April 16, 2023

Yesterday we had the opportunity to visit the Portland Temple. It was the 1st time since we have been here. It was so good to be back in the temple! I have missed it. Now that we are starting to get the hang of things better with our duties we hope we can go on a more regular basis. I have been to the Portland Temple twice before but it was the 1st time for Jack. It is only 25 minutes from our apartment.

When we were in the MTC we received instruction from Elder W. Mark Bassett of the Seventy. In his remarks to us he talked about the covenants we make at the temple. For some reason I had always thought these covenants were sacred (which they are) but also secret. That we could not talk about them outside the temple. Elder Bassett said we were not alone in that thought but that it absolutely was not true. He directed us to pull out our phones and go to Gospel Library/Temple and Family History/Temple Ordinances/Temple Endowment. Right there it talks very specifically about the covenants we make. I wish everyone knew about this section because it is amazing. Right below the picture of an endowment room the words "specific covenants" is highlighted. If you click on that you are taken to a section that talks about each covenant individually!! Incredible!!! Our missionaries are also incredible! I can learn so much from them! They are given the opportunity to attend the temple occassionally too. A few weeks ago they were able to go and were excited to come back into the office to discuss something they had learned with Elder Weed. Elder Weed is the Sr Elder that I am replacing as Financial Secretary. He worked for the church for 30 years as a Seminary and Institute Director. He knows so much about the gospel and the scriptures! I love listening to him!! Anyway, the missionaries told him that they had noticed that when we make the (5) covenants in the temple, with the 1st (4) we promise to "KEEP" them, but with the Law of Consecreation we promise to "ACCEPT" it. I had never, ever noticed that! See how smart they are! Elder Weed then gave us instruction about the Law of Consecration and how it is a celestial law. The section in the Gospel Library helps to explain that too.

This week has been a little rough. It was bound to happen. There is so much to learn and sometimes things just don't go right. Instructions are misunderstood, the church software is slow, etc. It is easy to get overwhelmed and frustrated. We have been working long hours, usually 8:00-6:00 and some nights until 7 or 8:00. We even worked most of last Saturday trying to get on top of things. I think we were also a little exhausted. I was feeling that way and by Thursday I was just not looking forward to going into the office. As we knelt that morning to say our prayers the distinct impression came to me, almost like a voice, saying "You are not alone." It was so strong I was instantly brought to tears at the reminder that we were here doing the Savior's work and he is and will be here to help and lift us when we need it. It was exactly the reminder I needed!! Instantly my mood was lifted and the rest of the week was good! A good lesson for me to remember.