My Testimony

We have just finished a marvelous General Conference.  As a Church, we are celebrating the 200th anniversary of the First Vision and the beginning of the Restoration of Christ's church.  Over the past six months, Kent and I read the Doctrine and Covenants together, and we've studied Joseph's accounts of the First Vision.  Covid-19 prevented the conference from being held as normal, with only the sessions' speakers in attendance in a small meeting room in the Conference Center.  But the messages were tremendous and focused on increasing our faith, personal preparation, and ability to receive personal revelation.  It was just what we needed in the face of trials individual, as a couple, and globally with the pandemic.  I was reassured that the Lord is with us, that He will guide us, and that we can Hear Him.  The First Presidency and Twelve Apostles issued a new Declaration to the world about the Restoration.  When The Family: A Proclamation to the World was issued in 1995, I thought to myself, 'I'm not sure why they felt they needed to say any of this. This is all obvious stuff.'  Kent and I both agreed that we will need to read this new declaration again and again because it doesn't really seem necessary.  But in 1995, The Family didn't seem necessary either, and within the last decade, it has become increasingly obvious why it was needed.  I sustain the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve as prophets, seers, and revelators, and I imagine there might come a time when all that is in this new declaration will be clearly needed.  We will study that next.

President Nelson has made it a thing to announce new temples at the end of General Conference.  President Monson always did it first thing in his opening welcome to conference.  But President Nelson holds off, almost saving the best for last.  Today he announced eight new temples, one to built in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and another to be built in Shanghai, China.  When President Nelson said, "Dubai," Kent and I both began to weep, but then he said, "Shanghai, China" and we both burst into real tears.  We were stunned!  President Nelson said that the Church's legal status in China will not change, and we won't be sending in proselyting missionaries.  But with the renovations happening to the Hong Kong Temple, the temple in Shanghai will be "a modest multipurpose meeting place [that] will provide a way for Chinese members to continue to participate in ordinances of the temple — in the People’s Republic of China — for them and their ancestors."  It's astounding.  Wonderful and astounding.  

I know that the Lord lives and loves us.  I know Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer.  I know that his atonement allows me to repent, provides comfort and assurance, and can succor my fears, disappointments, and the unfairness of life experience.  I know Joseph Smith is a prophet.  I know Russell Nelson is a prophet.  I know The Book of Mormon is true.  I know we can hear the voice of the Lord through the words of prophets ancient and modern.  I know the priesthood is the authority needed to perform saving ordinances in the temples of God.  I know the gospel of Jesus Christ is the way back to our Father in Heaven.  I want to stay firmly on the covenant path that will lead me back to God.

Brandt Speaks in Sacrament Meeting--A First!

Brandt turned twelve, we went to Florida, and before we'd even gotten home, Brother Lindberg texted Kent to ask if Brandt would be willing to talk in sacrament meeting.  The bishopric certainly hasn't let any grass grow under Brandt's feet! 

Brandt agreed and was asked to speak about one of the sections in For the Strength of Youth.  He looked through it while we were traveling, and decided to talk about the sabbath day.  But Kent suggested that, since he's had two really nice experiences in the temple already (going on his birthday, and then going in Florida), he could speak about that.  Brandt liked that idea, and with a bit of help from me and a bit of help from Kent, Brandt wrote a talk.  Last evening we went over to the church so he could practice speaking at the podium.  We sat around the chapel and encouraged him to look up from time to time.  He would read a paragraph, pause, look up at each of us, then continue with the talk.  So funny!  I had a hard time not chuckling. 

Today Brandt an effort with his appearance.  He combed his hair and wore a skinny tie.  He sat on the stand and only looked sort of nervous.  We had a full house with lots of visitors because Keaton Helquist was speaking before leaving on his mission on Wednesday.  Brandt did a good job.  He read his talk smoothly, he spoke into the microphone, but he didn't look up.  I can understand!  So many unfamiliar faces and probably close to 400 people in attendance.  Kent and I both got lots of complements on his behalf; many people told us what a fine job he did.  We agree.  He did a fine job.  The picture I took of him on the stand isn't fine, but I'll include it here anyway.  I'll also include the whole of his talk at the end of the post.  He told me that, although Brother Lindberg said it had to be five minutes, that didn't mean it had to be the full five minutes.  Two-and-a-half would be entirely adequate.  

Good morning brothers and sisters.   I am Brandt Barrus. I turned 12 two weeks ago. Since then, I have received the priesthood. I was able to pass the sacrament here and in my uncle’s ward in Florida. In my uncle’s ward, they pass the sacrament differently.  They only need 4 deacons in their ward because it is small.

By turning 12 and being worthy,  I can get a temple recommend to go to the temple to do baptisms for the dead.  My mom wanted to take me to the temple on my birthday. We went to the City Center Temple, but the temple had a 2 hour wait.  Even though I didn’t do baptisms, I did confirmations.

Last week, we were in Florida.  In Florida, my uncle is the young mens president and they were going to the Fort Lauderdale Temple for a youth temple trip.  My mom brought my recommend so I could go with them. We also brought two family names I was able to be baptized for, Pietro (pee-et-row) Panelli and Guiseppe (juice-eppe) Aversano.  When I went into the temple, I felt the Spirit. It was all quiet. The Ft. Lauderdale Temple is a cool building. It’s one of my favorite temples. I was glad I could be there.

In the For Strength of Youth pamphlet, the first presidency says,

“In all that you do, stay focused on the temple. In the temple you will receive the greatest of all the Lord’s blessings, including marriage for time and all eternity. Keeping the standards in this booklet will help you be worthy to attend the temple, where you can perform sacred ordinances for your ancestors now and make essential covenants for yourself in the future.”  

Temples are so important.  In October conference, President Nelson talked about temples.  We now have 159 temples all over the world and he announced 7 new temples.  He said, “My dear brothers and sisters, construction of these temples may not change your life, but your time in the temple surely will. In that spirit, I bless you to identify those things you can set aside so you can spend more time in the temple. I bless you with greater harmony and love in your homes and a deeper desire to care for your eternal family relationships. I bless you with increased faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and a greater ability to follow Him as His true disciples.”

I know that by living the standards in For the Strength of Youth will help me stay worthy to go to the temple.  I know the Church is true. Joseph Smith was a true prophet.  If we follow the ten commandments we can go to Heaven. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Temple Foundations

Yesterday I received an email from my mom.  She had shared some thoughts about temple foundations with her Primary class, and wanted to share them with us, her children and grandchildren.  I suggested she come and have FHE with us tonight, and share them with us directly.  She came, we sang, she shared her message, and we had treats.  It was wonderful to have her in our home, and I loved the thoughts she shared.  Here they are, from the email she sent, complete with pictures.  I love the temple, and I love my mom.

Sunday, August 7, 2016

I learned from Mikayla last night that Taylor Orton’s wife who was eight months pregnant was killed in an automobile accident Friday night by a drunk driver. I grieve for Taylor and his young child, for the Orton family, and Taylor’s in-laws who have lost a beloved daughter. To consider how so many were looking with sweet anticipation to the birth of a beloved new child now experience such grief and heartache wounds all of us who know and love the Ortons. I grieve as well for the person who caused the accident. I imagine that person feel sorrow, remorse, and fear about the future. As Mikayla noted, life is so precious and so fragile.

My lesson today in Primary is based on the account of Nephi and Lehi, sons of Helaman as found in Helaman 5. As recorded in Helaman 5: 12, Helaman taught his sons the truth that is most essential for us in our mortal journey:

And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

Paul taught, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16). As part of my lesson today, I’m going to talk about what I’ve learned from the stories of the foundations of the Salt Lake, Provo City Center, and Provo temples.

In constructing the Salt Lake Temple, two tiers of blocks had to be removed and replaced because the workers were using chips of granite between the blocks in order to minimize the use of expensive mortar. Later, when workers discovered large cracks in the foundation walls, they started all over again, removing all the original stones down to the bottom layer and replacing them with higher quality stones. The new stones could be cut to fit without mortar.

Early in our marriage, your father and I had cracked and poorly constructed foundations. Although I had a better foundation in my childhood than your father did, I took shortcuts on building the foundation of my testimony and eventually had to literally start over and rebuild.

The architects and builders of the City Center temple carefully analyzed the potential dangers that the temple might experience in the future. With the water table only 15’ below the land surface, they dug 60 feet below the surface, laid a foundation that is five feet thick and designed the structure so that if there is ever a bit of water that enters the structure, a sensor will note the water and turn on a pump and send an alarm. They don’t anticipate that happening. I believe that Taylor Orton and his family have a sure foundation like unto the City Center temple. The strength of their testimonies and their strong commitment to the gospel as have I witnessed for the past 25 years will carry them through this trial.

I learned recently that the foundation of the Provo Temple has developed cracks and is unstable. The Church is in the process of determining the future of the temple. In the meantime, the foundation is being strengthened a section at a time. The lengthy closure two years ago was the start of that process.

In my recent reading of the scriptures, I have come across the Savior’s counsel to “Sanctify yourselves.” I’ve thought about that a lot as I consider that my time on the earth is waning. It is the Savior’s atonement that cleanses us from sin, but this counsel from the Savior tells me that I need to be making an earnest and ongoing effort to examine myself, to repent of current and past sins and offenses, to correct behaviors and habits that are offensive to God, to consider how I spend my time. Much like the Provo temple, I’m sure we each have some cracks in our foundation that need repair and/or reconstructions. I encourage you to consider what you need to do to strengthen your own foundation as well as the foundation of your individual children and your family. Don’t cut any corners. You are all too precious to me to lose any of you either now or in eternity.

Mom

Blythe Speaks in Primary

Blythe was asked to speak in Primary today.  The Primary secretary sent me a reminder text three days ago, but in the meantime, I forgot.  We sat down in sacrament meeting and looked at the program, and I gasped as I realized we had nothing prepared.  So after the sacrament, Blythe squeezed in close to me and I told her the theme: The Temple is the House of God.  She thought for a moment then quietly dictated the following.

I have been asked to speak about The Temple is the House of God.  An experience I remember from when I was little was when I was sealed to my parents in the temple.  I don't remember the feeling, but I think I was overjoyed and excited.  My mom and dad cried happy tears.
I have been on tours of temples and I've felt good.  The temple is the house of God. When we are at church we can feel the Spirit, and when we go to the temple we can feel the Spirit, too.
Some places I like to go are quiet and I can think about questions I can ask Heavenly Father.  Specific places I like to go are the swings, the tramp, and my room.  Sometimes I just walk around in the backyard.  I think about what the temple looks like.  I haven't had many experiences with the temple, but I know I will when I get older.  Temples are happy places to be.  And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

She wanted to show the picture of all of us in front of the temple on the day she was sealed, so Kent ran home and got it before she spoke.  Sister Davis held the picture while she gave her talk.  I thought this was great!  I am amazed that Blythe is thinking about questions she can ask Heavenly Father when she's out on the swings.  All this time, I just thought she was swinging.  She is remarkable!

Looking at this picture, I think Blythe does look overjoyed and excited.

Five Temples Ride

I rode my bike this morning.  It was gloriously beautiful!  Spencer and Stephanie Magelby organized the ride, and I joined them and Janie Rasmussen for what was hailed as an "epic" ride.  We began at the Provo Temple, taking our picture with the rays of the sun streaming up from behind Squaw Peak.  We continued north along the Murdock Canal Trail and back roads to the Timpanogos Temple.  From there, we wound our way south to Geneva Road, into Provo, and to the Provo City Center Temple.  At this point, I parted company with my fellow riders and headed home while they continued on to the Hari Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork and finished up at the Payson Temple.  I wanted to make sure I was home early so Kent could continue with the David Davies house project.  It was so great to be biking, to be with friends, to be out on a beautiful morning, and to feel my body work well.  I'm not always happy with the way my body looks, but when I am biking, I feel strong and so, so grateful for the body I have.  I love to bike!

Provo Temple

Zach (who I don't really know), Spencer, Janie, Stephanie, me

Timpanogos Temple

Provo City Center Temple