33rd operating temple
Dedicated: 29-30 June 1985
By: Gordon B. Hinckley
Jesus Christ, Creator
Jeremiah 51:15
He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding.
Book of Mormon
Alma 32:21-43
*How do we plant spiritual "seeds?"
- The word seed is mentioned 15 times in Alma 32:28-36..., a reminder that the gospel can remain a "seed" for a long time before it becomes a tree, and then the size of the tree is very small and fragile. Seeds can be planted by "kind deeds or acts" which grow over time, causing a desire to investigate the gospel and join the Church. Seeds can be planted by sharing gospel truths. Once the seed has been planted then we can nourish it with patience. Helping others and ourselves to grow in the gospel takes time to experiment with the word, with prayer and to exercise our agency. If planting seeds is difficult for us, perhaps we could be the one that nourishes, and helps others to grow in the gospel, and strengthen their faith.
Old Testament
2 Chronicles 22-24
22 Ahaziah reigns in wickedness and is slain by Jehu; his mother, Athaliah, reigns in his stead.
23 Jehoiada the priest makes Joash king - Athaliah is slain =- Worship of the Lord is restored, and the priest of Baal is slain.
General Conference
Behold! A Royal Army
Elder Ronald A. Rasband
"What a joy it will be for all Melchizedek Priesthood holders to have the blessing of teaching, learning, and serving shoulder to shoulder with all the members in their ward. Wherever you are and whatever your circumstances may be, we invite you prayerfully, faithfully, and joyfully to accept new opportunities to lead or to be led and to serve unitedly as a body of priesthood brethren."
I got a new schedule at the temple today. Sister Cochran is the co-ordinator replacing Sister Wenhardt and Sister Humphrey is the assistant.
President and Sister Reidhead did the training in our preparation meeting. The emphasis was on correctness and kindness.
My first assignment was to be a patron in initiatory. Out of the five names I have I was able to do one during this 30 minute rotation. The temple started out busy and it was busy all day.
Next I went downstairs to be greeter 2, which is really the easiest. I help new people who need directions. Today there were quite a few. We had people come up from the valley either because of the weather or the closing of the Mesa temple. James was at the recommend desk so I got to visit with him a little. We are both looking for a couple to take our place next week. We traded with the Nelson's and now because of Ruthie's baptism we need someone to work for us on the 21st.
I had the locker room next. It was quiet because it was in between sessions. After locker room I had my break. I sat with Sister Cochran and Sister Bradshaw. I am working with Sister Bradshaw on the live sealing right after break.
As I went downstairs to wait for the couple to come in I was visiting with Sister Bowers who was waiting for the sister own endowment to come in. I told her about our dilemma next week. She said she would be glad to work for me but that James needed to talk to her husband. Yes! I knew Sister Bowers was one of my favorites!
When the bride and groom come in Sister Bradshaw and I take them upstairs to the record office where they go over all the paperwork. I go back downstairs because one of my jobs is to welcome all the guests and have them take their shoes off and wait in the chapel. One of the first guests to come in is the brides sister. She needs her mom's car keys. I told her I would go up and talk to her mother and asked one of the ordinance workers to direct the guests.
The brides mother was in a meeting with the recorder. We waited a few minutes and then Sister Bradshaw went and knocked on the door. We got the keys and I took them downstairs, and then went back to directing traffic.
At ten minutes until 11 I escorted the guests upstairs to the sealing room. There were 62 of them so it was pretty crowded. I forgot to tell one important detail so let me digress for a minute.
The brides last name was Flake and her first name was Shiann.
Barry Flake, an old friend from high school was one of the guests. He is Shiann's grandfather. Barry is one of my heroes. He is the one that pulled my mom's stuck station wagon out of the mud at White Mountain Lake, formerly known as Dag's Reservoir.
After all the guests were seated I went to the recorders office to get all of the paperwork, including the marriage license. I took the papers down to the sealing room and had the two witnesses sign, then I left them on the table for the sealer, President Miller.
Brother Shelton and I waited in the hall for late guests. We had one. Brother Shelton told me I looked tired and could go sit in the celestial room across the hall and he would watch the door, which I did. After the sealing was over I went downstairs and when the guests were through putting the footlets in the designated drawer, I got a laundry basket and took them to the laundry room. My duties for this assignment are officially over. I saw the bride and groom when they left and I saw Sister Bradshaw give them a hug.
My next assignment was as an initiatory worker. I got there a little early and was able to do one more of my names, name #3 as one more of the names was done after the one I did this morning.
While I was working Sister Jones came through with both of the my names that were left. Walla! All five names are done.
My last assignment was in the Celestial room. There were also 2 other sisters with this assignment. There never needs to be more than two, but I stayed anyway until the sister on the next shift came in.
As luck would have it James worked with Brother Bowers and spoke with him about working next Saturday and he said that he would. What a great blessing to work with such great people!
We did not stop at Walmart or anywhere else on the way home, we went straight home. We ate and took a nap and then I got a call from Sister Grapp. She is going into the hospital in Payson to be induced and was wondering of Thomas could bring Tildy and Emsley over this evening. I said of course!
It rained pretty hard this afternoon but by the time Brother Grapp got here with Tildy and Emsley it had stopped. Tildy is six and Emsley is four. They have come to our house enough that they were excited to be here. The first thing they did was run upstairs and get the Barbie's. They brought them back downstairs and asked if they could watch a movie. They picked out the Chipmunk stranded on a desert island movie. Tildy got bored with it after awhile and asked if we could make some smores. I said it would have to be inside because it was too wet outside to start a fire. We cooked our marshmallows over the burners on the stove.
These little girls are very independent and
full of adventure!
he looks like hes waiting.
My knee stopped hurting about half way
through the temple today.
