christmas Nativity

The Nativity settings have been put out on the Square in preparation for the turning on of the lights on the 28th of December.   The traditional one on the south side of the North Visitor Center and several others around the area South of the Church Office Building.  The one I have been most impressed with is in the Reflecting Pond just east of the Temple.  

The setting of being in the pond with the reflection of the Temple in the water makes it very special.  Mom and I walk by it every day on our way to serve on the Square. 

We had a very interesting experience on the Square last week.  Some nut sent a letter with a white powder in it addressed to the Salt Lake Temple.  The mail room for the Temple is in the Annex just North of the Temple.  The Temple was closed, all of the Tunnels were closed.  North Temple Street was closed.  Six Fire Engines and the Hazard Material People were sent to the area.  It was a real mess !!  The returned address was from California.  The press says that no one knows who or what group is responsible, "Duh".  Our friends from the gay community had another demonstration here Saturday night at the City and County and State Capital Buildings, at least they were not here on the Square. 

I am going to share some of the wonderful things that have happened in my life in the Blog, one each week.  

Mom and I were serving as the Assistant Baptistery Coordinators in the Nauvoo Temple on Wednesdays.  The Baptistery is normally very busy with all of the Young Performing Missionaries, Youth Conferences and Families from out of town coming to do Baptisms.  One morning there was no one in the Baptistery, very unusual, when the Coordinator cane down to tell us that there was a deaf woman come to the Temple to do Baptisms for some of her family.  She had not been to the Temple for many years.  She did not have any priesthood do the ordinance, so I went and put my white clothing  on to to baptise her.  

We were alone, just the Baptistery Coordinator , the witnesses, Mom, and the Temple Coordinator. When I started to do the Ordnance an over powering spirit filled the room.  I  looked up at the Witnesses and they were both weeping.  The Coordinator was weeping.  The Sister that was being baptised was weeping.  Then I understood what was going on.  The dear sister was understanding every word I was saying as I performed the Baptisms.  It was a time when the Lord reached out his hand to bless all of that were there with a demonstration of his love for us, that the Temple is really his Holy House.