Stockholm Sweden Temple

Stockholm Sweden Temple

Monday, December 14, 2015

Pics from the first day in Sweden






The visa waiters group after arriving in Sweden. Olofskyrka Ruins, Sigtuna, Sweden

Miracle in Travel

A story of the missionaries travel to Sweden

Everything went perfectly; we took our flight to Chicago, got on the next plane for Germany, and had some truly terrible airplane food (am I right?). The problem started when we stopped to get on our final flight to Sweden. Since we were in a foreign country, we had to get our visas stamped and go through a sort of customs before our next flight, and we had an hour to do it and get on our next flight. It was going swimmingly, and our group was going through just fine. However, for some reason, an angry looking worker with a handlebar mustache decided that, even though half our group was through the gates, our visas didn't cut it. From what we could understand of his German-English hybrid, it was because they were "In ze Zwedish" or something like that. So, he pulled us all to the side and had us wait for about 45 minutes while he paced and said "This is problem" over and over. Somehow, despite all of the miscommunication, a member of our group managed to ask him if we could make our flight which had begun boarding and was departing in 5 minutes. He told us, "absolutely not". So we said a prayer. 20-something missionaries just bowing our heads and folding their arms. There were a lot of people staring at us. Suddenly, a young worker we hadn't seen before comes rushing in and says "come, come!" So we follow him. He gets all of our passports stamped very quickly and then leads us through the back halls of the airport. He opened secret door after secret door as we skipped right past the x-rays, crowded hallways, and ended up right on our plan in less than a minute, right as they were closing the doors. We cheered all the way down the tunnel. It was a miracle. We were officially going to Sweden.

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

I KNEW!

Hey guys,
Since my call I have been so excited to serve. Well when I got to the MTC I realized I needed to work on my testimony of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon.  I finished the Book of Mormon for the first time from cover to cover last week I prayed to know if it was the word of God and if Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. Well I got a confirmation but not what I thought it would be. Almost like I was being told. You've always known this is true almost like Christ was saying "wherefore didst thou doubt?" I knew and know this is where I am supposed to be I know that with all my heart.  I am grateful for my savior and the scriptures. I am grateful for all my friends no family. Joseph smith is a Prophet of God and he did translate the plates. I know this is true. My time in Missouri and Kansas is teaching me this. In the name of Jesus Christ Amen. 

Friday, October 30, 2015


Elder Kilton arrived at his first mission assignment.  A sweet sister, Michelle Moore, sent me a text with a video and a couple of pics.  We are so excited to get his email on Monday, but until then, enjoy this brief teaser.  We have heard 3rd hand that the visas have been approved and the transfer to Sweden should happen in three to six weeks.  New addresses to come soon.



ps  His companion is Elder Amosa from West Jordan, UT.  He has been out 8 months.  Trace's "dad" for training!  Look how big this kid is!  I love it.  Hope to meet his family soon.

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Each week since Aldste Kilton has been in the MTC we have met someone from Sweden. They are so nice and excited to hear that our son is going there. They always have great tips on coats and gloves to buy and places to visit. I'm falling in love with the Swedes and I haven't even been there yet! Here is his blog post this week.

Hey Ni,
Well my last P-day in the MTC has Arrived! I am so excited to go to
Sweden. I grow more and more excited as the days go by. all us
missionaries got pranked by our travel leader Elder Adcox. on our
plans it says we fly back to New York after a month in Sweden. He said
this was what we really were doing and that we would be here for at
least a transfer cycle we had some extreme emotions with my disrict.
Some were pumped and some were very crestfallen. then as the day we on
we discovered that he was pulling our leg we laughed and realized that
Swedish law dictates that we must have a return flight planned even if
we don't take it. so that was cool. lots of ups this week. we learned
about Swedish holidays like the Giant goat in Gavle. and Jul
(Christmas) its a three day party that everyone is off work. And
others. We kind of wrestled here in the MTC i should be more careful
but i went up against Elder lloyd and he ways 100 pounds more than me
sooo.... that was fun. this is all crazy here i am packing all this
week. getting my suites dry cleaned well one at least. i dont know how
much more i have to say this week. im sorry its not longer.  the
Savior loves us and helps us.
Watch and Pray!
Elder Kilton

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Aldste Kilton has reached his halfway point at the MTC.  He's been there 3 weeks and has 3 weeks left.  He will leave on October 27th headed for Stockholm.  Thank you to those who have sent physical letters and packages.  (Notice addresses on the left hand column of this home page.)  It means so much to touch something from "home".  He loved being in the MTC for conference.  He and all the other missionaries were so touched by Elder Holland's talk, of course.  He said,

 "GeneralKonference was the Bomb! i loved Hollands
talk as well that night you could here all the missionaries writing
their mothers letters because of it the dorm was silent for a good 15
minutes while we wrote. The Entire Floor!"

Here is his blog post for this week.  As always, I have not edited in any way.

Hey Ni,
Well crazy week this week here at the MTC. it feels like i was writing
to you all yesterday. i wanted to let you all know sorry but i have
the best mom in the whole world. I also Want to thank some very
special people for sending me a care package. My family and the
Gasdik's (i think thats how its spelled?) Sorry if its wrong. General
Konference was awesome! Also Sunday night Vocal Point came and sang to
us missionaries and shared their testimonies. The Coolest thing ever!
i love their rendition of Nearer My God to Thee. (look it up). I have
had an awesome week really. some downs but mostly ups. I love
receiving Letters and hope those you send me them get their replies
soon. its is a treasure to get a physical letter or package! We play
volleyball in the gym in the mornings its so much fun. i hope i am a
pro by the end of my 6 weeks here. By the Way I am Half way done with
my MTC Stay. Wow! the time has Flown by here. It feels like yesterday
i was walking away from my family in the rain! there is an Elder
Erickson here who does amazing impersonations! i say this for my
cousins /Brother. He does the Arbiter (Halo) perfectly i almost hugged
him after he spoke. ok back to the Rest of you. You want to know the
coolest thing? Missionaries are normal guys! im not totally out of my
depth with being one. I think ill finish with my testimony in english.
I know my Father Lives. I know that His Son is my savior and redeemer.
I know it is by His mercy and Light we are led to Eternal Life and
Happiness. I look forward the Time when he Welcomes me with open arms
no matter what i have done. where he hugs me and tells me he loves me
even though i am not perfect. He lives. He is the Light and Life of
the World. He has called a Prophet in this time to lead us. I say this
in the name of my Savior Jesus Christ Amen.

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

No, I was not waiting at my computer for his email to come in.  Well, maybe I was.  Actually, I most definitely was. And it paid off.  When Aldste Kilton emailed, I saw it immediately and replied.  He saw it and we "chatted" via email for a few minutes until the laundry was done.  He is finding some hard things, comparing himself to other missionaries for example. And he is finding joy.  He got to sing in the MTC choir this week and they sang Jesus Once of Hunble Birth by James C Kasen.  He felt close to home.  Thank you to each of you for sharing your own special gifts in your own special way.  Comparing yourself to another is unfair and unproductive.  If we are given to His work in His way all will be well.

Here is his post for this week.

Hey Ni (y'all)
Another week has passed and i am really getting excited!
we are currently teaching 4 undersokare (investigators) through our
district their names are
Stale. (stol-e) Marc, Boakai, Leo. I am teaching Marc and Boakai after
getting Stale to commit to baptism it is only practice investigators
but still!!!
Friends i have learned alot in two weeks. mostly about the Saviors
love for his children. This last Tuesday we sang in the MTC choir.
(did any of you do that?) our director said something to the effect of
"the war is happening and you have been called to the Battlefront.
This is a war over people. you are the army of the Lord Jesus Christ
and you will not fail Him. so when i sing BEHOLD a royal army. I See
you. The more than 1000 missionaries sitting in front of me. "
Friends this has been the coolest thing for me. one of my favorite
hymns is onward christian soldiers one of the verses reads "Like a
royal army moves the church of God onward then ye people join our
happy throng we are not divided all one body we. one in HOPE and
DOCTRINE, one in Charity. onward christian soldiers marching as to war
with the cross of Jesus going on before.

Christ leads this work. He leads all of us. His light and love is what
i am here to share with the people in sweden but also with me. I am
more firm in my belief in my faith in Jesus Christ and of His
Atonement. I love my Savior. I know he Loves all of you. seek his
light and love in your life by seeking to help those around you and i
promise you feel see a change i know i have. In the name of my eternal
Savior,Lord and King Jesus Christ Amen.
Watch and Pray
Aldste Kilton

Monday, September 28, 2015

Aldste Kilton Sighting!

Our dear friend, Janna Claessens, happened to see our sweet missionary this morning.  I'm copying her comments here.  Thanks to all who have emailed, written, and sent packages.  He received cupcakes this morning for his entire district.  Your love, support, and prayers are felt and appreciated.


Was feeling frustrated and irritated this morning as Nick missed the bus again. Then we are driving and who do we see as we pass the light on the mtg/temple corner light?? Aldste Kilton !!!!! Wearing a grey sweatshirt.
Aldste Kilton was waiting at the light to cross from the temple side back to the mtc. We waved and honked he waved and jumped then we did sign for love you out the window. We drove back around and yelled out we love you Elder Kilton as Nick waved!!!
Instant calm and happiness came over me and excitement!! Oh such tender mercies our father has for us.
Rich and Andrea thank you for raising such a wonderful man and sharing him with our family and now the world.

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

How Firm a Foundation

The Lord is blessing us daily.  Many spoke to us of the joy and blessing of someone in your family serving a mission.  We could never have understood or comprehended the ways and extent of these blessings.  Even in just one week we are seeing the hand of the Lord in every turn.  We are grateful to Aldste Kilton for choosing to serve.  But most of all we are grateful to the Lord for these blessings.  First and foremost of which is having the true and living gospel of Jesus Christ.  We have Trace's email for this week.  Please remember to pray for him and email or send letters as often as you can.  (I am not editing at all, just copying and pasting exactly what he asked me to send.)  We love you so much and appreciate your love and support.

Hey NI. (y'all) The MTC was cool this week and really hard. i tought Stale (Stol-a) as close in pronunciation in english (pa Angelska) well we had an amazing video we watched here called the Charecter of christ. WoW. My mission has been changed by the words of Eldar Bednar in this Talk he gave acouple years ago here on a christmas morning. He said many things about Christ but the one that hit me most was he Spoke of christ after his fast of 40 days. afterword the bible says angels administerd to him. The footnotes in the Joseph Smith Translation. say he knew his friend John was in prison. After not eating for 40 days and denying the devil. which isnt easy as we well know. he sent Gods angel to help his friend instead of him. Let us keep his love for everyone in our hearts and actions. Have the Charecter of Christ with us always. Gud Alskar Alla Dig. 
Aldste Kilton 
Watch and Pray!

Friday, September 18, 2015

First email home

We were so excited to get Aldste Kilton's first email home.  A few days ago, I reached out on Facebook to other missionary moms to find some who were taking their sons into the MTC on Wednesday.  I connected with Jill Mason from Roseville, CA (near Sacramento). We chatted a couple times and I let her know we live in Provo and if her son needed anything, just reach out to us and we could get him things same day.  You'll see here in Aldste Kilton's email that her son is his companion.  Small world full of tender mercies.  I sure love how the Lord knows each of us, what we need, and provides for us individually.  I'm pasting his email here.  Please notice that his p-day is on Wednesdays.  He will receive and send emails on that day each week while in the MTC.  Thank you again for all of your love and support.

Hej, (hello)
Mom my companion is Elder Mason! cool right?! he seems pretty smart. I am the shortest missionary in our district :( lol also Elder Mason is my District Leader although i am his Senior Komrat. Everyone here says hello. My District is 6 missionaries big. sorry to keep it short. Send pictures soon. Jag Alskar dig. (i love you) 

P.S 
I Am Loving the MTC. 
My P-day is Wednesday.


Monday, September 14, 2015

Family Farewells

Today is the last Sunday before Elder Kilton reports to the Provo Missionary Training Center for training prior to leaving for the Sweden Stockholm Mission.  We celebrated his choice to serve with many friends and family yesterday.  Thank you to all who were able to come.  Thank you to all who offered gifts.  We appreciate your love, support, and sacrifice on his behalf.  Today has been spent at a regional conference presided over by Elder M. Russell Ballard, dinner at Grandma Kilton's home, and just enjoying the love of family.  As a family, we'd like to post together.


Taylor White, Cousin:
Bye Felicia. I love that you have decided to serve the Lord, and have set an amazing example for me and many others. I love the gospel that you are about to go and teach to the people of Sweden, and with your sweet spirit I know that they won't be able to help but love it, too. Love you!

Heather Larsen, Aunt:
We are excited for you. You will learn a lot. You will grow a lot. We will miss you but wouldn't want you anywhere else. I know The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true. I know Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will be with you. Love You

Spencer Larsen, Uncle:
I decided to quote from one of the church videos I saw a lot on my mission: Chance of a lifetime.  That is what is before you.  I could give you a lot of advice, but I'll stick to three things.  Be Obedient, Work Hard, and Be Yourself.

Steve White, Papa:
Many ways to serve.  Glad you chose the path you are on.  This can be the beginning of a never ending wonderful story to all you teach and bare your testimony. Best wishes to a good and faithful servant.

Rebecca White, Nana:
Ok, so no more sword fights and video games. Keep focused and work hard and the Lord will bless you.
Can"t wait to hear from you and find out how everything is going. Love you and know you are doing the right thing. I know the gospel is true and that we have a prophet to lead, guide, and direct our paths. I know Heavenly Father loves you and will take care of you.

 Ruth Kilton, Grandmother:
."..and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come."  Luke 10:1.  I Hope They Call Me On a Mission.  Now you've grown a foot or two and your mission begins.  For the next two years you and your future companions will go out and share the joy the Gospel of Jesus Christ has brought to you.  I will miss you my precious Grandson but I am so thankful that you have chosen to serve Our Heavenly Father at this time in your life.  Grandparents beyond the veil are also rejoicing in your decision.  In 1907, two missionaries took the same message to Alabama and in 1960 two missionaries took the message to Massachusetts and blessed the lives of your ancestors. Now you are taking this message to Sweden to bless others.  Be prayerful and obedient and the Lord will be with you always.  My prayers are with you always.

Danielle Mahoney, Aunt:
Good Luck! We love you.  Work hard but enjoy it.  Learn from every experience.  The girls are sure gonna miss you but will be ready to play with you when you get home.

Barrett Kilton, Brother:
Trace I love you I won't see you possibly for 4 years and I don't know how that will change our relationship but I want you to know that I love you and will miss you while you are gone. I wish you luck and hope that the people of Sweden see how amazing you are and how much fun you can be. I LOVE YOU!!!!!

Richard Kilton, Dad:
God is good my wonderful son. I am so grateful that my Heavenly Father has given me the opportunity to learn from you, learn with you, and walk the journey we have together. Study the amazing address of King Benjamin in Mosiah 3 and 4. You have fought the good fight, you have kept the faith, walk now with eyes open as you take the knowledge and power of your relationship with your Savior to a foreign land and learn to love a new people, sons and daughters of our Father. Learn from them, love them, serve them, and you will find joy. Humbly serve your companion, listen to your leaders counsel and "...Remember who you are...Remember what you stand for...Return with Honor!" You are loved!

Andrea Kilton, Mom:
Your whole life I have told you each time you have walked out the front door to remember who you are.  Today, I tell you to remember Whose you are.  You are bought with a price.  The blood of our Savior, Jesus Christ. May His love and sacrifice shine through your own.  Till we meet again, God be with you and us all.  All my love, truly all.

Sunday, June 7, 2015

Planning and Preparation

This week has been full of planning and preparation. There seems to be plenty of time before Trace's September 16th report date.  However, as life often does, we anticipate busy-ness to set in and time to race away.  As Sister Oscarson acknowledged in April's General Conference, "Life rarely goes exactly according to plan. . .It's still important to understand and teach the Lord's pattern and strive for the realization of that pattern the best we can."  As I look around our home and lives, I've felt like I'm staring down at matter unorganized and praying for divine assistance.  But following Elder Oaks advice, I am looking for the "grand panorama of the gospel plan and the personal and communal fruits of its harvest."  The preparation this week consisted of receiving the mission shoes that Papa and Nana ordered and trying them on to ensure a good fit.  Perfect fit, to be exact!  Shopping with Grandma and Jannie for white pants and new CTR ring.  Going to the post office and submitting passport documents.  Thanks to Welster, smoother and quicker than expected.  And thanks to Leanna and Lawrence for funding the passport.  Then creating a list from which to work for the rest of the summer.  I hope the list will help us keep our eyes on the goal and track our progress.  We know that our "Father in Heaven has brought (us) here at this particular time for a special work and eternal purpose. He wants (us) to see clearly and understand what that purpose is.  He is (our) Father, and (we) can always turn to Him for guidance." (Brother Larry Gibson)  And we trust President Eyring when he says, "Inspiration and spiritual guidance will come with righteousness and closeness to our Heavenly Father."  At the close of this Fast Sunday, we are grateful for the opportunity to fast and come closer to Him, to see more clearly, and be healed and changed through the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

We choose today and each day to follow Him, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  We know He is the Way, the Truth, and the Light.  And that no man cometh unto the Father except by Him.  We love Him.  We serve Him.  We seek His guidance and submit to His will. We rejoice in His atoning sacrifice and the eternal salvation it provides.

"Come unto me, all you that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly of heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."  Matthew 11:28-30

Sunday, May 24, 2015

The Call

Dear Elder Kilton,

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  You are assigned to labor in the Sweden Stockholm Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 24 months.

You should report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, September 16, 2015.  You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Swedish language.  Your assignment may be modified according to the needs of the mission president.

You have been recommended as one worthy to represent the Lord as a minister of the restored gospel.  You will be an official representative of the Church.  As such, you will be expected to maintain the highest standards of conduct and appearance by keeping the commandments, living mission rules, and following the counsel of your mission president. As you devote your time and attention to serving the Lord, leaving behind all other personal affairs, the Lord will bless you with increased knowledge and testimony of the Restoration and of the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Your purpose will be to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.  As you serve with all you heart, might, and strength, the Lord will lead you to those who are prepared to be baptized.

The Lord will reward you for the goodness of your life.  Greater blessings and more happiness than you have yet experienced await you as you humbly and prayerfully serve the Lord in the labor of love among His children.  We place our confidence in you and pray that the Lord will help you become an effective missionary.

You will be set apart as a missionary by your stake president.  Please go to missionary.lds.org promptly to acknowledge your acceptance of this call.

Sincerely,

Thomas S. Monson
President