A few weeks ago I had a wonderful experience. All of you know the Stake Presidency and High Counsel on the third Sunday, attend and speak in each ward. As members of the Stake Presidency we do not speak as often as the High Counsel, so there are a few ward's I haven't spoken to in years. Accompanying the stake representative is a recently returned missionary.
The missionary assigned to me that day was my son, who had recently returned from his mission in Argentina. The change that comes over these young men and women during their missions is amazing. These young people leave as boys and girls and come home as powerful servants of God. So the normally wonderful experience, was enhanced by the love and excitement of being with my son. I told the congregation that I anticipated that he would use a certain scripture - 1 Nephi 1:1 - adding his own name in the verse to give it more meaning.
"I (Spencer) having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father."
Now, I was kidding when I brought it up - but, I do hope that this is one of the things he feels he could say. I remember as I was preparing my remarks, I searched the scriptures looking for verses that had to do with the love or an association of a parent and their child.
My favorite one I found was in the beginning of Mormon's epistle to his son Moroni given in Moroni 8: 2-3.
"My beloved son, Moroni, I rejoice exceedingly that your Lord Jesus Christ hath been mindful of you, and hath called you to his ministry, and to his holy work."
"I am mindful of you always in my prayers, continually praying unto God the Father in the name of his Holy Child, Jesus, that he, through his infinite goodness and grace, will keep you through the endurance of faith on his name to the end."
Every loving parent would hope and pray that God would keep and support their children. Their salvation and progression is / or should be our top priority. We all get excited when our loved ones are worthy and used by the Lord to future his kingdom.
These feeling aren't just for our children - but they are also for our parents and extended families, and they for us. One of the greatest mysteries of the gospel to the world is that these relationships and concerns reach beyond the vail and are eternal in nature.
When is the last time / or have you ever stopped to personalize the existence of your ancestors. Your greater grand parents first kiss - the love they had for their children. The heart ache of losing one of their children. These shouldn't just be names on a sheet of paper - they are individuals that danced, sang and hopefully enjoyed life and the love of their family. I don't know if they thought much about us - but if they did they wanted us to be happy and have the things we need. I'm sure they also want these family relationships to continue and grow into the eternities. This can only do done in the temples of God, which most of our Ancestors didn't have an opportunity to attend.
I read a quote the other day from President Hinckley that made me think a little differently about how significant temple work and redeeming the dead should be. He pointed out that the words of the Prophet Malachi forecasting the coming of Elijah to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the children to the fathers, was given multiple time to the Prophet Joseph Smith, long before he received the golden plates, before he received the priesthood, was baptized or even the church of Jesus Christ was organized. That night and morning as the angel Moroni appeared to the young prophet four times - each time he recited this declaration. Quoting it slightly different than what is printed in the King James Bible. Indeed this message was so important to the restoration of the gospel and the salvation of all mankind that it needed to be given in a method that would not be forgotten.
One might ask what this statement means?
"To turn the hearts" In a recent church publication it states - "(It) means that individuals and families feel a spiritual awakening as they serve their deceased relatives and experience the joy of being active participants in a fundamental part of Heavenly Father's plan of salvation. Participation in temple and family history work touches the soul as the Holy Ghost bears witness to the eternal nature of families."
On April 3, 1836, the Prophet Elijah appeared in the Kirtland Temple and restored the keys of the sealing power, fulfilling the prophecy that had been given. Enabling families to be sealed together forever. "Whatsoever is bound on earth would be bound in heaven."
This made it possible for that eternal nature to be completed. Families to be together forever.
Elder Russell M Nelson - stated.
" Elijah came to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the children to the fathers. With that, natural affection between generations began to be enriched. This restoration was accomplished by what is sometimes called the Spirit of Elijah -- a manifestation of the Holy Ghost bearing witness of the divine nature of the family."
I believe it is important to point out that the Spirit of Elijah - is in reality a manifestation of the Holy Ghost. The mission of the Holy Ghost is to bear witness of the the Father and His Son Jesus Christ - and the importance of their gospel and teachings. The Spirit of Elijah brings with it an increased desire to redeem those that haven't had the opportunity to receive the blessings of the gospel. There's a joy and excitements that comes through these experiences. Those of us that have participated in finding and redeeming the dead cherish those experiences and the spirit that accompanies it.
President Thomas S Monson -
"In my own family, some of our most sacred and treasured experiences have occurred when we have joined together in the temple to preform sealing ordinances for our deceased ancestors.... The all-important and crowning blessings of membership in the church are those blessings which we receive in the temples of God."
In our stake conference last October I spoke of some of my ancestors that I was able to find and take to the temple. In November, a month later - the day after our son returned from his mission, we as a family went to the temple and preformed the baptisms and confirmations for a 100 individuals. All nine of our immediate family members were there to participate. Our son who had been away for two years was able to baptize his sisters and mother for individuals that hadn't had the opportunity in this life to receive these wonderful blessings. I was then able to performed the confirmations. Like President Monson this has become one of my most sacred treasured experiences.
The events surrounding the process of finding and performing the ordinances of salvation for my ancestors have been immeasurable. The Spirit of Elijah had changed my being - whom and what I am. On multiple occasions I have found names - seemingly by accident that weren't there just a short time before. I've had impressions that names belonged to a certain family, when everything on the screen seemed to shows otherwise, only to link those names together a short time later. Perhaps the most miraculous part of this experience, is that just six months ago I sat in a training meeting given by Elder Bednar, where he talked about our participation in this great work of redeeming the dead. I thought how I had never found an individual to take to the temple - the spirit bore witness to me that I needed to change that.
Now as a family, we have found 100's of names and preformed 100's of ordinances. A few months ago my wife and I went to the temple for our ward temple night. Another couple convinced us to skip the session and do some sealing. None of the names being sealed that night were ones that I had found. What took place in that sealing room is perhaps the most spiritual experience I have had during this process - I was overcome with the spirit, I felt the presence of my ancestors - those whom's names I have been working on. The message was extremely clear - this was their ultimate goal, to be sealed together as families. Tears filled my eyes and I literally started to quiver. Lori sat next to me and asked what was wrong. I relayed to her some of what I was feeling. I was allowed to feel their presence - even though none of their names were being done that night. What a wonderful tender experience this was. These feelings have helped me to continue to accomplish this work.
Brothers and sisters, it takes time to do the temple work for so many individuals. But in the next few week we as a family will go to the temple and start the final ordinances for those first names - the binding of individuals and families for eternity. I envision - maybe a bit selfishly, all of those spirits - that were connected on earth, will be there to be bound together eternally. Perhaps my deceased parents will be allowed to join in - maybe these are some of the individuals that they have been teaching in the spirit world. Perhaps they may say, it's about time - Paul got this done.
Brothers and sisters I have had some extremely strong impressions why I have had so much success in this area. First, that my ancestors have accepted the gospel and are excited to partake of the blessings and ordinances necessary for their eternal salvation. Second it has been a tender mercy and testimony builder in my life that I have so desperately needed. The amount of revelation and personal inspiration is one of the strongest I have ever experienced. I still have many areas of growth that need to take place. But my testimony of the existence of a loving Father and the Savior Jesus Christ are as strong as they have ever been. And lastly, I have felt an increased responsibility to inspire and testify to the members of this wonderful stake and my extended family the importance of this great work. There are millions of spirits anxiously awaiting their opportunity to partake of these blessings. Many of which have connections to each of us in this room. If your having a hard time finding a name to take to the temple - keep trying, our ancestors know where their records are and will help you find them. But still continue to go to the temple to do the works for the names that are already there. If you don't hold a current temple recommend or have never been to the temple - don't wait another moment to do the things necessary to make these blessing part of your life.
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