As we were driving home, we got a phone call from Elder Joe Christiansen asking us to come to a meeting tomorrow morning here at the duplex. None of the missionaries would be going to Trenton to church. We would have a meeting and then break our fasts together. That sounds interesting. Lloyd left as soon as we got home to go to the car races with four other guys. They were so excited. I am excited to just stay home by myself and work on my rag rugs.
We were all ready and at the duplex by 8:30. There were parking places blocked off and we were all excited. Lloyd was asked to bless the sacrament along with Elder Rucker. At 9:00 in walked Elder Dieter Uchtdorf, his wife and their twin grandsons. It was so exciting to feel their spirits. The two grandsons turned 19 today and will be leaving on their missions next month. They live in Germany. The boys flew into New York City, the grandparents met them there, and the four of them have been taking a church history tour.
Elder Joe Christensen conducted the meeting and spoke first. He said that they love being at Adam-ondi-Ahman and at Spring Hill where Adam first offered sacrifice. When asked why he gave sacrifice Adam answered, “I know not, except I am commanded.” Adam also called all his posterity here at the end of his life and gave them a blessing and he will come again to bless all the people of the world. Elder Christensen compliments us on how things have been taken care of since the rain last week. He told us that only a few members of the Quorum of Twelve have ever come here, none for quite a while. This is a low-key mission. We are called here to maintain the land and to make it beautiful. Joseph Smith spent 22 nights here, usually in Lyman Wight’s home. They held meeting in the home. This is the first sacrament meeting presided over by a member of the Quorum of the Twelve since July 1838. In October of 1838, the extermination order was given and people left here. Adam-ondi-Ahman is often referred to as an outside temple.
Sister Uchtdorf spoke next. She bore her testimony and mentioned that even though it was hot and humid; she so felt the silence and peacefulness of the area. She said that she felt that each of us today and those from the past are all parts of a huge puzzle and each of us is important in getting the work done. She spoke of how sometimes it seems so strange that she is where she is today. She said she “was just a little girl from Germany; what has happened to me?” When her husband was first called to the Quorum, she felt peace and knew it was of God.
President Uchtdorf spoke last. He called his wife “the sunshine of my life.” He told us we are living in history and we are a part of the puzzle just like his wife said. The circle will be closing and the puzzle will be completed. It is not important where we serve, but how we serve. He told about how the Quorum met on the fourth floor of the temple after Pres. Hinckley died and what a spiritual experience it was to witness the mantle being past onto Thomas S. Monson. Pres. Monson then stood and said who he wanted for his counselors. President Uchtdorf was totally surprised when his name was called. He did not know until that moment. President Monson is the prophet of God today; he has a firm testimony of him. He told that President Monson is a very considerate and kind person. He spoke of how something that is sacred is often secret as well. Not that it cannot be told, but that it is sacred and should be kept to oneself. He spoke how the church is a universal church. It was only possible to have the restoration happen here in this country because of our freedom of religion, even though the Saints have been persecuted. He loves the song “America, the Beautiful.” Self-control is always needed. “You are the salt of the Earth.” This place will be ready when it is time. The Second Coming is a reality. The stumbling stones we encounter must be turn into stepping-stones. What we are doing here may also be helping people’s testimonies become stronger. WE are part of the history of the church. “I know it. God lives. He is with us.”
He left us by giving us an Apostolic blessing. In it, he said we will see miracles happen in our families, our close and extended families. He blessed us and told us the God knows us and has accepted our sacrifices. He will hear our prayers. We all broke our fast together up at the work center. Darline had prepared the meal all by herself since she could not tell any one what was happening. She had it decorated with read, white and blue. She had prepared ham, bake beans, lots of fresh vegetables, fresh fruit and brownies for dessert. It was a huge job. Elder Christensen had us sing for them. We sang the songs from when we had ward conference. We first same “Onward Christian Soldiers” and then “Secret Prayer.” When we looked over at Pres. Uchtdorf, he just had tears running down his cheeks. It was really was the best we ever sang. The Uchtdorfs were gracious and let us take their pictures as much as we wanted. Lloyd and I were able to talk with them about the Glendale 3rd Ward when we were in it together. Sister Uchtdorf told us that we were the highlight of their trip.
We were all ready and at the duplex by 8:30. There were parking places blocked off and we were all excited. Lloyd was asked to bless the sacrament along with Elder Rucker. At 9:00 in walked Elder Dieter Uchtdorf, his wife and their twin grandsons. It was so exciting to feel their spirits. The two grandsons turned 19 today and will be leaving on their missions next month. They live in Germany. The boys flew into New York City, the grandparents met them there, and the four of them have been taking a church history tour.
Elder Joe Christensen conducted the meeting and spoke first. He said that they love being at Adam-ondi-Ahman and at Spring Hill where Adam first offered sacrifice. When asked why he gave sacrifice Adam answered, “I know not, except I am commanded.” Adam also called all his posterity here at the end of his life and gave them a blessing and he will come again to bless all the people of the world. Elder Christensen compliments us on how things have been taken care of since the rain last week. He told us that only a few members of the Quorum of Twelve have ever come here, none for quite a while. This is a low-key mission. We are called here to maintain the land and to make it beautiful. Joseph Smith spent 22 nights here, usually in Lyman Wight’s home. They held meeting in the home. This is the first sacrament meeting presided over by a member of the Quorum of the Twelve since July 1838. In October of 1838, the extermination order was given and people left here. Adam-ondi-Ahman is often referred to as an outside temple.
Sister Uchtdorf spoke next. She bore her testimony and mentioned that even though it was hot and humid; she so felt the silence and peacefulness of the area. She said that she felt that each of us today and those from the past are all parts of a huge puzzle and each of us is important in getting the work done. She spoke of how sometimes it seems so strange that she is where she is today. She said she “was just a little girl from Germany; what has happened to me?” When her husband was first called to the Quorum, she felt peace and knew it was of God.
President Uchtdorf spoke last. He called his wife “the sunshine of my life.” He told us we are living in history and we are a part of the puzzle just like his wife said. The circle will be closing and the puzzle will be completed. It is not important where we serve, but how we serve. He told about how the Quorum met on the fourth floor of the temple after Pres. Hinckley died and what a spiritual experience it was to witness the mantle being past onto Thomas S. Monson. Pres. Monson then stood and said who he wanted for his counselors. President Uchtdorf was totally surprised when his name was called. He did not know until that moment. President Monson is the prophet of God today; he has a firm testimony of him. He told that President Monson is a very considerate and kind person. He spoke of how something that is sacred is often secret as well. Not that it cannot be told, but that it is sacred and should be kept to oneself. He spoke how the church is a universal church. It was only possible to have the restoration happen here in this country because of our freedom of religion, even though the Saints have been persecuted. He loves the song “America, the Beautiful.” Self-control is always needed. “You are the salt of the Earth.” This place will be ready when it is time. The Second Coming is a reality. The stumbling stones we encounter must be turn into stepping-stones. What we are doing here may also be helping people’s testimonies become stronger. WE are part of the history of the church. “I know it. God lives. He is with us.”
He left us by giving us an Apostolic blessing. In it, he said we will see miracles happen in our families, our close and extended families. He blessed us and told us the God knows us and has accepted our sacrifices. He will hear our prayers. We all broke our fast together up at the work center. Darline had prepared the meal all by herself since she could not tell any one what was happening. She had it decorated with read, white and blue. She had prepared ham, bake beans, lots of fresh vegetables, fresh fruit and brownies for dessert. It was a huge job. Elder Christensen had us sing for them. We sang the songs from when we had ward conference. We first same “Onward Christian Soldiers” and then “Secret Prayer.” When we looked over at Pres. Uchtdorf, he just had tears running down his cheeks. It was really was the best we ever sang. The Uchtdorfs were gracious and let us take their pictures as much as we wanted. Lloyd and I were able to talk with them about the Glendale 3rd Ward when we were in it together. Sister Uchtdorf told us that we were the highlight of their trip.
1 comment:
I love it, Mom! Thank you so much for sharing this with us. You and Pop are such a huge example to me. I love you!!!
Post a Comment