Filming at the Kirtland Temple

I remember in the fall of 1976 when our family was asked to participate in the making of a seminary filmstrip for the LDS church about the Kirtland Temple. The storyline was about a family of a girl (me) who really wanted to visit the temple for her eighth birthday.
I recall arriving home from school to Mom who was anxiously preparing a picnic. She bustled about, pleading for our cooperation so that we could get out the door and start the drive to Kirtland. She wanted us all to look presentable.
I remember eating our picnic by the quarry, with a camera crew circling us. Mom had made a birthday cake for "my birthday" which was on the picnic bench. We all had a laugh when Jon sat down without realizing it was under him. I seem to recall that David made the same mistake.
Later, at the temple grounds, we had to pretend to enjoy ourselves and feign interest in the temple tour. We didn't even get to go inside.
To an 8-year-old this was about as far from what I would have wanted for my birthday as I could imagine. So, by the end of the filming, I was miserable. The last shot of the film was supposed to be of me smiling at the temple, expressing joy at this birthday wish come true. But, no matter the pleading, I just could not oblige. And I haven't heard the end of it since.
Margaret

Gunpowder!

Grandpa and Grandma (and Margaret) visited us several times at our home on Hamer Drive. It seems like Grandma came a few times by herself. At that time (I was maybe eight years old) I was very interested in chemicals - I had a little chemical set like they used to sell, and did experiments. In those days little kids got to do a lot of things they don't let kids do anymore...like play with firecrackers and other explosives. So I learned how to make gunpowder, but after a few explosions Mom and Dad wouldn't let me get any more of the ingredients. But Grandma was my pal – she’d write me a note to get saltpeter and sulphur from the hobby store so that I could make my own gunpowder. I remember that store as it was my favorite. They also had Hot Wheels and Big Daddy Ed Roth’s "RAT FINK" pictures and stickers.