Ogden Temple Re-Dedication

Hey Everyone! I hope everything is going well with all of you!

Yesterday was AWESOME! We got to attend the Ogden Utah Temple Re-dedication via satellite broadcast. It was wonderful. Temples are so special and the things that we do there are important to our lives eternally.

Since our stake was included in attending the temple re-dedication, they cancelled regular Sunday services. As missionaries, we were a little worried because it's important for people to be able to attend church on Sundays. So, our Zone Leaders talked to the mission president and received permission to hold a devotional meeting in lieu of a regular church meeting tomorrow so all the people whom we are teaching could still attend church.

I was asked to speak at the devotional. While I was studying for my talk, and during my studies this morning, a few verses stood out to me. In Isaiah 54 (and 3 Nephi 22 ), it talks about how sometimes we have trials and we feel like God is far from us. As you read on in the chapter, you find out about some of the MANY promises that God has made to us, like protecting us and always being there for us. I really loved reading these chapters because it helped remind me that I am not alone in this world, even when things seem crazy and frustrating and way more than I can bare. And neither are you. The promise that God made to Noah (mentioned in these chapters) is available to ALL people, as long as they are willing to accept it. Our Heavenly Father loves us and wants to help us.

Also, I was reading Alma 7, verses 23 and 24. This couple of verses helped me to realize that I need to be more patient! Life gets crazy sometimes, and things happen, and people do things that are annoying or hurtful, but it isn't my place (or anyone else's) to become angry and bitter. Instead, we can be submissive, gentle, humble, patient, long-suffering, temperate, etc. See a pattern here?

Most of those are also fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Exemplifying these characteristics can help us bear the burdens of our lives, no matter how much we feel weighed down. You can do it. Though I can't be there physically next to you to help you (since I'm on a mission), I do support you and love you and pray for you. Every one of you is deeply important to me, as well as to your Heavenly Father.