M E R I D I A N M A G A Z I N E
Photo Finnish: Readers Can’t Stop Loving
Finland
Edited and compiled by Kathy Green
Gem Quality
Diamond of the North, Helsinki, Finland Temple, a photographic essay by Scot Facer Proctor
Your coverage of the Helsinki Finland has had
special meaning to me. My mother's ancestry is from Finland, with my grandfather
being the last to immigrate to the United States in the 1910's. I grew up
hearing my mother, her parents, and siblings speaking Finnish and enjoying
Finnish customs such as saunas. I have fallen in love with Finland! Thank
you!
Susan Stafford
Auburn, Washington
**
The photos of the Finland temple is beautiful, as are all of your pictures of the temples. I love them all and appreciate your sharing them with so many of us who would never have the opportunity to see them if not for you.
Viola Colson
Walterboro, South Carolina
**
I love the pictures! Thank you so much for the article! Think I used to live
a stones throw from the Temple...but I moved out of country...
Maija-Liisa Aarsnes
Norway Romerike ward
**
Thanks you so much for the beautiful pictures
and comments you have made about the Helsinki Temple. I was also there and
attended the third session in the Celestial Room with my daughter and her
husband. My husband and I served from 1972 to 1975. We arrived with five young
children, the oldest just turning seven and the youngest at 10 months, then
I gave birth to our sixth child, a son, while we were there. I often reflect
and wonder how I did it, but always loved the experiences we shared in Finland,
never feeling burdened in any way.
My daughter returned to Finland for her mission in 1986-1988, so appreciated
being a part of the dedication. My son, Brian, the one born in Finland, was
also with us, but attended the first session at the Marjaniemi Chapel. It
was exciting to be able to see the Marjaniemi Chapel as it wasn't there when
we were in Finland, but we were the ones who found the mission home in Marjaniemi.
How exciting it was to know that all the mission presidents since our time
have used this home. Brian and I spent a beautiful morning strolling down
Harmaapaadentie to visit his first home.
Because it rained most of the time we were there,
my daughter was unable to get as many pictures of the temple as she had wanted.
She has her own photography business and calls it "Sisu Photography."
I don't know if anyone explained that word to you, but "sisu" is
a word used to describe the Finnish people. It means, stamina, "guts",
stick-to-itiveness! I think you get the idea after meeting these wonderful
people.
My husband passed away Dec 30, 1995, the first Finnish mission president to
go to the other side. This was my first trip back since we returned 31 years
ago, so it was very meaningful. I know he was there enjoying this wonderful
experience.
Faye Wade
Bountiful, Utah
**
I am so appreciative of the Proctors' sharing their temple dedication experiences with us readers (most recently, the Finland Temple). Most of us will never be able to see all of these temples in this lifetime.
What incredible experiences they have brought to us through Meridian. Thank you for this unique way of sharing your testimonies.
Debbi McCracken
Las Vegas
**
I served a mission in Finland 30 years ago. I
have been back to Finland since then with my wife Marci. Finland might not
fill the bill as the ultimate "destination resort" for those who
travel and think that is important, but if you want to go somewhere that is
sublimely peaceful, beautiful and relaxing, then Finland is the place.
My most special memory of our most recent trip to Finland is that of visiting
a very remote cabin on an island near the Savonlinna castle. We were spirited
there by a special Finnish family with whom our lives are now and forever
intertwined. After visiting the Sauna, as my wife and I floated in the fragrant
black water caused by millions of decomposing leaves and listened to the Cuckoo
birds, we were convinced that Finland is a little piece of the Heaven on earth
and that it could never get any better than that...
But it did get better. Now they have a Temple to prove it! It's time for us
to go back again!
Brad Folkersen
Kaysville, Utah
**
Your articles and pictures on the various temples have brought tears to my eyes and uplifted my spirit.
Keep up the good work and may Heavenly Father
continue to bless your lives as you have brought so much joy and inspirations
into other lives.
Grace Y. Chen
Bountiful, Utah
**
I just want to add my appreciation to the Proctors for the wonderful work they do with the Meridian Magazine and for providing it to its readers. I just viewed the celebration of the Finland Temple and what a thrill to be able to see a glimpse of this wonderful event, along with the others they have covered. You bring the world to our doorstep and we are very grateful. Keep up your wonderful work!
Wini Jensen
Highland, Utah
**
Having served a mission there 1959 - 1961 (21/2 years). I grew to love the Finnish People and their country. I believe the berries pictured are lingon berries (I believe they are currants).
Thanks for a beautiful article and great pics.
Richard Mecham
American Fork, Utah
**
I felt so moved by your beautiful article, especially
the many pictures that captured the spirit of the event and it's preparation.
You cover these things so well. I live in England, but felt so much nearer
to all the countries and the Saints mentioned by you. I wish so much that
the wonderful performance had been broadcast over here, and those people who
are not of this church could see what a 'marvelous work' is happening through
the Lord's hand.
Thank you for making your magazine so freely available - I often refer my
friends to it. Reading it still reminds me of my visit to Salt Lake last year!
Brian Kocziban
Orem, Utah
**
I served in Finland between 1963 and 1966.
In a busy life that hardly leaves time to reminisce,
your articles on the Finnish temple and its surrounding celebration brought
on a beautiful wave of longing and memories. Thank you. (Kiitoksia paljon!)
Wes Rampton
LaGrande, Oregon
**
Our son, Kurt Schneiber, served his mission in Helsinki, Finland so seeing and reading of this wonderful celebration brought us closer to those saints. Thank you for the wonderful work you do in the Meridian Magazine.
Ada Allan
San Leandro, California
**
How I love the photo journey's that you take me on. When I click to open a new days post I never know what I will find. Your pictures and narratives of the celebrations that have taken place near the temple dedications have been delightful. I work in an environment that is not always a happy place to be and when I read your stories they take me away to places I will never travel to but by your pictures and stories. You make the Saints look so lovely while they are celebrating their varied cultures and the meaning of temples.
April Peyton
Medina, Ohio
**
Thank you, thank you! We ARE indeed one BIG family...thanks
for helping all of us to feel a part and see a part of something so absolutely
amazing and wonderful. One can't read the captions or look at the pictures
without tears welling up.
Cheri Mains
Pennsylvania
**
Thank you so much for all the pictures and information
on the Finish Temple. It was as if I was almost there. Keep up the good work.
I love all the photos of the temples that you have done and the celebration
that goes with them. Can't wait until we get ours in South East Alaska.
Sincerely
Jenny Lyn Smith
**
Thank you so very much for the photo essay on
the cultural celebration for the dedication of the Finish Temple. I was a
wash in the Spirit as I read the article and looked at these joyful faces
filled with the light of the gospel! What a joy to see so many bright, intelligent,
and beautiful
blonds! Can anyone doubt the inspiration of President Hinckley in requesting
these celebrations.
Dan Petersen
Memphis, Tennessee
**
Thank you for once more shrinking our world and making our neighbors seem so close. Your pictures are the only way I'll ever get to visit these countries.
I can see the love and happiness in the faces
of these wonderful LDS people of other countries.
And I have your San Antonio Temple pictures on my screen saver to savor EVERY
DAY!
Thank you so very much.
Beverly Moore
Kerrville, Texas
**
I am a Finn living in Washington State who couldn't make it to the Temple dedication. You can imagine my joy when I found these articles in your magazine. Tears were streaming down my face as I read the articles and saw the photos and felt the Spirit. For a moment it felt as if I was there. Thank You for these articles as I have forwarded them to my friends and family also!
Kati Sant
Pasco, Washington
**
My husband and I sat here at the computer and wept as we read this wonderful news from Finland. We feel the same spirit here as we read it. I learned early in adulthood that the Lord provides moments of PURE JOY to counter the trials and sorrows of life. I could and should write a book of my experiences with the contrasts.
I love the Meridian Magazine ! ! ! and have found joy in every issue. The best was when you sent a picture of Bro. Walter Krause and Sis. Edith. It was only two days later that I saw them in the magazine and wept for JOY. My husband, Gordon Watson, was on a mission in Berlin in the early 60's and loved those two people. They came to our Berlin reunions for many years, as the church brought them to conference because of their positions in the church. We heard the story of the Freiberg Temple from Bro. Krause, himself. The last time they came here, he got sick and so they said they would probably not come this far again. We thought we saw the last of them. And then, there they were, in the Magazine.
My dear Gordon passed away 10 years ago, but his children still love anything about Germany. As a family, we sent money to Poland so the Czerwinski's could come to Freiberg to the temple. So many wonderful experiences with people so loved, so far away.
My new husband, of 2 months, is a convert with a sure testimony and a wonderful man. He shares my deep feelings and joy.
Thank you again for this wonderful communication. God bless you for all you do and for letting us share in people and events that we cannot attend in person. We LOVE YOU !
Lynn and David Jensen
Central, Utah
**
Puzzle Solved
Christ in the Work Place: Ripples of Adult Conversion, part II by Paul Bishop
Thank you so much for this article. I spent 20
years of my life working for an agency that was responsible for investigating
all kinds of horrific crimes. I always felt like I lived two separate lives
one at work where I focused on the offender and seeking the evidence needed
to prosecute the perpetrator and avenge the victim, and the other life I lived
at home and at church teaching and wanting to love my fellowmen.
This article gave me the missing piece of the puzzle, which completed the
picture. I can now see where the focus of my investigations should have been
shifted a little to include the possibility of repentance. This additional
insight into motives for crime investigation has helped me feel better about
the professional part of my former career. I just wish I had been able to
have the benefit of this insight years ago while I was still struggling with
my two identities.
I have now shared these articles with my friends who are still actively working
on crime investigation.
Name withheld by request
Food for Thought
Eating: Gourmet, or Gluttony? by Stan M. Gardner, M.D.
I find one of the biggest problems to be the Relief Society Cookbooks. Sorry but do a good calorie count of the recipes for “Funeral Potatoes,” “Sour Cream Enchilada’s,” or any casserole recipe. We eat so much saturated fat and have moved from working from dawn till disk on the farm to sitting at a desk. We are obese because our lifestyles have changed from hard manual labor to the “Information Age” and sitting at a Desk but we still want to eat the recipes handed down the line filled with fats. Moderation in all things doesn’t mean we eat half a stick of butter instead of the whole thing- there are some radical changes we need to make in order to be healthy.
Brian Kamerath
Murray, Utah
Mining Meridian Gold
Turning Darkness in Light, by H. Wallace, Goddard
Recently I've come to realize how much I rely
upon your e-publication for so many things...today's Myth of the Month series
is a gold mine of sound, reliable inspiration and advice.
After months of asking my friends if they've read 'this or that' on Meridian,
then to realize they didn't know this wonderful source, I have forwarded your
site to them. As with so much today, getting the time to read can be difficult,
but I will persist.
Susan Cohrs
Coppell, Texas
**
I truly am blessed as I read your articles: all
of them.
The one you did saying that Satan is the accuser was one I needed the most.
I am repenting of the accusing feelings I have had towards someone and praying
to have the pure love of Christ. I am beginning to understand how vital is
that we pray earnestly for it.
I have a quote on my fridge now by John H. Groberg that I look at all of the
time and am working on applying it:
"When filled with God's love, we can do and see and understand things
that we could not otherwise do or see or understand. Filled with His love,
we can endure pain, quell fear, forgive freely, avoid contention, renew strength,
and bless and help others in ways surprising even to us."
Kathy
Las Vegas, Nevada
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Soft-Spoken Speaker
The Soft-Spoken Parent: The Top 10 Strategies to Turn Away Wrath by H. Wallace Goddard
I love to listen to Brother Goddard speak, and I know this has to be a very wonderful book.
Sarah McWhorter
Arkansas
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A Victory for the Crickets
Sometimes the Seagulls Don’t Come, by Susan Law Corpany
I just wanted to say thank you to Susan Law Corpany for the article "Sometimes the Seagulls Don't Come." Each time I read it, I start to cry and she certainly touched me with this article. So much of what she has written is true in my life. We have six children who have all left the church and gone the ways of the world. Testimony Meeting for me when someone tells of how a child has returned is hard for me since that is what I desire also. This will be an article that will go into my journal and one that I will not forget for a long time.
Name withheld by request
**
Susan Law Corpany is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors! Each time I read one of her columns, I feel like I'm on an enchanted secret path to a part of a magical forest that no one has ever been before but once they get there they are so awed they never want to leave it. Sometimes the nugget of wisdom is obvious, easy for me to find and use. But more often than not, a subtle phrase or idea will trigger something in me that is less easy for me to find but so much more satisfying when I do. I appreciate her thoughts and articles, and hope that you will continue to feature her in your magazine.
Cathy Steiner
Rogers, Arkansas
**
Only one word comes to mind...OUTSTANDING!
Well, maybe a couple more. I love this article. It's a reminder to me to "be still and know that He is God," and that our prayers will be answered in the best way for us, but not necessarily the way we asked that they be answered.
I love all of Susan's work. Everything she writes hits so close to home, it seems as if she's writing just to me -- I think it's a gift.
Bonnie Teerlink
Citrus Heights, California
**
I had to read this article, just because of the title, and I should have known it would be written by Susan Law Corpany because of the title. Her articles are ones I need to read. She always hits points in her articles that come home to me.
It IS difficult to understand why some prayers are answered one way and some another way, especially when the answer isn’t the way we’d like it to be, and then to hear that others had the answer we wanted.
My husband is a new member of the church, and his questions always keep me rethinking about words either I’ve used or others in the church normally use that either are shortcuts to other meanings or just cliques that new members or investigators don’t understand. Such as “I know the Book of Mormon is true.” What does that really mean? I heard a Stake President last weekend say, “I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God.” Now that made sense to me.
Thank you, Susan, for helping me to be more thoughtful in the words I use.
Sue
Kansas
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Great and Small
In All Things by Vickey Pahnke-Taylor
What an excellent article and certainly one we all need in this day and time. It seems there are more obstacles now than ever before. Or possibly it's the fact that I'm an adult and see all the obstacles, but I truly believe there are more obstacles and trials in today's world than at any other time in the history of the world.
I appreciate the way Vickey wrote the article
to show the difference in the fact that all things have an opposite (as we
learn in school - for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction)
which is so true. TV is a good thing in that we can see the news around the
world and enjoy church meetings from BYU-TV, etc. But the opposite remains.
TV programs that promote inappropriate activities for youth as well as adults,
news being so depressing that it causes people to commit suicide. The computer
can be used to distribute excellent messages such as this one, while other
web sites show inappropriate material for both young and old.
I just wanted to once again express my thoughts as I think this is a very
appropriate article for all to see.
Linda Thompson
Woodington, North Carolina
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