I Testify of Christ Mormon Message 1 HD

A Tribute to the Mormon Pioneers HD

The above video was created by myself. I have a strong testimony of the sacrifices that the Mormon Pioneers have made.

It is because of them, that we are here presently enjoying the Holy Gospel, the truth of it.

Many of the Pioneers have made ultimate sacrifices, some scrifices that I my self would not like to make. The pioneers should and will be blessed for all their works. Back then, there were few saints, now in December 2010 there are nearly 14 million of us.

Oakland, California Lights

Oakland, California is another city in the country that has a temple in it. This temple will also have Christmas lights on display. For 22 years in a row, the Christmas Crèche Exhibit will be held at the temple site in Palo Alto (3865 Middlefield Road) from noon to 9 p.m. Dec. 4 through 8. 


This year alone there will be more than 500 nativities from 80 countries will be on display in a festive holiday setting with live music.


So many lights across the country, they are all pretty, I think everyone should go check them out if they are near you, or if you are willing to travel to go see them.

Mesa, Arizona Lights

Well, Thanksgiving week is here, and there is no need to say that it is getting cold in certain areas of the country already. The Festival of Lights is set to begin next week in Washington D.C., but tonight, it is the turn for the Mesa Arizona LDS Temple grounds. Arizona does not get that much snow, if any in the winter times, but that is no excuse, lights are still welcome.
I have yet to see the lights in person, but I have seen the pictures, Christmas lights in a desert setting are very beautiful. It attracts many tourists to the scene.

About 10,000 volunteer hours were put in to the setting up of the lights.
The grounds will be lit up from 5:30-10pm every night until New Year's Eve. Other than the lights, the grounds will also host a series of concerts of Christmas Music.

Family History

This is a topic that is very close to my heart. The importance of Family History is very important to me because we need to save our ancestors and loved ones that did not have the opportunity to hear about the gospel here on the Earth. Our relatives that never got the chance to get baptized.

I have really been blessed this year alone because, I have struck many of what I call, goldmines in my family history research. I have discovered at least 2-3 new generations this year alone. I have had the opportunity and privilege to be baptized for them at the Holy Temple. It truly is a remarkable experience for me, and I am pretty sure that it is for them.

The picture above also shows the importance of preserving any important artifact or picture that your deceased loved ones left behind. The person on the left, is my little sister, and to the right is my mother, both around the same age. They really look alike. Any picture that I have of a relative helps me put a face to the name of the person that I am doing the work for. It really gets me motivated to keep moving forward, and it has worked.

 I have a suggestion, that you should read or watch Elder Russell M. Nelson's April 2010 General Conference talk about family history.

Serving the Lord/Festival of Lights.

In an article in the Mormon Times, states that about 250 students from Southern Virginia University spent a day at the Washington D.C. temple doing a wide range of things. Ranging from planting Tulip bulbs and temple ordinances. Service is very important in the eyes of the Lord. A lot is done to prepare the beautiful temple grounds.

All of these preparations were preparing the temple grounds for the 33rd annual Festival of Lights. Other preparations also included setting up the nativity scene and hanging up lights.

I have personally been to the Washington D.C. temple grounds for the Festival of lights. The scenery is very beautiful, and the night time skies are lit up, and scene away for miles. The lights are not only things done there for Christmas. Inside the Visitor's Center there are mini Nativity scenes from various countries around the world. The center is also fully staffed with service missionaries and full time sister missionaries for the tourist to ask questions about the church.

Friday December 3, 2010 will be the day when the Festival of Lights officially begins. It will run until New Year's day January 1, 2011. The grounds are open 10am-10pm. Lights are lit up at dusk every day. For more information, please visit
www.dctemplelights.lds.org

Rededication

On November 21, 2010, re-dedication services will be held for the Laie, Hawaii LDS Temple. The temple had originally closed down for extensive from December 2008 until next week when it will be officially complete with the re-dedication. Some of the renovations included seismic upgrades to the building and updates to the baptistry and other rooms inside the temple.

If I recall correctly, this is the 5th oldest temple in the LDS Church after the Saints moved to Utah, and first temple outside of Utah. This temple is adjacent to the campus of Brigham Young University-Hawaii campus.

For me it is amazing to see temple work on the rise, causing these buildings to be renovated and more temples being announced yearly. The church is growing rapidly, especially to the folks in Polynesia. Laie, was the first temple in Polynesia,  and this year the Cebu City, Philippines temple was dedicated, and the Urdaneta, Philippines temple was announced. I am positive that the saints in these countries are excited to see the church grow, and the continuing announcements of temples.