Logan Tabernacle looking north on Logan Main Street
This photo was shared on a social media website a time back. It struck me. The Cache County Courthouse cupola on the left and the Logan Tabernacle on the right.
I previously shared comments of memories in this tabernacle. Here are some of those comments.
The Logan Tabernacle is where I attended Stake Conference for all the years I attended Utah State University. I graduated from Logan Institute of Religion in this building. I recall Dad pointing out that my hair was getting thin from his vantage point on the balcony. I was sustained in this building and spoke at a Stake Conference. I sat at the feet and heard the teachings of H. David Burton and Vaughn J. Featherstone, as well as our own Stake Presidency, Thomas Cherrington, James Jenkins, and Roger McEvoy. I still remember some of their talks. I recall entertaining visiting British guests, like the Byroms and Gores, in this building. Moreover, this building had historical significance to the area and my own ancestors in the valley.
Logan Tabernacle July 2020, Aliza Ross on the right
The morning of 26 July 2020 I awoke at a motel in Logan, Utah, with my four children. We were on the last day of a trip where Amanda had the weekend to pamper herself. Since we were in Logan, I took the kids around to some of the sites that were important to me. I am not including any of the graveyard pictures that I have shared earlier in visiting the resting sites of family members. This was the same trip we stopped to visit the Paris Tabernacle.
Hiram, Aliza, Lillian, and James Ross on the steps of the Logan Tabernacle in July 2020
The Logan Tabernacle is where I attended Stake Conference for all the years I attended Utah State University. I graduated from Logan Institute of Religion in this building. I recall Dad pointing out that my hair was getting thin from his vantage point on the balcony. I was sustained in this building and spoke at a Stake Conference. I sat at the feet and heard the teachings of H. David Burton and Vaughn J. Featherstone, as well as our own Stake Presidency, Thomas Cherrington, James Jenkins, and Roger McEvoy. I still remember some of their talks. I recall entertaining visiting British guests, like the Byroms and Gores, in this building. Moreover, this building had historical significance to the area and my own ancestors in the valley. In those years, I had numerous councilors, including David Ackerman, Tyler Buswell, David Moss, Jon Phillips, and Guy Schauerhamer. Secretaries were the amazing Kalynne Call (now Jensen) and Jessica Pollard (now Westerberg).
“Family and the Covenant” sculpture at Logan Tabernacle with James, Aliza, Hiram, and Lillian Ross in July 2020
Of course we had to stop at Dentist Office. 655 Darwin Avenue #6, Logan, Utah 84321, was my apartment for several years. That upper right room window was above my bed for those years. I shared a photo of it from 2012 previously. I also listed some of the poor unfortunate souls who also had to reside in close proximity to me!
Hiram, Aliza, Lillie, and James Ross in front of the Dentist Office on Darwin Avenue.
The next stop included the Logan Institute of Religion. This building is harder to capture in a picture with all the new apartment complexes so near the front of it. What was known then as the oldest and largest Institute of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I don’t know if that still holds true. I attended the Institute before my mission and when my Mom disowned me, I knuckled down and took a dozen or so Institute credits. I can attribute much of my religious underpinnings and knowledge to this time. Some of the teachers that profoundly touched me included John Fowles, Rhett James, and Michael Cooley. After the mission, various teachers, including Gene Van Shaar (who I also knew in Springfield, Missouri at what was then Southwest Missouri State University).
Aliza and Hiram Ross at Logan LDS Institute
Of course we had to make a stop at the David B. Haight Alumni House. The history of this location I have shared before. Suffice it to say, I kissed my future wife for the first time here and also asked her to marry me in this same spot. The large painting of David B. Haight is no longer hanging in the lobby inside these doors.
Hiram, Lillian, James, and Aliza Ross at David B. Haight Alumni House in July 2020
Having jumped from the Dentist Office, to the Institute, to the Alumni House, it was obviously easy to jump to Old Main. On the walk over, I snapped this picture of the Logan Temple. Since it was Sunday, we couldn’t get inside the fence so we just drove by it.
Logan Temple in July 2020
Old Main was the home of my college, then the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS). I attended most of my major classes in this building. I knew this building like the back of my hand.
Lillian, Aliza, and Hiram Ross at Old Main of Utah State University in July 2020
I have stood in that tower overlooking the valley a number of times, usually a locked door confines you to the round windows. I have shared some historical photos of the building.
Lillie, Aliza, Hiram, and James Ross at the flower beds in front of Old Main.
I have also shared how my own family contributed to the building of this iconic building.
Lillie, Aliza, Hiram, and James Ross on west steps of south Old Main in July 2020
The photo above is interesting due to the silly children, but also the red sandstone that came from the Nuffer Quarry near Mapleton, Idaho. Both the pillar and stones in and under the brick. Of course, a visit to Old Main Hill for a child would not be complete without rolling down the hill. I also noticed how many of the old huge trees have now left the hill.
Old Main Hill in July 2020
The trip to Logan was memorable for the kids and I recalled many memories from my time attending. Maybe Amanda can attend at a future time. Logan holds fondness and great memories for me. Now we have some more.
Well, I just put out a whole philosophical e-mail and thought I would take a moment to do an actual update on life.
I am sitting here listening to Prairie Home Companion enjoying a few good laughts. Earlier I listened to Die Frau Ohne Schatten (The woman without a shadow) by Richard Strauss. It was fascinating to listen to. Made me want to learn my German. Funny how music can take us other places.
I have just finished my second week at Bank of America. Things are going very well. I am learning many more things about mortgages and all the documentations that attend. The lessons mostly center around learning the DOS-based system they use for processing all these loans. I have to admit it is a very detailed system that handles thousands of people working on it at all times with large amounts of information. Impressive as that it, they tell us it has only gone down once in the last 10 years! They have replaced one or two systems with Windows applications and they crash regularly so they are not in any rush to be replacing the old DOS-based system. Therefore, I have to learn the codes and names to navigate the system to check and update information. They teach us how to check the documents and how to put it into the system. We were done covering the documents within the first week. I have found out the position I will be in is basically an assistant underwriter. It has a whole host of names, but currently it is Home Servicing Specialist (HSS).
Last Saturday and Sunday we had Stake Conference. I think it was the most powerful Stake Conference I have ever been to. I have been to some very good ones. Two were in the Logan Tabernacle (one for the Logan University 4th Stake the other for the Logan University 5th Stake), another in the Springfield Missouri South Stake Center, and the last I can think of was a Stake Conference for the Chester Stake in Wrexham, Wales. The most impressive part in Missouri was the music and the unity I felt within the congregation. The Chester Stake was powerful for the fact of some amazing talks given, one particularly by our mission president. The one for the 5th Stake at USU was that it was basically turned into a stake testimony meeting. That in and of itself changed the tenor of the meeting but all were invited by name by the Stake Presidency. The last one for the 4th Stake, I can think of two conferences in particular. One had Elder Burton, the Presiding Bishop and the other was all the Presidency’s remarks. President Cherrington usually gave a great talk at all conferences. So this conference is in good company. It wasn’t the first conference I have been to with an apostle, but this one had an apostle acted as we expect them to. Elder Holland gave some powerful comments.
In Priesthood he taught us about Satan binding our tongues, the difference between lips and hearts, and the difference between forms of power and the real thing. He basically told us we are doing too many things without our hearts and without conviction. Time to step up to act in the name of the priesthood like we are expected to do. In Saturday evening, we were taught how we live in a broken world. Whether you like it or not, things are not perfect. He taught us about the Atonement and how all broken things will be restored to their proper order at the right time. Then he pounded out the importance of not whining, not complaining, and going forward in our lives with faith. He was very direct in those who complain or say something is wrong in life. He said nobody has the right to complain or wallow in the misery when the Savior took care of them for us. Time to walk in faith, get up, and be about doing good. The Sunday session proved to be just as good. He spoke about his personal experiences of President Hinckley and his prophetic calling. It was fascinating to learn more about the personal life of a prophet. He spoke to us about the importance of the gospel and the role of the church. Again, the topic had to do with looking beyond ourselves and seeing the big picture. He ended with the importance and the role of the Holy Ghost. How as latter day saints we live below our privileges and don’t claim the rights that are ours. We do not appreciate what has been given to us and need to wake up.
Even though I have heard similar talks, the basic point is the power by which he spoke, namely the Spirit of God. It literally took the message directly to my heart. I noticed at a couple of points how my bosom literally trembled at what it was he was speaking. I recognize the power which he conveyed.
In other news, we have been looking for a second car. With Amanda needing to travel long distances for school this fall, it isn’t going to work to have one car. So we are looking for a nice little car under $5,000. So far it has been a miserable failure. There are very few cars that are below that limit and what we are finding feel like questionable deals. We went to look at a little Audi A4 for $4,700 and he sold the car at noon. So we took a little Passat for a drive that he said he would sell to us for $4,000. It only has 103,000 miles on it. We took it for a test drive and something about the transmission raised all sorts of red flags for me. We will have to see if something else pops up. I may be too picky. I don’t want a car that smells of smoke or animals. I would like one which runs well. I would like one that isn’t completely ugly, like a stationwagon. Most people take such bad care of cars. Many have rips in the seats, big marks in the doors or dash, and more. I keep waiting for someone to give us one so we don’t have to take on a little more debt, but that probably won’t happen soon. We will have to keep you updated.
Well, I believe that is enough of an update for now.
Remember the responsibilities of an Elder. “An apostle is an elder, and it is his calling to baptize; and to ordain other elders, priests, teachers, and deacons; and to administer bread and wine – the emblems of the flesh and blood of Christ – and to confirm those who are baptized into the church, by the laying on of hands for the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, according to the scriptures; and to teach, expound, exhort, baptize, and watch over the church; and to confirm the church by the laying on of the hands, and the giving of the Holy Ghost; and to take the lead of all meetings” (D&C 20:38-44). This obviously extends beyond that of the family. Their duties are expounded further as the section continues, but are to be aided or expressly done by the lesser priesthoods if they are present. If not, the elders do them as well. This revelation was given before the wards and stakes were organized. It is my understanding that our elder responsibilities exist only in our ward. So, to individuals within our ward, we have the responsibilities given to us above. Of course we don’t take it upon ourselves, but we are assigned to these responsibilities, particularly through home teaching. Accordingly, we must be set apart for special occurrences outside the ward. Just like stake leaders have to be set apart for the stake level. But an elder is not set apart for their home teaching responsibilities. Assigned, but not set apart. As missionaries we had to be set apart as a missionary to have the revelation and privileges necessary to be a missionary. I have always found it interesting that our stake president sets us apart rather than the mission president. I don’t have an answer for that one yet though.
So according to my understanding of the Melchizedek Priesthood, we are responsible specifically for our families and those we are assigned over. But in general you are privileged to exercise those powers for members within your ward without a special dispensation from the heavens.
Now as related to extended family, I do not believe you can receive revelation for them. Nor will you be responsible for them. However, you can still teach the gospel in its pure form and answer their questions accordingly. You cannot counsel them individually or according to revelation, but you can according to your inspiration and understanding of the word of God.
Be careful comparing yourself to these individuals who you are comparing yourself to in Jacob 1:19. They were to high priests over the whole church. Of course they were responsible for them all. But you are not. They would answer for all their sins. Just like President Hinckley is accountable for the entire world! To teach them according to the word of God and with all diligence. But we are home teachers and our stewardship is more limited compared to President of the church.
As for what is appropriate to teach. I think that is one of the reasons why the Lord gives the commandment that we are to speak nothing more than repentance and to teach the word of God. Even missionaries have very limited roles in which they can receive revelation. They are given just enough to find the humble, to lead them to the waters of baptism, and that is it. We cannot receive revelation on much more for our investigators. After all, that is the Bishop’s role. Don’t forget he is over member and non-member. We are there to aid the responsibility of the elders already in that ward and stake. We are not in charge of it. The mission president meets with and counsels with the Stake Presidents concerning the work. Only where there are districts and branches is the mission president over the work.
As concerning milk and meat. You can give what he asks, and only according to scripture. But you know that your job is first and foremost to teach faith and repentance. Our key is in D&C 19, “and thou shalt declare glad tidings, yea, publish it upon the mountains, and upon every high place, and among every people that thou shalt be permitted to see. And thou shalt do it with all humility, trusting in me, reviling not against revilers. And of tenets thou shalt not talk, but thou shalt declare repentance and faith on the Savior, and remission of sins by baptism, and by fire, yea even the Holy Ghost. Behold this is a great and the last commandment which I shall give unto you concerning this matter; for this shall suffice for thy daily walk, even unto the end of thy life” (verses 29-32). It seems very direct that this pattern is for preaching the gospel, and is enough for our daily walk to the end of our lives. We can chat about these things, but are to keep it according to the scriptures, and not more. Perhaps too many of us are talking about deeper things when we are not exhorting faith and repentance enough. Like President Cherrington always used to tell us, “gospel curiosity will not save us, but living the gospel.”
Sagacity 