"For years, we've needed signs that point the way to the temple," said William H. Child, who served as director of the Washington D.C. Temple Visitors Center until 2009 with his wife, Patricia.
Many applications for improved signs had been submitted in the past 20 years to various departments in the state of Maryland. Despite meticulous efforts, approval was always denied. Elder Child's early applications were also rejected. But he quietly persisted and prayed. Eventually, approval was given for eight signs.
Approval for the last needed sign came in January 2009 when the Maryland State Tourism Department granted permission for the temple grounds to be highlighted on the "Attractions" signs located on the beltway.
"It's a miracle," said Elder Child. "About two months after I began serving at the visitors center, a young reservist at the Pentagon mentioned how hard it was to find the visitors center, which is located near the temple. We talked about the sign dilemma, and he offered to help."
In the next year and a half, Elder Child applied to three state departments for various signs.
"All three departments repeatedly denied our applications," said Elder Child, "but that didn't dampen our enthusiasm. We'd get in touch, listen carefully, learn why we'd been turned down, upgrade our information and reapplied."
At one point, Elder Child invited a parks department official to stand with him on the sites where signs were needed. Seeing the problem helped the parks official understand the need. Approval was granted, and two signs were placed on Beach Drive.
Several months later, as Elder and Sister Child were driving on Connecticut Avenue toward the temple, they were surprised to see two large signs posted. Without notification, the state highway department had installed two signs. "We knew we had seen a modern-day miracle," he said. "We were very excited."
Yet, the greatest challenge lay ahead — how to advise motorists of the proper exit to take on Connecticut Avenue. From the proper exit, motorists could then follow the signs to the temple.
Elder Child invited a new tourism committee member and her assistant to see the temple grounds and tour the visitors center. "Both of them became our advocates," he said. "They advised us on how to make an application and to create a brochure showing how more than half a million people of every culture and religion come each year from all 50 states and many nations of the world."
Armed with a brochure that detailed the many activities and offerings throughout the year, Elder Child delivered the application just weeks before he and his wife were to complete their mission at the visitors center. "I knew that what the philosopher said was true," said Elder Child. 'The only time you cannot fail is the last time you try.' "
Three days before Elder and Sister Child completed their mission, on Jan. 13, 2009, the Maryland State Tourism Committee unanimously approved the application for space on the "Attractions" signs. When the sister missionaries serving in the visitors center learned of the news, they shouted with a joy that rang throughout the building.
During the next 15 months, Elder Robert Rich, who now serves as the Washington D.C. Temple Visitors Center director, and his wife, Mary Rich, patiently watched over the tiresome process that led to the recent installation of the signs.
Motorists on the inner and outer loop of the Capitol Beltway need no longer to be lost. They are now directed to the proper exit where they find proper signs to lead them to the temple grounds.
