41st operating temple
Dedicated: 28 Aug 1987
By: Ezra Taft Benson
Jesus Christ, Head of Church
Ephesians 4:15
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Book of Mormon
Mormon 5:1-12
New Testament
James 5; FSS/FHE: 1:5, 1:26-27, 3, 4:5-8, 5:14-16. SS: Faith and action. Rabbi and soapmaker.(The Just Shall Live by Faith, Ensign, Apr. 2017,4).
10/19 General Conference
"Deceive Me Not"
Gary E. Stevenson
"Today, I offer words of counsel for everyone, but especially for you of the rising generation - Primary children, young men, and young women. You are deeply loved by the Lord's prophet for our day, President Russell M. Nelson - so much so that he spoke to many of you last year in a special worldwide youth devotional broadcast titled 'Hope of Israel.' We often hear President Nelson calling you exactly that - the 'hope of Israel,'' the rising generation and the future of the restored Church of Jesus Christ."
Today we worked in the temple. What a blessing and a privilege. President Palmer and Sister Palmer presided over us today. During our preparation meeting President Palmer read a thank you letter. It was from a sister who has served in the Spanish branch that came to visit two weeks ago, for several years. It was sweet and tender and as I looked up I saw that Sister Elmer, our shift coordinator had tears in her eyes. She had worked so hard that day and the week before to make sure everything went smoothly for this group who came up from the valley in a bus. I am sure she felt that her efforts has been pleasing not only to this group, but to the Lord. It is always nice to be appreciated.
We saw films about the veil experience and the abbreviated veil experience. James did an abbreviated veil today as the receiver. The sister gave the wrong new name because of the sister who was helping her. They got her first name and the new name switched. James did something they ask us not to do, but it was necessary. He told the sister worker of the mistake and they did it again correctly. Because this new name is the name the new sister will have forever, it was critical that she get the right one. Crisis averted.
"More Holiness Give Me" is still our theme. I love this theme and I feel that going to the temple does help me to be more holy.
My first assignment was in the kitchen making sure the food and utensils were out. I worked with Sister Farr and we visited after we were finished working. She is having three of her sons come for Thanksgiving dinner. They are doing a smoked turkey breast. She says that's what they love because it is so moist and tender.
When I was at the top of the stairs Elwanda R., my friend, was sitting in the chair just across from me. I kept going over to talk to her. We have such a great friendship and I miss visiting with her.
Sister Elmer did something very nice for me today. Last time I had told her I would like to be in the 9:30 session with James and with Jim and Debbie Vance. She did it. I got to hear James give one of the most beautiful temple prayers I have ever heard. It was fun working with Debbie too. She is from Chandler and her daughter is married to Rex Bergstrom, a former friend of our kids as they were growing up in Chandler. I asked her what she was fixing for Thanksgiving. I knew Jamie and Rex were coming from Texas and they were going to Chandler to Debbie's mom's house for Thanksgiving. She said she was making a gingerbread trifle cake with caramel rum sauce. I told her that sounded delicious and asked her for the recipe. I gave her my phone number and asked her to text it to me after our shift, which she did.
I had a sisters name of one of Anthony's ancestors and asked Brother Weinhardt, the baptistry director, if I could do the name. He said, "Well, we aren't supposed to, but for you I will make an exception. I gave the name to Sister Weinhardt and she promptly gave it to a young woman who was waiting to do baptisms. I thanked the young woman and told her how much I appreciated what she was doing.
I was able to do six initiatory ordinances for some of James's relatives. The initiatory was slow today and Garnett Jones was in charge. She knows that Sister Brimhall gave me permission to do names because I live in Vernon. They want you to live an hour or so away if you are going to do your own names on your work shift.
Kathy Crane's blackberry jalapeno jelly was a big hit. Brother Gentry said he would like to have it again. He liked it because it wasn't too spicy.
After our shift James and I stopped at McDonald's for chicken nuggets with hot mustard sauce, an ice cream cone, and a large diet Coke.
We went to the UPS store in Show Low and mailed my books. Thank goodness they were still open. Sometimes they close early on Saturdays.
I finished my walking this evening, blogged and rested. Around 8:00 James and I watched a new Hallmark movie, "Holiday Hearts," starring Paul Campbell and Ashley Williams. I really liked Ashley in this one. Sometimes she's a little over the top. I always like Paul Campbell.
I also watched a Lifetime movie, "The Magic Christmas Shoes."
I love this picture!
Throwback Memories:
