Called To Serve

My life took an interesting twist on June 8. On that day, I received a call from Elder Steven Snow of the Presidency of the Seventy in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to serve as the second counselor in the Draper Utah Temple presidency. Three men are asked to lead each temple and their wives serve with them. Elder Snow also called Kathy to serve as an assistant to the matron of the temple. These full-time assignments require complete devotion.
 
It's interesting how in the course of a 15 minute conversation one's life can change. Time commitments become rearranged, perspectives change, and service replaces leisurely activities. Since our mission, life has been pretty simple--retired life can be that way.  Although we have served in the Draper Temple one to two days a week for the last 13 months, we have had very few ongoing commitments.  Now we will be quite busy again, but that is our commitment as disciples of Jesus Christ.  At times like this we try to follow the example of Samuel who was called to be a prophet.  When Samuel heard the Lord calling he said, "Speak; for thy servant heareth" (1 Samuel 3:10).
 
For those readers who may be unfamiliar with temples in our Church a little background may be of interest to you. The following two videos explain why our Church builds temples throughout the world and why members of the Church go to these temples to serve and worship.
 

 
 

 
 
The Church has 134 temples around the world.  Perhaps the most readily recognizable temple is the one in downtown Salt Lake City. As explained in the videos, these sacred edifices are different from our chapels where we hold Sunday worship services.  Members of the Church go to the temples to worship and commune with the Lord, serve, and participate in sacred ordinances. President Gordon B. Hinckley said of these temples:
 
"These unique and wonderful buildings, and the ordinances performed therein, represent the ultimate in our worship.  These ordinances become the most profound expressions of our theology." (Gordon B. Hinckley, "Of Missions, Temples, and Stewardship," Ensign, November 1995)
 
This is a humbling and a very special opportunity for Kathy and me.  We will be very busy but full of joy in being called to serve. Blog posts may become less frequent as we serve but you will know it's because we will be busy.  
 
We are grateful to serve wherever the Lord needs us.