2017-2-26 Temples and Apostles

Kamusta po!

It's been a while since I had a chance to write, sorry for the delay! Last week our regular day for preparation was moved, since we had a chance to go the temple! Many many other things happened in addition to that, I probably won't remember it all but here we go!

 The family that was just baptized a few weeks back has a lot of extended family too. Out of 10 aunts and uncles, we taught 6 of them and the grandmother. I'm reminded of my own family and all my cousins and aunts and uncles and what a fantastic influence the church has been in our lives and bringing us closer together, not to mention the knowledge that we can see each other again after this life.

 In the Philippines they have this cool thing called compounds, where there's one big house, and a bunch of satellite homes around it that are composed of all the children: it's rare to move very far away from family here! So, we are lucky to teach in this compound with a lot of adults with their own families who are willing to listen. This little baby couldn't figure out what an American is doing in her neighborhood.

 Last week we got up nice and early to beat the traffic, and to be able to visit the temple. Temples are a little bit different from normal chapels or churches. Every church building says "visitors welcome" but after the open house of a temple, after it is dedicated for its holy purpose to the Lord, you must be a member in good standing to enter. And what a blessing it is to have that privilege. There's nothing like it. 

 The temples in our day are a little bit different from Solomon's temple and the other holy places of Israel of olden times, for instance we don't offer sacrifices. But, the holiness is the same, it's just as much the House of the Lord. The ordinances have changed, because Jesus Christ changed them. We have no more sacrifices because He is THE sacrifice. Christ showed the need for temples by spending so much time there: the only experience of His youth is at the temple, He clears it of merchants, and teaches there for many days. It's a place of edifying and learning, and a key ingredient of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Has anyone ever asked themselves when reading the Bible, "where did the temples go?" of course the ancient ones were desecrated, and since then there have been many beautiful cathedrals, and shrines to different holy men, but up until the 1800's the Lord had no place on earth to call His home. I testify that the Lord still uses temples to impart knowledge to us, and to strengthen us.

 I got to see one of my best friends, Elder Dela Cruz! Plus, the missionary he is training!

The missionaries never gather in one place at a time, it's usually just you and your companion. But last week we had an awesome opportunity: Elder David A. Bednar, a member of the twelve apostles, visited us! I've read and admired of the ancient apostles, mostly Paul and Peter have struck me with their power in speech, love for the disciples, and skill in wielding the Holy Ghost to impart truth. In a 3 hour meeting with a living apostle, I testify that nothing has changed. The people that fill God's ordained offices are empowered and enlarged, and David A. Bednar is truly an apostle of Jesus Christ.

 We talked about so many things, it wouldn't be realistic to just list them off here, but it centered and being actors, not objects, and a different way of teaching. Not just talking, but asking questions, edifying the whole group by letting everyone contribute. The meeting was exhausting because you had to have your mind sharp, and be listening to the Holy Ghost intently. One of my favorite things Elder Bednar said was "there are no boring sacrament meetings" we get to choose to be uplifted, whether it's by just one thing they say, one verse the read from scripture. There was many many more great moments, but I'll leave it at that.

I'll leave my testimony at this point. Joseph Smith is a prophet of God, which means a lot of things. Which means he didn't do most of the heavy lifting in organizing a church. In fact he didn't organize a church. He didn't come up with all of the different complex offices and necessary parts. All he did was act in God's name, supported by his power, to Restore the church of Jesus Christ. That means in the Bible we read of miracles, the power of God made manifest, temples, prophets, apostles, all of these things must therefore still exist, and they do! They were lost for a time but they are what God uses to help His children come back to Him. I give my humble belief, my testimony, that the church of Jesus Christ is restored to the earth, and that means more to me and to you than we may even understand. I love the gospel, I love these people, and I love you all! Thanks for reading!

Elder Davin Fish

 Bonus picture: I won in chubby bunnies!