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a half we worked on the chapel every Wednesday night after work and
every Saturday morning. I was put in charge of the landscaping and de-
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the landscaping plan for the grounds. I found a wholesale source for
the plants. We posted copies of the landscape plan in the foyer of the
chapel. I had marked a section of the plan with each family name. We
arranged the delivery of the plants and all the planting was to be done
on one day. Each family was to plant only its own section. As a result,
if a family didn’t do its work, it would be highly evident to all the other
members. Perhaps because no one wants to be in that circumstance, ev-
eryone turned out and did their planting in a single day.

At the time our chapel was built, the members of the ward had
to come up with about 35 percent of the cost. This was a heavy burden
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shortly before being transferred to the Lafayette-Orinda area. Faithful
members pay their tithing, so the chapel costs were an additional burden
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the rest was left to the ward members judgment. It was heartening to see
how many people responded; it was dismaying to see that a few, who
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share.
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each month to meet our debt obligations. On the modest salary I was
being paid at Chevron, there was no cash left to donate to the Church.
For some years, Jean and I paid both our tithing and building contribu-
tions from our savings that had originated in Saudi Arabia. Our building
donations over a period of several years totaled about half of one year’s
salary. I have always appreciated that Jean supported me fully in our
Church donations.

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