Current Lesson No. Twenty

Letter to Our Family – The Cedar of Lebanon Tree on Temple Square

When Mom and I visited Temple Square with John's family on Christmas Eve 2019 we were saddened to think that this would be our last time to see Maggie’s Cedar of Lebanon tree.  John remarked that it would be wonderful if our family could obtain the wood from the tree and share it with members of Grandma Maggie's family.

I pondered that thought in my mind for several days, and on January 6, 2020 I delivered a letter (see attachment) to President Russell M. Nelson’s office asking that we pay for the cost of removing the tree and be allowed to save the wood, cut it into pieces, and share it with Maggie’s descendants which now number several hundred.  With my letter I gave President Nelson a copy of Maggie’s Gift signed by Mom and Bella and Maddie.

On 17 January 2020 the Church Newsroom gave an update on the renovation of the temple which included the announcement that the tree will not be removed and that the Church will “go through great efforts to preserve this tree as we excavate around it.”  On 18 January 2020 I received a letter on behalf of President Nelson confirming that the tree would be preserved.  (Letter is attached).

The Salt Lake Temple is having a seismic renovation to insure that it will be standing during the millennium.  The normal life span of a healthy Cedar of Lebanon is up to 300 years, however there are recorded cases of a Cedar of Lebanon living 1,000 years.

We believe that the Lord has inspired President Nelson to do what is necessary to insure that the Salt Lake Temple and Maggie’s Cedar of Lebanon on Temple Square will be in their places to welcome Him at the time of His Second Coming.

With great love,

Mom and Dad – Grandma and Grandpa