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| Sharing the WDC Temple with family was fantastic! |
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| Just us..with a replica of "Armed Freedom," the statue on top of the Capitol Building. |
We loved sharing the opportunity to tour the DC Temple Open House with new friends by giving them an invitation card on our morning walks. If we carried a card in one hand, it was easier, reminding me of a verse where the Lord says, “(You are to) teach. . . the things which I have put into your hands by the power of my Spirit.” (Doctrine and Covenants 43:15) Most people were excited at the prospect of seeing a building that intrigues them as it appears almost magically, high above the freeway.
Gina, a new friend in our apartment complex, went with us on June 4. Gina loves the Lord and knows scripture inside out—including Isaiah!!—and she listened intently as we shared what the temple means to us.
The next week, our daughter Emily Murdock and granddaughters Anna and Holly flew in, and we had the BEST. TIME. EVER! Our senior missionary friends took over our duties on Friday and Monday. Best of all, we went the Temple Open House! We saw the African - American Museum, the Natural History Museum, the US History Museum, and the Jefferson, Washington, Korean War and Lincoln Monuments. We visited the zoo with Rachel Murdock Zobell and her darling Lucy, Emmett and Oliver. Anna’s and Holly’s dreams came true when they were able to spend the night with those cousins.
Emily went to church with us and saw our mission office in the basement of the church building. The National Cathedral was on our route to visit the wonderful Zobells. Its stained-glass windows and tapestries, along with monuments to Lincoln and other leaders, inspire reverence and remind us of God’s overruling hand in this nation’s history. I’ll share a photo of a tapestry of David and Goliath—our Sunday School lesson that week.
Later, Gina, gave the girls teddy bears and candy. She knows the way to kid’s heart!
We had contacted Senator Crapo’s office, and his aide, Carson Tester, and intern Prescott gave us a guided tour through the Capitol Building on June 13. It’s the most marvelous place we’ve seen in DC: full of history, statues, tradition, and —people. Some of those people make our nation’s laws. In this time of cynicism and division, we felt the power that has kept our nation and its inspired Constitution alive and active for 246 years. It is the power of God. Long may He reign over “the land of the free and the home of the brave.”
We got on the Metro Friday night, hurrying, huffing and puffing, looking for seats. I sat next to a younger guy, maybe in his 30s. Normally I would have stayed silent., but I apologized. We talked about Idaho, and my name tag —it’s a great conversation starter. He was kind, open and friendly, and seemed interested in our mission. We felt the Holy Spirit. I invited him to the temple open house and asked him about his religious background—he’s Baptist and enjoyed learning about the Bible as a boy. I told him about the need for a Restoration of the full gospel of Jesus Christ, about Joseph Smith, and the power of priesthood. When I opened my mouth, the Spirit had control over what came out. I told him I know Jesus Christ was crucified for the sins of the world, because I do know that. Then it was time for him to get off, and we shook hands. This was the best moment of my mission so far because I overcame fears and let the Spirit guide my words.
With Emily’s help, we learned how to navigate the metro and circulator buses, and that we can park downtown if we work hard. Their visit, love and hugs refreshed and rejuvenated us. (For more photos, see "National Museum of African American History and Culture, Natural History Museum and Jefferson Memorial.")
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