,000. Sister Raquel Pech was the first to be baptized in the Yucatan and in 1960; she also became one of the first sisters from the area to serve a mission.

The Mérida, Mexico Temple is a long awaited blessing for the members in the Yucatan Peninsula. Before the temple, the Saints had to make long, costly excursions to the temple in Mexico City, a thousand miles away. The Guatemala City, Guatemala Temple is geographically closer, but to reach it members must cross an international border, a jungle, and several mountain ranges.

The members of the Yucatan Peninsula have great strength, adding their faith and diligence to the four and a half million members in Latin America.

4 Places You Must See in the Yucatan Peninsula

The Mérida Temple, along with visits to three of the most striking ancient cities in the Yucatan, will round out your trip beautifully.

Mérida Mexico Temple

Dedicated in July 2000, the temple is located in the older section of the city and was built on the site of the first LDS chapel, built in 1968. With all the tearing down of Church buildings, city planners worried about the architectural heritage and required that aesthetic and historic consistency be maintained. The front wall of the temple features designs which harmonize with existing surrounding structures.

Uxmal

Uxmal is one of the most majestic of the Mayan cities. The Pyramid of the Magician is the most popular pyramid with its rounded corners. The temple at the top is the legendary home of the Dwarf of Uxmal who ruled the city. The clefts and stones of the temples are home to numerous enormous yet harmless iguanas that sit still until surprised, then dart off faster than you can blink.

Just southwest of the Pyramid of the Magician stands the ball court and the House of the Turtles—an archetype of the pure Puuc architectural style decorated in stone-carved turtles. Every night, the major buildings in Uxmal are colorfully lit up for a light show with commentary on the history and legend of the city.

Chichén-Itzá

About an hour and a half car ride from Mérida will bring you to Chichén-Itzá, home to some of the largest buildings of the ancient Mayan cities. Chichén-Itzá was built sometime between 550 and 900 A.D. Between 750 and 950 A.D., Chichén-Itzá’s population grew to 40,000 and became the most powerful city in the Yucatan. Two sites to note in Chichén-Itzá are the Castillo de Kukulcán and El Caracol, the observatory. Castillo de Kukulcán’s evidences of the intricate Mayan calendar are beautifully symbolized in the carvings, levels, panels, and the 365 steps. The observatory, called El Caracol (the snail) because of its odd round shape, has three slots in the top level. One points due south and the other two toward the setting sun and moon on the spring and autumn equinoxes.

Tulum

Closer to Cancun, you'll want to visit the Palace of the Halach Uinic, the House of Columns, and especially El Castillo. The top of this temple-pyramid held a flaming beacon that was visible for miles.

Before you leave, be sure to take a swim in the Gran Cenote. It is a fun snorkeling hole surrounded by rock columns and beautiful flowers.

Under the Sea

Paraiso, Cozumel is one of the more ideal places to snorkel with water perfect for divers of all levels of experience. The water is clear with visibility up to two hundred feet. With over thirty kilometers of reefs and over two hundred species of tropical fish, this is one of the finest places for diving in the Atlantic.

Paraiso and the nearby Chankanaab Park are a must-see with parrotfish, silver shoals of snappers, and shaped coral just below the surface; and it is shallow enough to be safe for kids. Chankanaab Park also houses an extensive botanical garden with over three hundred plant species from twenty-two countries, a dolphin pool, an archaeological park, and reefs that are perfect for novice divers. In the winter months, the water temperature averages around seventy degrees Fahrenheit. Visit [cozguide.net/chankan.html].

Living the Wildlife

Isla Contoy is the number one place to experience wildlife reserves. This uninhabited island reserve, about eighteen miles north of Isla Mujeres, is home to a vast range of sea birds, including pelicans, boobies, and frigate birds, with mangroves, turtle-breeding beaches, and beautiful coral lagoons. This tiny island is under four miles long and only twenty meters wide as its widest point.

Over seventy species have been counted including large nesting colonies of brown pelicans and magnificent frigate birds. Bring mosquito repellent and beware of the boa constrictors and small crocodiles that live in the island’s ponds. Various companies on Isla Mujeres offer day trips.

Water World

You will not stay dry at Aquaworld, Cancun, a multi-activity fun center on Cancun Island offering jungle tours, submarine rides, jet skiing, snorkeling, diving, fishing, parasailing, dinner cruises, and tours to Isla Mujeres and Cozumel.

The jungle tour allows you to drive your own boat through mangroves and explore the coral reefs. The submarine has a glass bottom floor to complete the whole experience with a tour through a fish-packed coral garden. Aquaworld will not only take you underwater but on a ride in the sky, too. Their Skyrider is a custom-built double-seat para-chair that lifts you high in the sky for a breathtaking ride along the beautiful skylines of Cancun. Visit [aquaworld.com.mx].

Hidden in the Caves

Cenote Samula is a spectacular cavern-pool next to Cenote Dzitnup. Past a narrow entrance there’s a huge pool of cool, clear water, and in the middle of the cave the roots of a giant ceiba tree—associated with mystical powers by the Maya—stretch straight down from the surface to reach the water far below.

Do a little cave hopping over the Cenote Dzitnup when you are through with Samula. Dzitnup is the most famous cenote for swimming, with its features reminiscent of a vast limestone cathedral. Entering through the narrow tunnel, you are hit with the sight of a pool of perfect turquoise water surrounded by towers of strangely shaped rocks. The hole at the top of the cenote allows a ray of sunlight into the middle, reflecting the beautiful colors inside.

Taking Time to Get Away From It All

Nicknamed “La Joya del Caribe” (Jewel of the Caribbean), Puerto Morelos has a charming atmosphere sandwiched between the two bustling cities of Cancun and Playa del Carmen. This undisturbed gem of the Mexican Caribbean has kept its mellow, fishing-village feel despite close proximity to Cancun. No real nightlife, but lovely beaches and many small hotels and apartments offer long-term rates for a relaxing stay.

The reef at Puerto Morelos is one of the least disturbed sections of coral near the mainland in the northern part of the Maya reef and is not protected as a marine park. Snorkelers can see spectacular marine life—lobsters, giant sponges, luminous parrotfish, and angelfish. Dive operators in the town offer snorkel and diving tours. Visit [visitpuertomorelos.com].

The Colonial Town of Valladolid

The town of Valladolid is a delightful mix of distinguished colonial architecture and the easygoing atmosphere of a Yucatan market town. The beautiful whitewashed arcades and seventeenth century houses surround the main plaza and the fine Franciscan monastery churches. Right in the middle of the town is a huge cenote, which was once the source for all of Valladolid’s water.

The oldest permanent church in the Yucatan began as part of a Franciscan monastery in 1552 in Valladolid. It was located outside of the town to function both as a place of worship for the Spanish townsfolk and a mission for Mayan villagers.

Inside is a spectacularly painted Baroque altarpiece. The cloister surrounds an overgrown, palm-filled garden with a massive stone well that dates back to 1613, built over a natural cenote.

Toronto, Canada

Thu, 29 Jul 2004 05:28:00 -0600

source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Known as the melting pot of Canada, Toronto is famous for its welcoming spirit. Some of the Church’s earliest missionaries such as Parley Pratt, Oliver Cowdrey, and Joseph Smith felt this spirit as they introduced their neighbors to the gospel in its earliest days. Many of the Canadians who heard that message would later become great leaders in the Church. Since that time the city has continued to open its heart to all people of the world and by doing so has become a lively and thriving city known not only for its scenic beauty but also the beauty of its people.

At a recent Eastern Canada regional conference (held May 1 and 2, 2004), President Thomas S. Monson, who spent three years serving as the Canadian mission president in Toronto, spoke much of the missionary history of the reigion.

He told the congregation that Canada was the only country other than the U.S. that Joseph Smith ever visited. He also told the story of one of the first missionaries who was asked to go to Canada. This missionary, John E. Page, told Brother Joseph he couldn’t travel because he did not have an overcoat. The prophet took off his own overcoat and gave it to John, who went to Canada and baptized 600 converts.

President Monson also related the story of Parley Pratt who came to Canada and met with future president of the Church, John Taylor, a Methodist minister at the time, in Toronto. John Taylor did not join the church right away, but he had a close relationship with Joseph Smith and was even with him later at Carthage Jail. “What a heritage,” declared President Monson.

In addition to a unique missionary past, Toronto’s expansive multiculturalism sets it apart from many other big cities. It is home to virtually all of the world’s culture groups; more than one hundred different languages are spoken among its population.

When the Toronto Ontario temple was dedicated in 1990, the diversity of the people in the area the temple serves was mentioned in the dedicatory prayer: “This nation has become a gathering place for people from scores of other lands. In their veins flows the blood of Israel.” The dedication was translated into French, Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Korean to assist over 7,000 members who attended the dedicatory sessions. “What a heritage,” indeed!

4 Places You Must See in Toronto

1. Toronto Ontario Temple

Just north of Lake Ontario, the area where the temple is located has been called “the cradle of Mormonism.” With the dedication of this temple, Canada became the first country outside of the United States to have more than one LDS temple within its borders. It is located in the same area where the Church sent the first missionaries out of the United States and where converts, such as President John Taylor, were baptized. Canadian Saints are a patient lot: temple construction took six years between announcement and dedication in 1990.

2. Ontario Science CenterThis science laboratory is a great place to take the family for some educational fun. Plan to stay awhile because there is just too much to see with over 800 exhibits ready to be discovered. Everywhere you look there is something to touch, feel, push, pull, or crank.

Kids as well as adults will love the domed screen theater with movies about the human body, space, or the coral reef. They even have programs for camps, sleepovers, and workshops. The Ontario Science Center is a perfect place to discover how fun science can be.

3. The CN TowerBuilt in 1976 by Canadian National (CN) and standing at a height of 1,815 feet, 5 inches, the CN Tower is the world’s tallest building. It is also used as an important telecommunications hub. Take a trip to the four lookout levels to see the amazing view of Toronto.

Stop to dine at the 360 Restaurant located on the second level from the top. This restaurant offers a complete 360 degree view of the city as the floor rotates once every 72 minutes. If you are daring enough to make your way up to the highest level, from the Skypod (a seven-story structure housing two observation decks) you will be able to see Niagara Falls 161 km (100 mi) south of you and Lake Simcoe, 193 km (120 mi) to the north.

4. Centre Island

Hop a ferry that picks up every thirty minutes and find yourself on this idyllic island that is home to a handful of residents but no cars. You can take a carriage ride along Lake Shore Avenue where many of Toronto’s wealthiest families have built beautiful Victorian summer homes, or simply have a picnic along the peaceful shoreline.

Be sure to stop at the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse, the oldest landmark of the city. The lighthouse is the site of an unsolved mystery surrounding the first keeper who disappeared. To this day, Gibraltar Point is believed to be haunted.

Lastly, finish the day off with a visit to the old-fashioned amusement park, Centreville. It includes a petting zoo for the children as well as an area devoted to antique cars, fire engines, an old-fashioned train, an authentic 1890s carousel, and a flume ride

Stroll Along the Harbor

Harbourfront Centre is one of the most popular places in the downtown area. On the weekends, the place is packed from end-to-end, so the best time to visit is during the week. Begin your walk at Union Station and head west. Along the way you will run into restaurants, shopping centers, several art galleries, activities for the children, sailing classes, and finally end up at the Toronto Music Garden. The garden is designed by the famous cellist Yo Yo Ma, and landscaped by architect Julie Moir Messervy. Best of all, admission is free and there are special events and concerts throughout the summer.

An Ethnic Adventure

A majority of Toronto’s immigrants come from Asia. Approximately one tenth of the population is now ethnically Chinese. Consequently, the city is host to several Asian treasures, including “Chinatown.” Packed with fascinating shops and restaurants, its street signs are conveniently bilingual.

The Royal Ontario Museum Canada’s largest museum, The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), also hosts its own variety of Asian history and includes the world-renowned T.T. Tsui Galleries of Chinese Art and the Gallery of Korean art. The Gallery of Korean Art is the largest exhibit of its kind in North America holding more than 200 works from the Bronze Age through modern times. ROM isn’t just another boring museum trip for the kids, either. There are several hands-on activities for children such as “museum mystery,” “build a batwing,” “make your own dinosaur out of chicken bones,” “make your own mummy” and much more. For more information and schedule of special events happening at the museum, visit www.rom.on.ca.

A City Under A City Under downtown Toronto lies another city called PATH. You don’t have to join a secret society to go below, simply go down the walkways. This is perfect if your visit to Toronto falls on a bad weathered day, as it has its own host of attractions.

PATH is in the Guinness World Records for being the largest underground shopping complex, with sixteen miles of shopping arcades. You can enjoy free lunch-hour lectures, opera and dance performances, and art exhibits. Each letter in PATH is a different color representing a direction, making navigation a snap. PATH will also take you to all the major attractions and entertainment sites such as CN Tower, the Sky Dome, or the Hockey Hall of Fame. It is also connected to many of the downtown hotels. www.city.toronto.on.ca/path/index.htm will give you basic information and a downloadable map for PATH.

“When in Rome…” No vacation to Canada would be entirely complete without in someway experiencing the national past time: hockey! The Hockey Hall of Fame is a nostalgic look at terrific collection of sports memorabilia. You’ll see the original Stanley Cup donated by Lord Stanley of Preston, a replica of the Montréal Canadians’ locker room, Terry Sawchuck’s goalie gear, Newsy Lalonde’s skates, and Max Bentley’s stick.

The Hall offers interactive exhibits for all ages like testing your slapshot or playing goal against virtual players in its “NHLPA Be a Player Zone” You can also make the calls play-by-play for some of hockey’s greatest goals in the “TSN Broadcast Zone.” Visit hhof.com to get more information about the Hall, hours of operation, and admission.

(Not) Just for Kids

Summer time is great for outdoor activities and a visit to the zoo. The Toronto Zoo was modeled after the San Diego Zoo and contains about 5,000 animals and an extensive botanical collection.

You don’t even need to work up a sweat walking around; a Zoomobile shuttles visitors around the major walkways to view animals from the outdoor paddocks. If you decide to make this an all-day event, pack some sandwiches and juice boxes for a picnic. There are plenty picnic tables throughout the zoo for lunch.

Some of the zoo’s most popular attractions include the African Savanna project, a re-creation of a market bazaar and safari through Kesho National Park; the Gorilla Rainforest, the largest indoor gorilla exhibit in North America; and Splash Island (perfect if the summer heat is getting to be a bit too much), a kid-only water park that includes a replica of a Canadian Coast Guard ship. Check the website for special events at the zoo in the summer at torontozoo.com.

Finding the Light in China

Tue, 22 Jun 2004 05:22:00 -0600

by Gary and Karen Henderson
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: When my wife and I received our "call" to teach English at a university in Jinan, we were overwhelmed with the responsibility. Though we were never to discuss our religion, I was quickly reminded that everyone is born with the light of Christ--even college students in far-off China.

Our call to teach was not a missionary call from the prophet, but had come directly from Shandong Teachers University. It followed a similar process, however. We filled out applications and were sent to the David M. Kennedy Center at Brigham Young University, which then sent them to the Chinese University. The Church is not allowed to have proselyting missionaries in mainland China, but the Chinese universities seek as many English teachers as they can get through BYU. Seventy were in our 2002-2003 group. This number of people gives the church and America a positive influence in China.

When we arrived, we were stunned by the number of people in the streets. Jinan is a rather small city by Chinese standards with only 6.5 million people. The university was also surprisingly beautiful and the people were so very kind and helpful. Karen learned that she would be teaching four classes of sophomores in the tourism department and two night classes of adults who were seeking to improve their English. My assignment was to teach two classes of master’s degree candidates, two classes of doctorate degree candidates, and a weekly seminar for the English department professors.

The university did not provide books or class materials. The Kennedy Center had prepared us well for this, but we were afraid that maybe we were in over our heads as neither of us had taught school at any level. Karen had taught early morning seminary and we had both taught in our church callings, but we had done nothing like what was before us now.

As we spent a few days adjusting to our jet lag and exploring our city and environment, our thoughts were constantly on the task ahead. I wasn’t sure how to start. Although this was oral English and we had been reminded that we didn’t have to worry about grammar rules, I still struggled with how to begin. I thought to myself, “If these are graduate students I can’t just sugarcoat it, but I must try and push them to their very limits. “ After much prayer and meditation, my mind and heart were focused on what to do.

While we were never to discuss our religion, I was reminded that we are all born into this world with the light of Christ and that this light can continue with us all of our lives, even in China. I discovered again what it is like to be led by the Spirit and began on a course tat would produce amazing results.

I always carry with me a quote by Hugh B. Brown. It reads, “Sometimes during solitude I hear the truth spoken with clarity and freshness, uncolored and untranslated it speaks from within myself in a language original but inarticulate, heard only with the soul, and I realize I brought it with me, was never taught it nor can I efficiently teach it to another.” (Eternal Quest, Bookcraft, 1956, 435).

First Homework
I began my first class by writing this quotation, which I said was from a famous Canadian, on a paper and passing it out to each student. I explained to them that this was very difficult English to comprehend—even for students at an American university. We repeated and discussed the words and talked about the meaning of the quotation. I then held up my very large journal and said to them, “I commit to you that I will write in my journal about my very innermost feelings regarding China, its people, and especially you, my students. I want you to keep a journal of our classes and do the same.”

To get them started I asked them to write me two or three pages and cover the following points. What was going on in China when you were born? What did your parents think of your birth? What is your family like? Are you happy to be alive?

I further explained that even though I wanted to see how well they wrote English, I would make no corrections to their writings as the real intent of this exercise was to see how well they could connect with their inner selves and write about what was being spoken to them from within. We discussed more about journal writing, about meditation, about the value of searching our own souls, and about listening to what was being spoken to us. They were given a week for the assignment, and I wondered myself if I had actually communicated anything to them.

The next week I was literally inundated with all of their papers, and I was completely surprised by their content. It was a pleasant surprise to read their excellent written English, but it was more gratifying to realize that I had indeed connected with them and that they had connected with their own souls. The following are two of their actual papers, without correction to their English or spelling:

Linda’s Journal
For a long time I have not kept journals. I don’t know how I could kick the habit staying with me for over 15 years. To tell the truth, I had though I would not write down my true feelings again until I left my parents.

I have three brothers and I am the third child and the only girl in my big family. From birth, I lived in a world separated from the rest. I wasn’t allowed to go out to play often, so I had few friends until I went to the university. My father was very strict with us, supervising our life. We four children dare say nothing before him, so it was very quiet in my family, no laughters even at the table. What we did was something about study, such as reading, writing, reciting, etc. When we were young, father taught us some poems written down on the wall as a blackboard, so we can read more often till we can recite them fluently. Moreover, we learned arithmetic and English.

Our classroom was the yard. When a hen wandered by us father would ask, “How many legs does a hen have?” And then “two hens?” “Three hens?” etc. Or, “what is English for hen?” In this way we learned much more knowledge than the other children at the same age. And we four children smoothly were admitted into the universities. Among us, my eldest brother was the most excellent and versatile. He was quick at science and good at art. He was the first prize winner of the National Olympic Competition for Physics and received his doctor’s degree in one of the most prestigious universities and then he went to the U.S.A. for further study in Dartmouth College. Last summer, he presented his thesis at the International Conference held in Rome, Italy.

My eldest brother set a very good example for me, so I studied hard too. I always confined myself to my own room, resulting from my father’s forbidding us to go out at an earlier age. When I was tired after the laborious study, I would write down my thoughts, my feelings in the diary to relax myself, and it really worked! My diary was like an old good friend of mine, always listening to me carefully. No matter what I wrote, bad or good, it was my true feeling, at least at that time.

But one day, I found my journals were read secretly by my parents. They knew all that I thought, even my secrets! I was angry and asked them why. They retorted, “This will do you good. We didn’t know what you thought in your mind because of your always silence. We just care for you.” I was irritated. Without a word, I went back to my room. At the right time, I decided not to keep journals again. And the next morning I took seven heavy diaries to school, burning them to ashes. The paper was blazing, so was my heart.

Now I get another chance to study. Several times I wanted to write something about my feelings, but I managed not to, because I was afraid I couldn’t express my true feelings but cover myself. Perhaps I will go on to keep journals and find my long lost friend. Who knows?

Alice’s Journal
In some sense I was once not a likeable person. Because when I was still in my mother’s body the Chinese government began to carry out the policy of family planning. At that time, my parents had already had two girls, so they were informed of aborting me. This policy is more strict with the members of the Chinese Communist Party. My father had been in this party for ten years until then. But in his deep thought, he was first of all a traditional Chinese peasant, he was so thirsty for a son to end his family. Because in our families the children always use their father’s surname, then only a son can make ones family surname last from this generation to the next.

With this hope, my father violated the principles of his party. But as soon as I was born, I made him so disappointed. I am a girl! And with my first cry, my mother also cried. Thus when I came along, the society and my family were all unhappy.

I was born August 1, 1974. Just as I was not welcome, this year is also not welcome in people’s memory, because China was still in the unprecedented nightmare that is the Great Cultural Revolution. But my parents are very good and kind and they loved their children exceeding all other things. Though I gave them great disappointment, as the youngest child, I still get most care from them.

My hometown was a beautiful village in Shandong Province. In my childhood I had the opportunity to keep very close to nature. At that time, it was such a beautiful village. It was at the foot of a hill and a road stretched out in the west-eat direction, and just down the road there was a clear river with lots of fish swimming in it.

Nowadays, I look back to what I have experienced. I think I was a fortunate person. Though my life began with an unhappy start, I have been the most considerate daughter of my parents, the best student of my teachers, and the favorite teacher of my students. So, I would say I am thankful for this life.

Profound Communication

This was the beginning of a unique and satisfying experience with our students at Shandong Teachers University. We were the first American or foreign English teachers our students had ever had and they responded with enthusiasm to our efforts to help them. We discovered that they do possess light and they do listen to what is spoken in solitude to their souls. We could sense and feel that we had had a tremendous influence in their lives, and after two semesters of teaching we could truly recognize that they all spoke better English. We were able to communicate and share with them at a very profound level – a level they said that they had never before experienced in the classroom.

Home Again
There hasn’t been a week that goes by that doesn’t bring to our minds the wonderful experiences we had in China. Our lives have been changed forever. We find ourselves reminiscing about the sights, sounds, and smells that seem to be so much a part of us now. We would go back in a minute. In fact, many of our companions did return for another year.

So much can be said for the adventuresome “senior souls” who go out to share their lives in service to others wherever they are needed.

One of our students wrote an article that was printed in the newspaper about his experience in taking a class from American teachers. In part he wrote, “The thoughts and emotions conveyed by their words in class often made me fall into deep thought and moved me so much that sometimes I felt tears rolling down my cheeks. Another impression they have me is that they are full of vigor, just like the spirited young people. Once, it was time for class, but they didn’t show up on time as usual. The students were wondering what was the matter when two people with horrible masks on their faces broke into the classroom and started their performance. They were Mr. and Mrs. Henderson. Not until then did it occur to me that Mr. and Mrs. Henderson, who are my parents’ age, are still creating and enjoying all that life bestows, while our parents have become exceptionally sedate and games of this kind have already disappeared in their lives, even in their memories.”

The teacher does always learn more than the student. We will forever be grateful to those gracious, smiling, and applauding students in our classes at a Chinese university.