Saturday, December 31, 2016

Rest in Peace, Ken Lynn

Kenneth Fred Lynn, our friend, neighbor, longtime member of the B7 Ward and the patriarch of his family, passed away quietly in his Bloomington home on Monday, December 26, 2017 with his family at his side after a courageous battle against cancer and Parkinson’s disease.

Born in Mona, UT in the summer of 1933, during the worst year of the Great Depression, Ken was the oldest of six children all who grew up on a farm where they learned the value of hard work and taking responsibility for their actions. 

At the age of 4, Ken accompanied his parents to Salt Lake City, presumably on a shopping trip where – in the big city about 77 miles from home – he became separated from Mom and Dad.  Without hesitation, he walked to the train tracks and began heading south.  About ten miles from where he had “misplaced” his family, he grew tired and was found by a kind-hearted woman who called the police.  Eight hours after he went missing, the youngster and his worried parents were reunited.

After graduation from Juab High School, he took a job as a ballistic meteorologist at Dugway Proving Grounds for one year, then joined the U. S. Army and served two years in Korea.  

After his discharge in 1954, he moved to Phoenix to attend school.  It was in Scottsdale where he chose his career path as a car salesman … and where he met Dorla Dean McFarland, who stood by his side for almost 48 years.  They were married in 1969 and were later sealed in the Manti LDS Temple. 

They then moved to Reno where Ken was general manager of the Ford agency for eight years, during which time he was named #1 Ford dealer in his district in 1974 and again in 1975.  In St. George, he opened and operated Lynn’s Auto Sales for twenty years.  To his friends and customers, Ken was always known as a hardworking, successful and generous man.  Upon his retirement, he had spent 50 years in the car business.

More than anything, Ken loved his family, including 5 children,19 grandchildren, 32 greats and 2 great-greats. His favorite things to do were dancing with his daughter Kendra or giving her horseback rides on his shoulders; classic movies, long road trips; country music (especially Patsy Cline); Disneyland and/or Knott’s Berry Farm; any kind of sports where his children, grandchildren – or BYU - were playing; holidays with the whole family present; family traditions, Christmas Eve parties; backyard bonfires; and Dorla, who he “treasured and made sure she knew it!”

His favorite hobby was golf – especially playing at courses in Branson, MO and Bella Vista, AK - and, for which he won several tournaments and made five holes-in-one in Reno and St. George!

Brother Lynn will be missed among those in his family and the community.  Condolences to Sister Dorla and the rest of the Lynn family.

Sunday, December 4, 2016

Relief Society Celebrates Christmas

"Breathtaking" perhaps best describes the beautiful decorations at the B7 Ward Relief Society party on Thursday evening! Thanks to all who worked so hard to create this amazing and fun Christmas celebration - Debb Johnson, Bonnie Sorenson, Lain Carter, Roena Soleai, Linda Lowe (made tons of delicious homemade rolls), adorable Primary children, Katie Christensen, Taj Becker, (beautiful cello music) Brittney Munk, Karin Smith, Kim Jorgensen, Robin Walden, Andrea Luikart and all who made delicious food!

One

Unique fluffy snowflakes fall from above
Each carries a message of hope and of love.

Apart, they are cold and shrivel so tight
Void of the friendships they seek on their flight

Together, they knit such a beautiful sight,
Covering the earth with a blanket of white.

We, like the snowflakes, are miracles unique
With special gifts many others will seek

Alone, we may wander and soon become weak,
Forgetting the promises we desired so to keep.

All of God's daughters-a mighty force from above
Knit together, we blanket the earth with God's love.

-Vera Bakker
(Bonnie Sorenson's mother wrote this just for our Relief Society Christmas party)

As we entered the cultural hall, sisters were treated to cello music played by Katie Fielding and Taj Becker.

Sisters brought delicious soups, salads and cookies and Linda Lowe provided a heavenly aroma of her fresh-baked, delicious dinner rolls as we entered.  We played a "getting to know you better" activity, had dinner and then enjoyed our team building game of decorating a sister at each table as a snowman! Each table was provided with a bag of the same items to create a snowman in six minutes. (One table chose to have a melting snowman!)

Oh, and the hot chocolate bar!  It was truly gourmet, with selections of milk or dark chocolate, assorted sprinkles and flavorings and whipped cream. The presentation was a delight in and of itself.

The evening was capped of with a beautiful number sung by some of our precious Primary children and we later joined with them in song.

Our Relief Society is filled with such talented, giving and loving women! 

B7 Ward Celebrates Christmas, 2016


Breakfast with Santa Claus was a new theme for the annual B7 Ward Christmas Party held on Saturday, December 3, but ward members seemed to enjoy the early morning opportunity to gather together to celebrate the season.  

The breakfast repast was yummy with pancakes, scrambled eggs, crispy delicious and plentiful bacon, juice and milk cooked by a talented cook staff including 2nd Counselor Mike Foley and Ward Mission Leader Steve Van Wagoner.   

The program included a lively reading of “I Yust Go Nuts at Christmas” by Brother Dick Graf; a medley of Christmas songs by our own enthusiastic Primary children and, of course, a visit from Santa Claus.  It was a fun morning and everyone went home happy!

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Halloween in the Pavilion with Friends and Candy

This year's B7 Trunk or Treat and Chili Cookoff was held on Monday, October 31 at the Manzanita Chapels pavilion.  The weather was perfect, the chili was tasty and there were lots of ward members who got into the fun dressing up as ghosts, goblins and witches, as well as excited kids of all ages seeking Halloween candy.

Young Women of Excellence


On Sunday, October 23, the Young Women of the B7 Ward gathered for an evening of celebrating experiences with the Personal Progress program.  With a theme of “Sweet is the Work,” the young women – one-by-one – shared how they had grown in their understanding of knowledge, service, individual worth, good works and virtue on their way to the Young Womanhood Award.  Sally Fraser, daughter of Steve and Jill Fraser, gave a delightful solo performance of “Press Forward” and Martha Bown gave a performance on the piano.  Laurels Grace Bown, Laura Brown and Caroline Smith reported on their efforts to help Tecia Clem fulfill the requirements of Individual Worth by attending the temple 10 times on her behalf; and Ivy Adams, daughter of Chantry Adams, was presented with her torch necklace as she transitions from Primary into the Young Women’s Program.

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Cole Wilkes On to Florida

Cole Wilkes, oldest son of Rob and Chardell Wilkes 5 offspring, has been called to serve the Lord and His children in the Florida Tallahassee Mission.  He notes he is excited to serve and feels more prepared since studying more intently and watching every episode of The District before he entered the Provo MTC on Wednesday, Oct. 12.  When he submitted his mission paperwork, he said he would “go where you want me to go, Dear Lord.  Just don’t send me to Florida where there are snakes and crocodiles.”  After recovering from his surprise at being called to the Sunshine State, the 2015 Desert Hills High School graduate was told most of his mission will likely be served in Arkansas.

Possibly the first missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Florida was Phineas Young, who served a two-month mission in 1845. The first missionaries were not well-received. From 1869 to 1929 law officers met each train arriving in Tallahassee and prevented Latter-day Saint elders from getting off. As late as 1895, history notes  two elders were arrested and given the choice to leave or pay a $200 fine. In 1898, one Church congregational leader was murdered. In spite of such persecution, missionaries continued to preach in Florida. The state's first official Church congregation was created in Jefferson County in 1897. By 1904 there were 1,230 Church members in Florida.

Church growth in Florida was slow until Latter-day Saints from the West moved there, drawn by a strong commerce and the aerospace industry.

Today church membership exceeds 152,000 in 251 congregations in 5 missions and two temples are busy doing the work of salvation in Orlando and Ft. Lauderdale.

Thursday, October 6, 2016

Farewell, Brother Goettig

Manfred (Fred) Albert Goettig, 76, passed away October 4, 2016 at his home in Bloomington, Utah. Born May 12, 1940 in Kassel, Germany, Fred was one of three children of Konrad and Hilde (Flurer) Goettig, including his sister Hannalore and a stepsister named Claudia. As a small child, Fred was given the nickname of Jockel by his grandmother.  German for “rooster,” his Oma would sing “you are my little rooster, little rooster, my boy.”  After his marriage, his favorite nickname was Dad in response to his four children and two adopted children.  Later in life, he loved being called Opa by any of his 15 grandchildren.

Fred began his mortal journey during the great conflict of World War II.  His father was a train conductor who was away from home a great deal transporting supplies, so rarely saw his children. Fred’s mother was a professional chef and a baker of the finest pastries.  Fred was a typical boy growing up in a difficult situation. The war took him, his mother and sister to find safety in bombed out Koln where his mother's parents and siblings lived.

Most of his early memories were of life in Koln. Even as a young child, Fred thought of himself as a protector of others. One of his earliest memories in Koln is a great example.  During the morning hours he was behind his house playing in a dirt pile with his sister.  Suddenly air raid sirens went off.  In recalling this instance, he remembered grabbing his little sister's arm and running for their house.  As they ran home bombs began raining down from the sky in an attack on the nearby airbase.  During the raid a plane crashed into the field where they had been playing.  In the arms of their mother, they rushed to the basement of their 3-story home.  While sheltered in the basement, their home was hit by an incendiary bomb destroying everything above their heads. When it was safe, they ran together finding refuge in a nearby house.

Fred frequently commented that no child should have to endure war, recalling a time when he survived a bomb dropping on his house leaving death everywhere in the streets.  He recalled the horror of being taken from their home by the Gestapo and sent by train to a farm work camp in the city of Zahna by the Polish/Czechoslovakian border to help with the war effort. The town was captured by the Russian army, and Fred remembered soldiers lining up people and playing Russian roulette on him and his family members.  The soldiers also did other atrocities, which Fred struggled to talk about. After a time they were able to escape back to allied occupied Germany and back to Kassel. This escape was aided by a Russian soldier who befriended Fred’s mother making it possible to flee to safety by sneaking on a train and heading west. Even though he went through so much, one of the things he remembered most was when the American soldiers gave him and his little sister Hershey’s chocolate bars and showed kindness.

When he got back to Koln everything had been destroyed, but he never lost faith in his Heavenly Father or his testimony of the truthfulness of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He remembered meeting to worship on Sundays in a bombed out house.  The family’s knowledge of the gospel and the Plan of Happiness helped them through the hard times including the trials of war and life to follow.  Fred was about eight years old he was baptized in a river by an Elder Schmidt.  He told his family on the day he was baptized the elders had to break the ice to give him a place to have the baptism.

Soon after his baptism, Fred was diagnosed with Tuberculosis (TB), likely resulting from the after effects of war.  In those days, patients were treated in sanitoriums, so his mother put her 8-year-old son on a train to Switzerland by himself to spend a year recovering all alone and in a strange place.

His youth was filled school and friends.  After high school he went to a trade school to become a Tool and Die Machinist.  In February, 1960, at the age of 19 years he boarded the SS United States alone to immigrate to America.  He had not been on a large ship until that time so much of the trip was spent feeding the fish below with the dinner he just eaten.  Finally he reached the US.  In the New York harbor, he saw the Statue of Liberty, the symbol of freedom which has welcomed immigrants from all over the world for decades. Fred wanted to become an American so he changed the spelling of his last name from Gottig with two umlauts to Goettig to be more phonetically correct.

He arrived in New York City with very little money to his name. He stayed with some family friends for a time, worked and then purchased a car and drove across the country.  Many people said their ancestors came to this country and crossed the plains in covered wagons.  Fred drove a car across the country and the only incident was when he fell asleep at the wheel and ended up in a corn field.  He quickly backed up and kept driving to Salt Lake City.

The gospel of Jesus Christ was so important in his life Fred knew he had to serve a mission.  He was called to the Austria-Switzerland Mission and set apart by then Elder Gordon B. Hinckley.  While on his mission Fred learned many things and had many adventures both spiritual and interesting.  One such interesting story was regarding the flower Edelweiss. He loved Edelweiss, so while in Austria he climbed the hills like the von Trapp family and obtained for himself one of these protected flowers. This was one of his little indiscretions for this great man. Don’t tell the Austrian government.

As a missionary he felt he was not very successful or did he feel he had been a good missionary.  Many years later he and Dinorah went back to Switzerland.  While at the temple a man came up to him and asked if he was Elder Goettig.  When Fred said yes the man reminded him he had baptized him and his wife all those years ago.  He said he was now a stake president and his sons had all served missions, married in the temple and were bishops.  Fred learned from this experience how our decisions and actions impact others and how important a mission really is to even one person.

When he arrived home from his mission the Vietnam conflict was waging and he was told he needed to enlist in the war effort. If he returned home safe then he could become a citizen.  Fred wanted to be an American citizen more than anything, so he enlisted and served his new homeland.  He started out as a paratrooper in the Army, but before his platoon was sent to Vietnam he was transferred to Berlin, Germany as a translator and driver for a General.

When he was honorably discharged from the army he received his citizenship and then he was a true American.  Since that day he treasured his new country and displayed his undying patriotism for the United States. He would always say he was an American born in Germany.  Growing up people asked if he spoke to us in German or if he lost his culture.  He was full German, but wanted his kids to be raised as Americans.  He spoke German when he was angry or he hurt himself, but I those weren't traditional words used in proper settings.  One of the funniest proofs of his patriotism was when the family watched soccer and the coach for the U.S. team was a German.  When his team was not doing well he would yell at the TV to send the German sauerkraut packing back home.

While living in SLC he went to a party with his best friend Manuel and met the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He had gone to the party with another date and then noticed his future wife and quickly forgot about the date he had brought.  He asked his friend about her and even invited this beautiful girl in the red dress to dance.  He soon began dating Dinorah Del Carmen Aquirre, a recent immigrant to the USA.  Fred was still learning English and “Dino” did not know much of the language herself, but this little problem didn’t bother them.  He would often say they did not need words to understand each other because they used the language of love.  They dated for a few months, a time Fred said was filled with “interesting dates.”  On one date, Fred told Dino he was going to take her to his home in the Avenues of SLC but instead he took her to the cemetery. He stopped the car by one of the big gravestones and helped his date out of the car.  As they were walking, he put up the collar of his trench coat and placed some fake Dracula teeth in his mouth and proceeded to scare her.  Dino was so scared she demanded he take her home, although she later forgave him. After several months of dating they were married and sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake City Temple by President Gordon B. Hinckley on July 27, 1967. This began a new chapter of life together.  Their honeymoon included a 2500 mile drive from Salt Lake City to Santa Ana, El Salvador where he met Dinorah’s family for the first time. This adventure took them on a wild ride including hitting a donkey, almost going to jail, Dinorah thinking her new husband had left her when he went to wash the car … and many other adventures.

Throughout his life, Fred provided for his family, first by working as a tool and die machinist.  Eventually, he studied at the University of Utah obtaining a degree as a Radiology Technician.  For a time, he worked in sales for a large equipment company then purchased a rental store in St. George.  Eventually, though, he returned to the medical field working many years as a radiology technician and orthopedic assistant.
  
Fred didn’t consider himself a success by the world’s standards, but he left behind a great legacy of faith and testimony, an ethic of hard work, a determination to never give up and a beautiful family of four children – Edward, Claudia, Robert and Trisha - two adopted children and 15 grandchildren.  The greatest lesson his family learned from their father was his undying love and absolute faithfulness to our mother, his family, the Savior Jesus Christ and the Plan of Salvation. In the end, his greatest worry was not the end of his life or what he accomplished, but his greatest worry was for his beloved wife.  His love is eternal and his family knows he is waiting for them on the other side of the veil and hoping all will do whatever is necessary to be with him forever. 

Rest in peace, dear Brother Goettig, 'til we meet again!

Saturday, September 17, 2016

Relief Society Assists Those Seeking Refuge



The women of the B7 Relief Society joined with sisters from throughout the Southgate Stake on Saturday, September 17 for a humanitarian service project to benefit the large number of refugees arriving almost daily in the Salt Lake Valley.  There were quilts, capes for little and bigs made of fleece, cleaning and hygiene kits, toys to be stuffed, lots of chit chat as sisters reunited ... and of course delicious snacks of seasonal fruits and vegetables and cakes.  It was a delightful experience helping those seeking refuge from religious and political persecution in the tops of the mountains.  Thanks to all who organized this well-run event.

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Rest in Peace, Andy Anderson

Elvin Martin "Andy" Anderson, a longtime member of the B7 Ward, passed away on Monday, August 29, 2016 at the age of 104. Andy was born March 5, 1912 in Oasis, Utah to Peter M. and Tora Jensen Anderson; grew up on a farm and graduated from Hinckley High School.  He left the farm behind to move to California where he began his working life doing odd jobs and where he met June Barg on a blind date which lasted for 69 years.

From 1933 to 1946, Andy worked for Standard Oil Company then joined the Marine Corps, serving three three years in the South Pacific. After his service, he and June ran their own gas station in Malibu, CA for seven years. They contemplated retirement at this time, but soon found out there was more month than money so decided to try their hands at real estate.  This new field kept them happily engaged for the next 21years.

Andy was a member of the Malibu Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, American Legion and President of the Malibu Board of Realtors.

Andy and June retired to Oceanside, CA where they spent 13 happy years golfing and enjoying the San Diego area. In 1989, when California began to feel too crowded, they moved to St. George, Utah. They loved St. George and became active with The ICL at Dixie College and he joined the St. George Rotary Club where he found friendship and service opportunities for nearly a decade. They also enjoyed local cultural activities and golfing at the Bloomington Country Club.

June passed several years ago.  Andy is survived by his nieces and nephews throughout the United States.

Rest in peace, dear Brother Andy.

Monday, August 15, 2016

Primary Beats the Heat at Annual Water Party

On Friday, August 12, the 45 children of the B7 Ward’s Primary organization enthusiastically gathered for their annual summer water party.  There were several fun water games and a great water slide. The most exciting and fun surprise was a firetruck which showed up and sprayed the kids with their hoses.

The kids also enjoyed fresh watermelon and popsicles on this hot summer afternoon.

It was another great Primary activity and a fun way to beat the heat. Thanks to the Primary Presidency and our wonderful teachers for all their hard work to make it a big success.  

Thursday, August 4, 2016

A Day Away at Baker's Acres

The B7 Ward Relief Society’s “Day Away” at Jill Jones’ family cabin in Beaver was sooooooooooo much fun, so well planned, so relaxing and so much cooler than St. George.  Even with only 18 sisters making the 90-minute trip up the I-15 freeway, there was a great sense of sisterhood and fun.  The activities started with a getting to know you game (including a spontaneous rendition of the song aptly named “Getting to Know You”) in which the sisters were asked (based on their Skittle colors) to tell us (1) where were you born? (2) what would be your dream vacation? (3) what would you do with a million dollars? (4) if you could have dinner with anyone (alive or passed), who would it be? And, (5) tell us something about you no one else knows. 

Janet Labrum and her guitar entertained with songs of the south before a delicious and plentiful lunch was served!  

Then Wendy Johnston tested our knowledge of the first 100 Temples with questions and answers.  We tied quilts for Utah refugees, then President Jill broke out the board and card games (Quarkle, Phase Ten, puzzles) while some took a walk around the property.

The party, which started in the parking lot of the Manzanita Chapel at 8 a.m., finally broke up at about 2:30 p.m. when we all headed for our cars for the trip back to St. George and to “real life.”  However, before we got on the I-15 freeway, some of us met up one more time ... for ice cream cones at the Cache Valley Cheese store.

Of course, everyone understood “what happens at Baker’s Acres, stays at Baker’s Acres!”

Thanks to those who drove, to those who helped in any way and to our wonderful Relief Society presidency.  It was a delightfully lovely day!!!

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Girls Camp 2016

The B7 Ward Young Women and their leaders spent this year’s Girls Camp at Little Thunder scout camp located high on a mountain top high above Cedar City from Wednesday, July 27 to Saturday, July 30.  The stake theme was “Have Courage and Be Kind” with each ward having a different YW value.  B7’s was “virtue” and their color was gold.

The girls enjoyed the opportunity to get better acquainted with several new faces, including the Brown sisters, who as new move-ins in the ward, were ready and willing to attend a second girls camp this summer.  Sidney Kerr brought a friend along and Ashley Seacrest, whose family has a vacation home within ward boundaries, also attended.

Camp activities included humanitarian projects; arts and crafts; devotionals; singing, dancing, laughter and LOTS of bonding!  According to YW leaders, the only thing missing was SLEEP, “but, we can catch up later!  It was wonderful to get away from the world and become one with nature and the choice young women of the Bloomington 7th Ward.”

Thanks to everyone who supported this year’s Girls Camp in any and every way. 

Thursday, July 21, 2016

Maligayang Pagdating, Elder Jones

Elder Stetson Jones (who now prefers using his middle name of Slade), son of Teak Jones and Corwin and Diana Smith is newly home from 2-years of missionary service in the Philippines Cebu Mission.  He writes the following as his days of fulltime missionary service come to an end:

My heart aches thinking about the end of my mission ... I don't really want to leave... as much as I want to go. Only a missionary will understand that sentence.

Really, I don't want my last words to be ones of sadness and heartache, but of peace, hope and encouragement.

I wish to testify above all else I have learned here on my mission … our Savior Jesus Christ LIVES! He loves us. He knows us. We are children of the divine, of a loving Father in heaven, with potential exceeding all human comprehension. I testify we have a purpose here on Earth! It is to prepare us for greater things to come.. I know without a doubt God loves us and because of His love he gave his son to us, that through him, and by him, and of him, all good things will come. I know families can live together forever in happiness if we just follow His plan. I fear above all the waves and torrents and temptations of the world it will never dull or drain the truths I have come to cherish so deeply and fully here in my mission.... because I know the adversary will try with all his might to estrange me from the path I have started down. I pray we all may receive the strength to see above and through those "mists of darkness" which sometimes cloud our judgment.

I have loved being set apart from that which is worldly. It has showed me more fully how to enjoy what is in the world and how to reject and avoid those things which would take me from enjoying the fullness of it.

I testify to you this church was established by the Lord himself, through the Prophet Joseph Smith.  I know him to be a prophet, the very instrument of the Lord in doing this great work. I know the Book of Mormon is true. It is the very word of our living father in Heaven.  He gave it to us that we might more fully come to know him and know of his love and the plan he has for us. READ IT! It has brought me more peace and comfort among the raging torrents of depression and uncertainty the world has to throw at us. There is no question which remains unanswered to me. They have all been answered here though study and prayer... I will never be confused again about what is right and what is not.

Brothers and Sisters my mission has been sacred to me... It has given me the greatest foundation for a happy life I recommend it very highly to all.

I have said this many a time in my email, but I say it again ... I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY and I WILL ALWAYS BE A MISSIONARY!

I am a disciple of Jesus Christ and thus shall I remain till the day I behold his face and feel his palms and kiss his feet myself.

This is His work. And, I will forever be in debt to have been so blessed to be a part of it.  This nametag may be taken off but the name which it bears will always remain in my heart. Jesus is the Christ, and I am His servant. Now. Tomorrow. Forever.

Mission is over? Nah, it is just starting!

What are Slade's plans for the future?  He is jumping into the real estate field following his mother’s advice hoping to earn enough money quickly to be able to attend BYU-Hawaii for the upcoming winter semester.  He is also make the necessary arrangements to test at DSU to hopefully earn at least a semester of college credit for his proficiency in the two Filipino languages of Tagolog and Cebuano.  Most importantly, Slade is helping his younger brother Haus get ready for his mission.

Glad to have you back safe and sound, Br. Jones.