Russell M. Nelson's Dedication of Holy Space in a Familiar Place
Today was a landmark day for me, my family, my church, and what I believe is awesome for the United States of America and the greater world. The greater part of humanity, mankind and all with it, all majesty and creation, past, present, and future.
That is my belief. I will expound a little.
The Washington D.C Temple, located in Kensington, Maryland, on the north side of the beltway, is a feature of the region, the overall panorama of the city.
Some do not know it, and most do not know (or realistically, believe) the true significance of its purpose, function, and meaning.
But we try.
President Nelson, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for about the last five or so active years, has been a dynamo since taking office from his predecessor, Thomas S. Monson. President Monson was called as an apostle back in the early 1960s when he was quite young for such a calling, while Russell came into the Quorum of the Twelve older in the year 1984. He was a successful heart surgeon in his prime, and was a Captain in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He worked on wounded troops and others, then when finishing he came back to Walter Reed Military Hospital, not too far from the eventual temple to the north, "on 16th and Columbia", as he remarked today to thousands of us, attending in person and via close circuit television.
He talked about being called as second counselor of the bishopric of the ward in D.C. back then, and being assigned to work with the deacons, who were 12-13 years old. Those boys would now be old men. He rattled off the names of men in the priesthood that he served with, and some were ward members and others were in the high council of the stake back then. He is 97. Incredible memory, he only slowed once, when he mentioned a comment on the preceding speaker Elder Quentin L. Cook. (Of the Quorum of the Twelve).
He gave a brief history of the holy temples on the earth, like the "portable" tabernacle of the Israelites with Moses, then the temple of Zerubbabel, then the temple of the Solomon, then the temple of Herod, the "one that Jesus knew".
He elicited some chuckles, but also some audible acknowledgment, when he commented how the Savior first described the temple of Herod as "My Father's House", then later "My House", and then finally "Your House". The temple, he added, was destroyed by the Romans in A.D. 70. He said the year in that order.
He made some remarks regarding the fact that there are 51 temples under construction presently (2022), and there will be more temples in his next time to speak to us. (General Conference in October, less than two months from now.)
There was an audible response to that comment.
He blessed the temple, and it was wonderful. I shed a few tears, as he blessed the grounds and the country, for its inspired Constitution and for our freedoms and strength of our nation, the site of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, all in the Fullness of Times. This is it, folks! Jump on board. Stay on, hold tight.
Others spoke, including a Sister Wright of the Primary Presidency, and the aforementioned Elder Cook, and two elderly Marriotts, who helped establish the Church in the D.C area and have contributed hugely to the modern Church of Jesus Christ.
This was a joyous occasion. Momentous to me and many others.
We look forward to going much more frequently. It has been a long wait, about 4 and half years.
My parents attended the original dedication with Spencer W. Kimball in 1974 as six year converts. They brought little me along with them, and my sisters.
President Kimball asked the doctor Nelson to go along as medical aid, and President Nelson remarked today that he helped out an elderly brother with a medical urgency during the first dedicatory session in November 1974, but was able to attend a later one.
This is not a coincidence or small thing to me or others.
Truly outstanding.
Cheers, oh ye Saints! Rise up, o holy generations.
God bless you as He has blessed us.
Wonderful write-up, thank you! Our prophet is quite astonishing. I wonder if he couldn't think of Elder Cook's name; happens to me all the time, and I'm only 68!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nancy. He paused for maybe 2-3 seconds trying to remember it. They say the average person can't think of a specific name or word three times per day. It happens to me all the time, and I am younger than you by almost two decades.
ReplyDeleteEduardo, thanks for sharing your thoughts on the Washington D.C. Temple dedication. I too have been astounded at President Nelson's vigor, stamina, energy, and pace. I've heard numerous reports from various sources, including and especially his wife, indicating that he acts as one who is 30-40 years younger than his almost-98 years. I definitely believe President Nelson is the man for our time, and I look forward to seeing what he does going forward.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad he alluded to the fact that he would be announcing more new temples during the October 2022 General Conference. He has announced 100 thus far, and everything I've heard on my end indicates that those announcements won't be slowing down. If anything, the number of temples he announces every six months seems on track to accelerate. I heard at one point last year that his goal is to announce a minimum of 35 new temples per year every year for the foreseeable future.
I was pleased by the report of the Washington D.C. Temple rededication. Each member of the First Presidency and the three members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles who were present for the rededication of the Washington D.C. Temple all have connections of varying degrees to the D.C. area.
Thanks again for this report, and for sharing the link to it on the Church Growth Blog. I appreciate you!
Thanks, sir. Your comments are very well thought out and appreciated.
ReplyDeleteJames is one of the most prolific bloggers about subjects related to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and that is no small thing. May his efforts and life be blessed.
ReplyDeleteThis post made my top ten of all time. Thanks to all the readers and those that replied.
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