The ROME, ITALY temple will be dedicated this Sunday, March 10, 2019. It is the first time in history that all 12 apostles along with the First Presidency will be at a temple dedication outside of the U.S.A. all together.
SALT LAKE CITY — For many outside The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the church’s temples may seem a mystery.
Only faithful members of the church are invited to participate in what Latter-day Saints believe to be sacred rituals and ceremonies inside the temple — though the public is welcome to tour the buildings before they are dedicated for sacred use.
In an “unprecedented” new video released Thursday, however, two Latter-day Saint apostles walk viewers through a virtual tour of the newly-constructed Rome, Italy, temple and explain the symbolism, rooms and rituals inside.
Prior to the dedication, President Eyring conducted the symbolic cornerstone ceremony that signifies the construction is complete and the new temple is ready to be dedicated and ready for sacred use.
“This is a ceremonial moment when we mark this great occasion by sealing the cornerstone which represents, really, the Savior. The Lord is the cornerstone of the work,” explained President Eyring. “This is the house of the Lord.”
President Eyring said he feels that President Brigham Young must be watching this ceremony. “I just think we owe something to him and the pioneers who must be so aware of this day and yet we honor them as we now seal the cornerstone.”
Elder Holland remarked while observing the sacred occasion of the temple dedication. “I sit here looking at these people and looking at these mountains and think how lovely was the morning.”
For the second year in a row, I invested some time in this worldwide project of indexing family names. It is such a joy and reward helping in this great cause. Whenever I index names, I feel a spirit of gratitude and peace come over me from these deceased persons. I know they are truly grateful for the service that we are rendering in their behalf. Indexing is a simple, selfless act of service that anyone can participate in...
5 ¶Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord:
6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
Millions of the world’s historical records are now freely searchable online thanks to the 72-hour FamilySearch Worldwide Indexing Event—10,447,887 records to be exact.
On July 15–17, more than 116,000 people all over the world logged on
to transcribe the historical documents, far exceeding the event goal to
reach 72,000 volunteers.
“We were astonished at the number of people who participated,” said
Jim Ericson, product manager at FamilySearch. “[These] people selflessly
donated their time and skills to help their brothers and sisters around
the world gain access to records that will allow them to identify their
ancestors.”
Volunteers were from every age group and every continent.
Participants from all over, including Australia, Italy, and Mexico,
shared experiences and photos on the Facebook event page. Many publicized their participation on other social media platforms using the hashtags #theworldsrecords and #fuelthefind and invited others to join them in the event.
“Many who participated expressed joy at being able to make sure the
people in the records they indexed will not be forgotten and may be
discovered by their living descendants,” said Brother Ericson.
While the worldwide event lasted only three days, FamilySearch needs
volunteers to index 365 days a year. For those who missed the event but
would like to get involved, visit familysearch.org/indexing. - Mormon Newsroom
Not a day goes by that I don't think of my sweet mother...Oh how I miss her! I miss calling to see how her week is going. I miss hearing her voice. I miss seeing her at home when we go visit for holidays. I miss her cheering me on. I miss seeing her interact with her grandchildren. I miss her hug, kiss, and "I love you" after each visit.
Today mark's twenty months since the passing of my dear mother. On September 1, 2014 she left her mortal body and passed onto the other side of the veil to reunite with many who had gone before her. She has progressed beyond this mortal life into the next phase of her eternal existence. Although life is fragile and our mortal journey can end suddenly, without much warning, at anytime, the gospel of Jesus Christ brings peace and assurance that we will reunite and live again with our loved ones. "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall
all be made alive." 1 Corinthians 15:22
We never know when we will take our last breath in this life; therefore we should make each day count. This life is a time for us to prepare to meet God. (Alma 34:32-34) When a loved one passes, it brings new perspective, and we tend to take a step back and analyze our own life and standing with God. We ponder the bigger picture of who we are and our eternal identity and destination. I hope to return and live with my mother, loving Heavenly Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ. I know this is possible through the exercise of our faith and obedience to the commandments we've been given.
With each new passing day, I feel my mother near and know that she is happy and cheering me on from above. She is sad to be apart from us, her family, but she wants only the best for each one of us. I know she loves me greatly and wants me to stay on the strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life. I know she is busy sharing her testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ with all of its saving ordinances and promised blessings. She is teaching and sharing with others the importance of family and temple covenants. She is sharing her testimony of the Holy Bible and Book of Mormon. She is testifying of our Savior, Jesus Christ and His loving sacrifice and atonement in our behalf. I am so grateful for this knowledge I've obtained of Christ's gospel through the witness and power of the Holy Ghost.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is so beautiful and truly is "Good News" to all who will listen and accept its glorious message. For my friends who are suffering and feeling lost or alone, I submit to you that you're never alone. Perhaps you've recently lost a loved one as well and are grieving their passing. I testify that they're alive and well and have only separated from their mortal body for a time. Jesus Christ has broken the bands of death and through His glorious resurrection has promised that same gift to all who come to this earth and die. We will rise again and live with our loved ones.
Families are central to the message of Christ's gospel. Our main purpose of being here on earth is to be tested. We are being tested to see if we will exercise faith in the Savior, Jesus Christ and follow after Him and His teachings. He wants us to follow Him into the waters of baptism and become members of His church where we can receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Once we have become a member of His church we can then continue progressing for more gifts and blessings in His holy temples. I love the holy temples and the promises and blessings we can receive here if we are faithful. We can be married and sealed to our eternal companion for time and eternity and have our children sealed to us! This is great news! For those who passed beyond the veil of death before hearing this glorious message we can also help them progress! "Else what shall they do which are baptized for
the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?"
1 Corinthians 15:29
10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one allthings in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
This prophecy was actually fulfilled when the Prophet Elijah appeared to
Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery (the man who helped Joseph translate
the Book of Mormon) in the Kirtland Temple on April 3, 1836. Elijah
restored specific powers of the priesthood by conferring them upon
Joseph and Oliver. This power is what makes it possible for families to
be sealed throughout generations. Through family history work, we can
participate in the continuing fulfillment of this prophecy. We can learn
about our ancestors, and those who died without the opportunity to hear
the gospel and receive ordinances, and increase our love for them. We
can be inspired by their stories of courage and faith. We can pass that
legacy on to our children.
I am so thankful for my knowledge and understanding of God's eternal plan of happiness and salvation. His teachings anchor my soul and give me light and direction in a darkened world. I am grateful for the opportunity this technology allows me to share my testimony with you and others. I know that Jesus Christ lives and loves you and I. I pray that you may feel peace and comfort. As always, thank you for stopping by.
We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.
All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.
In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.
The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.
We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.
Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.
The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.
We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.
We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.
This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
