Kurdistan Iraq: February 2020

Dear Family and Friends,

Our Sacrament Meetings are held on Saturdays in Jerusalem. Today we met in the Center for our meeting, and I must say it was one of the most reverent meetings I have attended. The large picture window located in the Hall oversees the entire “Old City” of Jerusalem. We sang the Sacrament Hymn, “Behold the Great Redeemer Die”. As we sang this beautiful song, I noted the words exclaiming the sorrowful and brutal treatment from evil men taking from the earth the very person who created this heaven on earth. With this setting, we were overlooking the land where those very events, as poetically phrased in the hymn by Eliza R. Snow had taken place. It was so memorable for me! Looking at the place of the events and singing the song, what could be more memorable?

Earlier in the morning, Joyce and I had attended choir practice with the students of the Center. As a special and significant coincidence, Craig Jessop (former director of the Tabernacle Choir) was there and conducted the choir in the song, “A Childs’ Prayer”. Wow, was it a moving experience! I don’t cry when singing, but the words were so touching and with the guidance of Brother Jessop, I was moved to water in the eyes…both of them.

Sitting on a hillside near Jericho during a field trip, I noticed that a shepherd let his goats move freely upon the mountainside. The terrain was very steep and the trail that he was traversing was narrow and somewhat dangerous. At one point he arose from his seated position to follow their movement. They started off beyond the point that he was wanting them to go. Rather than getting in the midst of the animals (and possibly disturbing them) he navigated down below them and worked his way in front of the animals without them knowing what he was doing.

Once in front of them he made movements to bring them back to move in the direction that was most secure for their safety. As they began moving down the hill, there was one goat that constantly strayed from the flock, he stayed vigilant to assure that he was not lost. At one point the heard began taking another route that was again wayward. He picked up rocks and began throwing them at the lead animal. They got the point and turned again to follow the proper path. There was a learning experience for me in what I was viewing.

Lesson: The Lord sits by the wayside and observes us in our life’s’ experiences.

Occasionally we stray from the desired path and he moves into a position that gives Him the advantage of re-directing our movement without disturbing our agency.

When we, individually find ourselves out of control or moving to points that are dangerous, he gives us obstacles blocking our movement (like throwing rocks). These rocks may be viewed as rules, commandments or direction that we do not understand. But when observed or obeyed, we are the beneficiaries of his wisdom. Commandments do not restrict us; they provide us counsel that enhances our freedom. Rocks can be good, when they provide direction. There is an adage that says, “Don’t kick at the pricks”. This is to mean that pricks can be restrictions that provide safety!

Yesterday, February 4, was a day of touring with our young BYU Students. We traveled by bus to several sites, including the place of where the Assyrians held siege over the Jewish stronghold in Lachish. We saw how they had built a ramp up the softer side of a “Tel” (man-made mound hill) that is surrounded by a large wall. The Assyrians were coming in the year 700 BC to defeat the Israelites. Their attempt failed, but it set up the next siege by the Babylonians in 600 BC by Nebuchadnezzar, who captured Jerusalem and removed the Jewish people to Babylon; Of course this was coincidental to Lehi’s revelation and warning to take his family to the promised land.

Next, we traveled to several Tel’s that housed the people throughout the region. Most of them had underground cisterns that collected water for their use during dry times. Interesting that these cisterns were in both natural and dug out caves. During the rainy season they collected large amounts of water for the dry days.

From a mountain top we viewed the valley that was represented as the ground where David defeated Goliath. We then drove down to the valley and walked through the brook where he had selected five smooth stones in preparation for his battle with the giant, Goliath. The students (and Joyce) were given sling shots and invited to select their own stones and put them in their slings and give it a go; Needless to say, they were challenged to hit their mark, or any mark for that point.

We are seeing some incredible sights and learning so much about the sacred ground. Today for a point to my conversation, we saw large cloud coverage that surrounded the “Old City” similar to what was told when the Savior was Crucified. The clouds were ominous, and I stated to Joyce that what we were looking at would be reminiscent of how it must have been when the final breath was taken for our Lord and Savior. Then the quaking of the earth and the tearing of the Veil of the temple, of course similar events were captured in the writings of the prophets of in the New World in the Americas. Devastation that caused the people to be alarmed, while in darkness. The darkness was represented to be so dense that light could not be created, due to the vapor of smoke in the atmosphere.

Our students are very kind to Joyce and I. Several of them have some connection to our grandchildren. Two brothers (the Whitlocks) are from American Fork and went to school with Jasay and Jacob. One young lady (Brittany Steenhoek) served as an advisor with Jasay at EFY. Another young sister (Maddie) worked with Caleb at BYU. They are exceptionally talented young people. Their spirits are strong and we truly love our association with them.

Joyce and I have responsibilities with creating Humanitarian Hygiene Kits for schools and refugees in the area. The students are key in making up the kits and we supervise. I have responsibilities in coordinating with the partners (groups) who are requesting the help. Next week we will help with a Blood Drive at the Center.

We are enjoying our assignment and are looking forward to some sunshine and warmth this next week.

We love you all but love the Lord more. If Jerusalem is where He wants us to be, then Jerusalem is where we want to be.

With Love and Hugs,

Dad and Mom

Grandpa and Grandma

Ken and Joyce

Holocaust Museum