Temple participation is a great blessing

 Dear Bishop and others:
    Here is a little informal report about the ward temple night on Wednesday this week.  There were 9 ward members in attendance, from four families, Sister Lewis and I, the Stamms, the Tanner Petersons, and the Seelys plus Richard.  The session went well and we felt a nice sense of love and fellowship in this little group.  Someone saw the Fultons in the temple doing Initiatories at this same time, but reported that they said they had forgotten the ward event and were there doing their own thing.
    A total of 72 persons were in attendance at the scheduled 6:40 pm session, so we counted 20 empty seats.  The Seely’s had forgotten to get appointments until the night before, and when they logged on to the scheduling program there were still 5 listed vacancies, and they took three of these seats.  We understand that the on-line scheduling program cuts off appointments at about 85, so we are guessing that there were about 10 “no-shows” for the session whose seats might have been filled at that very time.  The Fultons probably could have attended the session if they had asked permission when they arrived.  That might have been the case for others from the ward who might have made a last minute choice to attend.  Certainly, if ward members had made appointments when the temple night was first announced, perhaps 40 or 50 persons or more from our ward could have reserved spots and enjoyed the session together.
    Wendy and I made our appointments about 5 weeks ago on the same day that we first learned that the ward had scheduled this activity.  At that time most all of the seats were yet unreserved.
    It was a little surprising to consider who was not represented at the session.  There were no members of the Bishopric (or wives).  As far as we know, none of the attendees were members of our Ward Council (or spouses).  There were no members of the Elders Presidency (or wives).  There was one member of the Relief Society Presidency, Sister Peterson.  I was the only member of the ward Temple and Family History Committee present.
    In the ward Temple and Family History Committee we have applauded the choice to schedule a ward temple night and have proposed that this be done quarterly or more often.   It is concerning that apparently the word of the scheduled temple night did not get out to ward members sufficient to take action.  Do we need to find more ways to publicize ward sponsored events?  Or do we need more reminders?  We also wonder why this event was not better supported by those in leadership callings?  What else might have held persons back?  Do families need help with child care?  Transportation?  Understanding how to use the on-line temple appointment program?
    Temple participation is a great blessing that we all need. [e-mail from about Sept 2022]