Villahermosa, Mexico
85th operating temple
Dedicted: 21 May 2000
By: James E. Faust
Jesus Christ, Crucifixion
Matthew 26:2
Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.
Book of Mormon
Alma 61:6-21
*How do you retain your freedom and resist temptation?
- I think I lose my freedom when my eye is off the Lord. Sometimes I rush through my day and don't take the time to be still and seek the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Freedom and peace return when I remember that I truly need Him every hour and lay my weaknesses before His feet.
Old Testament
Proverbs 6-7
General Conference
"Until Seventy Times Seven"
Elder Lynn G. Robbins
"Repentance is God's ever-accessible gift that allows and enables us to go from failure to failure without any loss of enthusiasm. Repentance isn't His backup plan in the event we might fail. Repentance is His plan, knowing that we will. This is the gospel of repentance, and as President Russell M. Nelson has observed, it will be 'a lifetime curriculum.'
I had a goal to leave by 8 a.m. and we left a little before 9. We went back once for something I thought I forgot but I really didn't, and then I ended up forgetting my temple clothes. Luckily the Gilbert temple now rents some clothes.
We attended the 2:30 p.m. temple session with Sheri and Ben. James said that Ben was very proficient in putting on his ordinances clothes this time. I provided all the temple names from my family tree.
Ben's friends Ian and Burke were outside the
temple when we were leaving. Ian took these
photos for us.
We parted ways and James dropped me off at Michael's to look around while he searched for a fast food place to grab a bite. I was not impressed with Michael's compared to Hobby Lobby. I didn't buy anything with is quite amazing.
James found a Carl's Jr. and bought each of us a Santa Fe chicken sandwich. How thoughtful! We had stopped for In n Out burgers when we first got in to town. Yikes! What were we thinking? Fast food is not good when you are trying to lose weight.
We went back to Darrel and Trina's so we could say hi to the kids. Trina was at work. The girls were home alone because Darrel had taken Rowan to his football game.
I can't text Addy anymore because she has a different phone so we were glad when someone opened the door for us.
Ben's setting apart was in the high council room of the Chandler West stake center, the room where I used to attend stake council meeting when I was the stake Relief Society president.
President Kent Johansen, the stake president, set Ben apart. He explained that he got his authority directly from President Russell M. Nelson. President Johansen asked if anyone knew the 5th Article of Faith. Rowan raised his hand and recited it. President was impressed. He gave a beautiful blessing. Sheri, Kim, and I all were trying to write things down. I was sitting by Lola and she kept asking me questions. He told Ben that his name tag was a reminder that he was taking upon himself the name of Christ and was his representative. Here is my sketchy version of the blessing:
Serve with all your heart, might, mind and strength. You will feel great joy and receive direct revelation as you act in courage. At times of trial and discouragement seek the Lord in humble prayer. Chase darkness away and be filled with light. Be diligent in your studies. You teachings and your pure and humble testimony will go deep into the hearts of others. Develop a great love for the people you teach and see them and love them through Heavenly Father's eyes. Bear testimony often. I bless you with health, strength, a sound mind and a sound body. I bless you that through your obedience you will find great joy in serving the Lord. Make friends and be a leader. Be an inspiration and lift those who are struggling in the responsibilities of serving a mission. Be diligent. Overlook the faults of others. Take counsel from DC 84:88 where the Lord says: And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.
See the Lord's purpose. You may think of your mission as a great sacrifice but it is actually a great blessing and will be for you and your family now and in generations to come.
President Johansen is a very powerful, spiritual man and the Spirit was definitely in the room.
Those who attended: Sheri, Max, Evan, Kim, Brian, Darrel, Addy, Rowan, Ruby, Lola, James and myself. Now Ben is a missionary and can go forward to serve. President cautioned him to obey mission rules and have someone as a companion until he leaves for Utah and the MTC tomorrow morning.
James and I met Sheri, Ian, Alex, Ben, Max, Evan, Kim, and Brian at the Mellow Mushroom in Mesa for pizza. Our pizza was delicious: mozarella and parmesan cheese, fresh basil, olives, onions, and tomatoes. Yummy! I had two pieces and James had four. The last time we will see Ben for two years.
Goodbye Ben!
Scarlett, Autumn, Palmer
Sweet family!
James brought me a bouquet
Sweet Charlie
Adorable!
