Week 19 September 27 - October 3 2016

Pretty quiet week so far.  They have been working in the building and the noise has been terrible.  Wednesday they turned off the water but it has been quiet.  Just reading a book and Paul is sleeping.  A couple came to the temple last night from Idaho who had not done initiatories for 40 years.  What a pleasure to serve them.  The session were not bad and we had a few baptisms come in.

Sister Cruz has been coming to the temple at least twice a week when her son comes to work close to the temple.  She always starts in initiatory and does them until the 7:45 session.

Friday we went as a evening group to Excellent Dumplings for the last trip of the Rogers and Wilson for excellent Chinese food.  Afterward we wandered around Chinatown and found a cap and scarf for Kimberly and Courtney.  We all got back in plenty of time for our 4 pm assignment.

MJ, Janice, Mindi, Paul, Terry, Melba, Shelli, John and Paul

Paul went to Priesthood session out at Kingbridge 2nd.  They were meeting early for root beer floats.  We watched the first session Saturday in the Manhattan Bldg. along with the young missionaries and few other members.  We were with Elder Tabor.

Elder Sumsion was at the Priesthood session so Paul got a picture

Paul and William before the session

Sunday morning we left at 5:30 to travel to Connecticut.  Grand Central to catch the train

After picking up the car in Stamford we drove to Farmington Connecticut.  We found a chapel where they were showing conference.  Not too many were there but after the first session the members there feed the missionaries.  They invited us to stay and join them.  What a great group of people. The new Temple President for this temple is from their Stake so they know him well.  These people have been serving in the Boston Temple.

Elders downing some awesome dessert topped with whipping cream

We had a wonderful tour of the temple.  It is beautiful.  A small temple on one floor but all the rooms are large.  It was a wonderful day.  We made it back to Manhattan in time for our dinner at the Bennions. 

Some of the beautiful colors we saw on our way back.  Fall is definitely here and is gorgeous.

 President and Sister Steve and Marj Bennion hosted a farewell dinner for all those leaving this month.  The Rogers, from Las Vegas, have been here for 23 months and have been wonderful leaders in the temple and among the missionaries.  They trained us when we arrived.   They have also organized all our missionary outings, which have been wonderful.  They served as Recovery Addition missionaries and in the Nauvoo Temple.

Sister Janice Wilson comes from the Teaton Valley area and has been here one year.  Such a worker and example of service.  Her husband passed away from cancer and then she went on to care for her mother and a sister and finally accepted a call to serve in the Manhattan Temple.  Her grandson is married to President and Sister Bennion's daughter and her oldest daughter and son-in-law are now serving as President of the Adriatic North Mission (Croatia/Slovenia Mission).  She lives next door to us and is always sharing her baking and culinary talents with us.  They will all be very missed. 

Paul and Mindi Rogers and Janice Wilson

Roberats, Wilson, Bennion, Rogers,Roberts, Mumfords, Lewis, McKenna, Holloway, Buchanan, Grimley, Harris on back row

Those who were leaving each shared their thoughts and testimonies.  Very inspiring and so grateful to serve with all these wonderful people.  The first row above shared their thoughts.

Thoughts from conference:

President Monson's remarks in the October 2016 General Conference

This April during general conference, the news and social media tended to fixate on one aspect of President Thomas S. Monson's general conference talks: their length.

While this led some to speculate and guess at the reasons, I became amazed that most of these posts missed one remarkable aspect of these talks. It's something I've seen yet again this October.  

President Thomas S. Monson stood at the pulpit as a prophet of God and delivered messages we so desperately needed to hear. I can't imagine how taxing it must be for the leaders of our Church to fly around the world attending meetings and temple dedications even while they receive new revelation and implement inspired programs in our Church, such as the new teaching curriculum.

Despite all this, President Monson and the rest of our apostles sacrifice so much of themselves to guide us and be there for the members of the Church.

It doesn't matter the length of President Monson's messages—he said words that I needed to hear. He shared truths that every member of the Church needs to know—ones that apply so pointedly and poignantly to what we need most today, right now in our lives.

For just a moment, don't worry about length or anything else and just listen to these inspired words of a prophet, from this and last conference:

"We read in the Doctrine and Covenants, section 121, verse 36, “The rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven.” What a wonderful gift we have been given. Ours is the responsibility to guard and protect that priesthood and to be worthy of all the glorious blessings our Father in Heaven has in store for us—and for others through us.

"Wherever you go, your priesthood goes with you. . . . Remember who you are and what God expects you to become. You are a child of promise. You are a man of might. You are a son of God," ("A Sacred Trust," April 2016).

"May we maintain the courage to defy the consensus. May we ever choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong.

"As we contemplate the decisions we make in our lives each day—whether to make this choice or that choice—if we choose Christ, we will have made the correct choice" ("Choices," April 2016).

"In 1833 the Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith a plan for healthy living. That plan is found in the 89th section of the Doctrine and Covenants and is known as the Word of Wisdom. It gives specific direction regarding the food we eat, and it prohibits the use of substances which are harmful to our bodies.

"Those who are obedient to the Lord’s commandments and who faithfully observe the Word of Wisdom are promised particular blessings, among which are good health and added physical stamina [see D&C 89:18–20]. …

"May we care for our bodies and our minds by observing the principles set forth in the Word of Wisdom, a divinely provided plan. With all my heart and soul, I testify of the glorious blessings which await us as we do" (October 2016 Priesthood Session).

"Essential to the plan is our Savior, Jesus Christ. Without His sacrifice, all would be lost. It's not enough, however, merely to believe in Him and His mission. We need to work and learn, serve and pray, repent and improve. We need to know God's laws and live them. We need to receive His saving ordinances. Only by so doing will we find true, eternal happiness. We are blessed to have the truth and have a mandate to share the truth. Let us live the truth that we might merit all that the Father has for us. He does nothing save for our benefit . . . 

"From the depths of my soul and in all humility I testify of the great gift which is our Father's plan for us. It is the one perfect plan to peace and happiness, both here and in the world to come" (October 2016 Sunday Morning Session).

We have loved conference.  I was especially happy for the emphasis on helping the missionaries in this great work.  Joy Joy Joy because we have this wonderful gospel no matter what trials come our way.

So pleased that Brayden listened to the April 2016 Priesthood session before Saturday night.  A new challenge given to them.  Memorize the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood D&C 84:33-41 and reread the Book of Mormon to gain a strong testimony of it's truthfulness and the Prophet Joseph Smith.

A beautiful week, we are so very blessed.