Temple blessings

Today, my wife and I had the opportunity to go visit the temple. We had actually been planning on attending today anyway, but we were invited by a member of our ward last night to assist them in performing baptisms for the dead this morning. In our temples, we believe that we are able to perform ordinances for those who have passed on, so that they may have the opportunity to continue to progress, even though they are beyond the veil.

The Vernal temple

The Provo temple

Because of this invitation, my wife and I got up early this morning (early for me at least... I'm rarely up before 8, this had me waking up at 6), and drove to Vernal to attend the temple. It always is a privilege to attend the temple, and baptisms for the dead hold a special place in my heart. I have fond memories when I was a youth attending the Provo temple to do these ordinances. Today, my place was not in active participation in the ordinances, but I acted as recorder. My job was to make sure that every name on the list we had was given the opportunity to be included in the ordinances, then record that the ordinance had been performed. Initially, I was somewhat sad to not be actively participating, but then I felt a quick, quiet comfort that I was. Like so many areas in our lives, it is easy to see others roles as more important than the one we are currently playing. It is easy to look at other callings, and see people in more visible roles as more important than yourself. This is something we need to be careful about. As President Dieter F. Uchtdorf explains in his October 2011 General Conference talk,
"At times we may even feel insignificant, invisible, alone, or forgotten. But always remember- you matter to Him!"
These words of a prophet are true in every sense of the word. God calls us to serve in the way in which He needs us to, not necessarily the way we want to serve. However, when we are called upon to perform a task, serve someone else, or serve in a calling, we need to remember that it was God Himself who is asking us to do this. He speaks through His servants, whether they be prophets, priesthood leaders, or family members or loved ones who are giving us priesthood blessings. Sometimes these calls come in the form of feelings in our hearts, usually accompanied by a peaceful feeling. However these calls come, they come as instruction which God expects and hopes that we will follow. I can tell you from personal experience that I have been blessed when I have followed God's instructions. Today, as I recorded the baptisms, I was reminded of other times I have been blessed in amazing ways for following God. Some of these experiences are too sacred or personal to share, but I can testify that God has shown me things, even hidden things which were of direct benefit to me.

I testify that God lives, that He loves us, and will give each of us a work for us to do, and if we follow Him, He will share light with us. The more that you follow God, the more He will lead you. I testify that Jesus is the Christ, the holy son of God, that He lived, He still lives, and will return to this earth someday. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.



If you want to read more, here is a link to President Uchtdorf's talk:
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/you-matter-to-him?lang=eng

For more reading about how God speaks to us in these latter days:
https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/1.38?lang=eng#37 (The voice of the prophets)
https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/9.8?lang=eng#7 (Personal revelation)