Parental Payday

Last night The Girl received her temple blessings. I was honored to be her escort as she learned a little more about her Heavenly Father's plan for her. She was so prepared and spiritually mature about it all. I still can't  believe she is setting out to share the Gospel as a missionary in a few months. It seems like just days ago she chose to be baptized.

The covenants she has made were made thoughtfully and determinedly. She seemed confident and self assured about all of it. Certainly more than I was when I made those same covenants.

The best part of the night was waiting for her in the celestial room, surrounded with beloved friends and family, and seeing her come in smiling. That must be what heaven is like.  It can only be better when The Boy gets to this point and we can all be there together. I'll give it a couple years and then I'll know.

Generational Links

Friday night, Genius golfer's siblings and mom (plus the spouses, and one niece and her husband) met together at our temple for an evening of family sealings.  GG's mom had never been sealed to her parents, and she had prepared her brother and sister's work to be sealed to the parents as well. 

Since we were going for her own family stuff, GG and I brought along the one couple and one son that needed to be sealed yet from his dad's family and his sister Lori brought along a stack of family names that she has tracked down in Holland that we could finally link up to what we knew once they got to America.

I think we worked for about an hour and still only got half way though the stack Lori had.  It was pretty cool.  We have never done anything like that before and it was rewarding to be there together as family working on their family's connections.  Afterward we went to our favorite burger joint and just enjoyed the evening together. 

Sometimes, living close to family IS very cool.

Youth Confernce

Note:  The camera came home yesterday with no obvious signs of distress--only a newly cleaned sensor and a record of another 38K + photos since last time.  Feeling much better.

Today begins our ward's youth conference.  The Boy was on the committee for planning this three-day event but will miss today's activities because of football.  He isn't the only one, as we have four boys in our ward who play for one of the HS teams, but he was the only one of those that was a member of the committee.  I guess that is a lesson he needs to learn better. (I'm crossing my fingers for the trek committee.  He could really use that!)

The whole theme of the weekend is family history centered.  I think that is nice, but our ward sure seems bent on pounding this into us.  I've been taking the Family History class for Sunday school--by request.  And while I have done the assignments I haven't given it my all because I just don't seem to have time to do everything we are lacking.  (Amendment: I have been in the class long before the Olympics began on TV...and I know I have had lots of TV time this week....but that is different.  Right?!)

I am not sure if it is our bishop or the whole ward council who sees the Family History as an issue our wards needs to take care of, like, yesterday.  That is a little mystery to me.  But the youth will be marinated in family history activities all weekend.  Maybe The Girl will get the itch to do some research too.  She already goes to the temple once a week for baptisms--but just does the temple's names.  She gets the importance of it, but hasn't jumped on the research-bandwagon.

I guess, here's hoping.

Genius Golfer is with the kids throughout the conference.  That is one of the perks of being self-employed (as we like to call it here).  He has a pretty free schedule....besides the golfing.  And event hat he has put on hold for a couple of days.  That is serious, for him.

Out of the Blue

Today was one of those days you don't see coming.  Well, the morning at least.  It isn't quite one o'clock yet but the day has filled in really well already.

I got up this morning and felt like I should go to the temple.  Normally I go once a week with a friend and I hadn't even asked her what her schedule was like yet for a planned trip together to the temple.  But feeling like I should go, I just got ready, got the kids off to school, and went.  And I'm glad I did.

I didn't go with a pressing concern or worry.  I didn't even have a special blessing I was seeking.  I just felt that I should go, and I did.  Occasionally you do get immediate bonus points for being obedient to those kind of promptings.  Today was filled with bonus points.

"Tender mercies", as Nephi the Book of Mormon prophet explains them, sort of encapsulate what I felt today.  Just reaffirmations that I am loved, that I matter, that the Lord is aware of me and is watching out for me, and that things will all turn out OK.

With Genius Golfer's plan to work for himself, I have felt an increasing anxiety about finances lately.  Some of it is the new year and the resolutions that typify the season.  But some of it is my own need for security.  One of the things I felt strongly is that financially things will work out fine, so long as I get out of GG's way and let him do his work.  That was a very welcome prompting.

Another came with the idea that I am doing what God wants me to be doing.  Sometimes I get caught up in the day to day goings on with both PTA and my Young Women calling, and today I felt that both of those, along with my work at home--for my own family--was fine.  I am doing what I need to be doing.

I wish I was more perfectly in spiritual tune often enough to feel that more regularly, but I am very grateful to feel that once in a while, at least.  Sort of like a spiritual progress report.  I need to recognize that more often to keep my head in the game, so to speak.

So, today I am especially thankful to feel the Spirit in my life, to recognize God's love and to feel some sense of approval from my Heavenly Father.  All of that, given to me out of the blue this morning.

ED: Just got this quote (Thanks, Al Fox!) and it completely fits why I write thing like this post. 
"Knowledge carefully recorded is knowledge available in time of need. Spiritually sensitive information should be kept in a sacred place the communicates to the Lord how you treasure it. That practice enhances the likelihood of your receiving further light."--Richard G. Scott

Finding Meaning

This morning, very early, I attended a session of the temple.  As I sat in the quiet peaceful chapel, I remembered the date today.  Nineteen years ago today I was sitting in a very similar place, in Oakland, CA, awaiting my very first temple session.

It seems a long time ago, yet like it was yesterday.  I guess that describes a lot of my life.

When I first attended the temple, I was probably not mature enough to comprehend all that was actually taking place.  I knew it was the right thing to do, and I knew it meant a great deal.  I also recognized that I was about to make sacred covenants with my Father in Heaven.  I don't think I understood the blessings that come from making and keeping those covenants.

Even nineteen years later I am not sure I understand it all, or even can logically comprehend--with my mortal understanding--the blessings that I have been given.  A temple is God's house, dedicated to Him for the blessing of His children.  We go for the first time for ourselves, to obtain the blessings for us personally.  You only do that once. 

Every other time we go back, we receive those same blessings fro another; one whom has already passed from mortality and cannot make the same covenants in a physical way.  The promises are theirs, if they choose to accept them.  They may not.  But I believe that most do.  Having a more eternal perspective, having passed on from this life, they may understand more than we do the significance of the covenants made in the the temples.

I hope that as I continue to attend the temple I may come to comprehend how those promises of God really have affected me and my family.  It is those blessings, after all, that  helped to create a family with an ability to be together forever if we live in accordance to the covenants I made.  In my heart I know that is an unmatched promise.  I am sure it will become more and more significant as I grow older, and with any luck, wiser.

When I look at my children and know that they are promised to always be mine, as I live obedient to God's laws, I love them even more.  When I know that I am working toward an eternal marriage with Genius Golfer, it makes the efforts we make all the more meaningful.  Recognizing that I am linked to my parents, grandparents and great parents, and all who have come before me as well as all who will come after me in one binding chain of family is a blessings I am only starting to come to grips with.  Perhaps it will take eternity to comprehend and understand that blessing.

This morning I felt a sense of inspiration and reassurance that God was in charge of things.  He knew what was happening in my life, what weighed on my heart and worried my mind.  Yet, He is directing all the things around me.  He knows what is best for me and what I need to experience to prove myself obedient and worthy to live with Him again someday.  Just knowing I can let go of the worry and heartache I have felt gives me joy.  I do not have to be responsible for more than myself.  I can't control what other people do or say so I just need to curtail my own errors and infractions and make it better each day.

That is the kind of peace I was looking for today.  And really, isn't that the kind of peace we each are looking for, every day?  I am so blessed to know where that peace comes from and from Whom it comes.  Nothing like that kind of peace is found in the world.  It's only found in the Lord.  And today, as always, I give thanks to Him for that.

Sixth Sense of Gratitude

6) Today I am grateful that I live five minutes from our temple. I went this morning and had to wait about 20 minutes to get in to do initiatory work. I am grateful that so many people were at the temple today that I had to wait.

I am grateful for the names on the cards I had today who are members of our family. I am grateful that my mom has researched the documentation to prepare these names. I am very grateful that I get to go to do the work without having to do the research.

So I guess you can say, I am grateful to be in the temple where I do work for "dead people". hehehe.

Have a great weekend, my friends!

Sigh of Relief

Last night was our Stake YW Standards Night. I was assigned to speak, which is usually fine, but last night's message didn't come together until just beforehand. I hate not knowing what I am supposed to say until right before I am supposed to say it. So for my posting today, here is the message I gave the girls and their leaders.

To preface this, we have spent all of October in our stake focusing on the temple. My assignment was to tie the YW Personal Progress program to making and keep covenants. That is what I was assigned. This is what I ended up with:

We are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us, and we love Him.
You are a beloved daughter of Heavenly Father, prepared to come to earth at this particular time for a sacred and glorious purpose. You have the noble calling to use your strength and influence for good. Your loving Heavenly Father has blessed you with talents and abilities that will help you fulfill your divine mission. Trough personal prayer, scripture study, obedience to the commandments, and service to others, you can develop these gifts. (1st presidency message in the Personal Progress book)

We will "stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places" (Mosiah 18:9) as we strive to live the Young Women values, which are:

The personal progress program uses eight YW values to help you understand more fully who you are, why you are here on earth, an what you should be doing as a daughter of God to prepare for the day you go to the temple and make sacred covenants. (Personal Progress book, pg 7)

We believe as we come to accept and act upon these values,

2 Ne 10:23 -- Therefore, cheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves—to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life.


We will be prepared to strengthen home and family,
Use your influence to influence and bless your family, other young women, and the young men with whom you associate. Honor womanhood, support the priesthood, and treasure faithful motherhood and fatherhood. (1st presidency message in the PP Book)

Make and keep sacred covenants,

The temple endowment blessings are as essential for each of us as was our baptism. For this reason we are to prepare ourselves that we may be clean to enter the temple of God. (Robert D. Hales, Ensign, October 2009, pg 47)

2 Ne 11:5-- And also my soul delighteth in the covenants of the Lord which he hath made to our fathers; yea, my soul delighteth in his grace, and in his justice, and power, and mercy in the great and eternal plan of deliverance from death.

Receive the ordinances of the temple,
The opportunity to enter the temple and to take upon ourselves the sacred covenants therein is one of the greatest blessings available to us in mortality. Then, after we take upon us those covenants, our obedience in living them daily stands as a demonstration of our faith, love, devotion, and spiritual commitment to honor our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Our obedience also prepares us to live with them in the eternities. The temple’s saving ordinances are essential to—and even the central focus of—the eternal plan of happiness. (Elder Hales, Ensign, Oct 2009, pg 47)

And enjoy the blessings of exaltation.
The temple is a sacred edifice, a holy place, where essential saving ceremonies and ordinances are performed to prepare us for exaltation. It is important that we gain a sure knowledge that our preparation to enter the holy house and that our participation I these ceremonies and covenants are some of the most significant events we will experience in our mortal lives. (Elder Hales, Ensign, Oct 2009, pg 49)

The YW Personal Progress program is like a series of sign posts along this path of happiness. There are several years between the covenant you made at baptism before your next series of covenants to be made in the temple. Your personal progress program is there to guide you along the way. Did you ever think of it as a temple path guidebook? It is.

As you experience this program personally, and see your progress throughout the time you are in Young Women, you’ll also find that you have a stronger desire to be worthy to attend the temple. You’ll sense the blessings from simply being worthy to hold a temple recommend. You may even see the blessings of attending the temple now, to do baptisms for others who have gone before you. You will feel the Spirit bear testimony to you that the temple is the next step, your next goal, where you will be able to covenant with your Heavenly Father again. And you know, from your past experiences, that any time you are obedient to a commandment, He will bless you for it. You know blessings unmeasured await you making those sacred covenants with the Lord in the temple.

The purpose of the Personal Progress program is to guide you along the Lord’s path from your covenant of Baptism to the next opportunity to make and keep sacred covenants—to be worthy to enter the temple.

Why do we make such a big deal out of preparing for the temple? Because it is a big deal!

Elder Lance B. Wickham, in New Era, October 2009 said, “When we visit the temple as often as distance and individual circumstance permit, the temple will be in us. Then, despite the buffetings of life, we will always be in a holy place.”

This week I sat in the temple, thinking about this evening and what I would share with you. A wise, kind friend was with me and at one point she whispered, “Do you hear the wind blowing? I’m glad I’m in here and not out there in the storm.” We were safe within the sacred wall of God’s holy house. No earthly storm could bother us there.

Can you understand the power that you gain by being in the temple?

Alma 18: 35 --And a portion of that Spirit dwelleth in me, which giveth me knowledge, and also power according to my faith and desires which are in God.

Can you comprehend the protection that comes from being worthy to be in the temple?

Elder Boyd K. Packer, in The Holy Temple, said, “When members of the Church are troubled or when crucial decisions weigh heavily upon their minds, it is a common thing for them to go to the temple. It is a good place to take our cares. In the temple w can receive spiritual perspective.” (pg 180)

Can you imagine the blessings you are entitled to by attending the temple?

Elder Packer, said, “…The Lord will bless us as we attend to the sacred ordinance work of the temples. Blessings there will not be limited to our temple service. We will be blessed in all of our affairs. We will be eligible to have the Lord take an interest in our affairs both spiritual and temporal.” (Boyd K. Packer, in The Holy Temple, pg. 182)

We concentrate so much of our focus on being prepared for the temple because our preparation makes all the difference.

Elder Packer taught, “What we gain from the temple will depend to a large on what we take to the temple in the way of humility and reverence and a desire to learn. If we are teachable we will be taught by the Spirit, in the temple.” (Boyd K. Packer, in The Holy Temple, pg. 42)

Does being worthy to go to the temple equate to the proverbial fairy tale “happily ever after”?

Elder Packer, again, wrote, “A life of righteousness does not necessarily lift from any soul the trials and difficulties, suffering and concerns of life. But the righteous do have some protection and blessings, and there is power working in their behalf.” (Boyd K. Packer, in The Holy Temple, pg. 104)

Not everyone will have the chance to marry and raise a family in this life. But we can each prepare and be worthy to receive our own blessings—our endowments, our gifts from the Lord in the temple to grow personally. We will be blessed as we do this.

When we are TEMPLE WORTHY, we will also be WORLD READY—no matter what comes our way because we have strengthen our faith, exercised repentance and made covenants with our Heavenly Father.

The temple is not the end of this path but another gate by which to pass. The end of our desired path is our eternal home with our Father in Heaven. We must persevere and endure to that end.

The reason we emphasize the temple so much is because we love you and know that living in accordance with the commandments of our loving Heavenly Father will bring you happiness and true joy.

The power and confidence you will have as you are prepared and worthy to enter God’s holy house will go with you wherever you are. You will be more prepared to serve others, to teach the gospel, to love those around you, to become like our Savior.

May I share a blessing with you that I experienced recently as I attended the temple earlier this year? I had received some unwelcome news from my sister. I was angry and lost my temper with the Lord. It was really more of a spiritual temper tantrum. I demanded to know how He could let something like this happen. Did He not see the consequences of this and how it would affect our family? And as I thought of this one situation, and while I was still angry, I demanded to know how the Lord could even permit things like this happen in the world? How come He didn’t just figure out another way to wipe our all the evil and iniquity in the world that continually affect His children, especially all that affects those who are trying to do what is right? My heart was weighed down with the state of the world, and the state of the situation my sister had recently been dealt. I went to the temple to try to understand a world I saw as out of control.

I sat in the chapel and listened to the soft melodies of our beautiful hymns played on the organ. I tried to calm down and open my heart to His answers. As the session began, I bowed my head and asked Heavenly Father to forgive me of my anger and my tantrum but told Him that my concerns still felt valid and I needed to know what to do to deal with all the evil in the world.

I listened with attention. I felt myself open to the Spirit. As I heard the Savior’s crucifixion taught again I felt my heart fill with understanding. I felt the love our Savior has for this evil, rotten, no fair world. I felt the love He has for me. I felt the love He has for my sister and her family. I felt the love He has for all God’s children. I heard the Holy Ghost tell me that He knew my concerns and while they were valid, I didn’t need to be stressed out about them: fear, pain, hurt, heartbreak, disappointment, discouragement, powerlessness, worry. He had taken care of all of them. Already. They are all covered by His atonement. He will take care of every one of them.

That is the blessing I felt as I attended the temple that day. I was blessed with an increase of understanding, of power, of knowledge, of testimony of the divinity of our Savior. I testify to you that being in the temple gives access to power from on High, and to receive direction from that same perfect, loving, understanding source. There is no better place to be to receive that kind of personal attention from our Heavenly Father. I know that making and keeping sacred covenants will bless your life. I testify that the blessings that come as you follow God’s path of happiness, stopping when and where appropriate to make these sacred covenants with our Heavenly Father is a reward all on its own. I also know that we cannot comprehend all the blessings our Father has in store for us as we obey his commandments and follow the example of His Son. But our obedience and willingness to make and keep His sacred covenants will afford us blessings unmeasured now and through the eternities.

Temple Trek

Last might the majority of our stake's youth took a Temple Trek. We met at the stake center building and watched the short movie about John Moyle called "Only a Stonecutter". This man walked 22 miles to work on the SL temple back in the 1880s. Even following a farm accident which cost him his lower leg, he fitted himself with a wooden one and learned to walk in it so he could make the hike again to work on the temple.

Following that movie, we walked to the temple. It was only about 2.5 miles. We did in as a group in less than an hour.

the point was made to the kids once we were there that they know the way. They know what they need to do to go inside the temple. Their bishops (who were there) are here to help them be prepared to go. They needed to commit to going, just like Brother Moyle. Like him, they need to know the temple is for them. It is their call, as well, to be a temple going people.

Not bad for a stake activity. The weather even held out for us. The storm blew in after we are all back safely. I love it when that happens.