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Scott Taylor: How the Washington D.C. Temple has been a beacon, a target and a provider of little lessons

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Scott Taylor: How the Washington D.C. Temple has been a beacon, a target and a provider of little lessons


Serving to compile and assessment Church Information protection of this yr’s occasions main as much as latest Washington D.C. Temple rededication, I’ve been touched to learn the anecdotes and recollections in regards to the temple from quite a lot of people over the a long time, from Church leaders to nonmember guests.

Listed below are my very own few experiences from the previous half-century, with classes realized.

Concentrating on the temple

In summer season 1974, after I was 15, our household drove from Colorado throughout the Midwest and japanese United States for my dad’s conferences in Maryland. We stopped at key U.S. and Church historical past websites over a number of weeks, together with a day within the District of Columbia and a go to to the not-yet-opened Washington Temple.

Many years earlier than GPS models and apps, and counting on highway maps that didn’t embrace the brand new temple’s location, we set off figuring out the location was in or close to Kensington, Maryland, 10 miles north of Washington’s Nationwide Mall. We watched for a towering white constructing with six spires.

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Trying down a busy avenue and seeing a familiar-looking statue on a constructing’s quick tower, I known as out: “Dad, I believe I simply noticed the angel Moroni again there!” I added that I didn’t assume it was the temple, and Dad drove on since we had traveled lower than a 3rd of the best way.

I discovered later what I had seen — the Washington Chapel at Columbia Street and sixteenth Avenue, the one meetinghouse to function an Angel Moroni statue.

As soon as on the Capital Beltway, our first view was an expertise frequent to Washington motorists. As we rounded a bend, the temple abruptly appeared, towering as if resting on a inexperienced cloud of treetops.

We loved strolling the grounds and admiring the sacred edifice. A landscaper approached us, saying it was too unhealthy we couldn’t return in a few weeks for the temple’s open home.

Little classes realized: The trail to the temple requires effort. Watch out of distractions. And it’s possible you’ll be nearer to the temple than you assume.

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Going the space

As a teen within the mid-Nineteen Seventies, my spouse, Cheryl, grew up in Ames, Iowa, nearly precisely midway between the Washington D.C. and Salt Lake temples, the 2 closest on the time.

For her, doing proxy baptisms and confirmations on the temple meant one-way distances of 1,000-plus miles and two days and an evening on a bus every course. It additionally meant saving up a number of hundred {dollars} to assist pay for her share of the temple-trip bills.

She has shared tales and photographs from that tour with our kids and now grandchildren, lovingly referring to the Washington D.C. Temple as “my temple” of her youth.

For her, sacrifices of time and journey to get to the temple proved worthwhile.

‘Returning residence’

The Washington D.C. Temple was a focus as I served a full-time mission to Venezuela from 1979 to 1981. When the temple opened in 1974, all of South America was included in its temple district, so a number of the endowed members I met in Venezuela had gone to and thru that temple.

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Even after the São Paulo Brazil Temple opened in 1978 as South America’s first temple, the Washington Temple remained a more in-depth journey choice for Venezuelan Latter-day Saints.

Concluding my mission service, I joined a few returning missionaries in making a cease at a temple, as was allowed on the time. A scheduled in a single day layover supplied a possibility for a night session on the Washington D.C. Temple, our first since attending the Provo Utah Temple whereas on the Provo Missionary Coaching Heart.

A sense of “returning residence” to the home of the Lord got here each as we had been arriving by way of taxi from our lodge after which coming into and worshipping within the temple.

A beacon and a legacy

Whereas elevating our household in Utah, Cheryl and I had been in a position to take our kids twice to Washington, D.C., and the temple there.

On one journey, we noticed the temple from the highest of the Washington Monument. We additionally noticed an enormous wall of thunderclouds approaching and puzzled how that will have an effect on our go to to the temple grounds that night.

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We quickly discovered. As we drove, the thunderstorm hit and knocked out electrical energy all through the realm, making navigation very troublesome alongside the darkish streets and neighborhoods.

Nevertheless, as we had been on the beltway and approached Kensington, the Washington D.C. Temple stood awash in mild and was simply seen — a stark however welcome distinction to the darkness we had pushed by means of.

With energy supplied by auxiliary mills so operations might proceed, the well-lit temple served as a beacon to assist us navigate to its location and luxuriate in a quick go to.

In photographs with our children throughout one other household go to, Cheryl replicated some she had taken as a teen by the swimming pools, ponds and buildings.

This yr, we’ve loved completely different household photographs on the Washington D.C. Temple and an extension of our household’s restricted legacy there to our kids’s youngsters as our oldest daughter and her New Jersey household toured the temple in the course of the open home earlier this yr.

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In related methods, the temple can function a vibrant beacon representing hope in Christ, His promised peace and religious reassurance after we’re scuffling with the darkness of life’s challenges.

And the true temple legacy for a household could be discovered and realized within the ordinances, covenants and sealings which can be a part of temple worship and work.





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Washington, D.C

‘We got to come out to vote as a people’: Early voting continues in special election in Ward 8 DC Council seat – WTOP News

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‘We got to come out to vote as a people’: Early voting continues in special election in Ward 8 DC Council seat – WTOP News


Early voting continues to fill the seat on the D.C. Council that Trayon White held before he was expelled in February by the council after being charged with taking bribes.

Residents went to the Anacostia Public Library Saturday to cast their ballots for the Ward 8 seat on the D.C. Council.
(WTOP/Jimmy Alexander)

WTOP/Jimmy Alexander

Ballot stations in Southeast DC
Additional ballot stations at the Anacostia Public Library.
(WTOP/Jimmy Alexander)

WTOP/Jimmy Alexander

Early voting sheet
The Board of Elections posted the numbers of early voting at Anacostia Public Library in Southeast D.C.
(WTOP/Jimmy Alexander)

WTOP/Jimmy Alexander

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Early voting continues to fill the seat on the D.C. Council that Trayon White held before he was expelled in February by the council after being charged with taking bribes.

Ward 8 residents went to the Anacostia Public Library in Southeast D.C. Saturday to cast their ballots for the council seat. The candidates are White, Mike Austin, Salim Adofo and Sheila Bunn.

“This will be the best time to get a new councilmember on Ward 8,” said Andrea Tucker.

The main issues for voters included crime, new restaurants, new recreation centers and keeping children off the streets.

Another voter, Allan Bussey, said that to see change, people will have to go out and cast their ballots.

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“We got to come out to vote as a people. We need young voters, if we can get them, all the way up to our elders,” Bussey said.

Early voting runs through Monday, ahead of Tuesday’s election.

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© 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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Man accused of shooting 3-year-old in DC held without bond – WTOP News

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Man accused of shooting 3-year-old in DC held without bond – WTOP News


The man accused of shooting and killing a three-year-old girl in Southeast D.C. will be held without bond.

The man accused of shooting and killing a 3-year-old girl in Southeast D.C. will be held without bond.

Charles Rucker, 24, appeared in court Saturday on a charge of first-degree murder while armed after his arrest on Friday for the shooting of Honesty Cheadle.

Cheadle was with her family in a car parked on 14th Street on July 5 when Rucker allegedly opened fire on the car at least six times, shooting the toddler in the head.

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According to the arrest warrant, Rucker fled the scene but returned three minutes later and was seen on camera shining his flashlight at the ground and picking up different items.

The arrest warrant states he was likely picking up shell casings.

Cheadle was taken to a hospital by DC Fire and EMS personnel, where she died on Monday.

A preliminary hearing for Rucker will be held on Aug. 13.

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© 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.



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Washington, D.C

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority returns to D.C. for 57th National Convention

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Delta Sigma Theta Sorority returns to D.C. for 57th National Convention


Andrea Stevens
AFRO Staff Writer
astevens@afro.com

Thousands of members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority gathered in the nation’s capital for the organization’s 57th National Convention, celebrating more than 111 years of sisterhood, scholarship and service. The biennial event, held July 8-13, welcomed more than 20,000 attendees to Washington, D.C., where the sorority was founded in 1913.

Sorority members from all across the country have come to Washington, D.C., to the 57th National Convention of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. From left, Delicia Arnic, Delois Woodard, Deandria Arnic, Deloren Arnic and Felicia Arnic). Credit: AFRO Photo/ Andrea Stevens

Founded by 22 collegiate women on the campus of Howard University, Delta Sigma Theta is one of the largest historically Black sororities, with more than 350,000 initiated members and over 1,000 chapters worldwide. The return to its birthplace marked a meaningful homecoming for many members and served as a powerful reminder of the sorority’s legacy and continued impact.

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Elsie Cooke-Holmes, the 27th international president and chair of the board of directors, welcomed attendees and reflected on the significance of the convention.

“This is Delta’s home, and I know for some of my D9 (Divine Nine) brothers and sisters, you’re at home too,” she said. “This convention is more than a convening — it’s a homecoming of strength and purpose. A sacred opportunity to reflect on where we’ve been, what we’ve built and the vision we carry forward as we continue to serve.”

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority is celebrating more than 111 years of sisterhood, scholarship and service. Seen here: Demeata Watson Robinson, left, and Shari Wright-Harley. Credit: AFRO Photo/ Andrea Stevens

The five-day event featured a mix of business sessions, service initiatives, educational forums and cultural celebrations. One of the highlights was the public meeting held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, featuring remarks from civic leaders, educators and national figures who applauded the sorority’s commitment to social action, economic development and public service.

Several awards were presented during the public meeting, but for the AFRO team, the Lillian Award stood out with deep personal significance.

Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper, publisher of the AFRO, received the Lillian Award. She is the granddaughter of the award’s namesake and a descendant of one of the sorority’s founders. The honor has been a part of her family’s legacy for generations. Dr. Draper shared a heartfelt tribute to her grandmother.

Founded by 22 collegiate women on the campus of Howard University, Delta Sigma Theta is one of the largest historically Black sororities. Credit: AFRO Photo/ Andrea Stevens

“‘Be strong. We’re not here to play, to dream, to drift. We have hard work to do and loads to lift.’ That hymn was my grandmother’s favorite — not just a melody, but a mandate,” Draper said. “She didn’t just hum it; she lived it. She leaned on those words through joy and heartbreak, from trials to triumph. She then passed that strength on to her family, her church and her beloved Delta Sigma Theta.”

Media personality Joy-Ann Reid, another recipient of the Lillian Award — named in honor of the sorority’s 15th national president, who championed the positive portrayal of African Americans — also spoke passionately about the power of Black storytelling.

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One of the highlights for many attendees like Angela Lee was the public meeting held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Credit: AFRO Photo/ Andrea Stevens

“We have to call our own names. We have to tell our own stories. We have to assert our dignity on our own terms,” Reid said. “It is up to us to make sure that we don’t disappear, that our stories, our narrative, don’t disappear. Storytelling is how we do that, and I’m just honored to be in the business of telling our stories.”

The convention also brought significant economic impact to the region, generating an estimated $50 million for the District through hotel bookings, transportation and tourism.

“I am so delighted that you’re having your 57th national convention here,” said D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser. “I was happy to hear that this is your second largest convening. I promptly asked, ‘Well, what was the first?’ And it was right here in Washington, D.C.”

The five-day event gathered more than 20,000 sorority members for a time filled with celebration, memories and reflection. Seen here: Kristina Jones, left, Lolita Cromer and Marcileen Pruitt.
Credit: AFRO Photo/ Andrea Stevens

Mayor Bowser went on to thank the sorority for its long-standing political engagement and for choosing the nation’s capital as its convention site.

“Thank you for your advocacy in City Hall during ‘Delta Days’ every single year for budgets that affect us. Thank you for your advocacy on Capitol Hill. Your legislators must hear from you,” Bowser said. “We appreciate you for spending those long Delta dollars in the nation’s capital, but beyond that, thank you for choosing this city for your convention.”



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