Sagas of My Life By Thor Leifson

Church Missions

they surely must have someone looking out for them from after we had been in the islands for just over one years’ time,
above!” As it turned out, we had no further use for this and therefore I have no written record of this very, very
man’s property and we proceeded as rapidly as possible in scary trip. Even so, I well remember many of the details
constructing another chapel on our own property two or and have relived in my mind how frightening it was and
three hundred yards from the wharf area. Meetings were the promises I made to the Lord if He would only let me
held in a member’s home for the next few weeks until the live through this experience! Rather than being able to
new chapel was completed. skirt around the edge of the cyclone, as we were able to
do on the first trip to Tubuai, this time we were trapped in
Probably the scariest boat trips I made during our three the midst of one. It carried us way off course to the east of
years in Tahiti were a couple of voyages to the Australes, the route we intended to take. As the seas got heavier and
which is a group of islands about 500 miles south of the heavier much of the cargo began to break loose and started
main island. The two main islands of this group were Tubuai sliding back and forth on the deck. There was construction
and Rurutu. On both trips we ran into severe storms. Also material such as lumber and bags of cement, as well as a lot
on both trips it was to have been the “final sailing” for this of furniture such as refrigerators, ranges and generators.
particular boat prior to its being retired from service! I’ll The captain of the crew could see that the situation was
quote directly from my journal regarding the first voyage: getting really dangerous so he called all able‑bodied men to
help the crew throw these materials overboard. It was sad to
“We left Papeete at about 10:00 am on Thursday March 21, see but I was convinced he had made the proper decision.
1968, on the boat Terehou (tere means journey and hou Some of us tied security ropes around our waists because
means peace or peaceful) but there was never more of a of the danger of losing our footings and sliding overboard.
misnomer than this! For two full days until about 9:30 am If these materials had not been discarded, we would never
on Saturday we were tossed and thrown until our arrival have saved the ship for the seas continued to get worse and
at Rurutu, which is a small island to the west of Tubuai. It there was water everywhere, even washing right through
stormed heavily during the entire trip. We were on the east the ship. I really don’t know how we were able to stay afloat.
end of a hurricane or cyclone as they called them in the One thing I could never forget was being pinned against the
islands. There were about 40 passengers cramped aboard rear railing of the ship as it went under water. A couple of us
this little cargo boat and only six of us were fortunate enough were trying to throw some large sacks of material overboard
to have small private bunks. I spent most of the two days at when suddenly we were buried under an enormous wave
sea in this bunk! and not only could I not breath because of being under
water but the weight of a large sack of something pressed
“We saw lots of flying fish and dolphins. The crew tried to me so hard against the metal railing that I felt certain the
catch fish by trailing fish lines but had little success.” railing would surely break and I would be washed away! I
prayed with all my heart, “Please, Lord, let me live to take
I remember being so relieved to see land again. However, care of my family!” Immediately the rear of the ship rose
the seas were so rough that “the ship couldn’t come from the water and the large bundle rolled off me. The
through the pass so dropped anchor outside the reef and fellow I had been working with was standing in the rear
we all had to come ashore by means of a life boat, about 10 door and quickly reached out his arm to help me back
at a time. It was without serious incident except for getting inside the cabin. For the next few hours I lay in my small
really wet.” bunk trying to hold on and not be thrown into the hard
surfaces on either side. I have never felt so weak and so tired
However, by comparison to my second trip to the Australes
this first voyage was truly a lark, as we say. I’m so disgusted
with myself for discontinuing the keeping of a daily journal

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and yet it was impossible to rest for you just had to hold later came to Tahiti and worked on my large construction
on for dear life as the ship lurched up and down and rolled crew, offered to take me on a fishing trip to a smaller island
heavily from side to side. When the storm finally subsided off the southern coast. He had a boat that was perhaps 14
and we took stock of everything, the crew noted there had feet long with a small outboard motor. We were well on our
been extensive damage to our already feeble little ship and way when suddenly I heard a small pop and the engine died.
perhaps worst of all the radio wouldn’t work. We were told Immediately, Apia slipped over the side of the boat and dove
we were far off course to the southeast of Tubuai and were straight down. My heart took an extra beat as I wondered
actually closer to the island of Rapaa. It was evident that what could be going on. Within seconds Apia surfaced with
the crew seemed in real turmoil. We soon learned that the his gleaming white teeth showing through a wide grin, but
captain had become incapacitated and seemed incapable of also firmly clenching a small sparkplug between the two
giving direction. The crew finally had to take over and we rows of pearly teeth. It was almost humorous to see how
made our way back to our destinations of Rurutu and then casually Apia handled what to me seemed a potentially
on to Tubuai. perilous mishap. He laughingly screwed the sparkplug back
into the top of the open motor and we were soon on our way
Rurutu had been hit the hardest in this island group with again only to have the same thing happen just a few minutes
most of the homes having been destroyed or severely later because the threads on the plug were badly stripped.
damaged and the coconut trees and other vegetation After the third time I found a wooden stick and held the
stripped clean of their fronds and leaves. We were unable plug in place until we finally arrived at the small island quite
to give much relief because practically all of our cargo had some distance off shore from the main island. Before we
been thrown overboard as we tried to stay afloat during the arrived, however, the seas got very choppy as a storm front
hurricane. It was interesting to hear two Elders tell of their moved in on us. Apia anchored our boat a little off shore
experience with the storm. Most of the homes in these and told me he would dive for scallops. He brought up the
southern islands are built out of lava and corral stones, first armload. By armload, I mean just that. He would put
which is so different from the rest of the homes throughout the scallops in one arm and swim with the other. He would
the Tahitian islands. Because of the solid construction of hold one shell in his hand and stack six or eight others up to
their home the Elders said they felt fairly safe even when the his armpit, holding them against his body. He showed me
winds increased beyond belief. As the winds continued to how to open the shells and cut out the scallop muscle, etc.
get stronger and stronger, however, they were afraid the door and then challenged me to open and cut them as fast as he
would be blown in so the two of them braced themselves could bring them to the surface. It proved to be no contest,
against it to prevent this from happening. Suddenly, there for he was much faster at harvesting than I was processing
was a sound like an explosion and as they looked up to see the product! The native Tahitians on the various islands
what it could have been, they were shocked to note that have fishing contests from time to time and I was told that
the entire roof of their small home had been blown away! Apia was usually the champion fisherman on Tubuai. After
This seemed to have been the case with every home on the my experience with him it was no surprise to me that he
island of Rurutu. When we arrived the two Elders on this was a champion. He was also a great family man and was
small island were really busy doing all they could to help the District President of the youth of the LDS Church in
others through the devastating effects of the storm. Tubuai as well.

We soon continued on our way to Tubuai. This main island By the time we had almost filled our containers with the
in this island group had received some damage but not nearly fresh scallop meat, the seas became so rough that Apia said
so much as Rurutu. I think it was on this trip that Apia, who we should go ashore and find shelter. We drew the boat up

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on the beach and made our way to a large chestnut (mape) it is a good custom and probably prevents a lot of mental
tree. These trees, when large, flare out at the bottom almost and emotional problems that many suffer in other societies.
like a teepee and are often hollow inside. Apia had obviously Anyway, a couple of weeks later I looked out the window of
used this cozy habitat before for protection from storms for my construction office and noticed that the crew seemed
he went right to it. The floor was covered with deep sand so to be hustling more than usual with a really happy air about
we were really quite comfortable, but we hadn’t eaten since them and to my amazement there in the midst of them was
morning and it was now late in the day and we were both my good friend Apia! He acted as though he had never
getting quite hungry. Apia left and soon returned with some missed a day of work and I didn’t have the heart to try to
green coconuts that provided us fresh drinks and some chastise or fault him in any way. Of course, Bill had told me
nourishment. Too much green coconut can give one a real it would do no good and I just had to accept it as a normal
case of the “tourista,” however, so I didn’t want too much of thing, which I did.
this kind of food. The storm continued and we could see we
would need to spend the night here, so as daylight faded Apia Speaking of the school project, I am reminded that I should
brought in a bucket of the fresh scallops. He had no trouble perhaps list and discuss some of the main construction
eating them raw and even seemed to relish this tasty treat! By works we were involved with throughout the islands. I
the next morning, when we were still pinned down by the briefly told of this earlier, in a general way, but I feel I need
storm and my hunger pains got really bad, I finally relented to give more specific information about this since it was
and joined Apia at his scallop dinner! I was amazed how tasty the main reason we were sent to the islands. Of course, as
raw scallops could be after no other solid food in only a few also mentioned earlier, the biggest and most important
hours’ time! project during the first year or so was adding extensively
to and remodeling the Church Elementary School. We
Apia and I became good friends and he later showed up in added a large auditorium, new kitchen and dining hall,
Papeete seeking a construction job with us at the school. new classroom wing, new restrooms, etc. to what was
He proved to be a tremendous worker and asset, similar already the finest elementary school in all of Tahiti. This
to my friend Bill Mapakoi. But after a few weeks’ time he school proved to be a tremendous blessing to our LDS
disappeared. I asked Bill whatever could have happened members and especially their children. It was also open to
to our best worker because he seemed so happy with this non‑member children and was the means of bringing many
job. Bill then explained to me about a native characteristic into the Church. Also because it was administered by LDS
called “fieu.” Bill said it was just something generally French citizens, and the fact that most of the teachers were
accepted by all Tahitians and something I needed to get French as well, helped greatly in our relationship with the
used to because it would also happen with others from local government officials. It was always enjoyable going
time to time. Tahitians don’t feel comfortable with a strict, to the government offices with the principal, Brother
tight routine so they just simply take off when they feel any Bertone, in processing our building permits. He was a
pressure mounting in their lives. I could understand how retired high‑ranking military officer and most everyone in
Apia would miss his family and the lifestyle he so enjoyed in the government offices seemed to have been aware of it for
Tubuai but I also felt he should have come to me and let me everywhere we went the office workers, many of whom were
know he wanted some time off. I later learned that this was also retired military, would come to a rigid military stance of
just a routine thing and they didn’t see any need to explain attention and salute him. At first I felt a bit embarrassed but
or make excuses about it to white people who simply it sort of grew on me and it seemed great to have someone
couldn’t understand this beneficial and normal custom. I in the Church shown this much respect. And because of
came to realize that for them (and perhaps for many others) the outstanding success of our school, there was also a

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tremendous increase in respect for the Church. I personally Another project I felt especially good about was developing
feel the Church school was an important contributing factor the hillside above the school for housing lots. I had been
and reason why the Church has flourished as well as it has in directed to find and arrange to purchase about ten sites for
Tahiti during these past 30 years. teachers’ homes. The French government was requiring all
schools to provide permanent housing for their teachers
It may well have been because of the Church’s successful or the schools would be closed down. This was obviously
school operations that, a number of years following our part of the squeeze the French government was putting
departure, the French government decided to discontinue on churches that were running schools. When I did some
private schools and take over this role themselves. The checking and learned it would cost 2 or 3 million dollars
government offered to purchase each of the private schools, just to acquire properties for the homes, I soon realized
which were mostly run by the various churches, but offered the value of the hillside property above the school that
such a ridiculously low purchase price that most churches the Church already owned. I was amazed, however, that it
just converted them to regular meetinghouses. In our was so very difficult to convince our own real estate people
case, we simply tore down much of campus and used this in Salt Lake City that we could save millions by using our
beautiful site for a lovely new temple. own land. They felt our hillside was too steep and it took
many exchanges of letters with lots of photos and finally
There is one additional thing I want to include about our extensive soils tests, etc., to convince them that it could be
school project and that is in regards to our hand‑mixed done. And it made so much good sense to have the homes
concrete pours. I will quote from my journal entry dated of the teachers so close to the school and so convenient as
Sunday, Dec. 30, 1978, which recapped the previous week’s far as traveling to and from their work. Finally, Fred Baker
work: “On Monday and Tuesday we finished the steel rebar came to my aid and we were able to get approval for this
work for the first large beams and roof pour. We took off project. It saved the Church millions of dollars because
Wednesday for Christmas. Then finally, on Thursday we land is so terribly expensive in Tahiti. Although, sometime
made our biggest concrete pour yet in one day. We did it in later, housing for the teachers became academic, we avoided
about 12 hours, from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, plus, of course, spending so much for other property we didn’t actually need
the final finishing work by 3 or 4 of us until about midnight. and now we have several lovely homes above the temple, one
We poured approx. 53 cubic meters (70 cubic yards) of for the temple president, one for the mission president and
concrete with our two large mixers and a crew of 32 men. another for the school security man in one of the choicest
I rented a hoister from the docks and we built platforms areas of the city with a beautiful view over the city, the harbor
so we could hoist six wheelbarrows of concrete at a time and the ocean.
up to the 20 feet high roof level. What a delight it was to
have that day over with. This pour has been my biggest The school and the hillside development were the two
concern since my first day of studying the plans! The other largest of the projects I was involved with. However,
two similar pours on the roof will each have one less beam upon my arrival President Richards presented me his
which will make about 7 cubic meters less concrete per list of what he felt was needed by way of properties and
pour. The worst pour is over with! All went like perfection construction projects for his mission. He felt there was
itself except for the water cutting off on us an hour or two need for “thirty some odd building projects and twenty
before the finish. Fortunately, I was able to get the local fire some odd meetinghouse site purchases.” Quoting again
department to bring one of their trucks and save us from a from my journal: “I think I have helped him be a lot more
real calamity.” Water being cut off was a frequent problem in realistic in what he wants to push for. The first time we met
Tahiti. I’ll explain more about that later in this history. to discuss building projects, he informed me he didn’t

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want any more ‘native fares’ built; only our more modern During the three years we were there in the islands I was
western type structures. By slowly and patiently sharing my able, with the assistance of a fine crew, to accomplish most
views with him, he now agrees that it would be impractical of what I have outlined above. The projects were on many
to push for other than the ‘fare’ (thatch roof) type for small islands from Noumea (located north of New Zealand)
branch groups of less than 50 members. He agrees we should on the west to the Tuamotus that were located far east of
continue to build these in the smaller branches. He is still Tahiti. As one can see, our work was scattered over many
requesting the masonry multi‑purpose type of chapels in six hundreds of miles of ocean. I really felt quite good about the
locations, several missionary homes and a small home in each amount of work we were able to get done while I had this
district for older missionary couples (this I think has much heavy responsibility and was happy to turn over a smooth
merit). He also wants several concrete basketball courts operating program to Brother Sterling Burch in August of
and generator buildings as well as quite a number of the 1970 when we returned to the United States to take up my
regular ‘fare’ type meetinghouses throughout the mission.” new assignment with the Church Building Committee at
Once we had these basic agreements in place, we were then Church headquarters in Salt Lake City.
able to proceed in getting approval from headquarters to
accomplish this agenda. Of course, there were also quite I mentioned that we had a project in Noumea.
a number of remodeling projects needed on the mission This is the main island in New Caledonia, which, as I
complex as well as on most of the existing meetinghouses, indicated above, is north of New Zealand and a very long
missionary quarters, and other Church buildings. way from Tahiti. Because it is also a French protectorate it

Mission Construction Staff
Thor Leifson, Sterling Burch, Viliamu Mapakoi, Raymond Coucourde, Ruth Millet

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was at that time a part of our mission and it was, therefore, and a number of others. Over the years I have had people
my responsibility to process a project to provide them a come up to me and thank me profusely for the wonderful
new chapel. It was really something to have to fly all the way times I had shown them in Tahiti and in a couple of cases I
to New Zealand by way of the Cook Islands (Rarotonga) simply couldn’t even remember having had them visit with
and then journey on to Noumea. I took Loyce with me on us. It has really surprised me because I’ve always prided
one of the trips there and we stopped off in New Zealand myself as having quite a good memory. There were several
and spent some time with Brother and Sister Bill Roberts. other experiences as well as some of the native customs that
Bill was a professional realtor who helped me on some of I should perhaps include before closing off this chapter.
the real estate problems we ran into in Tahiti. Bill also later
served as president of the New Zealand Temple where I One of the customs or characteristics of the Tahitians that
was able to visit him a number of times in later years. Bill we first noticed was their love of and talent in music and
was one of the great men it has been my privilege to know. dance. At the first place we lived we were in the midst of a
Tahitian neighborhood and we would hear the rhythmic
Mentioning New Zealand reminds me of another assignment sounds of the singing and drums each evening well into
I had which was not at all Church related and that was to act the night. During the year there would be dancing contests
as an unofficial assistant to the American Consul in New every week or so in preparation for the big contested
Zealand, since there was neither a consul’s office in Tahiti nor activities in mid July during a weeklong festivity. There
any of the other Polynesian Islands at that time. I notice from would be other activities as well such as spear throwing
rereading my old journal that a number of times I was asked contests, canoe racing, etc. This was always an especially
to process visas as well as interview and give exams to young interesting and exciting time for all of the natives.
French and Tahitian students for entrance into American
universities. I never found out why or how I was selected to One musical group that was very well known and
handle this duty, but I suppose the French governing officials tremendously popular throughout all of Tahiti was our
in Tahiti must have suggested my name to the American Mormon Mamaruau (Grandmothers) singing and dancing
consul, for my first contact regarding these duties came team. They were like our Mormon Tabernacle Choir here in
through them. This gave me some experience in the duties the U.S. Any special civic event just wasn’t complete without
that I was given some fifteen years later as an official consul in their presence and their performances. They were really an
the intermountain area of America for the country of Iceland, institution of renown! They performed a lot of old folklore
the land of my paternal grandparents. songs and dances with the accompaniment of drums and
ukuleles and were always so much fun to watch. About once
During the three years we were in Tahiti there were a each month one of two large American tourist ships would
number of Church leaders who visited as well as several come into the harbor. One was the Monterey and the other
of our own personal friends and family members. Among the Montezuma. The Mamaruaus would always be invited
the Church leaders were President N. Eldon Tanner of and, I think, even paid to present a program on board these
the First Presidency, Elder Howard W. Hunter and Elder ships. They were allowed to invite a number of guests on
Marvin J. Ashton. Elder Ashton invited me to return with board with them and my family and I enjoyed several of
him to Tahiti several years later on a special assignment that these activities. A free meal was included and it was quite a
proved to be especially interesting. Family members who treat to get a really good American meal at these times. As
visited were Dad Leifson and Dad and Mom Partridge. part of their performance on the ships they sometimes had
Friends included Paul Warners, Drs. Hughes and wives, a young Mormon group of Tahitians do traditional dances
Hac Christiansen, Steve Call, Bill Roberts, John Johnson as well. It was fun to see our own tanned but much lighter

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skinned kids take part in some of these dances with their Tahitians are so willing to share whatever they have with
Tahitian friends. others. For example, you must be careful when you are in
a Tahitian friend’s home about openly admiring shells or
Another interesting custom, one that the Church was other such decorations because they will insist that you
discouraging when we arrived in the islands, was the accept that object as a gift. However, by the same token,
exchanging of children. Our dear friends, Bill and Emma they sometimes expect the same from you.
Mapakoi, had actually experienced this very unselfish
This sharing practice became a very personal thing for Loyce
procedure in their early‑married years. A newborn of theirs and me during a visit from the Mapakois one evening shortly
had died soon after it was born and a cousin, who had before we were to return to the States. When they arrived
several children already, gave a newborn baby girl of hers at our home I could tell they were both sort of uneasy. This
to Emma to have and to raise as her very own child. A few was unusual because they always seemed so at‑ease and
years later a friend of Emma’s lost a baby soon after Emma relaxed with us and with the children. They both loved kids
gave birth to her own first natural‑born baby girl, whom so very much and our children could sense this and they, in
as I recall was named Hemai, and Emma in turn gave this turn, loved Emma and Bill just as strongly. Bill usually spoke
beautiful little baby to her dear friend. That baby turned French with me when they visited because his English was
out to be a very attractive and talented young woman who somewhat limited and my Tahitian was the same. Emma’s
danced professionally in California for some years prior to English and French were also quite limited so she seldom
her marriage there. Bill and Emma stayed close to Hemai talked very much except in a sort of Pidgin English with the
even though their friends raised her as though she were their kids. She loved to hold them in her lap and try to teach them
very own child. This would be almost impossible for people Tahitian words as well as little songs and ditties.
in our culture to even think of doing, but for Tahitians it
seemed to be quite a natural way to sympathize and show After they had visited with us that evening for some time,
real love toward some friend or family member who had Bill timidly began to explain how much Emma admired our
suffered the loss of a child. I once asked Bill and Emma to children. I should have sensed what was coming next, but I
share with me their real feelings about this practice and I just wasn’t thinking I guess and, as I said, I was so surprised
felt Emma explained it especially well when she said they at what he then said that I could hardly believe what I was
had not actually given Hemai away, but only shared her hearing. He first paid me a really touching compliment by
with these dear friends so she would be a comfort to them. saying that he honestly felt that I, more than any other Popaa
This shows a quality in Tahitians that I’ve never witnessed (white man) he had met, seemed more like one of them ‑ a
anywhere else in the world. true Tahitian! Obviously, he had prepared his little speech
very well for he then continued by saying that I should now
show or prove what he had just said about me and accept
to do what was often done among close Tahitian friends
and family members and that was to allow them to take
our little daughter Kristin (Fifiri, as they called her) to raise
as their own little girl! Kris had just recently turned three
years of age. The reason they called her Fifiri was because of
her frizzy, curly hair. As I recall, Emma was holding Kristin
in her lap as Bill was making their request. He went on to
assure me of how well they would care for her, see that she

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had the very best schooling and allow her to come to the on each side of the aisle. She had a sweet smile on her
States to visit us as often as they could afford her travel. It charming face and I couldn’t help notice her overall
was obvious that Bill and Emma were completely sincere beauty. Tahitians generally have finer features than the
and I certainly didn’t want to offend them so I tried to be other Polynesian peoples and also are usually thinner
as understanding as possible. I paused for a moment to sort and smaller in stature. I admit being partial, of course,
of catch my breath and then I calmly told Bill that we were but I think they are, generally speaking, a very handsome
truly touched by their deep interest in our children. I added and fine looking people. But, anyway, to continue with
that we also understood that with the last of their children my story, I waited for a moment or two expecting this
recently “out of the nest” Emma was really lonely when Bill young woman to move out of my way. When I could
had to go to the outer islands on work projects where he see she wasn’t going to do that, I asked her, in English,
was sometimes gone several days at a time. However, I told what she wanted. She replied immediately, in Tahitian,
Bill that if we were to leave Fifiri with them, I was sure that which I only partially understood. So, I asked her again,
her mother would cry on her pillow every night for many this time in French. She then replied, in fluent French,
years because our other children were several years older that what she wanted was a red-headed American baby!
than Fifiri so Loyce would also be alone for many more I was completely surprised and actually thought she
years without her. Bill patiently explained our conversation was perhaps just teasing in a flirting way. Regardless,
to Emma and I remember how she wept openly and yet she however, I told her that she would have to find someone
smiled lovingly at us when they later left, so I knew she had else to help her with this matter as I was a married man
accepted our refusal in the right spirit. and had always been faithful to my wife. Her first reply
was, “Don’t you find me attractive enough?” I assured
Speaking of children, there was another strange and yet her that she was very attractive, but that really had little
interesting occurrence that I have debated with myself to do with my refusal to be involved with her this way.
as to whether I should include in this history. However, She continued to try to reason with my every refusal and
since Elder Groberg included in his journal and later in finally seemed to think that I was perhaps concerned
a book a similar happening he had during his mission in about the expenses involved. She then assured me
Tonga, I decided it would be okay that I share this bizarre that she and her mother had discussed this matter a
experience as well. number of times and they could promise me that they
would handle any costs involved and that I would not
Moral customs are entirely different in the South Pacific have to pay anything at all. She insisted that my only
than in our Utah environment, as you will see from the involvement would be to give her the baby and from
following story about an encounter I had with a very that point on she and her mother would be responsible
attractive young Tahitian woman. I often purchased for everything else and assured me they would take
hardware materials from the largest firm in Papeete excellent care of the baby throughout its life. When she
that supplied these kinds of goods. Almost every time could see she had not succeeded in convincing me of
I shopped there I noticed that a beautiful native girl what she wanted, she began to cry and finally allowed
seemed to keep her eyes my way and whenever she me to pass by her. She did continue to show friendliness
could she would try to be available to wait on me. One towards me afterwards whenever I came into the
time while I was near the end a no exit aisle selecting store. There were a couple of other somewhat similar
some material, I sensed someone behind me. As I turned incidents that took place but nothing quite as dramatic
around, there stood this lovely young lady completely as this one.
blocking my path by holding onto the shelving supports

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Another interesting thing that I earlier stated I would and put in trays that can be placed in and taken out of the
discuss in more detail is really not so much a custom as pits more easily. Trays are sometimes stacked two or three
it was more of a way of life in Tahiti. This pertained to deep and then all is covered over with more large tropical
how they handled their culinary water on the volcanic leaves. Finally, sand is then thrown on top of the hima and
or mountainous islands. On the atoll islands they these foods are left to cook this way for two or three hours.
would simply dig wells and the ocean water would The preferred meats that are cooked this way are suckling
seep to these deep holes. However, this water usually pigs, ducks and geese, various fishes and chicken. One
tasted quite brackish so a secondary source was to catch could never eat more tender and juicy meat than when it is
rainwater when available. Because of this, most people prepared this way. Some other foods cooked in this manner
on the atolls drank a lot of coconut milk or juice. There are taro, breadfruit, yams and mape (a type of chestnut).
were also real problems with the water on the volcanic They sometimes even cook popaa foods this way such as
islands because whenever it rained, which was quite corn on the cob, potatoes and carrots. However, other than
often, of course, the streams coming off the mountains for the corn on the cob, I felt the other popaa foods were not
would immediately become laden with mud and debris. nearly as tasty as the Tahitian foods. There were some other
Most of the culinary water would be taken from many delicious foods at these tamaras which were not cooked in
of the streams, so to prevent the pipes throughout the the ground such as a type of salad called “poisson cru” (this
villages from filling with mud during any rainstorm; means raw fish but it isn’t really raw, for the main ingredient
those in charge of the water system would always shut of the salad is marinated fish, usually mahi‑mahi, mixed with
off the water at the points where it was taken from the veggies), several different pois (more like puddings and so
streams whenever a heavy rainstorm began. We soon very different than Hawaiian poi) and other various tropical
learned that because this happened so very often, fruits and fruit cakes. When taking part in these wonderful
almost everyone would capture the rain water coming feasts you sit, usually cross‑legged, on the ground on either
off their roofs, especially during the heavy rainy season, side of the foods which are laid out like long buffet tables
which coincided with our winter months here in the on woven mats and banana leaves in such a way that each
States. So, during those times of heavier rains, you person can reach for several choices of the wonderful foods.
would have only the water in your rain barrels, which Lemons and limes grow everywhere and the sweetened
were located beneath the roof downspouts. From these juices from them are very tasty. They always provided fresh
barrels we would dip buckets of water to flush toilets, coco juice, which is also very good as well. The natives who
fill the washing machine, etc. It was a very different yet live on the main island are being heavily influenced by the
interesting way of life there in the islands. I wonder if French and Chinese and consequently are adapting more
they have developed better means of handling this and more to their eating habits, so they have fewer tamaras
problem now after about 30 years. I hope so. than one sees on the outer islands. Bill Mapakoi wanted to
do a real native tamara for Dad Leifson when he came to
There is one Tahitian custom that everyone greatly enjoyed visit us and that was one of the very few I recall attending
and that was the Tamaaraas or the feasts that were mainly on the main island of Tahiti. However, I was privileged to
cooked in “himas” or underground pits. I have never, attend several during trips to the outer isles.
before or after our time in Tahiti, eaten more succulent and
delicious food. Most people are aware of how this is done During the three years we were in Tahiti we saw significant
by the Polynesians. They first build fires in rock‑lined pits. changes as more and more popaa influences crept in.
When the rocks become really hot the pits are cleaned out The Tahitians were struggling for more autonomy from
and the different foods are wrapped in large banana leaves the French and they were promoting more tourist trade,

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primarily with the Americas. To attract more of the ocean and fronds, tear roofs away and drown many animals. Yet,
liners that brought hundreds of tourists, the local Tahitian in only a few weeks’ time nature would seem to quietly heal
governing group undertook a large remodeling of the main itself of these devastating wounds and soon everything
harbor and waterfront. It was amazing to see how this part seemed to get back to normal and all was beautiful once
of Papeete was completely modernized during our stay again. I can never forget how, after one such cyclone passed
there. It changed from rat infested, tin roofed and dilapidated by our main island, the beach near our home in Pirae
storage buildings all along the waterfront into a beautiful was piled probably 20 feet high with all manner of debris
tree‑lined park and gardens with a lovely reception area to including trees, fronds, dead animals, etc. I thought our
properly greet the tourists and yacht sailing people. They lovely beach was forever ruined and that this mess would
also completely redid their airport and terminal and at the smell to high heaven in just a short time. To my complete
same time encouraged the building of large new first‑rate amazement, however, in only a couple of week’s time the
hotels. These were positive things in many ways but this regular workings of the tides gradually carried away all of
also brought in some bad influences as well. When we first this unsightly debris and our lovely, wonderful beach was
arrived there, for example, Tahiti was quite primitive and completely restored to us.
very different from Hawaii, but when we left just three years
later, the main island had become very much like a miniature I have sometimes thought that perhaps the Popaa influences
Hawaii. The outer islands in Tahiti, however, stayed pretty upon the native Tahitian people such as materialism,
much unchanged during this time. The dress (or undress, non‑native foods, liquor and tobacco as well as Western
if you will) and the food, as well as the work habits, etc. style music are somewhat like the storms they often face
were still very native in character. Speaking of dress, it was and somehow live through. I only hope that they will not
customary in the outer islands for the women to wear only lose their basic goodness and the many great qualities of
a grass or flower patterned cotton skirt from the waist down, character that seem to be so much a part of their very nature.
but nothing above. Some of the older women who were Hopefully, they will survive the onslaught of the Western
heavier would wear popaa halters. Our Church members, culture and the sometimes bad and devastating influences it
however, were encouraged to be more fully clothed. has flooded over them in recent decades. Also let’s hope that
their inner nature can be restored and maintained so they
One telling effect of the white man influence was so very won’t lose the many interesting native customs and the fine
evident. When you visited the distant islands and were qualities of character they have always possessed.
greeted by the natives, as you always were, you could
quickly tell if there was a regularly scheduled boat that came As our three‑year commitment in Tahiti was drawing to
to that particular island from Tahiti by observing the broad the final weeks, Brother Hac Christiansen, who was Fred
smiles on the faces of those greeting you. If their teeth were Baker’s assistant, visited us and explained that the Brethren
all gleaming and white, with none missing, then you knew in Salt Lake had an assignment that they would like me to
that they were not receiving regular deliveries of sugary soft consider at Church headquarters. Four years earlier when
drinks from Tahiti. This was a sure sign of how isolated or they had offered me the permanent job in Europe I had told
not that particular island might be! my wife and others that I did not feel that I was meant to
work as a Church employee. I again shared this feeling with
There is one final thought that I should add. It never Hac. He gave me sort of a lecture about having a similar
ceased to amaze me of how destructive the bad storms or feeling himself until he realized that if we truly loved the
hurricanes (cyclones, as they were called by the natives) Church and wanted what was best for its progress, we would
could be, as they would usually strip the trees of all leaves also want the very best people involved in its operations. He

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made me feel it would be a real privilege and somewhat of Our farewell from Tahiti was really quite memorable.
an obligation to help with the Church Building Program When you arrive in Tahiti you are given a few flower leis.
and they felt I would be a perfect fit for this particular When you leave, however, each of the friends you have
assignment they wanted me to handle. The job was as the made feels he or she must give you nice shell leis. Each of
Project Development Coordinator. Because it was a desk the seven in our family was so laden down with shell leis
job, I told Hac I wasn’t sure I could be happy with that type that a number of times we had to remove some in order
of work. He then explained that they would like me to give it to have room for more that were being offered. We have
a try and if after awhile I wasn’t completely happy with that given these shell leis to friends over the years and we still
job, there were two other assignments with which they felt I have a goodly number among our shell collections. All of
would do well. In any case, they wanted me to work closely us in our family have the very fondest remembrances of
with the Building Committee there at Church headquarters Tahiti and especially of our Tahitian friends.
and they would see that I was given work with which I was
pleased. After giving the matter careful consideration, we Fourth Mission ‑ 1994 Service Mission
decided that we would accept this new assignment and in
August of 1970 we returned home and I did work for most Several weeks prior to my retirement from Church
of the next 24 years at Church headquarters as part of the employment on May 1, 1993, Elder Dean L. Larsen, who
team in the Church Building Program. was serving at that time as the General Authority Managing

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Director of the Temple Department, called me aside following needed to have performed could possibly be done in only
a meeting we had just concluded and he asked me if I really a few months’ time and shouldn’t interfere with any other
planned to retire as someone had recently informed him. future mission plans that we might have, or that others might
I answered in the affirmative. We had become quite good have for us. The assignment he had in mind was for me to
friends and it didn’t surprise me that he would seem interested undertake a study regarding missionary housing throughout
in my future plans. Elder Larsen loved to fish and we had talked the world. They realized they had serious problems with
of good fishing places a number of times so I expected him to this in many of the missions because each mission handled
tease me about spending my retirement time “going fishing.” I (or one could say, usually mishandled) this matter however
shared with him that although I had truly enjoyed my work in they chose to do it. Most of them did it the way it had always
temple construction, there were still a number of other things been done and that was to simply let the young missionaries
I really wanted to pursue before I was too old to enjoy them. find their own apartments. The Missionary Department
For example, I shared with him that we had owned a piece of had never developed a uniform plan for their missionary
property at Sundance in Provo Canyon for many years and I housing. They could see, however, that many of the young
had already begun the process of acquiring building permits inexperienced missionaries were really being taken advantage
so I could commence the construction of a nice cabin there of and that vast amounts of Church funds were being wasted.
immediately upon my retirement. He seemed quite excited It didn’t take long into our study for us to verify that this was
about that saying he agreed that it would be a really fun thing most certainly the case.
to do. Then he said that as soon as I had this project finished,
he had something else in mind for me to consider. He asked if I was given somewhat of a “carte blanche” as to how this
I might not be interested and willing to go on another mission. study was to be performed. It was suggested, however, that
Elder Larsen explained that they really needed someone with I might want to travel to a number of missions throughout
my temple experience and fluency in French at a number of the the world to get a good feel regarding the overall situation
temples. He continued by saying that, if I was willing to accept and then prepare a written proposal on things that could
a calling, he would see that my wife and I could be assigned to be considered in putting together uniform procedures or
any one of about a half dozen temples where French speaking guidelines in regards to correcting the obvious problems
missionaries were really needed. He listed the Swiss, Frankfurt, with the missionary housing. This assignment was very
Washington D.C., Caribbean Area, Canadian temples, etc. I much like the task I had been given in 1977 regarding the
told him that in a year or two, when I had finished my cabin maintenance of our temples, which was also to do a study
project, I would get back to him for I felt my wife and I could and propose changes.
and would be happy to serve another mission.
After some preliminary review, I asked if an assistant could be called
Several months after my retirement, and after I had our to work with me on this study for I knew that my good friend,
Sundance project well underway, I received an invitation to Henry Haurand, had also recently retired and I felt it would be very
come into Church headquarters and visit with Elder Porter helpful to “brainstorm” on this matter with another person who had
who was the General Authority Managing Director of the construction as well as mission‑field experiences. Henry and his
Missionary Department. Our first meeting was actually on good wife Margaret had served other missions just as Loyce and
January 25, 1994. I had done in far‑flung places of the world. They agreed and asked
whom I might recommend to help with this. It was really enjoyable
They obviously knew what my situation was and asked if I to work with Henry and have lunch together once or twice each
couldn’t come into the Missionary Department one or two week. Henry has such a wonderful spirit about him and it was so
days each week on a service mission. They felt the task they interesting and helpful to exchange ideas with him.

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I had already been given and had reviewed copies of numerous apartments. This proved to be successful because the brother
complaints and suggestions that had been sent in from could check out the Elders’ quarters and the sister could
frustrated mission presidents over recent years. After reviewing check out the lady missionary quarters. This older sister
these with Henry, it soon became apparent to us that rather could also give good advice to all of the young missionaries
than traveling to a number of missions, we could easily obtain on proper housekeeping procedures. In smaller missions
the necessary data or information from the missions by means where such couples might have some extra time beyond this
of a written survey. So, we worked on this until we felt we had a assignment, they could always proselyte or do other tasks.
really good, reliable format to gather the needed data.
We quickly made this calling of an older, mature couple the
AsIrecall,wesurveyedseveralmissionsintheU.S.andCanada cornerstone of our proposed policy and procedures manual.
and an even larger number of missions from other countries It just seemed so logical to call local couples; and especially,
throughout the world. I remember that it took some time to whenever possible, people who had perhaps managed
get a good representative response to our survey. Many of apartment complexes before, or who had previous experience
the mission presidents were simply too busy at their pressing in real estate. These folks would know local conditions, speak
work to consider pausing “to sharpen their tools.” Having fluently the local language, and usually would know or be
served in a mission presidency, I knew they were so busy just better able to find contacts that could help them in this task.
“putting out fires,” that it was annoying to have to spend time We recommended that such couples be called in every
replying to or answering more correspondence from Church mission throughout the world. Henry and I both felt that this
headquarters. Telephone reminders helped a lot. one procedure alone could possibly save the Church millions
of dollars each year. But perhaps even more importantly, the
We had requested photos and detailed descriptions of the standard of the missionary housing would be upgraded very
missionary housing. As the materials began coming in, it was significantly and the housing would become much more
really appalling to learn of the commonly poor and deplorable healthy and wholesome under this program.
conditions of the housing so many of the missionaries were living
in. And in many cases they were paying exorbitant rental fees for After a few months, we had put together a small booklet of guidelines
such substandard facilities. We felt certain that many landlords and procedures containing a number of proposals, such as what I have
must have rubbed their hands with glee when young 19‑year‑old described above, and submitted it to the Missionary Department.
“wealthy” American boys approached them seeking to rent their Following the department leaders’ review, we made only slight
apartments. According to some replies that we received, the revisions to parts of the manual. Although we were never informed
mission leaders were sometimes made aware of conditions even by the Missionary Department as to how much of our proposed
they could hardly believe existed in their missions. manual was incorporated into their program, I later learned from
newly returned mission presidents that they did make the calling
Interestingly enough, as we carefully reviewed the materials of a mature local couple to be responsible for the missionary living
submitted, we found a couple of the missions where they felt quarters an integral part of their ongoing housing program.
very good about their missionary housing because they had
developed plans of their own which they felt had solved most An honorable release from this service mission together
of the problems. In both cases they had called an older local with a nice thank you letter was issued to me on October 22,
couple specifically to serve their missions in the capacity of 1994. This truly proved to be a really interesting and, I think,
overseeing the locating, renting or leasing and then seeing an especially worthwhile experience, just as each of the other
that the young missionaries properly maintained their missions had been.

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Fifth Mission - Wash., D.C. & missionary papers through the Missionary Department.
Swiss Temples On May 23rd we received a telephone call from Brother
Derek Metcalfe, the director of the Temple Department,
Our next mission call came about in an interesting way. I telling us we would be sent to the Swiss Temple.
mentioned earlier that prior to my retirement in 1993 I had
been asked by Elder Dean L. Larsen, who at the time was On July 19th we departed Salt Lake City for Washington,
the General Authority Managing Director of the Temple D.C. to serve in the temple there temporarily until our visas
Department, if my wife and I would consider another cleared so we could go on to Switzerland.
mission at one of the temples. I told Elder Larsen that I felt
we could do that, however, I explained that I wanted to first We truly enjoyed our few weeks at the temple there in our
build a cabin in Provo Canyon and that I would get back nation’s capital. It was an ideal way to break us in to temple
with him in a couple of years. missionary work and we were there long enough to get to
see many of the more interesting sights in that area. One
Just one year after my retirement, while I was doing the could spend many weeks there, however, and not really
service mission for the Missionary Department and when scratch the surface of all the fascinating things to do and see
we had our Sundance project well underway, we were just in The Mall area alone. To take in what the Smithsonian
invited to visit with our Pleasant View 6th Ward Bishop, Institute has to offer and also many of the museums
Melvin Wilson. He explained that the stake president had around the city was like Christmas every weekend for me.
received a call from the Brethren in Salt Lake asking that
they interview us in regards to possibly doing another
mission at one of the temples. We considered this very
seriously for a couple of days and then reported to Bp.
Wilson that we would be pleased to do another mission
if only the Brethren could give us about one more year to
finish our new home project.

Interestingly enough, at about this same time I received
a telephone call from Glen Lund who was the Mission
President at Geneva, Switzerland. He asked if Loyce and I
would be agreeable to joining his staff in the mission office
there as full time missionaries. I told Glen, who had served in
the French Mission the same time I did in the fifties, that I’d
really have loved to serve with him but then explained what
the Brethren had in mind for us after I finished the service
mission that I was presently doing with the Missionary
Department. One way or another it seems that we were
destined to end up in Switzerland on our next mission.

Early in 1995, as we were finalizing the Sundance project, we
were interviewed by both our Bishop and Stake President
and then submitted our papers to the Temple Department
as we were earlier directed and they in turn processed our

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As mentioned in an earlier chapter, while there in able to handle the German, Italian and Spanish ordinance
Washington, D.C., we were invited to spend a wonderful work as well as French and English, of course.
evening with the Icelandic Ambassador (Einar
Benediktsson) in their lovely home. We had such a good After the first few weeks when we were just getting to feel
discussion about his visit to Utah and about the Church. fairly comfortable with the work, talk began to circulate
From what he told me as we left, it would not surprise me to that President Richard Schmutz and his good wife
see him join the Church someday. Miriam, who were the Second Counselor in the Temple
Presidency and Assistant Matron respectively, would
Also while at the Washington, D.C. Temple, we became soon be completing their mission and going back to the
very good friends with several couples such as the Kellys, States. There were about 15 missionary couples serving in
Miltons and Rouches. We’ve remained very close friends the temple at that time and Loyce became quite alarmed
with the Kellys ever since. While we are in St. George each when several of them began to tell us that they felt fairly
winter, we get together with them every week or two. They certain we would likely be assigned to take the Schmutz’s
have stayed with us at Sundance and here in Provo and we place. Loyce felt very strongly that others who had much
have stayed with them in St. George and in Grand Junction. more experience and had been there longer should be
They are really great people and because we seem to have given this assignment rather than us. She felt so strong
so much in common, we really enjoy their company. After about it, in fact, that she asked that I meet with the temple
a few weeks in Washington D.C., on September 5th we president and let him know of these feelings. I did meet
finally received our visas and journeyed on to the Swiss with President Mario Vaira and he hesitatingly agreed that
Temple where we were to spend the next year and a half. he would give our request due consideration. He had been
This was, for me, one of the finest experiences of my life. I very complimentary to me a number of times and took
had always loved Switzerland and to actually live there that this occasion to again tell me how much he appreciated
long was really a delightful treat. The beauty of the country the warm and friendly spirit we brought to the work and
with its greenery most of the year and the majestic, near-by, he expressed especially how valuable he felt our work
snow capped Alps made me feel like I was in a fairyland. was with the French patrons, who actually attended the
temple in greater numbers than any of the other countries
There were, of course, a lot of local Swiss people who in the entire temple district. After my visit with President
came regularly to the temple, but the vast majority of our Vaira I felt we would be safe from greater responsibility
workload was with the tour groups that came from France, than we already carried.
Italy, Spain and Portugal. There were other special groups
that came from most of the other European countries on Just shortly before the Schmutzes were to leave, however,
occasion because this had been their old original temple President Vaira asked if Loyce and I would meet with
before the temples were built in Germany and Sweden. him in his office. He explained that he had really tried
Then there were quite a lot of Americans who came, either to work things out to accommodate our previous
military personnel stationed throughout Europe, Embassy request but he then asked if we would please do him “a
and Foreign Service people, or just American tourists personal favor” and serve with him, at least temporarily,
passing through. It was really a challenge working with until he could find the appropriate replacement for the
the people from these various other countries. Our videos upcoming vacancy in the presidency. On that basis, we
could handle about a dozen different languages, but still we told him we would do the very best we could to assist
needed at least a few workers who were fairly proficient in him. About one month later we received a telephone call
the various tongues to complete the services. I got so I was in our apartment quite late one evening. It was President

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Thomas S. Monson of the First Presidency. President probably need their approval to make such a change at
Monson explained that, after careful consideration, the this time. Only a few days later I received another call
Brethren felt very strongly the temple would be best from President Thomas S. Monson. He explained that
served if I were to accept the assignment of counselor the Brethren had discussed our situation in regards to
in the presidency. He then explained a few other things the possible transfer to Iceland and their conclusion was
such as the sealing powers, etc., and asked how I felt that we should continue on in our present assignment
about such an important assignment. I replied by telling at the Swiss Temple. President Monson then assured
him I honestly felt there were at least two or three others me they would find and send a really outstanding
among the missionary couples at our temple who were couple to “take good care of your Icelandic kindred.”
probably better qualified than my wife and I for this He once again commended us on the fine work we were
important role. He cut me off at that point and said, reportedly doing in the Swiss Temple and encouraged
“Brother Thor, can I accept that as a yes that you accept me to continue on in helping President Vaira, who
the assignment?” Loyce was listening on an extension had indicated to him how much he appreciated the
and as I looked her way, she was vigorously nodding her contribution we were making in “improving the spirit”
head in the affirmative. I told President Monson we felt in the temple.
very honored to be called and that we would do our best
to support President Vaira and try hard to accomplish Shortly after this, on May 1, 1996, we received yet
whatever tasks were given us. I remember him picking another call from President Monson, this time calling
up on the word “try,” and then giving me a bit of a lecture me to be the 1st Counselor to President Vaira. President
about not wanted just a try, but rather a determination Monson explained again about the sealing power I
on our part to actually “do” whatever was needed to should have as a member of the presidency and added
accomplish the work. He then expressed the love and that President Gordon B. Hinckley would be coming to
deep appreciation of the Brethren for the reported fine Europe the following month at which time I was to meet
work we were doing at the Swiss Temple. It was truly with him, probably in Brussels, and be given this sealing
a thrill and great pleasure to talk with this outstanding power blessing. A few months later, on August 29th, I
Church leader. received yet another call from President Monson calling
me to continue as 1st Counselor with the new temple
Only a week or two after being set apart as a counselor president, Georg Birsfelder.
in the Swiss Temple Presidency, we received a
telephone call from Mission President Kurt Anderson Meeting with President Hinckley in Brussels, Belgium,
of Copenhagen, Denmark. He explained they needed on June 12, 1996, was a most memorable experience.
a mature couple to oversee the missionary work and Several of us were seated in the hotel lobby waiting for
give direction to a dozen or so young missionaries in the President when he and a few others came through
Iceland and he indicated a number of the members in the main entry of the hotel. He turned towards our
Iceland had requested that my wife and I be given the group and walked briskly directly to me, giving me
assignment. I told President Anderson Loyce and I an embrace, calling me by name and then telling
had discussed such a possibility in the past and we had me how much he had appreciated the many years of
agreed this would be something we would someday outstanding care I had given to the temples worldwide.
really like to do. However, I added that I had just recently He quickly added how much he had enjoyed working
been called as a counselor in the temple presidency and with me on the upgrading of the Salt Lake Temple. I
since this was a call from the First Presidency, he would shall never forget that fine experience either. I was

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truly impressed that President Hinckley had such a the Christmas closing we enjoyed a most memorable
keen memory of these things from several years before, trip to the Holy Land and Egypt. We also tripped into
in view of the multitude of things he must have on his Austria (to visit the Nageles), southern Germany and
mind every day. I recall how his aids were hurrying him into Italy at other times.
along because he was on a really tight schedule and
there were several of us from various temples to receive I think we traveled almost every main rail line
the sealing power. We were escorted to a suite of rooms and highway throughout Switzerland to enjoy the
where the blessings were given to each one of us while many beautiful sights everywhere in the country.
our wives looked on. Following this, Loyce and I spent One of the most memorable trips I took was
a day in Zurich and then went on to Greece for a few with Morris Gardner to visit all of the principal
days’ vacation during the summer closing period of the locations where the great Protestant reformer
Swiss Temple. Ulrich Zwingli (1484-1531) was born, schooled,
ordained a Catholic priest, taught, fought and was
One of the really fine things about ser ving in Switzerland finally killed in battle fighting against the Catholic
was that we were able to do some interesting travels factions who opposed the Reformers. I think we
since it is so central to all of Europe. Each Saturday changed trains about 20 times during that very
afternoon and on Mondays as well as some holidays long day of travel all across Switzerland! Morris
and close-down periods we would take advantage of and I, who now live in the same ward, often talk
the excellent train fares and visit the many fascinating about that day with fond remembrances.
sights throughout Switzerland and a few neighboring
countries. As mentioned above, we visited Greece Other interesting places we visited include: St. Moritz,
during our first summer closing. Previously, during Liechtenstein, Appenzell, Lake Constance, Rhein Falls near

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Zurich, Neuchatel, Berne, Interlaken, Lucerne, Geneva, we were in our seventies, we felt we could accept the call.
Zermatt, the Matterhorn, Lake Lugano, etc. There are However, because of our previous experience in Bordeaux,
hiking trails all over the country and so I took advantage of France, years ago, when we had to wait almost a year before
that and hiked in many areas, including on the Matterhorn we were able to obtain the permits for the chapel project,
a couple of times. I told him I felt it would be better if we let the French and
European architects and attorneys resolve the permit battles
There were several very spiritual and heart-warming before we journeyed to the project. I had recently heard that
happenings we were able to experience while we served in the original project supervisor for the new temple project
the Swiss Temple. It was great to see many old friends I had at The Hague in the Netherlands had been on his project,
known in France, mostly from the Bordeaux area. Setting under similar circumstances, during the entire two years
apart Jean Claude and Jeanine Roux as temple workers was for which he was called and they were never able to even
such a delightful experience for me. They then later served in get his project started. Loyce and I didn’t want to suffer
the temple presidency. There was a real testimony building through similar frustrations. I also told him that if it took
experience that took place one day in the baptistery with as long as it did on our Bordeaux chapel project, our health
an Italian group when a deceased grandmother of a sweet could possibly preclude our being able to go. He agreed that
little disabled lady appeared in the room. This was written we should simply stand by and be ready to leave whenever
up together with a number of other such incidences in the they could assure us the project was ready to begin. We
temple history. did meet with the Bishop and Stake President and filled
out the missionary papers and sent them to the Building
When the temple closed in late December of 1996 for Department as they directed. After waiting one year
the Christmas break, we were released from our mission without things seeming to be any nearer a resolution, we
and we then made our way back to the States and to our resubmitted the papers once again. After the second year,
beautiful home in Sundance. Although we had moved into we decided to wait until the seemingly endless problems
the Provo Canyon Ward just shortly before our departure could be closer to being resolved before submitting our
on this mission, we had our homecoming services in our papers again.
old Pleasant View 6th Ward because it was actually from
there that we were called for this assignment. Because there have been so many delays in getting the
property for this temple project cleared through the city
In concluding this chapter on missions, I should probably and other government offices (now more than four years
add that on March 10, 1999 we received a telephone call since our first discussions), and the fact we are now in our
from Director of the Temples and Special Projects Division mid seventies, we will likely not be able to fulfill this very
of the Church Physical Facilities Department. He asked if I tempting assignment. I recently told the Director of the
would be willing to serve yet another mission to supervise Temple Projects Division that perhaps he should look
the construction of a new temple in Paris, France. He added for a younger couple to handle this responsibility. He
that there would likely be a few months’ delay before the replied that there were many others who would jump at
building permits could be obtained, but if I would accept the chance to take the job, but they still felt that if I would
the assignment, they would begin processing the papers for accept the assignment, the job was mine. He said if they
our mission call. Also, if I so chose, they would arrange for got the okay to proceed tomorrow, I would be the first
us to go to Paris as soon as possible and have me assist in person he would inform and that I would have the “first
finalizing whatever had to be done to get the project going. right of refusal.”
Loyce and I gave their request prayerful consideration
and then I called him back and told him that even though

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Heaven only knows the good Saints in France are most under way in France. I just wish I were a few years younger
deserving of the blessings that a temple would be for them! so I could be directly involved with it because I know it will
While serving in the Presidency of the Swiss Temple, I kept be a beautiful and stately structure. Since I supervised the
a close record of the number of those who attended the construction of the first new standard LDS chapel built in
temple from each of the countries in our temple district. France, I had great dreams of also supervising the first LDS
Even though only the southern half of France was part temple that was to be built there as well.
of our temple district, which also included Switzerland,
Austria, Italy, Spain and Portugal, the French attended the Now, in concluding this chapter on missions, I will simply
Swiss Temple in greatest numbers. The Church members state that under our present circumstances, my final Church
in the northern half of France attend the Frankfurt Temple mission will likely be to continue as a temple worker and
and I was told they attend that temple in greater numbers sealer. It is a most gratifying and enjoyable assignment and
than any of the other countries in that temple district as I shall continue to perform this task to the very best of my
well. I feel quite certain there will soon be a temple project abilities as long as I feel I can do the task as the Lord would
want it done.

176

Chapter 7

COMMUNITY SERVICE
ACTIVITIES

Sagas of My Life

COMMUNITY SERVICE ACTIVITIES

Growing up in a family of ten children I was taught, I have been a blood donor throughout my life and have
together with my siblings, that it was necessary to share given many pints of blood through the Red Cross,
and assist each other whenever possible. Doing service hospitals and Church blood drives. For a number of years
for others was also a very basic principle of the faith and I served as chairman for the United Way fund drives in
religion to which we belonged. I well remember when just our department at Church headquarters.
a young lad being assigned by my mother to deliver her
freshly baked bread and other hot dishes to elderly folks Each time I have had a change of assignment in my
in the neighborhood or to any others whom she felt might various employments I have always offered to train
need or appreciate goodies she was so willing to share. my replacements. Those who took over my previous
This proved to be an excellent way of teaching and training assignments were usually very appreciative of whatever
us children to do community service and help others who help I was able to give them.
were less fortunate than we were. And it has always been
such a heartwarming and rewarding experience to be able After our son Jon suffered his serious illness in 1980, I read
to do service, especially if it could be done anonymously. and studied very extensively about mental illness in order
to help him as much as I possibly could. We also became
In my teens I was asked to serve as an assistant scout leader involved in a new family support program which was
and still later as a merit badge counselor in areas such as just beginning in Utah in the early 1980’s called the Utah
woodworking, carpentry, and bee keeping. Alliance for the Mentally Ill. Soon I was asked to serve in
various offices in this and associated organizations related
Then later I was asked to serve in student body officer thereto. I was also asked to speak before the Utah State
assignments and also was a member of a fraternity Legislators and other support groups. For some time
service club during my school years. This was followed by I served on the governing board of the Valley Mental
volunteering in the military service after graduating from Health organization, which provides tremendous services
high school. Then after the military service I was called for the mentally ill in the Salt Lake County and some
on a mission for the Church and still other missions surrounding areas. After retiring and moving to Provo
throughout my lifetime as I have outlined in this history. in 1993 I resigned from these various assignments but
Also I have served in many different callings and teaching continue to support them as much as I can.
assignments and doing many other volunteer activities in
Church organizations wherever we have lived throughout Another type of community service I was involved with
the world over the years. for some years was as the Honorary Consul of Iceland,
which I have discussed in some detail earlier in this history.

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Community Service Activities

My community services in recent years have been mostly temples is really more rewarding for oneself than the
serving as an officer or as president of the home owners’ service one renders to and for others.
associations where we have lived, financially contributing
to worthy causes such as the Perpetual Education Fund I have included several copies of letters and other items
sponsored by the LDS Church and serving as a temple relating to some of my involvement in community service
worker and sealer. I find the blessing of working in the activities in Appendix 6 near the end of this history.

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Sagas of My Life
180

Chapter 8

MOST INTERESTING
TRAVELS

Sagas of My Life

MOST INTERESTING TRAVELS

It has surely been a very interesting thing during much new faces and places. In any case, I have never hesitated
of my lifetime to travel extensively throughout the world to take advantage of invitations or assignments given me
visiting many of the fascinating cultures and amazing that have involved travels to many of the beautiful and
people the Lord has seen fit to scatter across the six lovely lands of the world. My traveling actually began as
continents I have been privileged to travel through. soon as I approached adulthood at about the age of 15
Perhaps I may have gotten my wanderlust from my Viking and there were very few years after then that I didn’t make
forbears because it just seemed there was something trips to distant places. I’ll list hereafter as many of the
innate within me that made it especially interesting to see major journeys as I can remember.

1944 Hobo trip to Idaho, Nevada & California with friends Vic Thurgood & Earn Hales.
1945 Auto trip with my friend Vic and girlfriends to Zion and Bryce National Parks.

1945 Auto trip to Las Vegas, Grand Canyon & other National Parks with Fred Milner.

1946 Train trip across the U.S. to New York and down the East Coast to Ft. Bragg, NC.

1946 Train trip to Columbia, Georgia (Ft. Benning) for parachute training.

1947 Trip to New York City for special military duty. Stationed at Brooklyn Army Base.

1948 Train trip back across U.S. after discharge from Army.

1949 Plane, bus & truck journey to No. Idaho with firefighting crew for much of summer.

1950 Auto trip with Dan & Luene through California.

1951 Train trip to NYC & boat to Europe for 1st mission (by way of Ireland & England).

1952 Traveled throughout France, Belgium & Switzerland during mission.

Traveled throughout Western Europe after my mission (France, Monte Carlo, Italy, Switzerland,
Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Belgium, England, Scotland and Iceland. I had intended
1953 to travel around the world with another missionary, but he became ill and had to make an early return

to the States from our mission.

1953 Was met in NY by my folks & tripped by auto into Canada & across U.S. to Utah.

1954 Auto trip with friends thru Uinta Mountains to Yellowstone Park & Wyo. & Idaho.

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Most Interesting Travels

1955 Traveled to Glendora, California to take my first teaching job w/ several trips to Utah.
1956
1956/1962 Still more trips to California & eventual honeymoon trip to Monterey/Carmel area.
1960 Several trips to Cal. & other western states with our young family.
Trip to Seattle with Loyce for a World’s Fair.
1962 Train trip to Elizabeth City, NC. to build a chapel in the Norfolk Virginia Stake. Returned to Utah thru
NC, Tenn., Ark., Okla., Texas, N. Mexico and Colorado.
1963 Traveled to Europe w/family on 2nd mission (Holland, Belgium, France & Germany).
1964
1964 Drove throughout Spain and Portugal w/ Loyce on Xmas holiday.

1965 Traveled to Denmark, Sweden, Belgium and England for Area Conferences.
Traveled throughout the area (France, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Austria as well as Italy,
1965 Yugoslavia, etc. to inspect the various projects we had underway)
1966 Returned to U.S. through Luxemburg and Iceland with our family.
1967
1967 to 1970 Took family on trips to State & National Parks throughout Western States.
Traveled with family to Hawaii & on to Tahiti on our 3rd mission.
1970 Traveled throughout South Pacific islands many islands, including Noumea, New Zealand, Leewards
(Bora Bora, etc.) Australes, Tuamotu, Cook Islands, etc.
1973 Returned home to Utah by way of Hawaii and California.
Sent to France to do property study for the Church, primarily in Paris area. Stopped off in Iceland on
1975 return and visited the Westman Islands.
1977 Sent by Church to do property studies in Tahiti, Tonga & Samoa. (Spent time in Tahiti with Elder
1978 to 1993 Marvin J. Ashton).
Assigned to visit all LDS Temples worldwide as part of an extensive study I was asked to provide to the Brethren.
1980 Traveled regularly to all LDS Temples worldwide as part of my work assignment during these 15 years.
1984 (We had 45 temples when I retired, 23 outside the U.S., scattered over six continents).
1986 Traveled with Loyce to Hawaii to meet Hal returning from his Thailand Mission.
1989 Traveled with Loyce to Hawaii to meet Shari returning from her Japanese Mission.
Took Loyce on a vacation trip through Mexico and Guatemala.
1992 Drove to New York w/Loyce & picked up Kristin returning from her French Mission. We then toured
1992 the major Church Historic sights in New England & the Mid West.
1993 Spent extra time in Iceland returning from a trip to Europe. Visited Akureyri, etc.
1994
Took Loyce on a trip to the Boston area. Visited Bradford & Brewster graves, etc.
1994
1994 Took a trip to Israel with Dan & Luene on a group tour.
1995
1995 Took hiking trip w/Workmans to Havasupai in the Grand Canyon.

Took Loyce on trip to Cedar Breaks & other Southern Utah parks.

Took trip to Washington, D.C. area and to North Carolina to see my old chapel.
Went to Washington, D.C. and later on to Switzerland on 5th mission.
Took trip to Austria to visit the Nagele family and the Tyrolean Alps.

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1995 Took trip from Switzerland to Israel and on to Egypt during our Xmas break.
1996 Tripped all over Switzerland each Monday & sometimes into Austria and Italy.

1996 Trip to Belgium (met w/Pres. Hinckley) & went on to Greece for summer break.

1997 Drove from Utah to Nauvoo, Illinois along the Mormon Pioneer Trail.

1998 While in St. George we visited Chris & Erika in Phoenix area & Aunt Mary in Tucson. Then went on
to New Mexico and visited Sister John Melton.

1998 Visited Kris & Bryan in Boston & went on to the Icelandic dig in Newfoundland.

1998 Visited Hal & Jan in Boise and went on throughout the Northwest area of U.S.

1999 Visited So. California, Yosemite, etc. & Chris & Erika in Phoenix from St. George

1999 Visited Logan, Smithfield (Grandparent’s graves) & went on to Hal & Jan’s in Boise.

2000 Church History Tour from Boston to Kansas City w/Dan & Luene group.

2001 Las Vegas trip with Kellys. Loyce & I tripped on to Southern Cal, Disneyland, etc.

2001 Trip to Denver to see the Viking exhibition.

2001 Traveled to the Phoenix area with Eric for Christopher’s high school graduation.

2001 Took fascinating trip to China with a BYU tour group.

2002 Tripped to St. George & Phoenix with Hal for his MBA graduation on June 29th.

2002 Spent most of the month of September on a most memorable trip to Iceland.

2003 Tripped to California to visit Eric at his new digs in Camarillo.

2003 Tripped to Scandinavia with Mark Money. Best part was Norway fjords!

2003 Tripped to Navajo and Hopi lands with Loyce

I have not included many of the shorter trips that I’ve taken the temple program I made numerous trips to the far-flung
over the years but I think I have listed most of the more parts of the world wherever we had an LDS temple. This
extensive and/or interesting ones taken up to this time. included Europe, South Africa, North and South America,
The above listing includes about 60 of the more important Australia, Asia, and the South Pacific. Even though most of
trips I can remember. However, a number of these entries the trips listed above were really interesting and educational,
combine many journeys, such as the one entry in 1967 perhaps about one third of them were especially impressive
thru 1970 while in Tahiti. During those three years I took and more memorable.
dozens of trips throughout the South Pacific.
I’ll now comment on some of the ones that stand out
The same thing applies with the entry of 1978 through 1993 in my mind for various reasons: The first one had to be
when I was traveling constantly to the different temples the hobo trip to Idaho and California with my good
throughout the world. Each year while I was responsible for friends Earn Hales and Vic Thurgood when I was about

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Most Interesting Travels

16 years of age. I’ve written about this extensively in for a time while in the military), then took the steamship
chapter nine of this history where I discuss special SS United States across the Atlantic to Ireland and on to
friends. Details of this trip are contained in a tribute I England before arriving at Le Havre, France in the early
wrote in honor of my friend, Vic Thurgood; a tribute his springtime. The ocean trip took about one full week and
wife Jerry requested I write. on my return, almost three years later, I went from France
to England, then to Scotland and finally on to Iceland
Army Trip to North Carolina where I spent several weeks before returning by plane
to New York City in only a few hours time. This trip, or
The next trip of special note was as a young army recruit in experience would describe it better, really set the course
1946 taking my first train ride across the United States on for my entire life. I’ve written elsewhere about my mission
a steam locomotive troop train. We went from Salt Lake experiences.
City to New York City and then down the east coast to Ft.
Bragg, North Carolina. It took about four days to cross our Travels throughout Western Europe
country and I was just amazed at how vast our nation could
be. The next most surprising thing was how sooty and dirty At the completion of my mission I was fortunate to be
the old coal-fired locomotives were. It was late summer time able to then travel, mostly by train, throughout Western
and it was terribly hot each day of the trip. There was no air Europe on my way to Iceland. It was a worthwhile
conditioning in the trains back then so we would open the education to be able to learn about and experience first
side windows to get what we expected would be fresh air. It hand the customs and various features of several of the
was certainly not fresh but was filled with smoke and soot other countries in Europe. The countries that I visited at
that almost choked us and also quickly covered everything this time included France, Monte Carlo, Italy, Switzerland,
with a thick layer of black soot. It was impossible to keep Austria, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Belgium, England,
one’s self clean. Scotland and Iceland. Being able to spend several weeks
there in my grandparents’ native land of Iceland was truly
Northern Idaho Firefighting a thrill for me. I was able to reestablish ties with several
of our cousins with whom we have stayed in contact over
Following in chronological order, the next really memorable the years since that time. Upon my return to the States
trip was to northern Idaho in the summer of 1949 the year late that year of l953, my folks met me in New York City
after I was released from the military service. This was with and it was so interesting to have some long discussions
the Forest Service and our objective was to fight forest fires. with Dad and Mom during the many hours driving across
Although the assignment was to be of short duration, it the country to Utah. We did take occasion to visit many
turned out that it took up most of the summer. Once again interesting sights along the way including the New York
I’ve written about this experience in some detail in chapters City area, several of the historic Church sights in that
four (work experiences) and thirteen (more interesting general area, Niagara Falls and even into Canada so Mom
things I’ve done). could say she had finally been outside the United States.
I also remember that Mom was quite anxious to get back
1951 Mission to France home in plenty of time for the holiday season, so we didn’t
get to show them all I had hoped to. This long drive home
The next trip of special note was to Europe in 1951 for was some of the very best time I was ever able to spend
my mission. This was my very first experience outside with my parents.
the U.S. and was truly of tremendous value and interest.
I went again by train to New York City (where I had lived

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Sagas of My Life

Honeymoon Trip to Monterey a field day and probably made more money that day than
any day before or after, for people there claimed it was
I would be remiss not to include Loyce and my honeymoon really quite a freak storm. Anyway, when I finally got
trip among the most memorable of the drives or trips I’ve back to the car the storm had stopped and I remember
taken. Following our marriage on Dec. 20th 1956 in the Los debating whether I should try to make it without even
Angeles Temple, we drove north along the coastal highway putting on the chains. Just to be safe though, and now
#1 to Carmel by the Sea, which is in the Monterey area just that I had gone to so much effort to obtain the chains,
south of San Francisco. This is one of the most beautiful and I went ahead and put them on the tires. Finally, we were
picturesque drives in our entire country. There are lovely on our way, but to our utter amazement just about 100
seascapes or mountain views at almost every curve and it is meters up the slope and around a curve was the summit
a very narrow, winding, serpentine highway. Because Loyce of the pass and the road thereafter was perfectly clear and
doesn’t handle curving roads that well, I suppose I perhaps free of snow!! We’ve laughed about this peculiar incident
should have taken her to someplace like Palm Springs. many times since.

Travels to Spain and Portugal Another strange but amazing incident happened to us in
Portugal. It took place in a small village before we got to
Probably the next of the more interesting trips was in Lisbon. Our routine for eating while traveling has usually
1964 when I took Loyce from Bordeaux to Spain and been to have an early breakfast at the hotels in which we
Portugal. It was at the end of the year when our young stayed and then stop at fruit stands or markets to pick up
building missionaries had returned to their homes for the snacks such as bread, cheeses, fruits and nuts to nibble on
holiday season and our construction project was pretty while we continued driving throughout the day, or if we
much closed down for a couple of weeks. found an inviting spot we’d stop for a little picnic. Then in
the evenings wherever we stopped, we would have a more
We saw many of the wonderful sights throughout Spain substantial meal. So, one day after we’d been driving for a
but there were a couple of things that we probably talk couple of hours, we stopped at an open market in a quaint
about more than even the Prada Museum in Madrid or little village. We had experienced some fairly primitive
other such wonderful sights. One of these events was markets in France, of course, but this one had to take the
getting over the Pyrenees Mountains between France prize! So, I went back to the car and told Loyce she simply
and Spain. Some of the Pyrenees peaks are well over had to come see this one for herself. In France most of
10,000 feet high so we shouldn’t have been all that the open markets sold plucked chickens and skinned
surprised when we ran into a fairly heavy snow storm as rabbits, for example, that you would simply take home
we were climbing towards the summit in our little sedan. and eviscerate yourself. Here, however, the chickens
I’m quite sure we would have made it with little difficulty were not even plucked nor the rabbits skinned, etc. So, I
if the cars ahead of us had not slowed down and started wanted Loyce to see how well off she was in France where
“spinning out,” thus blocking our path. So, we too were she had it so much more convenient.
brought to a stop along the side of the road. Some people
had actually stopped in our path to put on chains. We, Actually, when I had first gotten out of the car I had
however, had no chains so I decided to walk back down not taken the keys from the ignition in case Loyce had
the road a mile or two where I had noticed a service wanted to turn the motor on to run the heater. When I
station. It must have taken at least two or three hours, but returned and insisted she go back to the open market
I felt lucky that the service station had a set of chains that with me, she jumped out of the car and locked the
would fit our tire size. The owner of the store was having

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Most Interesting Travels

doors. I remember we bought lots of luscious, large Construction Conference Trips
green olives and other goodies and then returned to
the car only to discover we were in a real predicament During 1963-65 we took interesting trips to building
with the keys locked inside!! My first thought was to conferences in England, Sweden, Belgium and Denmark.
get a hammer and break the small side window most Our time in England had special meaning and significance
old model cars formerly had. Fortunately, there was a for Loyce and me because we were able to complete a
service station only about 50 meters down the street procedure in our marriage ceremony while attending the
and with sign language I made the owner understand I London Temple that we had missed when we were married
needed a hammer. When he saw what I intended to do, in 1956 in the Los Angeles Temple.
however, he shouted no just as I was about to smash the
window. He came running and began jabbering away Then at the Liege, Belgium conference it was of particular
in Portuguese, which I, of course, couldn’t understand. interest, to me at least, to spend some one-on-one time with
It soon became apparent though that he had a better President Ezra Taft Benson, who was the visiting General
solution for our problem. He took me by the arm and Authority at that particular conference. As we were going
led me back to his car and invited me to get in. through the reception line, he pulled me aside and asked that
I visit with him. This was when he requested that I write a
In the meantime, Loyce was with our car and neither of us report on whatever I could tell him about Iceland, particularly
knew just what was in the mind of this garage mechanic. regarding the history of our Church in Iceland. It was
Then it dawned on me that he must be taking me to a surprising when I met President Howard W. Hunter several
locksmith or to some thug that knew how to break into years later in Tahiti when he shared with me that he had read
autos. What followed for the next half hour or so (Loyce and remembered my report on Iceland. As I recall, he had
said it seemed like hours) was really a hilarious show. We succeeded President Benson as the Area President in Europe.
drove back and forth throughout this small village and
passed by the market place several times trying to find Also, as I explained in the chapter on missions, during the
this person the mechanic obviously thought could help last year and a half of our building mission in Europe (1963-
us. Each time we passed the market I waved to Loyce and 65), I was given the assignment as District Supervisor over
I also noticed each time we passed that she had more southern Europe. I was responsible for about a dozen new
and more village folk gathered around her, curiously meetinghouse projects as well as other minor projects. This
observing to see and find out what was going on with this kept me traveling almost constantly throughout Holland,
foreign lady and her car. I’m just sure Loyce wanted to Belgium, France, Switzerland, Italy, Yugoslavia, Austria and
simply run and hide from all the commotion. Well, finally south Germany. Although I sometimes went by plane or train,
the mechanic found his man and we hurried back to the I often drove an Opel sedan on many of the trips throughout
market only to find that yet another man in the village had my district. I got to know the European countryside well
come forth and had already opened the door. So, even enough that I thought I could probably have written a fairly
in this tiny village there were at least two men who had good guidebook at that time.
probably supplemented their meager earnings by means
of this special skill they had learned! This was a good South Pacific Journeys
lesson to us not to leave anything of value even in a locked
car. In spite of these troublesome incidents, this proved to Following chronologically, the next extensive traveling I did was
be one of the best auto trips we ever took. throughout the South Pacific during our three years in Tahiti
from 1967-1970. There were several very memorable trips,
most of which I think I have discussed in two other chapters.

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Sagas of My Life

Another Trip to Europe must have trod many times. I was disappointed I was
unable to enter the old church because I am also quite
In 1973 I was sent on another trip to Europe by the Physical certain she and her parents must have sat many times in
Facilities Advisory Committee to do an in-depth study of the pews of that fine old building as well.
the several properties the Church owned at that time in and
around Paris. It was really enjoyable for me to get back to Another really fascinating thing we did on the tour was
Paris where I had lived twice before. Although I didn’t take to take a boat ride around much of the island. It was so
much extra time, it was good once again to see a few of the interesting to see the steep cliffs around the protected
many attractive and fascinating sights of this wonderful city. harbor and the thousands of puffins and other birds all over
the cliffs. The boat captain pulled us up so close to the cliffs
Iceland Trip in 1973 that one could almost reach out and touch the nests of the
puffins. When I wrote the first draft of this material I stated
I think it was while returning from this trip to Europe in that I would really like to go back to this island of Heimaey
1973 that I stopped off in Iceland and took a few days’ again some day to see what it looks like now. Fortunately,
vacation time to see some of the areas of the country I had I was able to do this in September of 2002 at which time I
not seen before. On my previous trips there I had not been was able to find, with the help of the city library archivist,
able to visit the Westman Islands where my petite little the exact location where Grandmother Freda was born not
grandmother Hjalmfridur (Freda) was born and where far from the harbor and also the farm just outside of town
she lived before immigrating to America. During this trip where she grew up. I’m presently writing up a separate little
I was able to take a guided tour of this small picturesque biography of Grandmother Hjalmfridur (Freda) and will
island located off the south coast of the main island. The include more details about this in that biography.
bus driver and tour guide was really fascinated when I told
him one of my grandmothers had come from this island South Pacific with Elder Ashton
and had immigrated to America in 1891, some 80 years
previously. He immediately asked what my grandparents’ My next really interesting trip was in 1975 when I was
names were. He was an older man who seemed to know directed by the Physical Facilities Advisory Committee
a great deal about the older families who had lived there. (Elder Marvin J. Ashton was the chairman of the committee
Then, after some reflection, he thought Grandmother at the time) to accompany Elder Ashton on a trip to the
Hjalmfridur’s family (Hjalmar Filippussons) had lived South Pacific. I worked with Elder Ashton in Tahiti and then
in the eastern part of the community. Unfortunately, that did real estate surveys in Tahiti, Tonga and Samoa. What a
part of the town had been covered with lava during the special treat it was to spend some quality time with Elder &
recent volcano they had suffered in January of that same Sister Ashton and then visit all three of these island groups.
year (1973). I took occasion to walk out on the lava bed
and it was still emitting a lot of heat. Not far from the 1977 Trips to all Temples
cooling lava, their large church and nearby graveyard
were still partially buried in ash. I understand this part My next more interesting travels were in 1977 when I
of the town was cleared of the ash some years ago but, of was assigned by the Presiding Bishopric (Bishop Victor
course, the parts of the town spread with lava could not L. Brown), under direction from the First Presidency,
be uncovered. I was very impressed to have been able to (President Spencer W. Kimball) to visit all of the
walk over at least some of the same streets that I’m sure existing temples throughout the world and do a very
Grandmother Hjalmfridur and her parents before her comprehensive study about the physical condition of each
one. I was directed to then write up a proposed program,

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Most Interesting Travels

outlining how the temples could be better maintained. South Africa and South America Visits
This, of course, later led to my being involved with almost
constant travels during the final 15 years I worked as Other fabulous trips, mostly during the 1980’s, were to
a Church employee, for I was assigned to oversee the South Africa and South America. The wild animal parks
Temple Renovation and Maintenance program which I in South Africa were something I never imagined I would
had outlined. There were many trips involved with this ever be able to see. Perhaps equally as amazing was to visit
assignment, for the number of temples increased from Santiago, Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, the Amazon jungles,
only fifteen that were actually in operation in 1978 when Lima, Machu-Picchu, the mammoth stone walls of Cuzco,
this new program was started and the numbers had the Panama Canal, and ever so many other wonderful sights
increased to 45 when I retired in 1993. I was the manager in so many countries of the world. I need to make a count
of this program that entire time. sometime of the number of countries I have visited during
all my travels throughout the world.
Various Trips between 1978 and 1993
Eastern U.S. with Kristin following
There were several trips during these years between 1978 her mission
and 1993 that were especially memorable for me. Going
into East Germany and East Berlin, for example, was During these years of extensive travel, as outlined in the
such an eye-opener to show the tremendous contrasts above paragraphs, Loyce and I flew back to New York City
between our open and free society versus the socialist in 1989 to meet Kristin upon her return from her mission
societies behind the iron curtain of that time. It was in France. We had rented a car there in New York and after
actually frightening each time I had to make these trips picking Kris up at the airport, we drove for several days to
into East Germany during the years prior to 1989 when many of the LDS Church sights in that general area of our
they were finally able to rid themselves of Communism. country. After completing our tour, we dropped the rental car
Just getting either in or out of the country required going off in Kansas City from where we then flew back to Salt Lake
through five different checking stations. An Austrian City. We saw many of the same Church sights throughout
associate usually accompanied me and we would submit the northeast that I had shown my folks upon my return
detailed itineraries well in advance. Invariably, however, from Europe in 1953. This time with Kris provided us an
they would change the travel routes, hotels, etc. that especially good opportunity to get reacquainted with her
we were to use and often it was really out of our way to after one and a half years of being apart. We did this same
accommodate or follow their demands. Back then, going thing in Hawaii with Hal and with Shari upon the releases
from West Germany to East Germany was like going from from their missions in Thailand and Japan.
a bright, sunny day into a dismal, dark night. The contrast
was immediately evident in everything one experienced: 1992 Iceland Trip
their highways were falling apart, their building hadn’t
been painted in who knows how long, their autos were all In 1992 I stopped off once again in Iceland on my way back
so small and tinny, there were no flowers anywhere, there from visiting the European temples. This time I made a
were hardly any food supplies in the stores and saddest of point of seeing some of the northern parts of the country. I
all were no smiles on faces nor were there the delightful felt fortunate to be able to spend some time with Valdimar
sounds of playing children. What a blight and travesty it and Svava Gunnarsson in Akureyri. They had lived in Provo
was for these hard working and ingenious people to be for a year while Valdimar did some advanced studies at
put under such an iron rule for almost a half century. BYU, during which time we became good friends. They

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were very kind to take me to visit Lake Myvatn and the many hiking trips I have taken. It was better in some ways
area that is so much like our Yellowstone Park. It was really than climbing to the summit of the Grand Teton, Kings
a fascinating trip. Each time I go to Iceland I always visit Peak, Mt. Timpanogas, Mt. Nebo, and many others. This
with our cousins, of course, and usually have dinner with hike was to Havasupai, an Indian village near the bottom
each of them, but I usually stay with the missionaries for my of the Grand Canyon. I went with the Workmans. The
sleeping accommodations. trail must descend about 10 miles almost to the Colorado
River. The trail starts from the south rim about 40 miles
1992 Boston Trip west of the South Rim Village. There is a beautiful and
really colorful (literally) aqua blue stream that flows down
In the fall of 1992 I took Loyce on a really good vacation through this small canyon with high waterfalls creating
trip to the Boston area. We both descend from the Pilgrim natural swimming pools just below them. Two really good
spiritual leader, William Brewster. So, it was really of special falls are located a mile or so below the Indian village. This is
interest to both of us to see and experience the original also where we camped overnight. The minerals in the water
place of the early Pilgrim Fathers. Years ago I had assured cause the pools to form terraces like one sees in Yellowstone
my mother that I would learn and spend more time on our or similar to Cascade Springs which are a few miles above
Bradford genealogy. It was therefore of special meaning to Sundance in Provo Canyon. The gorgeous blue water
me to see what an important roll our Great-grandfather (the surrounded by fine, red sand beaches and lush vegetation
Governor) William Bradford had played in the establishment all around make it seem like a tropical oasis.
of this original Pilgrim settlement.
Washington D.C. in 1994
The famous New England autumn colors were not quite at
their prime along the coast so we drove for some distance Later in 1994 I took Loyce on another really fun and
into the Appalachian Mountains to the west and got a good educational trip. This one was to the Washington, D.C. area.
taste of how fabulous they really are. We visited the Smithsonian and several other museums, the
monuments along the Mall, the Capitol and White House,
Israel and the Holy Land in 1993 Arlington Cemetery, etc. We also visited our beautiful LDS
Temple. We took a couple of days and drove down the
A couple of months after my retirement in 1993 we took a Virginia coastline visiting Jamestown along the way. We
truly spiritually enlightening trip to Israel and the Holy Land drove on down into North Carolina for I was interested in
with a tour group directed by my brother-in-law and sister seeing the Creswell area where I built a small meetinghouse
Dan and Luene Ludlow. It was simply a marvelous trip except in 1962. We found the Church had grown so much over the
for Loyce being ill during much of the two weeks’ time. After years that they had long since outgrown my little chapel.
this trip it has been so much more meaningful when reading They had built a large new standard meetinghouse and sold
the scriptures, or just reading about happenings in the Middle the old chapel to another denomination.
East. Now we can really relate to what went on there and what
is going on at the present time. Second Trip to Israel and on to Egypt

Hiking the Grand Tetons and other Late in 1995, while we were serving in the Swiss Temple, we
high mountains were able to take another trip to Israel and on into Egypt.
This was during the two-week closing of the temple for the
In 1994 I took a hiking trip that proved to be one of the Christmas holidays. We saw many of the same sights we
most challenging and yet it was one of the very best of the had seen more than two years before, but it was really good

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to reinforce what we had covered previously. I am pleased strenuous path. However, we would do it in our comfortable
we saw and experienced so much of the Holy Land when air-conditioned car rather than in an ox-drawn, covered
we did because it is in so much turmoil now in 2002 that I wagon. So, we took a good long vacation and drove to
would not want to go there under the present conditions. Nauvoo, following as closely as possible the earlier pioneer
Also this time we went on into Egypt and this was truly an route. Studying and learning much more about these
amazing adventure. What a tremendous civilization they pioneer stalwarts surely gave me a greater appreciation of
had in past centuries. the tremendous sacrifices that were required and that were
willingly made by grandmother Abby and the others who
Trips throughout Switzerland were part of these often sad and trying struggles.
during our Temple Mission
Family visit in Boston Area and
During 1995-96 while at the Swiss Temple we took Newfoundland
numerous trips throughout this wonderful little country
and also into eastern France, southern Germany, In 1998 we made another interesting and memorable
Liechtenstein, Austria and northern Italy. Many of these trip. We flew back to Boston to be with Kristin and Bryan
short journeys were very memorable but I’ll just group following the birth of another grandson, little Nathan.
them together as one really big interesting trip. Traveling After a few days, I sensed that I was mostly in the way so I
throughout Switzerland was a really fun experience! decided to journey on north to Newfoundland in eastern
Canada to visit the Icelandic village that was discovered a
Trip to Belgium and Greece in 1996 few years ago at a place called L’Anse-Aux-Meadows. It was
truly fascinating to visit this archeological dig where they
During the summer close down of the Swiss Temple in have uncovered many Icelandic relics dating back about
1996, we were invited to travel to Brussels, Belgium, as I 1000 years ago. There are now no doubts in the minds
have explained in the chapter on missions, to meet with of historians that the Vikings had settlements in North
President Gordon B. Hinckley at which time he conferred America (Vinland) as indicated in the old Norse Sagas.
upon me the temple sealing powers. What an honor it was
to meet with President Hinckley. I was delighted that he Church History Tour in 2000
remembered me and was so complimentary of my work with
the temples. Years earlier I had worked quite closely with him In 2000 we decided to take another Church History tour
on a renovation project in the Salt Lake Temple. After our with Dan and Luene throughout the northeastern part
meeting with President Hinckley, Loyce and I traveled on of our country. We flew to Boston where we were able to
to Greece for our summer vacation. This was another very have a short visit with Kris and Bryan and then went from
educational and yet a really fun and relaxing time. there to all of the Church historical sights we had visited
previously. It was even better than previous visits to these
Mormon Pioneer Trek in 1997 places, however, because Dan shared with us so much more
detail and background about each of the historical settings.
The following year of 1997 was the sesquicentennial of
the Mormon pioneer trek across the plains from Nauvoo, BYU Group Tour to China
Illinois to the Salt Lake Valley. Loyce and I decided that
since both of us had ancestors who were part of this Another trip that I must include among the more significant
tremendous migration in 1847, then it only seemed fitting ones was the one I took in 2001 to China. This was with a
that we should celebrate the occasion by retracing their BYU Travel tour group led by Richard Gunn, a next-door

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neighbor who lives just south of us here in Provo. It was such friends and family members, one of whom (Brynjar Thor
a surprise to see how much more open and flourishing this Leifsson) has since passed away, so it was especially good
Communist country is at present in comparison to what I to have spent a couple of fine visits with him and his family.
had seen in East Germany some 15 years ago. China may Then another very important thing for me was finding the
have been a “sleeping giant” as it was often referred to in the exact spots and locations where my grandfather and my
past, but today it is most definitely “an awakening giant!” I grandmother were born and raised. I will insert hereafter
was truly impressed with how they are modernizing their photos and descriptions of some of these locations.
infrastructure of freeways, airports, seaports and skyscrapers.
They are allowing free enterprise throughout their land and Photo #1 shows me standing on the exact spot where the
it is making all the difference one could imagine! It will be old farmhouse called “Brenna” was located years ago and
so interesting to see what great contributions will come where grandfather was actually born. Fortunately Thordur
from this vast and quickly developing country with such a Tomasson, who is the founder and current director of
dynamic and energetic people. the Skogar Museum located about 10 miles east of here,
remembered my visiting him in 1953 and seemed delighted
Iceland Trip in 2002 I had returned so he could tell me about and show me
where my ancestors had lived. No doubt he (now well into
Probably the most interesting and worthwhile trip I have his 80’s) is the most knowledgeable living person about this
ever taken was my journey to Iceland in the late summer of entire area. He is a noted and well published historian and
2002. I spent most of the month of September there and grew up on a farm near Brenna. He actually drove me in his
could not have planned the time any better. The tourist car to several old farmhouse locations. Thordur told me the
season had just finished, the weather was almost perfect, old Brenna farmhouse was torn down many years ago but
and people were back to a fairly normal routine after their he directed me to some old foundation stones and made
vacations were over and so I was able to accomplish a great sure I stood where he directed so he could take a photo
deal relating to the five or six main goals I had set for myself. of me standing on the exact site of the former home. I was
These goals were 1) to visit my relatives and close friends delighted to do so. The nearest farmhouse now is perhaps
whom I had not visited for about ten years, 2) visit the new about 300 yards away and is called Ormskot. We talked to
emigrant museum in Hofsos and the new monument to the folks there but they knew nothing about the old farm
emigrants on the west coast of Vestmannaeyjar, where the which had been called Brenna. Ormskot is located behind
names of three of my grandparents are listed among those where Thordur stood as he took the photo of me. Holt
who are honored at each place, 3) try to find the exact spots which was where the old Parish Church was located can be
where my grandfather and my grandmother were born and seen behind me in the photo. At the base of the mountains
lived, 4) find more genealogy data, 5) visit many additional in the distant background is where the Nupur farms are
places of interest around the country that I had not been able located. Note the plural because there are 3 or 4 farms called
to see on previous trips because of time limits, and finally, Nupur 1, 2, 3 etc. there today. The original Nupur farm is
to concentrate on learning more of the language. The one where grandfather Sigurdur Thorleifsson (our grandfather)
month’s time passed so quickly, however, that I was not able spent his youth and grew to manhood. He no doubt spent
to learn as much of the language as I had hoped to and I was much of his youth working on the farm and apparently
also not able to see all of the sights I had planned to visit. I working with a skilled carpenter in the neighborhood to
did obtain a goodly amount of additional genealogy which have learned that trade so very well. I also think he was a
members of the family have been working on since then. deeply spiritual young man and probably attended services
I’m also so very grateful that I was able to visit with several at Holt with his mother who was the first of our forbears to

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join the LDS faith. The reason I feel he was quite spiritual as was a large building located there called Kastalla. From
a young man was because one of the few books he brought what I can gather, Kastalla (which means Castle) must
with him to America was a copy of Halgrimuur Petursson’s have been a large multi-unit type of apartment complex,
famous book called “Hymns of the Passion” relating to the which would have been rather unusual for Iceland at that
life of the Savior. I have that copy of grandfather’s book time. This information was provided to me by Jona Bjorg
which he signed and inscribed on the inside cover that it Gudmundsdottir who, when I was there in 2002, was the
was to be given to his son Juren Victor and it was J.Victor archivist and head librarian in the city library located next
who gave it to me. I treasure this little book dearly knowing to the city hall. Jona Bjorg sent this information to me some
it meant so much to Grandfather Siggy and to J. Victor. weeks after I had met with her. Recently my nephew Brian
Leifson visited in Iceland and I asked him to try to find #
Photo # 2 shows an old type of farmhouse located in the 5 Vesturvegur. He was successful and reported that this
Nupur area with a waterfall barely visible in the background. address is now a lovely little park, which really pleased me.
The home Grandfather Siggy lived in must have been very It seems a very fitting memorial for Grandmother Freda.
much like this. On my visit in 2002 it appeared that the Jona Bjorg also found out that Grandmother had grown up
three or four modern homes now in the Nupur area had on a farm called Nordurgardur (North Gardens) located
all been built since my first visit in 1953, almost 50 years about one mile south of the main city area. I felt it was
previously. Thordur and I didn’t have time to visit with any really fortunate that my friend Oskar Gudjon Kjartansson
of the folks who live there now. I do recall that there was a (a building contractor and family head of the only Church
fairly modern home there 50 years ago and the old farmer member family on Vestmannaeyjar at the time of my visit
who owned the farm at that time was most hospitable in 2002) knew exactly where this old farmhouse had been
and invited me to have dinner with him and to spend the located. He indicated it was torn down many years ago. It
night there. We arrived there late that evening but the was quite amazing to me that I should find probably the only
next morning he took me out into his corrals and actually two people in Thordur Tommasson and Oscar Kjartansson
showed me the foundation stones of the old farmhouse who knew the exact locations where my grandparents had
where grandfather had lived during his youth before he lived before immigrating to America.
relocated to Vestmannaeyjar. I vividly remember there was
a heavily worn stone step at what would have been the main Photo # 5 shows me standing on the bluff of a hill and at
entry and on the outside end of that stone someone had the exact spot where the old Nordurgardur farmhouse had
implanted a metal foot scraper. It was the only remaining been located. Just as at Brenna and at Nupur there were
thing, other than the flat stones of the floor, which showed still some foundation stones. Both here and at Brenna the
it to have been a habitation. As I questioned him closely, stones were mostly hidden in the high grass and without
the old farmer assured me that this was definitely where the help of Oscar and of Thordur I, of course, could never
grandfather had lived. After breakfast with the old farmer have found these sites which meant so much to me. This
we climbed up the hillside a distance to a beautiful waterfall Nordurgardur farm is a lovely setting overlooking the ocean
which I remember to have been more like photo # 3. to the west, the city to the north, the volcano to the east
(under which were at least two farms where Grandmother
Photo # 4 shows an overview of the city of Vestmannaeyjar Freda’s ancestors had lived) and to the south the modern
on the island of Heimaey. Grandmother Hjalmfridur airport. Grandmother must have experienced heavy winds
(Freda) Hjalmarsdottir was born on 18 Oct 1859 at about at times coming off the ocean for I noticed that the new
# 5 Vesturvegur. Vesturvegur is about 3 streets south of owner of this lovely farmstead is building a large new home
the main harbor area and in Grandmother’s time there just below the bluff from where the old home was located.

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The farm which must have been at least 20 acres of land is on the ship Marco Polo. Although we stopped at several major
surrounded by a lava fence or wall about one meter high. cities along the way, our main goal was visiting the deep and
Grandmother must have worked very hard at times during majestic fjords along the west coast of Norway. It was from
her youth in repairing this lava enclosure to assure that the these areas that many of my old Viking ancestors sailed when
sheep could not escape. they migrated to Iceland. It was really a thrill for me to travel
over areas that I know had been traversed by many of my
Interestingly enough the adjoining farm to the south which is forbears over 1,000 years ago. I experienced the same warm
called Brekkhus was where Grandma Freda’s grandmother, feeling that I had enjoyed while visiting many parts of Iceland
Ingibjorg Gudmundsdottir (born 26 Nov 1799) lived and the previous year. Loyce won’t travel with me on longer trips
died here on 29 Mar 1883. As I stood there and took in these anymore and because Mark Money’s wife is also adverse to
lovely surroundings from the top of the bluff at Nordurgardur longer travels, Mark and I decided to enjoy some areas neither
I couldn’t help but feel that Grandmother must surely have of us had seen before. It worked out really well. I had visited all
loved this place and probably had some serious regrets at three countries before, but much of what we saw was new for
times later in her life to have left it. From this bluff one can me, particularly the west coast of Norway. Although it was a
look down to the northwest and see the golf course and the good experience to enjoy for one time the “high life” on a first
little park along its west side where the Mormon Monument class ocean cruise, there was, in my opinion, just too much
(Photo # 6) is located. The Mormon Pond, where most of time spent on the water between the interesting cities, and the
the LDS converts were baptized (Photo # 7), is located type of entertainment that so many enjoy during these times
directly below the monument at the edge of the waters of is not my kind of entertainment, except for the lush foods
the Atlantic Ocean. During trying times, Grandmother always available. That, I must admit, I truly enjoyed. I probably
probably looked longingly out over this same ocean scene gained five pounds on the trip. We met some interesting folks
and dreamed of a better life in America. We her descendents on this cruise and I still correspond with a fine couple from
are so very happy she made the difficult choice and broke Oklahoma.
with very strong traditional ties to join the Mormon Saints
and undertake the difficult journey to Utah. The Leifson Trip to Hopi and Navajo Lands
family made a substantial contribution (Photo # 8) towards
the erection of the beautiful monument honoring the more In early July of 2003 I took Loyce on an interesting
than 400 converts, including Grandmother Hjalmfridur, drive through northeastern Arizona to visit the
Grandfather Sigurdur Thorleifsson and his mother Hopi and Navajo Lands. This is the type of travel
Sigridur Brynjolfsdottir. I can’t help but feel that all three of
these grandparents, and hopefully many of the others for
whom we have done temple work, are pleased with what
we have done for we truly are pleased with what they did to
our great benefit.

Scandinavian Trip in 2003

In June (11th through 24th) of 2003 I took a fascinating trip and
cruise with my cousin Mark Money through the Scandinavian
countries of Denmark, Norway and Sweden. It was primarily
an ocean cruise with the Orient Lines Company and we were

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Loyce enjoys. These Indian lands were fascinating to By way of summary, let me add that it should be quite
see and it was good to learn more about these two obvious to anyone who reads this particular chapter that I
cultures. Our government has spent vast amounts really enjoy traveling. So, as long as my health and financial
of money to help these people with nice museums means will allow, I shall probably continue to take trips to a
and other tourist attractions, but much of it is poorly number of other places that I am yet interested in visiting.
maintained, in my view. Obviously it is a real problem Those that prove to be of special interest may be added to
knowing how best to help these people. this chapter at a later time.

Photos from various places that I have traveled

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198