OUR FAMILY: RMN talk #16

Recife, Brazil

101st operating temple

Dedicated: 15 Dec 2000

By: Gordon B. Hinckley

What should I pray for?

Bible Dictionary: Prayer, Paragraph #1.

Before the first generation of mankind had passed away, men began to call upon the name of the Lord (Gen 4:26; Moses 5:4). Prayers, whether with (Gen. 12:8; 13:4) or without (Gen.20:7; 32:9-11) sacrifice, were constantly offered by the patriarchs to God. The efficacy of the intercession of good men was recognized (Gen. 18:23; 20:7; Ex. 32:11).

Jesus Christ betrayal of

Matthew 27:9

Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;

Book of Mormon

Mosiah 7:18-33
* How are King Laman's cunning ways similar to Satan's tactics?
- How many times have we been deceived? Satan is the father of lies...It's easy to see ho King Laman and Satan's tactics are similar. There is much symbolism in these scriptures....The luring of unrealistic security as they move closer to him. Satan can seem generous as he persuades us away from true security. Vs. 22 - All this for the sole purpose of bringing this people in subjection (bondage) symbolizing Satan's true motives, as he cunningly tempts us. As the people get ready to pay tribute to the King with one half of all their increase...We see the symbolism that Satan abandons us after he gets what he wants, and turns into the beast we know him to be. It's not until after we have fallen prey to his trap, that we realize Satan's motives. Thank Heaven there is a way out of our foolish choices...Vs.33 Turn to the Lord and with all of your heart trust him, and serve him...and the Lord will deliver us out of bondage symbolic of being freed from the bondage of sin.
Old Testament
Judges 1-2
1 Judah, Simeon, and Joseph continue to conquer the Canaanites - Remnants of the Canaanites remain in the lands of Judah, Manasseh, Ephraim, Zebulum, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan.
2 An angel rebukes Israel for not serving the Lord - As a pattern of future events, a new generation arises that forsakes the Lord and serves Baal and Ashtaroth - The Lord is angry with the children of Israel and ceases to preserve them - He raises up judges to guide and lead them - The Canaanites are left in the land to test Israel.
General Conference

Inspired Ministering

President Henry B. Eyring

" We receive the Holy Spirit best when we are focused on serving others. That is why we have the priesthood responsibility to serve for the Savior."

I was up at 12:30 a.m.with severe pain in my right knee. I got up, ate a bowl of cereal and took two aspirin before lying down on the recliner. I was worried about going to the temple in a few hours so I said a prayer asking that I might be able to fulfill my calling in the temple today. At 1 o'clock I set my alarm for 4:30 a.m. and went to sleep.

When I woke up I was going to tell James that I wouldn't be going with him to the temple when I realized that my leg was much better and that I was able to walk around without the pain I had experienced earlier. I am so grateful to the Lord for hearing and answering my prayer.

On the way to Snowflake James and I listened to the Old Testament, Judges 1-2, and I read from the Book of Mormon. We then listened to President Eyring's talk, "Inspired Ministering."

After dropping the rolls I brought in the kitchen I went to get dressed. I always use a toilet stall because I do not like getting dressed in front of others. Sister Farr does the same thing.

I got my schedule from Sister Winhardt and realized I was assigned to help with a live sealing. She said not to worry she would help me, and there is a list of things to do that is spelled out very clearly.

President and Sister Brimhall presided over preparation meeting. We discussed general conference and the emphasis placed on temples and temple work. There were 10 talks that mentioned temple work and two talks in which temple work was the main focus. Those two talks were Elder Renlund's and Elder Cook's. We also discussed the fact that seven new temples will be built and three of them are in countries where there are no other temples, Nicaragua, India, and Russia.

During the discussion here are some things that were said:

Sister McCleary: "When I worked in the Salt Lake temple the Nelson would come every Friday night to do temple work."

President Brimhall: "I was touched that we were asked to pray for our families, on both sides of the veil."

One of the sisters, Sister Lofgreen, is from Italy and she and her husband are preparing to go to participate in the Rome temple dedication.

My first assignment was to be the greeter at the top of the stairs. I like this assignment because you get to greet people who are on their way to the 8 a.m. session. Soon President and Sister Brimhall joined me. They served a mission at the Guayaquil, Ecuador temple. I told them my son served his mission in Ecuador. Also, one of the young sisters working today is preparing to go to Ecuador on her mission in June.

The Brimhall's live in Pinedale. I told them we had a home in Pinedale but it burned down in the fire. They said their's did too, but they rebuilt. I told them we rebuilt too, only this time in Vernon. We talked about the San Juan fire and how it came within a mile of so of our home.

Next I was assigned to do a half hour in initiatory. I have still not got anything memorized but I love to hear the blessings that are offered with this ordinance.

Next I had a break so I went down to the kitchen. I sat with Sister Humphrey from St. Johns and for the first time ever for break James was there too.

I was greeter one behind the recommend desk. I counted the people who said they were going to the 9:30 session.

My responsibility with the live sealing was greeting, and seating the guests and caring for the couples two sons who were 14 and 20. Sister Brewer took care of the bride and the groom.

I was to seat the guests in the chapel downstairs and make sure they turned their cell phones off and had on either socks, nylons, or the temple white booties. It got a little congested because at the same time the guests were coming in there was a group doing baptisms.

The Vernon ward was also here today doing baptisms. I spoke with Anne Miller for quite awhile. She told me how much Andyn loves me as a Primary teacher. Of course I couldn't tell her that I was being released.

The chapel was full when it was time to take them upstairs. Also, many of the guests went through the 8 a.m. session when the couple were endowed. The sealing room was full. Brother Bowers took the boys upstairs in the waiting room but Brother Hatch made him take them in the matron's office.

I stood at one end of the hall and Sister Cochran stood at the other. She singled me when it was time for the boys to come and I opened the door and motioned to them to come. Again, Brother Bowers walked them down.

Although I did not get to be a part of the sealing it was fun to help prepare for it. I also went to the office and got the papers the witnesses are to sign.

Afterwards I ushered the boys downstairs and showed them were to wait for their parents and then I went upstairs and told their mom where they were. I asked the boys how they felt about being sealed to their parents and they said it was wonderful and they felt really good about it. They are converts of two years and live in Show Low now. President Shumway was at the sealing and so was President Williams. President Rhoton of Lakeside performed the sealing. The families last name is Ramirez.

The rest of the day went quickly. I monitored the lockers and worked in initiatory for a little while and then helped at the veil for the 11 session. That is a nice way to end the shift.

On the way out James and I met Brother M. Williams from Heber who says he is a personal friend of Brother Reidhead's from our ward. It's a small world in the Church and in the Snowflake area.

When we got home we ate and took a nap. I got texts from Jared and Sheri. I love hearing from my kids. They both have issues they are dealing with but they have strong testimonies and they are genuinely good people. I love them so much, as is true for all my children.

While working on my blog I listened to a talk by President Nelson, then Elder Nelson from 10/91. It is entitled: "These...Were Our Examples." He spoke about the Mormon Tabernacle Choirs tour of Europe which he attended. He said they are outstanding missionaries and ambassadors for the Church. He used these attributes to describe them: Faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, and diligence. They sang in 10 languages! One brother who attended a performance said: "Listening to the choir makes me want to be a better person." Can you imagine getting hotel rooms for 500 people, and think of the luggage. One sister's luggage was lost and she tried to make the best of it by looking her best with the same clothes she wore the day before.

This evening I took a whirpool bath, did a little walking but only enough to get 5,000 steps, and worked on my Primary lesson before going to bed.