The First Presidency of the LDS Church
Presidents Eyring, Monson and Uchtdorf

As you know I missed writing my blog last Sunday.  I went to spend Easter with my brother, Art Henry, and his family.  They had leased a condo in Park City for a week and it was fun joining him, Maurine and the children - Tyler and Emily.  Met Tyler's fiance, too.  They will be married in Draper, Utah on May 3rd.  I will be there.  I arrived home so late and too tired to blog.  I made the decision to skip the week although it was very eventful.

I want to share something that occurred on March 28, 2013.  I went to the Church Office Building (COB) with a co-worker/sister missionary.  I had brought my lunch but I just agreed to join her so she wasn't alone.  When we exited our building into the parking garage that connects the COB, JSMB and the Church Administration Building we noticed security outside the door.  We then remembered that it was Thursday and that perhaps the general authorities were on their way back to their offices after having their weekly meeting in the temple.  Sister Arrington and I spotted another sister from our zone a few feet away and we went to join her.  We were only about 6 feet from the sidewalk where the 15 leaders of our church would walk if they indeed were coming.  We waited only a few minutes when we saw a four-seater golf like cart coming down the walkway.  Yes, it was the First Presidency with a driver.  They smiled at us as they drove by.  President Eyring was in front with the driver and President Monson and President Uchtdorf were in the back.

The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Then we saw the 12  coming toward us.  First was Elder Packer in a wheelchair being pushed by someone.  Then Elders Scott and perhaps Elder Ballard in another cart.  Next was L. Tom Perry leading the remainder of the brethren.  Elder Nelson thrilled us by giving us a salute and another brother asked "Are you here to watch the parade?"  They were all smiling and some waved.  Afterward the three of us senior sister missionaries were so excited and comparing notes of what we heard and saw.  We really felt very blessed to be only a few feet away from these very special and beloved men of God.

This incident served to prepare us for us for the experience of General Conference this weekend.  I took about 50 pictures and will caption the ones I selected to share with you

Conference Center waiting for the leaders to come in and begin conference

Sister Elaine Dalton and her counselors were release from the Young Women's presidency.
 I captured them in a group hug.  That is Sister Dalton in the orange jacket.

 We weren't allowed to take pictures during conference so that is all that turned out good from inside. Missionaries are given one ticket to attend General Conference.  Our tickets were for the Saturday afternoon session.  We were all on the first floor on the far right side.  I sat about 20 rows from the front.  I was able to see all the general authorities when they came in with spouses.  Sister Monson was unable to attend but President Monson's daughter was there for him.

View of people leaving the Conference Center after Saturday afternoon session

Conference goers.  There was so much excitement and joy as everyone felt the spirit of the messages and being with so many like minded people

I walk through this plaza everyday going to and from work.  I hope I never take it for granted.

The very beautiful Salt Lake City Temple with Conference attendees all over the place.  Many going to walk the garden paths on Temple Square and admire the beautiful flower beds.

The police had a presence there as did anti-Mormon groups.  I neither saw nor heard of any trouble.

 It is amazing how organized everything is.  The church thinks of everything and it all ran so smoothly.  With over 20,000 people filling the conference center for five times in two days it is truly amazing.  It must take 100s of volunteers to run things so smoothly.  There was even security at all doors like at an airport.  Sisters looked through all purses.  An announcement was given prior to the official beginning of conference of what to do if there was an attack of any kind.

This is a photo of the water fall that flows down the side of the conference center.

Well, what do you know?  I slipped a picture of me in here with the temple in the background.
Do I look happy?  Oh, yes, I am.

This is a picture of the mobile unit of the SLC Police Department.
The apartments on the left are called the Garden Apartments and that is where I live.

Where I walk everyone morning and afternoon going to and from work.

Same side of the Conference Center where I walk.  Wasn't it a beautiful day?

 My stake president back in Missouri, President Morgan, mailed me two tickets to the Sunday afternoon session of conference.  He said they were for me and Sister Hunt to go together.  Sister Hunt is the sister I met while doing my laundry and learned she was from my stake.  She and I did attend together and had a marvelous time.  We plan on getting together very soon.

In the two weeks that I haven't blogged I did many things.  I went to the temple a couple of times here in Salt Lake.  One time was to do the Endowment for a special lady that one of the paid staff asked for a volunteer to take to the temple.  I also went out for a marvelous steak dinner with brother Art, Maurine and her recently widowed father.  The conversation and the food were great.  It was a very fancy steak house with valet parking.  Art picked me up at my apartment and brought me home.  I felt like royalty.  I really enjoyed surf and turf.  Maurine had the same.  On Friday evening I saw the Joseph Smith movie at the Legacy Theater in the Joseph Smith Building and afterwards met a man who was roommate's with Jeff Foli from Chillicothe.  (another Tender mercy).  Sister McKnight and I explored the huge Salt Lake Public Library and  we learned of a book sale to be held in a couple of weeks.  We plan to attend.  I helped two sisters move because I am blessed to have a vehicle here.  Some of us went shopping after going out for Chinese dinner.  Life is full and busy.  Now, remember it is not all visiting and having fun.  I do work seven to eight hours every day and feel I am doing some important work.  I can tell you to read D&C 127:9 to have an idea of what we do in "the happiest zone in the church."

I have received some wonderful letters from friends and family.  The cell phone is a great blessing and I know my children and grandchildren are only as far away as calling their numbers.  Sometimes I take a picture of this, that or another thing and send it with a text message so they know I am thinking of them.

When the pioneers left home sometimes it was months and months until they received messages from loved ones.  I talked to my daughter, Kris, while I was waiting for conference to begin this afternoon.  She could feel the excitement of the event as we talked.  What great times in which we live.  I am so grateful!

Last of all I will comment on the messages of conference.  They were very timely for us today.  I feel that Elder Bednar displayed a lot of courage to give the very important talk he gave.  It came from very deep convictions and he said things that needed to be said.  I was on Facebook earlier and read many comments and quotes on conference.  People told of their favorite talks but no one mentioned Elder Bednar's talk.  I loved hearing and watching President Monson's talk.  It will long remain in my memory.  He is a natural born story teller.  Elder Holland's talk was excellent and brought out a lot of laughter.  I look forward to hearing and reading them again one at a time to ponder the meanings for me.  We are indeed a blessed people.  I know that Heavenly Father knows and loves each of us as does our Savior, Jesus Christ.  I know the Church is true and I am so grateful for Joseph Smith and the work of the restoration.  May God bless you all until next I write.

The flag flew proudly and the Lord blessed us all this weekend.