When the renovation was announced on April 19, 2019, the Church stated that the Salt Lake Temple would close on December 29, 2019, and remain closed for approximately four years, with an expected reopening in 2024. The project began primarily as an earthquake-proofing effort. Ordinance workers were told that the live endowment sessions would continue after the renovation.
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
BIG REVEALS OF THE NEW SALT LAKE TEMPLE
When the renovation was announced on April 19, 2019, the Church stated that the Salt Lake Temple would close on December 29, 2019, and remain closed for approximately four years, with an expected reopening in 2024. The project began primarily as an earthquake-proofing effort. Ordinance workers were told that the live endowment sessions would continue after the renovation.
Friday, August 28, 2026
2026 Lunar Eclipse. A sign in the heaven that was meant to be seen.
"...There shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars, and upon the earth, distress of nations with perplexity, like the sea and the waves roaring. The earth also shall be troubled, and the waters of the great deep, men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of Heaven shall be shaken; and when these things begin to come to pass, then look up and lift up your heads, for the day of your redemption draws near.”
NC: Luke 12:17
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
"SOME FEW"
Salutary = beneficial, healthy, or good for you
Vertigo = dizziness or a spinning, disorienting sensation.Put together, “salutary vertigo” refers to a beneficial kind of dizziness or intellectual disorientation. It describes the unsettling but ultimately helpful feeling you get when you encounter ideas, practices, or a worldview that are so different from your own that they shake your assumptions and make the familiar world feel temporarily unstable. It is not a negative dizziness (like confusion or nausea). Instead, it is portrayed as a positive, corrective experience — like having your mental framework gently (or not so gently) knocked off balance so you can see things more clearly.
Throughout the entire trip, I felt this “salutary vertigo”—not only because I hit my head while running up the mountain and got a mild concussion, but also because I was learning new concepts that were originally part of the Gospel as restored through Joseph Smith. Specially the Law of Adoption. Here is a quote from the talk:
"The words “root” and “branch” are genealogical, or familial. They indicate ancestors and posterity. When the “root” and “branch” are destroyed in that coming day, the surviving “children” will be genealogically connected to the “fathers.” Correctly understood, the prophecy of Malachi is about adoption. This talk will clarify and reaffirm the need for adoption as an actual ordinance or rite that must return to connect some few back to Abraham before the coming great and dreadful day of the Lord’s return."
"A great deal of what Joseph Smith taught has been lost, limited, or rejected. It is not an overstatement to say that the loss of adoption may be the most serious of all that was left behind. It is so important that the world will be cursed and utterly wasted at the return of Christ if it is not restored. Joseph was first alerted to this on September 22, 1823, when Nephi repeated the prophecy that the failure to reconnect to the fathers would result in “the whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming.” Christ also quoted this warning to the Nephites and required them to add it to their scripture."
DS Talk given in Grand Junction. The Holy Order Part 3.
What’s interesting is that I tripped over a root or branch on the hike and really bloodied up my face. Maybe it was a reminder that I’m getting older, but symbolically it showed me the importance of paying attention to the roots and branches—and the deeper importance of being connected to them.
An observation: Tripping over the root/branch is such a direct, physical way of being forced to notice it. My body literally got yanked into contact with it. Instead of just walking past something subtle and easy to overlook, the stumble makes the root/branch impossible to ignore in that moment. It’s almost like the path itself said, “Hey… down here. Don’t forget this part exists.”
Paying attention — Not just to where my feet are going, but to the living structure underneath everything. Being connected to it — Roots don’t just sit there; they’re the actual lifeline. They anchor, they nourish, they communicate with the rest of the tree and even with other trees. Sometimes these little “accidents” on hikes feel like nature’s version of a gentle (or not-so-gentle) tap on the shoulder.
Tuesday, July 7, 2026
LAYING DOWN WEAPONS OF WAR
Forty years ago, I watched the movie, The Mission, as preparation for spending two yeares serving my own mission in the Amazon region of Brazil. Needless to say, it had a profound impact on me. This 1986 film opens with a powerful scene where a Jesuit priest is tied to a large wooden cross by Guarani warriors high above the Iguazu Falls. They push the cross (with the priest tied to it) into the fast-moving river. The cross floats downstream, picks up speed, and is swept over the edge of the massive waterfall. The priest is violently pummeled and battered by the thundering water and rocks as he and the cross tumble down the falls to his death.
- His violent past and the blood on his hands.
- The weight of unrepented sin — guilt, pride, and the dehumanizing life he once led.
- The chains of the old self that refuse to let go easily.
Groups often become trapped trying to prove who is correct rather than humbly approaching God together for revelation. People must first recognize their own weaknesses and seek God's mercy before expecting divine answers.
"Joseph Smith arose to give some instructions to the council & especially to the committee. He commenced by showing, that the reason why men always failed to establish important measures was, because in their organization they never could agree to disagree long enough to select the pure gold from the dross by the process of investigation.” The Joseph Smith Papers, Council of Fifty, Minutes, March 1844–January 1846 (the relevant document is “Minutes and Discourse, 4 April 1844”).
Rather than rushing to a resolution, it is often better to clearly state positions, thoughtfully reason through differences, seek understanding through persuasion rather than coercion, and allow time for greater clarity and understanding to emerge.
Just as organizations must work through conflict constructively, husbands and wives should seek revelation together. Neither spouse should seek to dominate the other. Instead, they should first identify and build upon their common ground, bringing only unresolved differences before God in humility and faith, seeking His guidance.The central message is that Zion, unity, and divine guidance cannot be achieved through force, majority votes alone, or an insistence on proving who is right. They require humility, patience, honest communication, mutual respect, strong families, and a sincere collective desire to seek and follow God's will together.
Friday, June 19, 2026
THE PERFECT DAY
| Photo on a hike for the Summer Solstice in 2015. |
The summer solstice will occur this Sunday, June 21, at 2:24 AM MDT. The summer solstice is the longest day of the year, with 15 hours and 3 minutes of sunlight. Sunrise is at 5:57 AM, and sunset is at 9:01 PM. If you include twilight (the light before sunrise and after sunset), the day feels even longer—closer to 17+ hours of usable light.
It is also Father’s Day on this year’s summer solstice.
Male and female, yin and yang, dark and light all play an important role in summer and winter solstice observances. According to Chinese philosophy, yang forces are more potent during the summer solstice. Yang represents the masculine principle—light, heat, and activity—and is associated with the sun, heaven, and strength. Yang is strongest at the summer solstice but begins to decline immediately afterward. Yin (darkness, rest, and inward energy) then begins to gradually increase. The cycle is always shifting; it is never static.
"The scriptures tell us the connection between acquiring light and truth and obedience to the commandments is direct, immediate and inescapable. It can be acquired in no other way. “That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.” A “perfect day” seems clear enough. Cloudless and clear, at the apex of the summer solstice, a “perfect day” would be filled with light and warmth. That kind of symbol powerfully captures an image. The image is suggesting to us what standing in God’s presence would be like. The Millennium would be a “perfect day” in which the “light of the earth” will dwell among mankind. So that is what we seek. But how does one “receive light” and “continue in God” so as to receive more light?""This principle is explained further: “That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day." This is another way of describing the same growth in grace. From a lesser to a greater degree you progress in light and truth as you obey the commandments. That growth increases the brightness of the light in the mind of the obedient “until the perfect day.” Think about what is implied by this phrase. A perfect day would be bright, clear, warm and at the zenith of the summer solstice. If you were trying to find a metaphor for being in God’s presence, you would use such a phrase. That is what receiving the Second Comforter is like; the Perfect Day, in which there is no longer shadow, darkness or clouds. There is clarity, vision and warmth. To get there you must keep the commandments"
The Second Comforter - Conversing with the Lord through the Veil, KEEPING THE COMMANDMENTS, pg. page 56)
Across the world, cultures observe the summer solstice as a meaningful spiritual moment tied to the sun, nature, and renewal, expressed through traditions that reflect shared themes of light, unity, and reverence. From Austria’s mountaintop bonfires to Tasmania’s tradition of welcoming the longest day with an ocean swim at sunrise, and from witnessing the sunrise at Stonehenge to gatherings at the pyramids of Giza, these observances often incorporate fire, ritual, and community. Together, they symbolize rebirth, warmth, and a connection to a higher power. Despite cultural differences, these practices share a common purpose: recognizing the longest day of the year as a sacred time for reflection, gratitude, and spiritual renewal.
Austrians celebrate the June 21 solstice by continuing a medieval tradition of lighting mountaintop fires, blending historical roots with religious symbolism.
Stonehenge was built to align with the summer and winter solstices, and every June 20–21, crowds gather to witness this ancient tradition of watching the solstice sunrise.
In the city constructed by the Mayans, people gather to celebrate the summer solstice near the Temple of Kukulcán. Due to its construction, one side is always illuminated in light, while the other — is engulfed in darkness.
In Tasmania, the summer solstice tradition involves sunrise swims where people gather at beaches or river mouths to swim as the sun rises—symbolizing renewal, energy, and a deep connection to nature.
Joseph and his brother Hyrum left Illinois to escape mob violence on the summer solstice of 1844. At the behest of friends, he returned across the Mississippi River to surrender to the Illinois authorities the day after the solstice. Four days later, as sunlight began its decline, both were slain.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
BURDENS WE CARRY
It has been months since I last posted. The struggles of life are real, and I think we often underestimate the burdens others carry.
I recently learned about a Native American tradition called a burden basket. These baskets are part of a ritual used to hold the burdens we can no longer bear.
Traditionally, burden baskets are made of cedar wood, as the cedar tree is believed to absorb tears, anger, and sorrow. People would write their burdens on a slip of paper and place them inside the basket, allowing it to hold their grief, pain, and sorrow.
As part of the ritual, the basket is later burned, and the ashes are scattered in a peaceful place—symbolizing release, healing, and moving forward.
"We need to abandon old ways and begin anew. Until we are open to the new truths offered through the Gospel, we can’t even start the journey. We’re headed in the wrong direction and don’t even know it. First, we need to realize our direction is wrong. Then, stop going that way. When we turn to the new direction, we’ve begun repenting. From repentance comes light and truth. At first, just turning to face the new direction is a great revelation. But you’ve not seen anything until you walk in that direction for a while. As you move toward the light and receive more, the world itself changes meaning and nothing you used to think important remains important." Excerpt from the definition of "Becoming as a Little Child", Glossary, Covenant Christian Edition Scriptures
Below are few photos I have taken over the past two months that have been peaceful places for me.
Monday, April 6, 2026
Salt Lake Temple - Today is the 133 year anniversary of the dedication on April 6, 1893
The cornerstone was placed on April 6, 1853. It took 40 years to build. Dedicated 133 years ago today, on April 6. 1893.
A lot has changed over the years, not only the inside of the Salt Lake temple but to the overall beauty of Temple Square.
Gone are many of the mature trees, lush grass, intimate courtyards, and vibrant gardens. In their place are expansive concrete plazas, paved walkways, and large, modern white buildings that some find somewhat stark or plastic-like in appearance.
Photos of Temple Square before the reconstruction:
Monday, March 16, 2026
THE IMPORTANCE OF REMEMBERING
To remember in Hebrew, is not just a passive recollection, but actively calling something to mind. To honor it, like we do at a memorial like the unknown soldier grave. To remember is an sacred of act, especially in solemn or covenantal settings.
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
THE IMAGE OF GOD
It's been a minute since I last posted. My wife and I just got back home from the West Coast. It was a much-needed healing trip. As much as I love watching sunrises from mountain peaks, I think I love sunsets by the ocean with my wife even more.
"The restoration points to eternal marriage as man’s glorious destiny. The restoration also began to make eternal marriage in the image of God again possible. Therefore all the elements of the gospel point back to marriage as God’s final purpose for mankind.
The gospel is all about marriage and family. The creation was for Adam, and creation was “not good” until Eve was given as a spouse and helpmeet for Adam. From this simple account of man’s origin, we see everything from the stars above to the world itself led inexorably to the marriage of Adam and Eve. As a couple, the two were “the image of God".
Is your marriage in the image of God? Is there godliness about the way you and your spouse interact? Would angels see the image of God in your relationship? These are not just noble notions to be attained in the afterlife, but describe what marriage could and should look like. Is the glory of God within your marriage? “The glory of God is intelligence, or another words light and truth."
excerpts from Preserving the Restoration
Here are a few photos from our trip:
Sidenote:
- A SOLAR ECLIPSE
- THE LUNAR NEW YEAR
- RAMADAN
- ASH WEDNESDAY
There was a solar eclipse yesterday, February 17, 2026. This eclipse coincided interestingly with the Lunar New Year, marking the start of the Year of the Horse (specifically the Fire Horse, a rare combination that occurs only every 60 years). This year symbolizes energy, freedom, forward momentum, bravery, speed, independence, endurance, and vitality.
Today, February 18, 2026, is a remarkable convergence of significant religious observances across different faiths. Today marks the beginning of Ramadan for many Muslims (with the first full day of fasting often starting today or tomorrow depending on local moon sightings) and Ash Wednesday for Western Christians (Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, and others), kicking off the season of Lent.
Ramadan:
Fasting during Ramadan commemorates this revelation and serves as a time of spiritual renewal, heightened devotion, self-discipline, gratitude, and empathy. From dawn to sunset observant Muslims abstain from food, drink, smoking, and intimate relations. The fast isn't just physical—it's meant to foster self-control, avoidance of sin (like gossip or anger), extra prayer, charity, and reflection. It builds compassion for those in need by experiencing hunger and thirst.
Ash Wednesday:
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent in Western Christianity, a 40-day period (excluding Sundays) of preparation leading up to Easter, commemorating Jesus Christ's resurrection. It emphasizes repentance, humility, and the need for reconciliation with God. The day draws from biblical themes of penitence (e.g., ashes and sackcloth in the Old Testament as signs of mourning or turning from sin) and Jesus' 40 days of fasting in the wilderness.
This overlap on February 18, 2026—right after the annular solar eclipse and coinciding with the Lunar New Year—is quite unique, highlighting themes of renewal, reflection, fasting, and spiritual focus shared across these traditions, even as their specific meanings and practices differ
Footnotes;