THE RESTORATION OF ALL THINGS:
The Dispensation of the Fullness of Times
It’s the title for lesson #44 in the Teachings Of Presidents Of The Church, and so worth studying. Last Friday I went to the city cemetery and placed a bouquet of Fall flowers on my grandfather’s grave. He never knew our family.
The yellow rose means welcome home.
Later that same day, I met my siblings and our adult children at the temple so that my father, who passed away just over a year ago, could finally be sealed, to his father. Sitting alone in the grass, enjoying the truly remarkable sunshine for November 6th, in Utah, I thought a lot about our family tree.
I thanked Heavenly Father for the healing power of the Atonement. I prayed that eternal relationships and hearts would be healed, and that this special Grandfather would know that we love him and appreciate the influence he’s had on our lives.
I’m grateful to live in a time when temples again bless the earth. I’ve taught my daughters that temples are like conduits that connect earth and heaven. That’s why temples have always been so important. And why they always will be.
Perspective is a beautiful thing.
November 11th, 2009 at 9:54 am
My little sister was sealed to her now-husband on that warm and beautiful Utah November sixth, too. And for the second time in two weeks, my whole family was in the temple together. It was a sweet, sweet blessing, and one that replayed through my mind during the lesson on Sunday.
November 11th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
So wonderful Deidra. I’m really happy for your family. Just like you, the beauty of the experience keeps replaying through my mind.
One of my favorite sections in the lesson was on page 509:
“Each of these temples is a symbol that the fulness of God’s blessings to His children, living and dead, has been restored in this last dispensation.” — The Prophet Joseph Smith
I want to remember that whenever I see temples. ALL people, who lived during any period of the world’s history, matter equally to God. Temples represent today, just as they did in ancient times, the fulness of blessings found within the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our first time in the temple is for ourselves. Every single time after that one initial visit is about service and helping someone else receive their eternal temple blessings. What’s not to love?
November 13th, 2009 at 11:20 am
Thanks for sharing your testimony… You have touched my own heart and strengthened my testimony. I am really happy for your family as well. This month is the 13th anniversary of our son’s death. He passed away from cancer at the age of 14. Two weeks after he died, we had special permission to do his endowment work.
So that he can continue his work on the other side… What a beautiful experience for our family, and helped to give us closure. I know that life continues, and we will be togeter as a family again!
The Lord does love all his children… Connie
November 14th, 2009 at 11:36 am
Thank you Connie.