The Temple Trips

Grandpa and Grandma Hawks had a different kind of family vacation in mind this year. Instead of taking everyone camping, they took their grandkids, in pairs, on temple trips. Their grandkids range in age from 1-17 and although most are not old enough to participate in temple ordinances, they all participated in temple service.

They have visited almost every temple west of the Mississippi. The Cowboys and Indians Temple trip took them to temples in Manti and Monticello, Utah; Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Mesa, Arizona with stops for fun at the Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde and Aunt Marge's home. The West Coast trip took them to the Portland, Oregon Temple dotted with temple stops in Idaho. Other trips included the California Trip, the Church History Trip (Nauvoo and Winter Quarters). One-day trips to local temples have been made with the youngest of the grandchildren. Currently they are on the Palmyra Trip with their 16 year-old granddaughter.

Armed with a list of duties from the grounds keeper, temple visits have found them weeding flower beds, sweeping sidewalks, washing windows and cleaning light pots (the small lights found in the flower beds) followed by fun detours to historical attractions, ice cream shops and hotels with swimming pools. Grandma and Grandpa also banned all electronic devices, so they have played the alphabet game, I Spy, and sung many, many songs.

President Ezra Taft Benson said, "Our responsibility to organize our families at the immediate family level begins when a couple is married. The grandparent family organization develops as the children from the immediate family marry and have children. Through such family organizations, every family in the church should become actively involved in missionary work, family preparedness, geneological and temple work, teaching the gospel, and cultural and social activities." (Ensign, Nov. 1978)

Grandma and Grandpa-we need your organization and support! The world shouts louder and louder to follow its ways. We need your experience, your example, your leadership. The Family: A Proclamation to the World states, "Extended families should lend support when needed." What are the needs of your children and grandchildren? How can we know their needs and how to meet them? I have a favorite phrase from Sister Julie B. Beck, Relief Society General President, "You have knees and you have scriptures. What else do you need?" You also have sons and daughters who know their children's needs and have tried to meet them but are out of time or patience or both.

Grandpa and Grandma Hawks wanted to teach the importance of the temple and eternal family relationships. As a result of those trips, the grandkids have testimonies of the temple and temple service planted deep into their hearts. Ethan, 8, wants to be a temple architect and his cousin the temple general contractor.

Here are some additional ideas to "turn the heart of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to their fathers." (Malachi 4:6)

In 1977, Elder Marvin J. Ashton suggested, "I challenge grandparents to foster reading programs with your grandchildren. If you are close enough to be with them, read the books to them that will help develop character and ideals. If you're a distance away, send them books, old or new, with a personal invitation to read them and report how they like them." (Ensign, Nov. 1977, p. 72) Now, thirty-one years after his challenge, you could record yourself reading favorite books for your grandchildren for download to their IPod or MP3 players. Challenge everyone to read the Book of Mormon and celebrate with a family party and testimony meeting. Start a family book club.

Write your life history, one vignette at a time and have your grandkids illustrate it. Then you have two pricless treasures in one-your life story and their precious artwork (displayed in a better place than the refrigerator door!)

Many grandparents host a Family Home Evening once a month with activities ranging from a standard lesson to hiking a favorite trail to games or family talent shows.

Be a master teacher. Teach your grandchildren the things you know how to do and love. Granddaughters should learn how to sew, crochet, knit, make bread, scrapbook, and study the scriptures. Grandsons should learn how to fix a car, finish a basement, plant a garden, fish and honor the priesthood.

Plan a special time with each grandchild each year, perhaps near their birthday. Presents are great, but your presence is better and lasts an eternity.

"We need to strengthen the individual family unit. We must not turn the hearts of the children to the grandparents if it means turning their hearts away from their parents. In fact, if we have concentrated on a good relationship with our children, they will spontaneously and joyously turn their children's hearts to us." (Ensign, "Makers of Moons and Testimonies", Caroline Eyring Miner, p. 68)

As you seek inspiration to know how to organize and help your families, remember to strengthen your children. Think of strengthening in terms of "extras." Extra hands, extra ears, extra patience, extra brain power, extra testimony, extra love.

Not all grandparents have time or means to take all of their grandchildren on a temple trip. However, all grandparents can share their "extras" and bless their families.