Humble temple experiences

Brannick

When I was in preparation meeting this morning a kind of wild looking brother came in dressed in his whites clothing, of course. walking with a limp.  After the meeting I introduced myself and shook his hand.  He gave me a big Guatemalan abrazo (hug).  Later when I was talking with Elder Brown, he told me this brother has a prosthetic leg but still rides his bike almost 15 miles to work in the temple every Wednesday and then rides back after 9:00 at night!

We thought we were sacrificing a little to come down here away from family and friends.  I am humbled by this man's dedication and sacrifice.  From his appearance I would guess that he comes from very poor surroundings.  But in the temple we're all alike.  Except he's way more dedicated than I.

We have people coming in rubber sandals and in their colorful native dress.  Their feet appear that they have not worn shoes very much.  Their hands are hard and calloused.  But here they are serving the Lord by doing ordinances for their ancestors.

Tonight we had two older brothers come into the baptistry to do baptisms for their grandfathers.  They were both new members of the church and neither one were very steady on their feet. One of them wore thick glasses and had a hard time seeing when we had him take them off to be baptized. They looked kind of lost because this was their first time in the temple but I'm sure it won't be their last.

For those of you who are wondering what this baptism ordinance is all about, check out 1 Corinthians 15:29.

What a day!  We have so much and they have so little.  That's not true of all, many of them own their own business and some are very successful.  But it's humbling to be close to these people and feel of their sweet spirit.