What a day Tuesday was! We had about a 360 mile motorcycle ride. The bike is great but that’s a long time to ride it for a couple of retired folks! Wasn’t sure we had it in us but off we went anyway! What a great way to remember 9-11 riding a patriotic themed motorcycle Tuesday to the temple! My family tree has several people who have given their all in defense of liberty over the years.

The Harley is a Screaming Eagle Ultra Classic. If you don’t know, Harley gives each model a name. With a name like that it seemed to demand a patriotic paint theme! Depicted on each side of the gas tank are eagle heads. The saddle bags show scenes of F-15 Strike Eagles flying around the clouds, and circling the tail lights. During the design phase we wondered what do on the front fairing to be consistent with the theme of American Freedom? A tribute to Friberg’s famous portrait of Captain Moroni was selected. You may know that “the Captain” lived centuries before Columbus “discovered” America. Captain Moroni was an early defender of freedom on this continent: Moroni, chief commander of the Nephite armies in the Book of Mormon made the banner (known as the Title of Liberty)  to inspire the Nephite people to defend their religion, freedom, peace, and families.

    Moroni made the title of liberty out of his torn coat, Alma 46:12–13.

    Those who would maintain the title entered into a covenant, Alma 46:20–22.

    Moroni caused the title to be hoisted upon every tower, Alma 46:36 (Alma 51:20).

Painted on our motorcycle trailer, which we can pull behind the Harley, is a tribute depicting the raising of the American Flag on Iwo Jima.

Today, we road through the beauty of God's creations and visited the Vernal Temple. On a spire of the temple stands a statute of the Angel Moroni. The angel and the captain are two different people from The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Christ. When we ride the Harley to the temple we like to tease that we are taking the Captain to visit the Angel!

Tuesday’s route took us up the canyon east of Heber City, Utah. It’s a beautiful winding canyon as we climb from a mountain valley yet higher, passing through the Strawberry Valley, and yet onward. Across the high mountain plateaus we encountered some cross winds but pressed on. This route is filled with mountainous vegetation, cattle on their summer ranges, wild life (but thankfully they all stayed out of harm’s way!), and the smells and sounds of fall. The leaves are just beginning to change now as nature reflects the beauty of her Creator’s artistic hand.

Arriving at the temple at about 10:00 a.m. We each had a family name to perform baptisms, confirmations, then added some additional names for initiatories, two family endowments, and then 10 sealings. A very productive day. The Spirit of the Lord was so sweat and so strong in the temple. It was deeply touching to hear again the words of the sealing of a couple to each other. You may know that Stef and I were sealed to each other less than a month ago. It was the first time she has heard those words since. She was moved to tears as was I. After an embrace and a kiss we left the sealing room, changed, and were back on the Harley to head for home. We stopped at McDonald’s for a quick burger and made it home before dark! Great day! So blessed to be able to participate in the saving ordinances for our family!