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| John Bazzelle |
"Yeah, what's up?"
It was 11:01 p.m. on a Friday night but that incoming text came from the Midwest where it was one minute after midnight. My longtime childhood friend John Bazzelle sent it. I thought, "That's kind of late for him." And just as a question entered my head, he answered it with, "Don't panic, it's all good."
You see, we had had too many sad communications over the last few years. First, it was my dad who was sick and passed away. Several years later, it was his father, Joe, who actually sang at my dad's funeral, who passed on. Less than two years later, his mother, Kathie, passed away. Joe and Kathie were great people and longtime friends of my folks, too.
Next thing you know, my phone rang with John on the other end. He said something like, "As you probably know, but if you don't, the groundbreaking for the Wichita Temple is tomorrow. LeRene (John's wife) said I had better let you know what's going on here." Actually, I did not know it was the following morning so I appreciated the heads up.
He then related how he was asked much earlier to help set up the layout for power and microphones. And then he got an unexpected request which was to be one of the program's speakers. What a cool honor! We chatted for another 20 minutes or so and I told him he'd better get to bed since it was so late. He did texted me the info so we could watch the broadcast. That was great for a number of reasons. Though my family's history in Wichita is nowhere near as long and meaningful as John's, Wichita holds a dear and historic spot in our hearts.
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| Dad as a missionary |
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| Dad (2nd from right) |
A couple of decades, and four kids later, our family moved there in the early 1970s. We lived in Wichita for three years before moving to Calgary, Alberta, for three years before moving back to Wichita in the mid-70s, re-establishing some friendships and forming new ones as we set deep roots in a place where our Mom and Dad lived, even after us four kids left home, for some five decades. Alan once asked Dad about serving another mission - this time as a senior missionary couple with Mom. His response was, "That's what we've been doing the last 50 years."
When we first moved to Wichita, we were in the Manti Temple district - a 1,000-mile drive to the west. Over time, as more temples were built, that changed to Dallas (360 miles) and eventually Oklahoma City (170 miles), where my folks served as temple workers for a couple of decades or so. So yeah, Wichita means a lot to us.
John's heads up was also great timing because Mom happened to be visiting with us at our place in Montana. Like us, she didn't know the groundbreaking was going on so we woke her up shortly before the broadcast, told her about John reaching out, and the three of us (Lori included) watched. It was so neat to witness the excitement of a temple being built in Wichita. While all the speakers were great, I was really looking forward to seeing John and hearing his words.
To our surprise -and delight- John gave a shoutout to us, the Holyoaks, along with so many other family friends we knew over the years. Thanks for your words, your example and your friendship, John!
Below are the words shared by John Bazzelle at the Wichita Kansas Temple groundbreaking that blustery Saturday morning.
First, I’d like to thank Elder Bangerter and President Chandler for this opportunity. I am truly humbled and deeply honored to even be present at this historic event. May I wish all of you, a heartfelt, Happy Temple Day!
I was asked that I address the topic, “Understanding the
significance of a temple at this location to members of the church throughout
the Wichita Temple District.”
The Impact to each of us individually, and as families,
branches, wards and Stakes, is so much more than geography, but this place does
matter a great deal and it will mean different things to different people.
Perhaps the reason I was asked to speak on this topic is that my family history
is so closely tied to the history of the church in this area. We are now six
generations of Latter-day Saints in Wichita. My Great Grand Father, Edward
Daniel Holmes or Grandpa Ned, as we call him, is said to be the first convert
to the Church in Wichita. He was Baptized June 17, 1915 in the ArKANSAS River
(yes that is the correct pronunciation). He immediately began to build the
kingdom, Sometimes out with the missionaries 5 nights a week. Literally
preaching in the streets of Downtown Wichita and holding cottage meetings all
across South Central Kansas. In short order, they were joined by names like
Julian, Samson, Walker, Clark and Ingram. Pioneers all because in those days,
prejudice and persecution against the Church was still quite common. As Church
membership grew, it was difficult to find places to meet.
Often any hall they rented, they were not allowed to return
to once it was discovered that “Mormon” Services had been held there. The
Mission President, Samuel Bignon finally told Ned to get the money, buy the
land and build a church. Now no one would sell land to the church. So, he had
to buy it himself and then transfer the deed to the church. Which was a
struggle as well. Ned and Tom Kimball drove the whole region collecting money.
They found good help in Augusta, Macpherson and Belle Plain and finally raised
$8,000.00. They purchased a former dairy at the corner of Skinner and Wichita
St. that had been owned by a fella named Hyrum Smith (no known relation). That
building still stands today.
From that small branch the church grew steadily until the
first stake was formed in 1962. That stake boundary covered a very similar
footprint as the new Wichita Temple District. Many of the stalwart families
that continue to have great impact here joined the church or moved here during
the 1960’s and 70’s. Names like Jones, Meador, Toland, McIntyre, Hewitt, Hill,
Spackman, Bozarth, Gruver, Epperson, Bates, Balzer, Holyoak, the Orrs and countless
others brought pioneer spirit and determination to live the gospel and raise
children in Zion.
Temple blessings have been long sought and fought for by the members in South Central Kansas. For the first 7 decades, it was likely to be a once in a lifetime experience. Significant sacrifice was required to make the pilgrimage to Utah. Temple trips often required a full week or more all the way into the mid -1980’s.
My siblings, cousins and I are four generations from the
permanent establishment of the Church here. My brother Ron, who serves as 1st
Counselor to Pres. Chandler, observed in a recent interview, that with each
succeeding generation, Temple blessings came ever closer to us. In Grandpa
Ned’s lifetime, the closest Temple was over 1,000 miles away in Salt Lake City.
In our Grandmother’s lifetime the Dallas Temple was built. In our parent’s
lifetime it was Oklahoma City. And now we stand on Sacred Ground able to see
The House of The Lord rise before our very eyes. Less than 10 miles from that
first small chapel. Within sight of the river in which all the early members in
Wichita were baptized. Right next to the lake some of us played in as children.
And truly walking distance for some members of the Valley Center Ward.
This close proximity is a great blessing to be sure, but it
is not a blessing merely of convenience. The promise of covenants to come has
been yielding life changing and therefore Eternal blessings in lives throughout
the region from the very moment President Nelson said “our” name that glorious afternoon
of April 3, 2022. Something about knowing we would soon have a temple here set
fire to testimonies, sparked repentance, and returning and the healing of
relationships. Inspired parents to lead in their homes, children to learn and
set goals, youth to study and seek strength from one another, and all of us to
better unite and work toward sharing this blessing together.
Artist's rendition of the Wichita Kansas Temple
I’m sure every Bishop in the District has seen what I have.
A dramatic rise in requests for new or renewed temple recommends. Family
members who have promised children or spouses to be ready when this Temple is
open. Individuals who have been inspired to return and began that journey even
before this Temple was announced are strengthened in their resolve to continue
on the covenant path. And I know, there are some listening today who have felt
in recent years or even days, that someday soon, they should make changes and
begin again. Let me leave you with the words of President Nelson, who just a
moment before announcing our Temple gave this prophetic counsel.
Quote - Yes, we should learn from the past, and yes, we
should prepare for the future. But only now can we do. Now is the time we can
learn. Now is the time we can repent. Now is the time we can bless others and
“lift up the hands which hang down.” As Mormon counseled his son Moroni, “Let
us labor diligently; … for we have a labor to perform [while] in this
tabernacle of clay, that we may conquer the enemy of all righteousness, and
rest our souls in the kingdom of God.”
I testify that Russel M. Nelson is the Prophet of God on the
earth today. Jesus Christ is our Only Savior. He is our Redeemer. His Light and
Peace and Joy will fill this, His house and you will feel it. It will heal your
heart and your homes. And he will bring us together in His House and walk us
hand in hand back into the presence of our Father.
His hand is stretched forth still. We have but to take it
and go forward, now.
I so testify in this Holy Place, In the Holy name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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| John, LeRene and their family turning dirt where the new temple will eventually stand |
