Concepcion, Chile
160th operating temple
Dedicated: 28 Oct 2018
By: Russell M. Nelson
Jesus Christ, Resurrection
Acts 1:3
To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
Book of Mormon
1 Nephi 16:1-16
"Come Follow Me"
FSS Moses 6:58-68 What does it mean to be "born again"?
OctGenCon
"Invite Christ To Author Your Story"
Camille N. Johnson
Primary General President
For David to overcome Goliath, the boy had to take on the giant. The comfortable narrative for David would have been a return to tending sheep. But instead he reflected upon his experience saving lambs from a lion and a bear. And building on those heroic feats, he mustered the faith and courage to let God write his story, declaring, "The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine." With a desire to let God prevail, with an ear to the Holy Ghost and a willingness to let the Savior be the author and finisher of his story, the boy David defeated Goliath and saved his people.
"The Peace of Christ Abolishes Enmity"
Elder Dale G. Renlund
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Unity requires effort. It develops when we cultivate the love of God in our hearts and we focus on our eternal destiny. We are united by our common, primary identity as children of God and our commitment to the truths of the restored gospel. In turn, our love of God and our discipleship of Jesus Christ generate genuine concern for others. . . . If we are unable to place our discipleship to Jesus Christ above personal interests and viewpoints, we should reexamine our priorities and change.
Prayer 20
As we drove up to the temple we were intrigued by a beautiful purplish pink light in the sky. We stopped and took a picture in the parking lot.
I needed to know what this light was so I asked one of my fellow temple workers, Sister Whiting. Sister Whiting is very young but she is so knowledgeable about the temple and she has everything memorized. She lives in Snowflake so I figured she would know what this light was, and I was right, she did. This is what she said, "Oh that is the marijuana plant." I asked her what the light was for. She said it was a black light and it helps the plants to grow. The plants are used for medicinal purposes only. I was a little surprised and said to myself, I wish it was not so close to the temple.
Our preparation meeting was separate from the brothers today and was held in the large sealing room with Sister Elmer in charge. The Perkins's are presiding today so Sister Perkins was there with her.
Sister Elmer announced that this would be her last day as our co-ordinator. I was a little sad because I have loved Sister Elmer as the co-ordinator. She is very compassionate and will always get someone to replace you if you can't be there instead of asking you to do it. That's what I love most about her. I hate getting a sub.
Sister Hamblin, also from Eagar, will be the new co-ordinator and her husband will be the new co-ordinator for the men. Sister Elmer also said this would be the Shelton's last week as temple workers. Sister Shelton has been the assistant co-ordinator. She has been a temple worker, along with her husband, for 11 years. She is in her 80's and she told me that when she was released as a temple worker she was going to dye her hair lavender with a turquoise stripe. I asked her if that was still true and she said yes if she could find someone to do it for her. In other news the temple is only allowing 12 people in a session instead of 20. I hope Ruth and I are still okay with the session we signed up for on Tuesday.
Here is how my schedule went today: After preparation meeting I had study time and then I was assigned to be the 2nd follower in the 8 a.m. session. Sister Neff was the first follower but she and her husband were asked to be the witness couple because it was such a small session. We had five couples in the prayer circle. I was at veil three and helped 3 sisters through the veil.
As I was waiting for my next assignment at 10, the greeter at the top of the stairs, I was sitting in the common area upstairs when President Perkins approached me and ask if I had an assignment at the moment. I told him not until 10 o'clock. He asked me if I could be a witness for some sealings and I said I would be happy to.
As I went in to the sealing room there was one couple at the altar, the sealer, and someone in the other witness chair. Brother Bowen, who was at the altar, said there were supposed to be three other couples but none of them showed up. This is the Brother and Sister Bowen from Snowflake who come to the temple all the time and do Scandanavian names by the hundreds. They are so dedicated and faithful. The sealer did several sealings of couples until it was 10 a.m. and I had to leave. I am so impressed with temple sealers and all of the things they memorize and how dedicated and faithful they are.
As I completed my assignment as the greeter at the top of the stairs, I don't think I greeted anyone. The patrons today are very few and far between although James worked in the baptistry and said they were quite busy. My next assignment was the veil co-ordinator for the 9:30 session. There is an own endowee in this session and I have to remember that she is to go through veil 1 and and no one else is to be at the veil on the sisters side. This assignment was completed by 11:00 and I was finished for the day. I went down to the dressing room, changed into my street clothes and sat down to wait for James. I talked with Sister Humes who is substituting today on our shift. She is from St. Johns and her husband used to work with Neal Lambson. James was finished by 11:30. Brother Greer, who is our stake patriarch, is a worker in the afternoon session. James shook hands with him. Today is his birthday.
When we left I told James what I had found out about the strange light this morning. I told him that I found it interesting that it's a marijuana black light that is beckoning people to the temple.
In celebration of James's birthday he decided we should have lunch at the new restaurant we have been wanting to try, Streets on Main.
We walked in and were immediately seated in a booth. James ordered the Reuben sandwich and I ordered the shrimp basket. Sister Shaelyn Smith who was in the Vernon ward a few years ago and is related to the Allen's and a return missionary was one of our waitresses. I asked her how she was doing and she said great. I asked her where she lives and she said in a barn. James asked her if she lived with any animals and she laughed. It's a loft made into an apartment and is very nice, was her reply. I think Shaelyn is probably in her middle to late 20's. She has a great testimony and a bubbly personality and I was glad we got to see her.
James and I both got fries, potato salad, and coleslaw with our meals. We loved the crispy fries and coleslaw but I did not care for the potato salad. His Reuben sandwich was delicious. My shrimp basket was okay. James liked it better than I did.
When we got back to Vernon it was time for a little rest and relaxation. I don't know why, but working at the temple is very draining. I sat in the recliner and James sat with his head in my lap for awhile before he went into the bedroom. He said this was the best day he has had for a long time as far as his physical health is concerned. I was so happy to hear that! Maybe he is getting well!
When I got up from my nap I went into the kitchen to make James's birthday pie. He helped me by juicing the lemons and lime for the filling. I made one pie with eggs, Eagle Brand milk, and lemons. The second pie I added some cream cheese. The first pie is for James and the second pie is for our "Come Follow Me" group tomorrow evening. After the pies cooled for a couple of hours I put Coolwhip on top. We tried James's pie. I forgot how much I like this pie that he asks for every year for his birthday. James's pie was made with a walnut crust and the other one was made with a pecan crust.
While walking this afternoon and evening I listened to a podcast Sheri sent me about a brother who has been a bishop and a stake president in a young single adult ward. He told about some of the experiences he has had. He said that the greatest crisis in the Church right now is the falling away of these young people. He said before he deals with whatever transgression they have committed he talks to them about developing a relationship with Jesus Christ. He said if they can really understand how much the Savior loves them and what he has done for them and that he wants nothing more than to restore them to their proper place in His kingdom, everything else will fall into place. They will want to repent and keep the commandments. I wish we had more people like President Farrell who really loves and cares for young people.
I also talked to Kim and shared with her the recipe for the chicken enchiladas I fixed when she was up here. I also shared Dennis's recipe for spanish rice.
James and I watched the latest Hallmark Movies & Mysteries movie, "North to Home" this evening. I had already seen it but James hadn't. He liked it as much as I did.
James texted Dave before we went to bed to check on Laura. He said she was doing much better, so I guess the infusion really helped her.
Thank goodness!
A new statue of Christ on a hill
near the Snowflake temple
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