Happy Everything!!
We are filled with happiness and joy as a result of the blessing of being able to participate in the amazing General Conference sessions yesterday and today.
We attentively listened to our Prophet's voice and were uplifted and edified by his words as well as the words of all of the inspiring speakers. Our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, love us so much and allow us to have these beautiful experiences when we are willing to receive with open hearts.
Right after conference ended, our text messages were ablaze with comments from our loved ones. Each had been touched deeply and were eager to share their feelings.
All General Conferences are amazing, but this one was exceptionally historic and life-changing.
We consider it a privilege to have been able to boldly stand with other Latter-day Saints to wholeheartedly sustain the new First Presidency and two new Apostles. Also we joyfully sustained the brethren called to serve as members of the Presidency of the Seventy, as new General Authority Seventies, as new Area Seventies, and the sisters called to serve in the Young Women and Primary General Presidencies.
We attentively listened to our Prophet's voice and were uplifted and edified by his words as well as the words of all of the inspiring speakers. Our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, love us so much and allow us to have these beautiful experiences when we are willing to receive with open hearts.
Right after conference ended, our text messages were ablaze with comments from our loved ones. Each had been touched deeply and were eager to share their feelings.
All General Conferences are amazing, but this one was exceptionally historic and life-changing.
Leaders and all members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
participated in a Solemn Assembly during General Conference.
participated in a Solemn Assembly during General Conference.
We consider it a privilege to have been able to boldly stand with other Latter-day Saints to wholeheartedly sustain the new First Presidency and two new Apostles. Also we joyfully sustained the brethren called to serve as members of the Presidency of the Seventy, as new General Authority Seventies, as new Area Seventies, and the sisters called to serve in the Young Women and Primary General Presidencies.
President Russel M. Nelson
President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor
President Henry B. Eyring, Second Counselor
Elder Ulisses Soares and Elder Gerrit W. Gong
“We want to bring temples closer to the expanding membership of the Church,” President Nelson 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.”
Along with these significant events, there were three extraordinary announcements over the two days:
One Melchizedek Priesthood Quorum
During
the General Priesthood Session Saturday evening, President Nelson
announced that ward High Priests Group and Elders Quorum will
now be combined into one Elders Quorum in the ward. Stake High Priests Quorums will be
based on current priesthood callings, e.g., Stake Presidency, functioning
Patriarchs, High Council, and Bishoprics. This “significant” restructuring of ward and stake
Melchizedek Priesthood quorums will help Melchizedek Priesthood holders
“accomplish the work of the Lord" more effectively.
Ministering replaces home and visiting teaching
During
the Sunday afternoon session, President Nelson announced that the separate programs of Home Teaching and
Visiting Teaching will be “retired,” becoming a coordinated effort
called “Ministering,” a “new and holier approach” to Christlike caring for
others and helping meet their spiritual and temporal needs.
AND
As the final session of the Church's 188th Annual General Conference came to a close, President Nelson announced plans to build seven new temples.
As the final session of the Church's 188th Annual General Conference came to a close, President Nelson announced plans to build seven new temples.
“We want to bring temples closer to the expanding membership of the Church,” President Nelson 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.”
The announced locations are:
- Salta, Argentina
- Bengaluru, India
- Managua, Nicaragua
- Cagayan de Oro, Philippines
- Layton, Utah
- Richmond, Virginia
- “a major city yet to be determined in Russia”
We were already emotional, but the announcement of the last location - Russia - brought even more tears to our eyes. We have a special fondness for the Saints of Russia since our Jeff honorably served in the Russia Novosibirsk Mission 1995-1997.
Старейшина Стюарт (Elder Stewart)
January, 1996
We have no idea how long it
will take for the completion of the temple in Russia, but we imagine we could
learn at least some Russian in about the same amount of time - several years!
We tried to learn just a few phrases back in 1997 before we travelled to Moscow
to meet Jeff at the end of his mission; it is a very, very difficult language to learn. Most likely, total immersion would be best. Serving again as Ordinance Workers in any
temple will be a tremendous honor and blessing, but to serve in Russia would be
incredible.
Jeff's family was also excited to hear the announcement for a temple in Layton, Utah since that is where they live. Blessings abound!
We were able to accomplish quite a few things this past week in connection with the ongoing humanitarian projects, but we just didn't take any pictures.
All businesses and stores were closed for Good Friday. We enjoyed the almost desolate streets which are usually teeming with vehicles of all shapes, sizes, speeds, and varying degrees of aggressiveness.
Since we couldn't conduct any business, and we didn't have any assignments from President Pearson who always tells us to enjoy the island, we were obedient to our Mission President and took the opportunity to go to a beautiful beach in Ocho Rios for a couple of hours.
For the trip back to Kingston, we took the Fern Gully Scenic Drive for part of the way. This is something we've talked about doing since we got here and first heard about it. It truly was absolutely gorgeous. We understand there are around 300 different species of ferns. People have told us this used to be even more lush; not sure how that could be possible.
Tomorrow is another holiday, Easter Monday, so everything will be closed again, but we will be back at it on Tuesday. This week is transfers, and we are involved in transporting missionaries on Wednesday and Saturday. We love it! There are 11 new elders and sisters arriving and only two elders going home. This transfer has so many companionship and area changes including sisters being sent to areas we've usually only had elders - even to the Caymans. Exciting times "to teach and preach and work as missionaries do."
Until next week...all our love.
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