March 30, 2025

Flat Stanley Visits New Zealand

Our grandson, Hans, sent a paper representative of himself to join us for a few weeks.  We’ve photographed and written the journal for Flat Stanley.  We’ve enjoyed this chance to connect with Hans and Mrs. Dodd's 2^nd grade students.  I’ll share a few of our experiences.

The Seniors participated in croquet tournaments in Takapuna.  The group photo is on top. Rick is holding Flat Stanley.  Sister Garner really wanted to hold him after our match – which the Garners won.

These sisters willingly held him during our refreshment break.

Everyone in our Primary class wanted to have a piece of Stanley during the photo.

See Stanley stand on our 5^th floor balcony with Auckland in the background.

The double-decker bus is normal transportation for us.  Cedar City doesn’t see such buses on the streets.

We’re traveling over the Auckland Bridge.  Notice the sailboats in the background.

The upper level of the bus provides a bird’s eye view of the scene below.

Stanley participated in English Class.  Terry, from China, and Ashini, from Sri Lanka, gladly held his hands at the end of class.

Some afternoons I slip away to the first floor to practice the piano.  The diversion lifts my spirits.  Notice who helped turn pages.

Our days are not filled with outings.  The boring office tasks must be completed.  Stanley smiles as he sits on Rick’s knee to observe his work on three screens.

‘Veggie Stanley’ stands among the eggplants in an open market.

He even came to pickleball.  If he gets in the way here, he clearly earns the name ‘Flat Stanley’.  We’ve enjoyed the journey.  Next week we’ll send his pictures and journal back to second grade where he’ll give his report on New Zealand, Aotearoa, the land of the long white cloud.

Look who popped into our office a few weeks ago.

Elder Ulisses Soares visited the Pacific Area and made the rounds on our floor.  Such visits always uplift the Saints, especially in the Islands.  The itinerary is kept quiet.  I knew a few more of his location plans as members of the communications department accompany him for video, photography and reporting purposes.  Yet, I stood in awe when he entered our working space, smiling and so personable.

March 23, 2025

Communication Department Area Seminar

Communication (Public Affairs) Directors throughout the Pacific Area congregated in Auckland for a three-day seminar. 

Our BYU intern, Jasmin Balahadia, Susan, and Tania Torea – our favorite Māori sister from Wellington.  She’s a public affairs employee for New Zealand.

Evenings included gathering for lively games of 5 Crowns.  These people are fun and competitive.

Māori show on night two.  They used the audience to help perform.

These men were hilarious when they tried to do the Haka.

Emily Kwok from Australia.  She’s my new sister.  Emily lived in Hong Kong until age 6.  What a remarkable woman. 

Veronica Strong, Jasmin, and Jeremy Higgins.  These ‘youngsters’ comprised the panel on social media.  They’re all pros.  Veronica handles social media for the Pacific Area.  Jeremy also taught many tips for taking good pictures.

Lavinia Kaumaitotoya (Fiji), Maria Good (Auckland), Supi Toimoana (Tonga), Louise Parker (Australia), Kim Woodbury (SLC-Church headquarters), Hina Garbutt (French Polynesia – Tahiti), Tania Torea (Wellington – Church employee in communications)

Panel discussions were so valuable.  Topics included; Working with Priesthood Leaders, How to build news media relationships, Developing relationships with government and communications and inter-faith leaders.  Other presentations were made by OGC (go Paul!!), Effectively using social media, taking better pictures for stories, Protecting religious freedom, and more than I can list.

We enjoyed an afternoon at the open house for the Auckland Temple.

Solomone and Lavinia Kaumaitotoya (Fiji).  I love their bright clothes.  This happy couple proved to be delightful during every phase of the seminar.

Reita Andrews from Kiribati.  We met last year and have remained in touch.  I love this special sister.

No one dares NOT join in singing ‘The Wheels on the Bus’ with Sonny Samuela.  Only his wife, Muriel, would skip doing what Sonny commands.  Truthfully, he is a lot of fun and has a heart of Gold.

The last night we opened our Family Search Apps to ‘Find a Relative’.  Solomone is my cousin.  His grandmother was Scottish and a relative to my Grandfather Bailey.  I embraced my new cousin in a huge bear hug.

Eight cousins.  One from Fiji, another from Tonga, one lives in Wellington NZ, and another comes from Australia.  Three are missionaries from the USA.  Now, we’re family.  Solomone suspected there was also a joyous reunion in Heaven.

March 16, 2025

Auckland New Zealand Temple

The temple open house continues through March.

Another view of this stunning House of the Lord.

EVERYONE knows about the temple.  It stands above the main motorway for all to see.  Invitations to attend are readily accepted.  Curiosity abounds.

We served as hosts for the attorneys of a law firm that works frequently with Rick.

Another VIP guest expected to find a large cathedral inside.  He later expressed joy in discovering several splendid 'instruction' rooms conducive to true worship with one's maker.  He felt the impact of that communion.  Miracles continue in the House of the Lord.

I like the subtle Māori designs on the granite near the base and then again towards the top.   Several pieces of the interior art are reflective of Māori culture.

The Prophet believes the temple should reflect the land it stands on.  This temple doesn’t disappoint in that regard.  The interior takes one’s breath away.  I love the Pohutukawa blooms depicted in the carpets.  Much Kauri wood graces the door frames and décor.  Everyone comments on the simple beauty of the bride’s room, sealing rooms, and celestial room.  Auckland is blessed to visit this piece of heaven on earth.

Our first tour took place on a windy day.

Celestial Room.

The stunning stained-glass windows tower over this sacred room.  Notice the Kauri wood encasing the window.  No one makes a peep here.  We were encouraged to depart after several minutes.  None of our guests initiated that exit on their own.

I never tire of the view.  It’s breathtaking.

Stake President Dil and his wife, Heidi, served as tour guides for our group on VIP Day.  Three attorneys from Norris Ward McKinnon made the two-hour journey from Hamilton to join us.  Dan Moore, Chris Steenstra, and Phil Hyde graciously talked of the honor to be invited.  They asked brief questions in each of the rooms.  After taking photos, we returned to the Stake Center where we continued our visit.  Thirty-five minutes later I invited them to partake of the snacks available.  They declined and continued talking.  All needed to return to the office, but no one wanted to leave.  Their respectful enthusiasm convinced me they felt something significant.  We were honored to be part of this special day.

Sister Power Hour

This blessed time we spend together once a week nourishes our souls.  These women are wonderful in every way.  Penny Owen, from Australia, wears her apron which reads:  There’s a thin person inside screaming to get out – I keep them sedated with chocolate. 

Sister Cindy Barton talks of roots and branches – part of Elder Uchtdorf’s April 2025 address – as she guides our painting of trees.  This proved to be a delightful hour, a break from our usual routine.

 

March 9, 2025

ICLRS Conference Auckland

The Law and Religious Liberty conference in Auckland.  I’ve served on the planning committee for several months.  I enjoyed meeting these people in person for the first time.  (ICLRS – International Center for Law and Religious Studies)

Sister Lily Sloan, local service missionary, also served on the planning committee.  She rose to the occasion magnificently.  She works in our office two days a week.

BYU Hawaii students helped during the conference. 

I felt honored to serve on this committee with marvelous members such as Jennifer Kajiyama Tinkham.  As a BYU-H professor I was sure she would know my dear missionary companion, Carol Peterson.  Sure enough, they are good friends.  The world is so small.  I’m thrilled to call Jennifer my new friend.

“Jesus” offered the Māori welcome to the conference.  Seriously, Anthony Buttars, the actor who portrays Jesus in the Book of Mormon videos lives in Hamilton, NZ and works in film production.  He wore a regular suit, what a handsome Māori man he is.  One of our OGC members talked with his mother.  Anthony is one of 14 children.

Anthony Buttars

Anthony Buttars with his wife, family members and conference guests.

Rick and I are on the right side towards the back.  What a wonderful, diverse, and united group.  It was a pleasure to participate in this conference.  I won’t miss the 7:00 AM planning meetings, but I’ll miss the regular association of the marvelous committee.

The Temple View Singers provided dinner entertainment.  Their voices were incredible as they shared Māori music and culture.

Hon. Vaine “Mac” Mokoroa – Cook Islands Minister of Justice

The Parliament in Cook Islands currently considers a bill to make Christianity the national religion.  Many Muslim workers have moved there and some feel threatened.  Two years ago, Judge Mokoroa attended the ICLRS Conference at BYU.  He recognizes his people fear what is new and hopes they will reconsider doing something rash to assuage their discomfort instead of being inclusive to all faiths.

Jeremy Jaggi-counselor in Pacific Area Presidency, Reverend Abhishek Solomon-Trinity Theological College, Ram Lingham-Auckland Inter-Faith Council, Sister Cahterine Jones-Society of Mary New Zealand, Sheikh Mohammad Amir-Mufti of New Zealand, and Hannah Smith-Associate Director ICLRS-BYU.

These distinguished guests spoke brilliantly.  Sister Jones shared a tender connection made between young LDS missionaries and the elderly in Auckland who needed help in their gardens.  She raved about the physical service and spiritual uplift the missionaries provided to these aged individuals.

Elder Jared Ormsby of the 70 introduces religious freedom brochures for several countries of Oceania at the Auckland conference on 21 February 2025.  These brochures provide information in Pacific languages about freedom of religion or belief laws in each legal jurisdiction.

Elder Ormsby offered a great introduction to those who’ve not yet seen these pamphlets.  All contain two common sections: Religious Freedom in International Law and Finding Common Ground.  Then, the first section specifies Freedom of Religion and Worship in that specific country.  The writing is concise and simple, intended to be understandable to high school students.

Religious Freedom Brochures were available in English, and for New Zealand, in Māori.  This represents a chunk of my mission time.  I serve as the facilitator for this project.    We’ve almost completed the brochures for each of the Pacific countries.  Translation is still in progress for those nations that use more than English.

I heard a few comments about these materials from attendees.  One of the presenters raved about the availability of this information in one place.  He mentioned the difficulty in finding the exact religious laws for each country.  He then asked, “I feel like a kid in a candy store, may I have one of each?”  I was THRILLED.

Keith Thompson pushed to complete all materials needed to publish the Australia brochure in time for this conference.  He is a Professor at Notre Dame University in Australia.  As a former ALC, he provides a major role in legal matters for the church in the religiously volatile land of Australia.

Rick stands with Paul Martin Morris, Victoria University of Wellington-UNESCO Chair in Interreligious Understanding and Relations in NZ and the Pacific.  His interesting presentation compared the temple ceremony to ancient sacred religious rites. 

This panel was one of my favorites – powerful and sobering.

Religious freedom laws have deteriorated in Australia.  Many speakers addressed this.  It begins subtly, then builds.  I later spoke with two of the presenters who claim they’ve fought against this erosion for 40 years.

Saturday evening included a special tour of the Auckland Temple.  Only the invited guests, not of our faith, and their guides were allowed to attend.  The open house had not yet officially begun.  We heard great reports about the temple visit.

Sunday Inter-faith activities included a visit to an Auckland Mosque, and a Māori Marae (above).  We were not able to attend these events.