Family History Matters

Family History Matters

At the San Antonio Temple on Saturday, we met a missionary who said that he and his wife were assigned to help new members get to the temple with family names as soon as possible. We were there with Carmen and the Sisters doing exactly that. Carmen, a member for exactly one week, was there with her father’s name and other family names to begin their work in the waters of baptism. It was a touching and beautiful thing to watch the young people from our District performing baptisms for the dead at the temple. Our seminary boys were baptizing, and young men, women, and adults were doing work for their family members. In the San Antonio Temple the baptistry is just inside the front doors. We can stand at the large picture window and watch these ordinances being done in the keyhole-shaped font beneath beautiful stained-glass windows glowing in the morning sun. The font does indeed look like a keyhole with the steps leading into the waters that open the door to ordinances and covenants needed for eternal life.

Carmen was so excited. She told me that her dad and mom had been taught by the missionaries and often fed them before she was born when they lived in Mexico. Her parents often talked together about the things they were learning about the gospel. Then they came to the U.S. and life got busy; they lost track of the missionaries but never lost their interest in the gospel. Carmen’s dad died a few years ago, and Carmen had a spiritual witness that her dad wanted her to get baptized and do his temple work. We had five more convert baptisms in Laredo on Saturday. It is such a blessing to be here and see people making these covenants! We just heard that President Nelson will be coming to the Alamo Center in San Antonio in November!

After we had lunch, we returned to the temple so the sisters could meet with an investigator and pray with her. Norma had postponed her baptismal date, waiting for her answer—a spiritual confirmation of the truth. The sisters invited her to come to the temple to pray for her answer. Because Norma was visiting a friend in San Antonio, she came. She cried and prayed. Carmen and the sisters sat and talked with her. She said she finally felt peace, and they explained to her that is how the Holy Ghost touches our hearts and bears witness of the truth. Norma had attended church with a friend, and was referred to the missionaries. Forces of the world, and friends who pull against God’s church, are fighting against the great work of Jesus Christ and His missionaries. The temple is a place of spiritual peace and love. Another set of missionaries had a family there, too. They are teaching the family and wanted them to feel the sweet spirit that flows from the temple.

Most of the branches are having their Primary Sacrament Meeting Program this coming Sunday. We heard some practices this week, and we are so touched by the spirit of children’s music in the Church. In English or in Spanish, these little people sing the songs of the gospel with all their hearts. I noticed especially one little girl who was baptized with her family only last week. Some sing to the piano, and some sing to a cellphone, but however they are accompanied, the sweet testimonies of the children’s singing melts my heart!

In institute last week we were talking about “a marvelous work is about to come forth” (meaning the restored church of Jesus Christ). We were asking our newest members what is “marvelous” about the gospel to them. They had many answers, but one that touched my heart was from a new member who said that as she tries to read and understand the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine & Covenants she finds more and more of what promises and blessings come from living the gospel.

Yesterday, we walked into 1st Branch as our dear friend Jackie, who has Down Syndrome, was leading the music. Her dad was at the back of the chapel, encouraging and directing her. She stood there with such joy, not singing, but leading us all. Her arms were both lifted high and her eyes were looking upward as if she were dedicating the music and her service to God. The sacrament song was especially moving. “Once a meek and lowly lamb, now in glory comes to earth!” Jim’s eyes filled with tears as we watched one of His most meek and lowly worshipping with all her heart through the music. Of course, it also reminded us of Cameron. When Jill put the video of Cam singing “I Am a Child of God” on Facebook, it brought our day full-circle. The worth of souls is great. Jim always thinks of these special needs kids who will someday be glorified in body and mind when they again meet our Savior.

Thousands of bugs swarming through the air! It may be the two weeks of rain, but all of a sudden, there are all kinds of insects darkening the sky, smacking against our windshield, and being a general nuisance. The temperatures have dropped into the high 80s, which is a relief, but no fall colors in sight. It is very green!

Jim lost a crown, so we are trying to find a dentist who can glue it back on. We really do not want to fly home for such an un-fun reason! Jim is on the phone with our dentist at home, trying to decide what to do. Now that the heat has abated, we feel much better generally. We are glad that we joined the gym to do our walking inside. It is either too hot for old people, too steamy for old people, or too stormy for old people.

Please continue to pray for us every day with your families. We try to include all of you in our prayers. We love you—our kids, grandkids, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews. We know that you all face the difficulties of life, as do we. This morning in seminary we studied D&C 19, and learned this principle: If we do the will of the Lord, He will give us blessings that are greater than the riches of the earth. We love you all! You will be blessed for your goodness and service.