June 2008 Sharing Time Reflection

So... of course. I couldn't figure out my whole heart idea. Instead, I had the kids come up, choose a heart, answer the question or sing the song and then they got to choose a piece of the puzzle to turn over. We had had an activity day where we went to the Reno, NV temple, so I put a picture of all the kids that went too. Pardon my artwork. It is definitely not a talent of mine!

Also I've been reading more in depth President Boyd K. Packer's The Holy Temple. Highly recommend of course! And there was a very interesting quote from Wilford Woodruff, that Joseph Smith included in his history, "The Bible says, 'I will send you Elijah the Prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord; and he shall turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.' Now, the word turn here should be translated bind or seal. But what is the object of this important mission? or how is it to be fulfilled? The keys are delivered. The spirit of Elijah is to come, the Gospel to be established, the Saints of God fathered, Zion built up, and the Saints to come up as saviours on Mount Zion." (HC, 6:183-184)

I think I'd add a few more questions with info. gleaned from his wonderful book!

1. What is another word in reference to temple work for the word turn? Then incorporate the quote

2. What is the greatest responsibility we have, according to Joseph Smith?

"The greatest responsibility in this world that God has laid upon us is to seek after our dead." (HC 6:313)

3. What did the saints in church do when they first learned about baptism for the dead?

They performed baptisms in the Mississippi River. And they did so without a man to record a single act that they had performed. (The Holy Temple, Packer, p.198) Later, President Woodruff gave a manifesto in 1890 to clarify what should be done concerning this sacred ordinance. (The Holy Temple, Packer, p.196)