The day finally arrived however, and I felt like a kid on Christmas morning waiting for the picture to be released! Kevin and I decided to go to a ward building a little closer to us for the broadcast...that and we figured parking would be crazy at our ward building. When we got there, we were handed a program and a picture of the new temple! It is gorgeous! It will fit in quite nicely!
Here are a few notes I took on what was said at the groundbreaking service!
Vai Sikahema- Counselor, Cherry Hill, NJ Stake
Vai told a story about how his parents had to scrimp and save $ for years in order to be sealed as a family in the New Zealand Temple. It took 6 years for them to get ther and many sacrifices. They even sold their produce from their garden. Because of the sacrifices his parents made to seal their family in the temple, the rest of the family was blessed and they were all able to have greater faith in their Savior and the plan of happiness. Temple worship requires sacrifice--- we must sacrifice immorality, addictions, etc. to be able to enter into the temple and worship.
Robert B. Smith- Area Seventy
Today is a historic day for Philadelphia. There are many historic events in Philadelphia that lead up to this moment...
* William Penn creates the Charter of Privilege- gives us freedom to worship and practice religion.
*Jan 1840- Joseph Smith meets with Martin Van Beuren the President of the United States.
* 1930- First Chapel dedicated in Philadelphia
* 2009- Property selected for Philadelphia Temple
* 2010- Press conference by Michael Nutter announcing the temple
William R. Walker
Temple will add to the spirit of "Brotherly Love" and will compliment the other buildings in the city. It will also bring people to Philadelphia and to businesses as they worship in the temple, they will desire to walk around the city and learn more about our country.
Furnishings and rooms will mimic those of the history of our country and our church.
The moment Pres. Eyring says his dedicatory prayer--the temple grounds will be considered Holy Ground.
Jay E. Jensen--Presidency of the Seventy
Told a story about a man who had a precious pearl. He decided to make a beautiful box to hold this pearl decorated with blue velvet. The box was beautiful. When the man showed his friends his pearl, they were more astonished by the boxes beauty than the pearl.
The temple is just like the box. What goes on inside the temple is the pearl.
In the temple we learn about faith in God the Father and partake in sacred ordinances. We teach that families can be forever.
Told a story of a pioneer woman who lost her young son. Shortly after he died, the woman learned about baptisms for the dead and other ordinances. She wrote her family about how she was comforted to know that she could have her little boy forever.
The Central purpose of the temple is that every family member no matter how old they are when they die can be sealed to us forever.
President Henry B. Eyring
No building is more sacred than the temple of God. Every temple we build stands as a witness that the Restoration occurred.
Our temples are located in 27 countries, every continent, but Antarctica. You may be asking yourselves, "Why build so many temples when they are so costly?"
Eyring shared scripture (couldn't copy it down fast enough) The Lord has commanded that we build temples even in poverty.
The temple we build on this ground will bring joy to one of God's most loved Prophets. Joseph Smith met, courted, and married his wife Emma in Harmony, Pennsylvania. He worked in Harmony translating the gift of the power of God, the BOM. The Priesthood that is exercised in our temples was restored to the prophet Joseph Smith . Missionaries were sent to teach in Philadelphia shortly after the restoration. Soon after Joseph Smith dedicated the first branch of Philadelphia on his 34th birthday, Dec 23rd 1839. Joseph Smith presided at that meeting. I am sure that he is rejoicing today to hear us break ground and dedicate a temple of God where the restoration began.
Harmony and Peace will reside in this community. The temple will bring increased faith to those who are worthy to enter it. I pray that families will be inspired to live together in peace and respect for each other. As they do, I promise that peace will spread across this community and this area.
So there you have it... words from a prophet! It is so exciting be able to witness this miracle. I was there for the groundbreaking of the Rexburg temple, but I have to say...this one felt so much more exciting. Perhaps it is because I know how badly Philadelphia needs one and because it is being built in such a historic place for our country. It makes me wonder what our forefathers and what my ancestors think about the temple being built! I am sure they are rejoicing as well! What a great day!
And here is a news clip of the event! :)
2 comments:
Yes! It did seem like this day would never come, but thank goodness they will start building it soon!
It will be so beautiful! And thank you for posting the clip from the news! It is so neat for the people of Philadelphia to be able to see what is about to happen!
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