October 14, 2018

Record Setting Temple Work!

It has been a very busy week. We had a very large youth group from Hamburg come for the entire week. The largest part of the group did baptisms on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, three sessions a day, while many of their leaders also performed initiatories and participated in many other ordinances. They were extremely well organized with the names of many their deceased loved ones to complete and we found out at our prayer meeting yesterday morning that the temple exceeded their previous greatest number of ordinances performed in one day. If I got the number right, I think it was 2,163 ordinances performed in one day, not bad for a small to average size temple!

We had it a little bit easier, being assigned to the intervening two of five endowment sessions, the 9 AM and 11:30 AM sessions and it seemed like the big groups were on the 8, 10:30 and 1PM sessions with smaller “leftover” groups on the sessions we were coordinating. But we all got involved in just about everything whether we were coordinating or helping out on the other ordinances as we were needed.

A lot is happening in this next couple of weeks. Our current presidency’s term is fast coming to an end and we will be commemorating them as they prepare to leave. President and Sister Wagner, the current second counsellor and matron will be providing us with an evening this coming Tuesday to discuss the history of the church during the DDR years and the history relating to the building of the Freiberg Temple. Then on the 30th, a farewell evening is planned to say goodbye to the Erlachers and Wagners who will be finishing up not just their terms in the presidency but many additional years of temple service as well. We will also be saying hello to President and Sister Wadosch, previous first counselor and matron who are currently in Salt Lake receiving training as they take on the presidential responsibilities for the next three years. That all officially takes place on the first of November.

We will also be losing three missionary couples. The Mosses leave on the 31st of October to return to Rexburg, Idaho and the Ashby’s leave two weeks later to return to Draper on the 16th of November. A previous couple, the Bonners from Midway came back in September, not as missionaries but simply as temple workers but they’ve had some problems at home that necessitate them leaving again, so they’ll also be leaving in early November. We do have two new couples assigned, the Stapleys who will arrive on the 19th of November, and the Fiedlers who will arrive in late November. So, for two to four weeks things might get a little hectic as we’ll be down by a few but somehow we’ll get through it I’m sure.

Today was our Fast Day and our branch met at the same time as the other ward in the building to have the sacrament and hear testimonies from the Branch President and the Stake President who lives in the ward. Then we all had the opportunity to hear the Sunday afternoon session of general conference from last week. Later on this afternoon we finally finished listening to the Sunday morning session of conference which we heard while we were in Poland but we listened to that session in German as a help to the Erlachers who were with us. We got a bit more out of it by listening today in English. As I’m sure you all recognized, the talks were powerful and revelatory and seemed to me to be just what was needed in response to the times in which we live. Enjoyed Connor Clark’s post where he noted that he guessed he wasn’t a Mormon anymore. I guess we’ll have a couple of weeks here in Germany to try out the new 2 hour church sessions before we get home but it sounds like we’ll have 10 minutes less to fill for our homecoming talks!

We haven’t been having typical conference weather here this past week. Whereas earlier it was really getting chilly, this week the temperatures have been running in the 70’s pretty consistently. Our days are definitely getting shorter and the sun rises after we’ve already started in the temple and it’s setting mostly before we’ve eaten dinner. But we have had the time to take a couple of long walks through the forests and parks around here which are really getting gorgeous as the leaves are finally changing colors.

Last night we attended an organ, violin and soprano concert with the Ashby’s, who drove, recommended by one of our German temple workers who was distantly related to the performers and we just loved driving through all the beautiful Saxony landscapes en route to the church where it was being held. So today we went for a bit of a drive along the same route. As we really looked at the map to decide how to get there, we discovered that it was very near to the “Christmas City” of Seiffen where we’ve been before but never realized how close it was to the Czech Republic border. So, we had a lovely drive through lovely but very narrow roads and went right along the border. I would’ve stopped to take a few more pictures but we decided there wasn’t a lot of time, so you’ll have to make do with the ones above which are around here in Freiberg.

I guess we’re getting used to some of the unique things here in Germany. There are never baggers provided at the grocery stores. You have to put it all back in your cart at the check stand and then bag them up yourself. If you didn’t bring your own bags, you can purchase them at the check stand, but you still have to bag your own.The other thing that was quite interesting was the car we rented when we traveled to Scandinavia last month. It was really quite nice, but the engine shut off whenever we came to a stop sign or stop light. As soon as you take your foot off the brake, it immediately started up again, but it was very unique. Great on mileage (or perhaps kilometerage)  and probably keeps air pollution to a minimum. Anybody seen that in new cars in the States.

I did have the opportunity of reading the new church history book. “Saints”, which is available for free on Gospel Library. I thought that it was very good and covers a few items in a much more open fashion than perhaps previously. I remember that one of you was concerned once about the many different versions of Joseph Smith’s first vision as it was related to different audiences over the years and those differences are taken into account as it is related in the new history. I’ve also taken the time to look at the new resource, “Come Unto Me” as it will be used in our homes, at Sunday School and in Primary. Sounds like we’re all going to have more responsibility for teaching ourselves and our families at home than we used to have.

Mom: Interesting, that even temple work can become routine. The differences come with the  groups of people who come from so many different places and countries and the sweet personal experiences we have with them. There is so much love and joy that is shared each day. I noticed that a number of times we were admonished by apostles to go to the temples, to help our ancestors and to find peace and inspiration for ourselves. Truly the prophecy of “temples will dot the earths” is coming true before our very eyes.

I also, love the Book of Mormon and bear testimony of its truthfulness. I have felt its power in my life and the need to read it consistently. After having taught Relief Society for the past few years, I have felt that the Lord and church were trying to prepare us to be more faithful disciples, and families. Now, I can see why, in preparation for our new prophet and the many revelations he has received for the church and moving us forward to thinking more on the second coming of the Savior. I loved conference and every speaker seemed to have an important message to share. I hope you felt the inspiration and encouragement for your personal life and are looking forward to the new programs.

   Our love and prayers are always with you, no matter where you are in the world,

Grammy, Grampa, Mom, Dad, Elder and Sister Parker