July 2019: Isle of Wight and Portsmouth

We drove to Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight with Elder Marvin and Sister Stephanie Smith at the beginning of July to visit the sights there.  The weather was very nice.

HMS Victory
HMS (His/Her Majesty's Ship) Victory was taken out of service in 1812 and remained in Portsmouth Harbor until 1922, when the ship was moved to the Royal Naval Dockyard amid fears for her deteriorating condition.  The Admiralty Board ordered that the Victory should be preserved and Portsmouth Dock No. 2 was to be her home.

HMS Victory of the famed the Battle of Trafalgar (21 October 1805) where Lord Admiral Horatio Nelson led the British Navy to defeat the combine French and Spanish navies.  Napoleon had determined to invade Great Britain and to do so he needed to defeat the British Navy.  Utilizing 33 French and Spanish ships he engaged 27 British ships in the Atlantic Ocean off Cape Trafalgar Spain.  The successful battle strategy of Lord Admiral Nelson resulted in the the destruction of 22 French and Spanish ships while not a single British ship was lost.  This was the last serious challenge the British Navy would face.  

The back of HMS Victory.  Note the White Ensign, at one time called the St George's Ensign due to the simultaneous existence of a cross-less version of the flag, is an ensign flown on British Royal Navy ships and shore establishments. It consists of a red St George's Cross on a white field with the Union Flag in the upper canton.

The Battle of Trafalgar by JMW Turner which portrays the HMS Victory led by Lord Admiral Horatio Nelson.  The colored flags on the HMS Victory signal Lord Admiral Nelson's famous last command, "England expects that every man will do his duty."   

The statue of Lord Admiral Horatio Nelson at the top of the pillar in London's Trafalgar Square.  Lord Admiral Nelson personifies the dedication to duty and country that was a part of the British psyche.  In his country's service he had lost the sight in one eye and his left arm and in his most successful battle, the Battle of Trafalgar, he lost his life, shot by a French musketeer.

Emirates Spinnaker Tower

The Emirates Spinnaker Tower is a 560' tower built in 2005 as the centerpiece of the redevelopment of Portsmouth Harbor.  It is named after a spinnaker, a type of sail that balloons outward.  It is the center of a very nice shopping mall with many nice restaurants.

Emirates Spinnaker Tower amidst the beautiful shopping mall at Portsmouth harbor.

The Emirates Spinnaker Tower from the Wightlink Ferry.  The tower represents sails billowing in the wind, a design accomplished using two large, white, sweeping metal arcs, which give the tower its spinnaker sail design.  There are three observation platforms. A glass floor is located on the first viewing deck at 100 meters above sea level.

Wightlink Ferry to the Isle of Wight

We had to schedule our ferry ride from the Portsmouth to the Isle of Wight a couple of weeks in advance and for the car and the 4 of us it was about £50 or $65.  We had to be there 30 minutes before departure and the trip took about 45 minutes.

Sister Stephanie Smith and Sister Burkinshaw in the Smith's car (they drove for this trip) awaiting to be loaded on the ferry.

The parking area which leads to the loading ramp on the ferry.

The MV (for Motor Vessel)"Victoria of Wight" WightLink MV which holds up to 1208 passengers and 178 cars traveling at 13 knots with a crew of 11 people.

The inside observation deck from the ferry.  It was too windy and cool for the outside deck.

Elder and Sister Burkinshaw on the observation deck with a Costa hot chocolate!

Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight is the largest and second-most populous island in England. It is in the English Channel, between 2 to 5 miles off the coast of Hampshire. The island has resorts that have been holiday destinations since Victorian times (i.e. reign of Queen Victoria from 1837 to 1901), and is known for its mild climate, coastal scenery, and verdant landscape.  It is cited in the Beatles song When I'm 64 with the line, "Every summer we can rent a cottage in the Isle of Wight, if it's not too dear" which was appropriate since Elder Burkinshaw is 64!


Osborne House

A view of Osborne House, built between 1845 and 1851 for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert as a summer home and rural retreat.

The entry courtyard to Osborne House.  After Queen Victoria died in 1901, since the remaining royal family considered Osborne house a "royal white elephant" it was donated to the nation as a museum.

Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and their nine children at Osborne House on 26 May 1857. From left to right: Prince Alfred, Princess Alice, Princess Helena, Prince Leopold, Prince Albert, Queen Victoria holding Princess Beatrice, Prince Arthur, Victoria, Princess Royal, Albert Edward, Prince of Wales and Princess Louise.  The nine children married into royal and noble families across the continent, tying them together, earning her the nickname "the grandmother of Europe", and spreading hemophilia to several royal families.

Sister Burkinshaw at a display recognizing the importance of birthdays at Osborne House. From 1846 until Prince Albert’s death in 1861, Victoria and Albert were almost always at Osborne for their birthdays, on 24 May and 26 August respectively.  Central to their celebrations was present-giving, and many of the birthday gifts the royal couple exchanged are on display at Osborne house.

A statue of Queen Victoria dressed in classical Roman robes in the grand corridor at Osborne House.  The statue was commissioned by the Queen and presented to Prince Albert on his 30th birthday in 1849.  

Life-size statue of  Prince Albert in Classical armor at the top of the Osborne house stairs, a birthday present to the Queen on her 27th birthday in 1846. 

The Audience Room where Queen Victoria, as Head of State received statesmen and other official visitors.  The tinted glass and metal chandelier is in the form of a convolvulous flowers climbing from a basket.

The Family Dining Room.

A large painting depicting the Royal family.  Below it is a mahogany buffet which used to carry a boars head on Christmas day.

The drawing room with striking gold settee and a grand piano.  Queen Victoria usually retired here after dinner to play cards, sing, or play the piano.

The nursery as used by Queen Victoria's grandchildren on their visits to Osborne.  The fine swing cradle with its mahogany frame was made for the Princess Royal in 1840.

The Queen's Sitting Room where Queen Victoria worked on the state papers with Prince Albert in his role as her private and personal secretary.

In the Queens Sitting Room was a harpsichord and a painting that the Queen gave to Prince Albert for his 33rd birthday. 

Queen Victoria died in this bed at 6:30 pm on Tuesday 22nd January 1901, surrounded by her relatives.  Following the funeral, her children had the plaque placed above her bed and the room was used as a family shrine.  The plaque reads: "Thy Saviour called thee Beloved. Now thy work is done. Thou art weary.  Come Rest in the eternal Father's home.  In loving memory from her sorrowing children, grandchildren and great grandchildren to their dear beloved Mother and Queen Victoria.  January 22, 1901. 

A portrait of Queen Victoria in her bedroom.

The Durbar Room where Queen Victoria held great banquets in this, the most elaborately decorated interior at Osborne.

Finished in 1891, the Durbar Room was decorated in a rich Indian style as she was fascinated by the culture and wanted to bring something of India to her home.  The country had been under British control since 1858 and the queen was made Empress of India in 1877.  The name 'Durbar' comes from the Indian word for a state reception and a hall where such gatherings were held.

A place setting at the dining table in the Dunbar Room.  Note the overlapped V and A logo for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

The fountain and back courtyard of Osborne House.

Sister Burkinshaw looking at the 200th birthday garden for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert at Osborne House.

Panoramic view of the beach which was part of the Osborne House compound.  Note that it is a true sand beach as opposed to the gravel and pebble beaches along the English Channel such as in Brighton, Eastbourne or Dover.

Sister Burkinshaw took off her shoes to enjoy the sandy beach and the sea.

A shady retreat built for Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and their family when they played on the beach.

Osborne also had a 'Swiss Cottage' for the Royal children. The cottage was dismantled and brought piece by piece from Switzerland to Osborne where it was reassembled. There, the royal children were encouraged to garden. Each child was given a rectangular plot in which to grow fruit, vegetables and flowers. They sold their produce to their father. Prince Albert used this as a way to teach the basics of economics. The children also learned to cook in the Swiss Cottage, which was equipped with a fully functioning kitchen. Both parents saw this kind of education as a way of grounding their children in the activities of daily life shared by the people in the kingdom despite their royal status.

Carisbrooke Castle

Carisbrooke Castle is a historic motte-and-bailey castle located in the village of Carisbrooke on the Isle of Wight.  A motte-and-bailey castle is a fortification with a wooden or stone keep situated on a raised earthwork called a motte, accompanied by an enclosed courtyard, or bailey, surrounded by a protective ditch.  While Carisbrooke dates back to Roman times in the 5th century, the walls and first building were constructed around 1000 AD.  From 1896 to 1944, it was the home of Princess Beatrice, daughter of Queen Victoria, as Governor of the Isle of Wight.

The gatehouse entrance to Carisbrooke Castle.

Some of the ancient walls of Carisbrooke Castle dating to 1000 AD.

A vista of the walls and structures of Carisbrooke Castle.

The interior buildings of Carisbrooke Castle.

Carisbrooke Castle Chapel.

The altar of the Carisbrooke Castle Chapel.

The fireplace in gatehouse of Carisbrooke Castle.

The Needles
The Needles is a row of three stacks of chalk that rise about 30m out of the sea off the western extremity of the Isle of Wight. The Needles Lighthouse, built in 1859, stands at the outer, western end of the formation.  The formation takes its name from a fourth needle-shaped pillar called Lot's Wife, which collapsed in a storm in 1764. The remaining rocks are not at all needle-like, but the name has stuck.

Sister Burkinshaw along the path that leads to the Needles.  The coast is sandstone and does not show chalk formations.

Our first view of the Needles chalk formations.

Elder and Sister Burkinshaw at the observation deck for the Needles.  You can see the lighthouse at the far end of the 3rd formation.  You can see the gap where the fourth formation which was reportedly in the shape of a needle and was called Lot's wife.

The Needles from Isaac Taylor's "one inch map" of Hampshire, published in 1759, showing Lot's Wife, the needle-shaped pillar that collapsed in a storm in 1764.

A close-up of the Needles formation.  Note that the point of the coast finally shows the chalk cliffs which are so familiar along the southern coast of England such as Eastbourne and Dover.

We conclude with some training we recently provided to the Temple Ordinance Workers in the London Temple, which is pertinent to our times.

Embracing Change in Our Temple Service

London Temple, Thursday, June 13, 2019

Stacey:  Dear Brothers and Sisters, our previous message was how we could apply the principle of non-distraction in our temple service and thereby bless the lives of our patrons.  Today, we would like to share some thoughts on embracing change in our temple service so we may likewise bless the lives of our patrons and our fellow temple workers.

Jeff:  Adapting to change is generally not easy. It requires effort.  President Eyring, drawing on his undergraduate training as a physicist has said, “Most of us believe in the law of conservation of energy, particularly our own.” (“A Law of Increasing Returns”, BYU Devotional, March 28, 1982)   Resistance to change is not new.

Stacey:  The Savior said to those who criticized his disciples for doing things differently, “And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. … No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better. (Luke 5:37, 39)  In other words, the critics will always say “The old way we did things is better.”

Jeff:  The Prophet Joseph Smith said, “I have tried for a number of years to get the minds of the Saints prepared to receive the things of God; but we frequently see some of them, after suffering all they have for the work of God, will fly to pieces like glass as soon as anything comes that is contrary to their traditions: they cannot stand the fire at all. How many will be able to abide a celestial law, and go through and receive their exaltation, I am unable to say, as many are called, but few are chosen [see D&C 121:40].” (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, Chapter 45, p 520)

Stacey:  And now consider the messages we are receiving today from our Prophet.  And the mode of his communication further underscores the magnitude of the change!  President Russell M Nelson has tweeted, “We are witnesses to the process of restoration. If you think the Church is fully restored, you’re just seeing the beginning. There’s much more to come. Wait until next year, and then the next year. Eat your vitamins, get your rest. It’s going to be exciting!” (Twitter, @NelsonRussellM, 1 Nov 2018, 3:01pm)

Jeff:  We are all witnesses to the changes in policies, procedures, schedules and ordinances during the past 18 months.  Note that for the Temple, the Brethren provide general guidance (“uniformity but not rigidity” from Temple Administration Training Video) and then the Temple President, his Counselors, the Matron and her Assistants are responsible to implement the specific changes (“best left to the Temple Presidency”).  For example, the Temple Presidency regularly shares information from the Temple Presidents Handbook and other correspondence and then they provide even more specific direction on implementation in the Administrative Guidelines for the London Temple.  Both are important.  How then can we embrace change in our temple service?

Stacey:  First, out of our love for the Lord and our patrons, we can make sure that we understand our duties.  This may require extra effort, such as study outside of our regularly scheduled work shift but that love-inspired determination will yield great blessings.  We have three types of training materials we can use to learn our duties here in the Temple.

Training Films:  There are 24 training films which we see regularly in our preparation meetings.  When workers are trained in new roles, the films are also used for instruction.

Jeff:  Ordinance Instruction Cards:  Last year, 9 Ordinance Instruction Cards (about 30 pages) were introduced.  These cards summarize what is taught in many of the training films.  Each coordinator (Initiatory, Name Issue, Veil, Baptistry and Sealing) has copies of those cards in their packet of sacred cards.  They can also be checked out of the office from the Assistant Recorders.  The Assistant Shift Coordinators also have copies of the Ordinance Instruction Cards.

Stacey:  London Temple Administrative Guidelines:  There are 20 Administrative Guidelines for the London Temple which describe each of the roles we may serve in as Temple Ordinance Workers.  Laminated copies of pertinent Administrative Guidelines are also in the coordinator packets as well as at the Recommend Desk.  The Shift Coordinators and Assistant Shift Coordinators also have a complete set of the Administrative Guidelines.  An important addendum to the Administrative Guidelines is a list of Confidential Updates for the past 18 months.

Jeff:  Second, we need to closely follow the instruction we receive in these materials.  We, on occasion, see workers who do not follow the instruction received, sometimes out of unfamiliarity but sometimes because they think they have a better way (than the Brethren or the Presidency).  Remember, change is not easy and it takes effort to both learn and obey the instruction we receive.  Love should be our motivation and the Savior is our example, “Thy will not mine be done.”  We may not understand the reason behind every change, but we are always blessed for our obedience.  And, by the way, for those who will be here past October, there may be additional opportunities to apply this counsel with a new Temple Presidency.

Stacey:  Here are a few areas where we may seek to improve:

Baptistry:  Number of Ordinances Performed

Adhering to Scheduled appointments: “Temple workers strive to accommodate all who come to the temple baptistery. Patrons who schedule appointments are accommodated, as much as possible, at their scheduled time. Patrons without an appointment are made to feel welcome and are accommodated in a kind manner, but those with scheduled appointments are given priority.

The Presidency has provided guidance that a group can complete about 80 baptisms and confirmations per hour.  Thus, a 1½ hour baptistry could complete 120 cards if they are on time (arrive 30 minutes before their session is scheduled to start) and have adequate help, 8 priesthood holders-four of which are endowed.  As the Presidency has said, it’s not about the numbers, so please help the patrons focus on the Spirit and the people not the numbers. (In the middle of May Jeff and I began the work for the Shapland Family in the baptistry – Arthur, Frank, Frederick, William, Gertrude, Annie, Lilly, Nellie, Eva, Lucy were all sealed to their parents are now a “forever family”.  Did you count the number or listen to the names?

Jeff:  Caring for Sacred Cards:  The Brethren have asked us to develop a concern for the sacred cards.  If you have sacred cards in a notebook, such as a veil coordinator, do not set them down.  Either hold them or lock them in a secure location.

Stacey:  Patrons with Disabilities: From the Ordinance instruction card “Accommodations are made to allow patrons with disabilities to participate in the initiatory ordinances….Under the direction of the temple presidency, it is also permissible to perform all segments of the initiatory ordinances in one compartment.”

Jeff:  2 Nephi 28:30 “For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.” (Obedience to that which we understand provides opportunity for growth and more learning-obedience is the path to understanding and to knowledge.)

Stacey:  Brothers and Sisters, the overall principle for today is stated in D&C 105:37 “And inasmuch as they follow the counsel which they receive, they shall have power after many days to accomplish all things pertaining to Zion.” 

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Elder and Sister Burkinshaw