Temple moments: Family time
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At a session in the Ogden Utah Temple, descendants of the late Oliver and Janette Holmes of Montpelier, Idaho, grew closer. Some 32 children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren recently gathered there to do work for their forebears.
One of the grandchildren, Bruce Peterson, had submitted more than 1,000 names of their ancestors.
Among the forebears of this family were Morris and Laura Clark Phelps, Church members during the Missouri and Nauvoo periods of the Church who suffered greatly from persecution, and who were closely associated with the Prophet Joseph Smith. (These ancestors had received their temple blessings many years earlier.) Although Laura died in Nauvoo at age 34, Morris eventually settled in Montpelier, Idaho, and left a large legacy. (See "Courage a legend as she faced mobs," Church News, June 19, 2004.)
"It was a very sacred event," said Ferris Holmes, the youngest of the family of 12 children. He said that five of Oliver and Janette's six living children were among those who participated. The only other living child who did not attend was Mary Kay Holmes Poulsen, who, with her husband, is serving a full-time mission in Australia.
At the temple, the family was given special consideration by the temple president and workers.
"They set up a special room and we had a family meeting," he said.
At the meeting, those attending told about their families and then, the oldest living son, Carlos Holmes, of Moreno, Calif., offered the family prayer.
"The Spirit was so strong there wasn't a dry eye in room," said Ferris Holmes. "They took us to the endowment room, and the whole session was family."
He said the kindness and courtesy of the temple workers contributed to the event. "We plan on having wonderful temple days like the one we just had. There is much work to be done for those waiting on the other side." — John L. Hart
