Well it has been another wonderful week! This morning as I thought about what I could share with you, I felt inspired to express a few of the feelings I have been having regarding the temple. Last week we were able to have interviews with our mission President and I asked him, ¨How can I remember more clearly the temple and the covenants I have made there because it has been such a long time since I have gone and I want to remember the peace I felt and the promises I made¨ he suggested that I read the book Preparing to Enter the Holy Temple and picture in my mind what it was like while attending the temple.
I followed his suggestion and have been doing that this past week. As I have pondered, meditated, and pleaded for help to understand and remember the temple God has helped me to feel the special spirit that comes from the House of the Lord. We have been trying to focus on preparing all of the members to attend the temple in December and one of the scriptures we have been sharing is in Alma 26: 5,6
5 Behold, the field was ripe, and blessed are ye, for ye didthrust in the sickle, and did reap with your might, yea, allthe day long did ye labor; and behold the number of yoursheaves! And they shall be gathered into the garners, thatthey are not wasted. 6 Yea, they shall not be beaten down by the storm at thelast day; yea, neither shall they be harrowed up by thewhirlwinds; but when the storm cometh they shall begathered together in their place, that the storm cannotpenetrate to them; yea, neither shall they be driven withfierce winds whithersoever the enemy listeth to carry them.
The garners could be represented as the temples in and in verse 6 it explains that if we are gathered in the temples we will be able to be protected from the storm and stronger to fight against Satan`s temptations. I know that is true and want to invite each of you to take advantage of having a temple that is so close to you. I can not explain how much I miss being able to go to the temple and never realized how privelaged to live so close to one until that privlaged was taken away for a short time. Many members here long to go but cannot afford the long trip to Santiago, but continue saving their money and are faithfully preparing for the temple that will soon be here in Concepciòn. I know that if we are always looking towards the temple we will be guided to our Heavenly Father`s prescence again and be able to find a new peace and light in our lives.
I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week. Thanks for you love, prayers, and constant support.
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Parkin