Payson Temple / New Missionary

17 June 2017

Since I didn’t get a post written last week, I’ll start by mentioning the wonderful trip we took, with several others in our zone, to the Payson Temple, last Saturday (June 10). I think it’s my new favorite temple!! I posted some photos on Instagram, but will repeat them here, too.
What a fabulous place, and, the spirit was so strong, it was amazing!

We had another great mission conference this week. Brother Richard Turley, managing director of the Church public affairs department was the speaker. While he said several interesting things, something that stuck with me was what he related about the story of Nicodemus. Do you remember that story in the New Testament — of the Jewish ruler, Nicodemus, who wanted to know more, and went to see Jesus by night to talk to him? (Because of his position, he didn’t want anyone to know he was with Jesus, so he went under cover of darkness.) Bro. Turley said that, in Greek, the word that is used for “by night” is very specific, and means that the action taking place begins and ends within the specified time. Because of that we know Nicodemus went to Jesus when it was dark, and also left in the dark. In this case the spiritual seems to match the physical actions of Nicodemus. He was in the presence of the Savior, the Light of the World, and, yet, he refused to receive that light. (Later accounts of his actions give us hope that he may have become a believer at some point – but, not that night.) It was interesting to go back and read the account in John 3 after hearing Bro. Turley’s talk.

We are feeling blessed! Yesterday, we finally got another full-time missionary in our zone! (Woot!!) It’s been almost five months since we were assigned any new missionaries – yet, we kept losing some we had (because of people completing their missions). We’re excited to have Sister Nickle in our zone, and hope this is the beginning of a trend.

In President Tate’s talk at the “Go Forth” meeting, yesterday, he mentioned a verse in the Old Testament, Ezra 7:10, that he said tells us everything we need to know about serving the Lord. It says, “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek for the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.” — 1. Prepare your heart / 2. Seek (to know and understand) the law of the Lord / 3. Do it (obey) and, / 4. Teach others.

We are grateful to have the opportunity to serve in this mission, and especially to serve with a good man like President Warren G. Tate. We will miss him when he leaves the end of this month.

1 comment:

Patti said...

Bob Lee also said the Payson Temple is amazing. How wonderful that you were able to go there. I'm happy you have another full time missionary serving with you. Thank you for sharing the insight into the story of Nicodemus. I will go and read it. Have a great week!