Thanks Be To God!

This morning was a very special time for me and my extended family. I was born and spent 8 years of my childhood in the Gila Valley. My parents then moved to the "big" city for my parents to attend school. When I turned 18 and graduated from high school, my parents had both received their degrees and moved back and lived in Safford but taught school in Thatcher. I have spent the past 33 years taking my husband and children there to visit. We LOVE our trips to Grandma and Grandpa's house. We have LOVED our camping trips and family reunions to the Graham Mountains which are pictured behind the temple. I woke up this morning with great anticipation for the temple dedication. As we approached the meetinghouse, a special spirit washed over me as I presented my temple recommend and passed through the doors into the stake center, which was now an extension of the Lord’s Holy House. The Spirit of the Lord was palpable as we walked to our seats. A quiet reverence permeated the chapel and cultural hall where we sat. The dedicatory service began with a special welcome to the Arizona Saints by President Eyring. With each talk given, each prayer offerred and special musical number sung, the Spirit of the Lord continued to touch my heart and bear witness of the importance of temples.

I loved the stories of President Kimball. He was "my" prophet while growing up and I always felt a certain bit of "righteous pride" (is there such a thing???) that he was from the Gila Valley area. I LOVED the story that President Monson spoke of while serving on the missionary committee with Pres. Kimball and Pres. Hinckley. Pres. Monson spoke of the meticulous way in which President Kimball would assign missionaries.

Pres. Monson also spoke about one of the times he was assigning missionaries. He read the profile and reassigned the missionary 3 different times and still didn't feel that it was right. He pulled out his file and reread some of the info and he found out that this Elder spoke fluent spanish and then he knew that he was to fill a spanish speaking mission. Then it was right. He testified of God's hands in every missionary assignment. This was so meaningful to me as a mom of missionaries. I have felt the magic of those assignments. My heart has felt the witness of the spirit as those calls have come. I have seen tender mercies falling from the heavens above. I know that the Lord indeed makes those assignments and there are specific people and experiences waiting for each of these young men called as "Ambassadors of the Lord". I LOVED the story that Sister Crocket (temple matron) told about the little boy that held onto the hand of the escort that lead the way for his group of people touring the temple. When they entered into the Celestial Room, he looked up at the man and said, "Ohhhh, Jesus IS here!" The veil was thin and the Spirit spoke to that little boy! How I pray that my heart will always be humble and can feel that same spirit in everyday life! President Monson spoke of a man and woman that came into his office and said that they knew the Saints in the Gila Valley area were not wealthy people but they personally had been blessed. They then proceeded to write out a check for half a million dollars and told him to "SPRUCE" up the temple with their funds. He said that as you walk the halls of this temple, notice all of the original artwork and the great beauty that adorns this temple, inside and out. It is because of this anonymous but selfless couple. President Monson reminded us that this is HIS work, not mine, nor yours, but HIS work! We must remain righteous and with a desire to serve because we are HIS hands and HE will use us if we allow HIM too.

President and Sister Crocket both spoke that not only are the saints in this area rejoicing but those that have gone before. Thanks Be to God! In Isaiah, it says that even the desert and blossoms shall rejoice. We have had so much rain this past year as the desert rejoiced and you should see the blossoms everywhere! I couldn't help but think of our ancestors that have gone before us. I am sure that they were shouting "Hallelujah" in the heavens with us!