So the pope came to visit Monza (the city right next to
Muggiò) this week! It was truly a mess, but we survived it! Fear 24 hours they closed
down all traffic in and around where the Pope would visit and drive past, so we
basically could not use the car the whole day... Luckily for us though, we have
bikes so we put them to good use! But even on bike navigation was tricky, as
crowds upon crowds of people (almost everyone in Italy is catholic after all
haha) clogged the streets, each trying to get a view of the pope when he would
drive by. We stopped for a second and watched as he rode by waving at the
people from the side seat of his FIAT Tipo. I don't know what I was expecting to
see him riding in, but I certainly wasn't imagining a navy blue hatchback haha.
I guess it just serves as a reminder that he's really just a normal guy like
all the rest of us. Anyway, not being able to use the car didn't stop us and so
we still scheduled a full day of appointments, however, after a whole day of
riding bikes I was thoroughly beat! So I guess what we can take away from this
is that if you want a solid workout, just invite the pope over for visit!
Apart from that, among other things, we had a really special
moment while teaching one of the newer members in the Muggiò Ward! His name is
Francesco (I know what you're thinking and no, not pope Francesco :P) and,
seeing as he has not yet been able to visit the temple, we decided to explain
in more detail the importance of temples and the work that is accomplished
inside. He's long been eager to go and finally be sealed for eternity to his
wife, who passed away decades ago. The hope and relief that came from the
realization that his relationship with his dear wife could be made eternal
though the blessings of the temple played a huge role in the development of his
faith in Christ his restored gospel.
We explained to him that temples are sacred places, houses
of God on earth, and that to enter he must be spiritually prepared through obedience
to the commandments of the Lord. We taught that inside he would learn through
the impressions of the Holy Spirit and even be "endowed with power from on
high". We taught that inside he could make promises with God and with his spouse
as well as perform ordinances of salvation for those of his family who have
passed away never having been able to do so for themselves. We explained to him
some of the symbolism of the temple, including the brightness of the decor and
the angel Moroni that sits atop the steeple, proclaiming "the everlasting gospel
to preach unto... every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people"
(Revelation 14:6). Beyond these, we explained the feelings that he would
experience inside the temple; feelings of peace, tranquility, and joy; the kind
that can only be felt by means of the Holy Spirit.
As we taught, the Spirit confirmed the truth of the things
we said in the heart of Francesco and his desires to visit the temple grew immensely!
There are so many blessings that the Lord offers us through his holy temples
and every single one of them is something to get excited about! However, the
greatest of all the blessings of the temple is that of being sealed for time
and all eternity. With the proper priesthood authority, not only marriages, but
families can be together forever. This is one of the greatest blessings that
God can give us! Our Heavenly Father's plan of happiness for us is based around
the family and the incomparable love that can exist there between, husbands,
wives, children and beyond! To me, heaven would not be heaven if I couldn't
experience it together with my family and I am unbelievably grateful that it
has been made possible through the holy temple!
Well, I hope you have a fantastic week! Till next time!
-Anziano Jake Wilkinson
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