Salt Lake Temple Reopened

10 February 2018

The Salt Lake City Temple reopened this week (after being closed for three weeks for winter maintenance) and about half of our zone attended a session together on Tuesday. It was lovely.

Back Row: Elder Peacock, Elder Keeley, Elder Jarvis, Elder Gale, Elder Sparrow, Elder Blamires, Elder Clark, Elder Barry, Elder Crenshaw

Front Row: Elder Durrant, Elder Howes, Sister Tilley, Elder Jacobsen, Sister Sparrow, Sister Blamires, Sister Clayton, Sister Eastman, Sister Barry, Sister Crenshaw, Sister Boyter

(Can you tell which of our sisters used to be an elementary school teacher?) :-)

President and Sister Fenn visited our morning, zone devotional on Thursday. It’s the first time they’ve done that. He is such an interesting speaker. I wish I had his recall for scriptures!

His topic was unusual in that he spoke about death — and how the death of the righteous is precious unto God. (“Precious” being something of great worth.) He spoke of the Savior and his apostles participating in the Passover feast just before the Savior’s death and resurrection. New Testament accounts tell us that they sang a hymn and then they “went out.” Because it was Passover, the hymn they sang would have been the Hallel – which is Psalms 113 – 118. One of those verses, Psalms 116:15, says, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of the saints.” So, the Savior would have sung those words just prior to his own death.

President Fenn has often commented that the Lord customizes the experiences of the righteous – of those who follow Him and desire to serve Him. Of course, the Savior had a perfect understanding of what he would be experiencing. For me, however, it’s sometimes difficult to see why we have some of the experiences we do. It’s hard to see some experiences as being “customized” for me – and yet, I can also see how some of the more difficult ones have strengthened me and helped to shape who I am. And, ultimately, it’s faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ, that is the foundation that sees us through.

I am grateful that we have the scriptures to guide us, and for the restored gospel of Jesus Christ to help us navigate through this earth life.