Temple Moments: The deeper joy
E-mail story
It's easy. Send a link to the story you were just reading to a friend. Just fill out the form on this page and we'll send it along.
Your name and e-mail address are transmitted to the recipient. Otherwise, it is considered private information; see Privacy policy.
Zelta Gudmundson and her husband, Clair, both 93, are members of the Grandview 9th Ward, Provo Utah Grandview Stake. They have been temple workers in the Provo Utah Temple for the past 23 years, except when they took time out to serve in the England Manchester Mission and as ordinance workers in the London England Temple.
Their faithfulness is evident in multiple ways. She held many callings. Brother Gudmundson, a pipefitter until retiring, served as counselor to seven bishops and a stake president.
Brother Gudmundson says playing tennis is enjoyable. His passion for tennis has continued for 63 years. He has taught all of his children and grandchildren the sport. At first he was the family champion but as time progressed, his children and grandchildren began to defeat him. But at 93, he still plays to win.
His passion for tennis is compatible with his temple work, as he often plays against other temple workers and the fitness helps him keep from being tired during his temple shift. But he leaves the competitive spirit outside when he serves in the temple.
"The minute you go into the temple, you are a changed person," said Sister Gudmundson. "The Church comes first." Their family reflects that. All their children married in the temple and 23 of their descendants have served full-time missions.
"We especially enjoy the large groups of missionaries who come to the temple," from the nearby Missionary Training Center, said Sister Gudmundson.
One day while they were in the temple, one of their grandsons, who was in the Missionary Training Center, unexpectedly came through the temple on a session with his group. It was a moment of family joy for the couple.
"We are not supposed to throw our arms around the missionaries," said Sister Gudmundson. "But grandmothers are special."
Another in a series of "Temple Moments."
Illustration by John Clark.
