Nashville, Tennessee
84th operating temple
Dedicated: 21 May 2000
By: James E. Faust
Jesus Christ, Millennial Reign
Daniel 2:44
And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
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'Love Your Enemies'
President Dallin H. Oaks
1st Counselor in the First Presidency
An even greater help in learning to love our adversaries and our enemies is to seek to understand the power of love. Here are three of many prophetic teachings about this.
The Prohet Joseph Smith taught that "it is a time-honored adage that love begets love. Let us pour forth love - show forth our kindness unto all mankind."
President Howard W. Hunter taught: "The world in which we live would benefit greatly if men and women everywhere would exercise the pure love of Christ, which is kind, meek, and lowly. It is without envy or pride. . . .It seeks nothing in return. . . . It has no ;ace for bigotry, hatred, or violence. . , . It encourages diverse people to live together in Christian love regardless of religious belief, race, nationality, financial standing, education, or culture."
And President Russell M. Nelson has urged us to "expand our circle of love to embrace the whole human family."
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Others came as well, including Elijah, who restored the authority to join families together forever in eternal relationships that transcend death.
Our Fast and Testimony meeting was very special today. Special because James bore a beautiful testimony of the Savior. And special because our former bishop, Bishop Miller and his wife Anne bore their testimonies for the last time as members of the Vernon ward. They are moving to Kansas in a couple of weeks. Bishop Miller said that Christ, our Savior, feels our heartache and will comfort us. It was a touching testimony.
Another special testimony borne today was by a new sister in our ward, Sister Gilbert who moved in four months ago. She said she had a difficult childhood and not much family, that our ward was her new family. She bore testimony that she knew that Christ had brought light to a darkened world.
Sister Vaught, our ward librarian, handed out new "Come Follow Me" manuals for 2021. We will be studying the Doctrine and Covenants.
At the end of James's fast today he made some elk steaks. They were delicious! We watched a really good Christmas movie today, "Time for Us To Come Home for Christmas." Lacey Chabert and Steve Huza starred in this special movie and we felt good watching it, because it was in keeping with the Sabbath day.
This evening we watched the First Presidency Christmas Devotional. It was wonderful and truly brought the Spirit of Christ into our home. President Oaks conducted the devotional and excused President Eyring. The Choir at Temple Square sang "Joy to the World", "The First Noel", "O Come All Ye Faithful", the "Hallelujah Choir" from the Messiah and "Silent Night." Brother Bradley Wilcox gave a touching opening prayer and Becky Craven was the first speaker. She spoke of a Christmas in Berlin, Germany when she was a little girl and Santa Claus visiting her home and how her dad missed Santa because he was carrying out the trash. She told of lambs born on Christmas morning and of a kind nurse in the hospital offering a warm, comforting blanket and how we need to remember to give Heavenly hugs to others. Here is a quote from her talk:
"In a world so much in need of peace, our gentle words, our acts of compassion and kindness can be the means of wrapping another in a warm blanket. I have come to understand that the more we act on promptings to serve others, the more heavenly blankets the Lord gives us to share."
Brother Brent Nielsen was the next speaker. He spoke of his dad's Christmas's while serving overseas in World War II and how much he missed his family. He bore testimony of the Savior and how He is the real gift at Christmas time.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland spoke about the first Christmas and those who came, many in the night when troubles are laid to rest. Here is a quote from Elder Holland's talk:
"The sweet dreams of the night can make everything right, no matter how difficult our day has been."
Elder Holland said: I leave with you the "Dreams of Bethlehem" and the babe who made them all come true.
President Nelson was the last speaker. I was hoping we would hear from our dear prophet!
President Nelson spoke of the mission of the Savior and His gifts to us. He also invoked a blessing upon us:
We and our families would feel peace, that we might hear the voice of the Lord more clearly and receive personal revelation and that we would seek Jesus more earnestly.
Sister Bonnie Cordon, Young Women General President, gave the closing prayer.
The Sabbath with Charlie and Scarlett
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