A Picture Is Worth 1000 Words

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We have always heard the adage that “A picture is worth 1000 words”….. so today Brother May and I are adding 2000 words.

This is a photo of a World War I memorial in Hungary.  But when we looked at it, it reminded us of those who have passed on before us and are waiting for their work to be completed in the Temple!


This is the photo taken today (Sunday, 20 March, 2022) of the Spirit of Elijah Challenge Tree in our ward building by the Bishop’s office.  Our poor tree is looking like the beginnings of winter instead of the beginnings of spring………

We have one week left to complete the first of our ward’s challenges on Gathering Israel.  If you have completed one of the tasks, be sure to add your leaf to the tree.  If you cannot get to the building to do it, contact Brother May and myself and we can add your leaf for you on the appropriate branch of the tree.  Below is the reminder of the tasks that qualify for a leaf…… and will help you win an ice cream treat!

President Russell M. Nelson told the youth in a devotional in June 2018 that the gathering of Israel “is the most important thing taking place on earth today.  This gathering should mean everything to you.  This is the mission for which you were sent to earth.”  Aren’t we all youth?  Some of us are in “different stages” of our youth, but this message applies to each of us.  As we gather Israel, we bring our “world family” together, both those who have gone before and those who are still with us here on earth.  President Nelson stated to the Saints in California “This gathering is all about giving every human soul the chance to hear and accept the gospel of Jesus Christ.  It is all about saving souls.” 

In today’s world there is quite a bit of contention and it is evident that we are in the “last days”.  There is peace, however, in doing the work of the Lord and gathering Israel in whatever capacity we are able.  A couple of weeks ago, as I served in the Temple baptistry, I had the opportunity to feel that peace.  A young couple from Ukraine who have lived in Utah for some time, came to do baptisms. While living in Ukraine, he served his mission in Russia and was fluent in Russian and Polish as well as his native tongue.  This couple brought with them 6 others who wanted to be proxy for those who had passed on before them.  All 6 were Ukrainian refugees who had only been in the US for 1 week.  They were given names that had been submitted to the Temple for baptism and confirmation.  Every single one of those names was of a person who was either Russian or Polish.  I do not know if the Temple had picked those names specifically for them to be proxy for, or if they were “just the next ones in the stack” but I do know that the Lord had a hand in it.  What a wonderful experience to witness those who were essentially homeless and in a foreign country serving at “Gathering Israel”. 

Brothers and Sisters, what can we do to Gather Israel?  Take a look at the chart below.  Can you add a leaf to our Ward Tree this week?  Let us know how we can help!  Brother and Sister May



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