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ASIA AREA PRESIDENCY MESSAGE Blessings of Temple Worship By Elder Wisit Khanakham Elder Wisit Of the Seventy Khanakham

he first worship experience our lives. When we look back on the It reminds our family of the prom- Tfor me and my wife was on May 6, previous 35 years, it proves to us that ise made in the Book of Mormon: 1981, when we were endowed and the many blessings of temple worship “Therefore, if ye do keep his com- sealed in the Tokyo Japan Temple. have come true. We still remember mandments he doth bless you and We did not understand much then, as long as we keep the covenants prosper you” (Mosiah 2:22). but we have since counted temple we have made in the temple, the There are five simple ways that worship as a blessing every day in Lord will bless us a hundredfold. help us feel and count the blessings of temple worship.

Hong Kong temple 1. Remember your temple experiences daily: We are encouraged to return to the temple as often as possible. However, there are many faithful Saints among us who live far away from the temple. Family financial difficulties do not allow many to return often. Yet, we can still embrace our feelings of temple worship by thinking of the different temple ordinances in our daily life, such as the endowment, baptism and confir- mation for our ancestors, sealing, etc. By so doing, we can feel inner peace and joy and have a righteous desire to worship and serve in the temple.

2. Focus our life on the Lord Jesus Christ as the center point in our heart: Temples are built so “that the Son of Man might have a place to manifest

February 2016 A1 himself to his people” (D&C 109:5). our clumsiness with new technology. “The symbols and rituals of the temple “Temple work brings so much re- We tried and failed again and again, but help to focus our attention on the sistance because it is the source of so we never failed to try. We finally prayed Savior.”1 It is understood that there is a much spiritual power to the Latter-day­ and decided to seek help from a senior difference between life in the temple Saints, and to the entire Church.”2 couple missionary in Thailand. After and life outside the temple. The world It is vital for us to examine how seeking assistance from family history hands us opposition in all aspects we live. Reviewing the temple recom- specialists in the Asia Area and Church of life—good and bad, gladness and mend interview questions reminds headquarters, they made our day. Our sorrow, success and failure, happi- me of how I answered them to the questions were answered and we were ness and sorrow, accomplishment Lord through my priesthood leaders. able to continue temple work for our and disappointment. When we allow I am always aware that I am to live ancestors from old records. “I, the Lord, His name to be in the center of our the gospel, stay on the right path, and am bound when ye do what I say; but hearts, we remember that the purpose keep temple covenants even if nobody when ye do not what I say, ye have no of our temple worship is to be with asks me the questions again. The Lord promise” (D&C 82:10). Pondering the Him and not with others. Our feelings knows and watches over me, and the commitments and covenants we make of His tender mercy in the temple power of the Holy Ghost permits me in the temple is a source of the bless- inspire us to be better and do better in to feel the blessings of temple worship. ings of temple worship. accordance with His will. As long as we follow His will, we will never feel 4. Ponder the commitments and 5. Have the right vision and right distant from temple blessings. covenants we have made in the attitude towards the blessings of temple: temple worship: I add my testimony to the wit- If we have a clear picture in our 3. Continue living worthily by reviewing temple recommend nesses of the Twelve Apostles that our minds that the blessings of temple interview questions: Heavenly Father is our true and living worship reveal spiritual matters to us “Temples are the very center of the God and Jesus Christ is His Beloved individually, we will not challenge the spiritual strength of the Church. We and Only Begotten Son. Whenever I Lord by asking: “Why am I still poor?” should expect that the adversary will ponder upon the commitments and “Why did I lose my lifelong job?” “Why try to interfere with us as a Church covenants that I have made with the do I not have sufficient means to pay and with us individually as we seek Lord in the temple, my hope in the a full tithe?” “Why am I so frustrated to participate in this sacred and in- blessings of temple worship is strength- in my Church calling?” “Why am I not spired work. The interference can ened. I keep striving to do more even happy in the home?” and so on. vary from the terrible persecutions of when the task might appear to be very “Temple attendance allows us to the earlier days to apathy toward the difficult for me. An example of this serve others and to continue to gain work. The latter is perhaps the most would be doing family history work. greater spiritual knowledge. . . . dangerous and debilitating form of My wife and I tried many times to “‘No work is more of a protection to resistance to temple work. do our family history but failed due to this Church than temple work and the

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LOCAL NEWS genealogical research which supports it. No work is more spiritually refining. Exciting to Live the Gospel No work we do gives us more power. By Brother Akira No work requires a higher standard of righteousness . . . started attending meetings of The of the Holy Ghost” (Moroni 10:4). “‘If we will accept the revelation I Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day­ So I knelt down and prayed for concerning temple ordinance work, Saints when I was young. While grow- a confirmation that the Book of if we will enter into our covenants ing up I went with my mom to church Mormon is true—and consequently, without reservation or apology, the every other week. I always had faith a confirmation of the verity of the Lord will protect us. We will receive that the Church was true. restored gospel and the legitimacy inspiration sufficient for challenges I was baptized a member of of Joseph Smith as a prophet as of life . . . .’”3 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-­ well—and, as promised, the Holy I know the temple is the holy day Saints and committed to go to Ghost confirmed the truth of these house of the Lord and the blessings church every week. As I read Book things to me. Over the years, I’ve are for all who are faithful and will- of Mormon, I felt peace because the continued to have experiences that ing to accept the fruits of the Spirit: Spirit testified the book taught truth— confirm my testimony. I know this “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gen- that we should strive to be like Jesus Church is true because of the fruits tleness, goodness, faith, meekness, Christ. I could feel joy and light in my of exercising my faith. temperance: against such there is no life because I know the fruits of living law” (Galatians 5:22–23). These fruits the principles of the gospel are joy, How I am faithful of the Spirit produce within us such light, peace, and goodness. I know As a member of this Church, there strong spiritual self-reliance­ that we as these principles to be true. are many commandments and life- individuals and as families can learn I am not perfect by any means. style choices that I am expected to how to bear worldly challenges and I’ve made plenty of mistakes, and live: I’m supposed to live the Word difficulties step by step. I testify of this I’m sure I’ll make plenty more. But I of Wisdom (which keeps my body in the sacred name of the Lord Jesus know that the true happiness comes free from drugs, alcohol, tea, coffee, Christ, amen. ◼ from continually striving to be like and tobacco), be honest, pay tith-

NOTES Christ, which is one of the central ing, attend all three meeting hours 1. Endowed from on High: Temple messages of this Church. At the end of church every Sunday, and fulfill Preparation Seminar Teacher’s Manual (2003), 32; www.lds.org/ of the Book of Mormon, Moroni responsibilities in the Church with- manual/endowed-­from-­on-­high-­temple-­ preparation-­seminar-­teachers-­manual/ invites us to “ask God, the Eternal out monetary gains. Many people lesson-­7-­continuing-­to-­enjoy-­the-­blessings-­ Father, in the name of Christ, if these look at this religion and assume that of-­temple-­attendance. 2. “Not without Opposition,” Preparing things are not true; and if ye shall ask these expectations are oppressive to Enter the Holy Temple (2002), 35–36; or, www.lds.org/manual/ with a sincere heart, with real intent, and limits our freedom. But here’s preparing-­to-­enter-­the-­holy-­temple/ having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth about living this lifestyle: It preparing-­to-­enter-­the-­holy-­temple. 3. Endowed from on High, 35. the truth of it unto you, by the power is not limiting; it is liberating. When

February 2016 A3 I follow God’s commandments, I just a few of the blessings that come to serve a full-time­ mission in the feel the peaceful confirmation of the from living certain principles, but India New Delhi Mission. Holy Ghost telling me that His com- ultimately, obedience itself brings I am so excited to be given the op- mandments are for our happiness and blessings. By obediently keeping portunity to serve the Lord by sharing protection. For example, by living the the commandments of our own free the gospel with the people there. It is Word of Wisdom, I am free from the will, we become more like Jesus, our a blessing and a privilege to dedicate chains of addiction and other effects Savior and Redeemer. The Lord Jesus my time and efforts to Him. I hope to of harmful substances. By living Christ was and is the perfect example help others feel the same peace and honestly, I don’t have to worry about of obedience to God’s command- joy that I have felt through living this getting caught cheating or lying, and ments; I live my faith by striving to gospel. ◼ people trust me more. Those are emulate Him. I’m currently preparing Brother Akira lives in India Hyderabad Stake

us that it was difficult for us to go. All My Burdens Lifted in the Temple those problems were swept away this year. In 2015, I received the marvelous am grateful to Heavenly Father for I had decided to go to the temple and wonderful blessing from God to I giving this wonderful opportunity before my marriage, but it was not reach my long cherished goal to be to bear my testimony regarding the possible due to family problems. But in the temple. temple. My temple experience was God gave a great opportunity through When I entered the temple, it marvelous. I am thankful to God. my husband. We were planning to was very bright, filled with glory, very I am Lavanaya Roopa Ebenezer go to the temple for two years, but quiet and peaceful, and those inside Paul. My husband and I are blessed so many trials and problems besieged the temple looked like angels. with two children, Mary Angelina and While in the temple the heavy bur- Melissa. Heavenly Father blessed me dens that I had felt for a long left me. I with a wonderful family. I am grateful felt like Jesus Christ kept His hands on to Him for that blessing. my head and gave me the blessing for I have been a member of The my burdens to be lifted. I felt free and Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day­ happy. Saints for the last 15 years. I was born As we were sealed as an eternal and brought up in Hyderabad. All my family, my two daughters looked like brothers and sisters are members of angels. It was a very spiritual experi- the Church. I am grateful to elders ence in the temple. ◼ who taught us about the true Church Sister Lavanaya Roopa Paul lives in India and the true gospel. Bangalore Stake

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Lavanaya and Ebenezer Paul with their two daughters,

Mary Anglina and Melissa Our Journey to the Temple

Ebenezer Paul Mahendran, was I , born and brought up in Bangalore. My family is big. I have four sisters two brothers and me. But I am the only member of the Church. After so many doubts, I came to the Church and I felt the Spirit. I gained a testi- mony that the Book of Mormon is the true word of God. Then I was baptized on March 8, 2007. Hearing testimonies of my fellow Saints, I also planned to go to the temple. But there were many chal- lenges to overcome before going into the temple. The first of the challenges was getting passports for my children. My children were born in Hyderabad. We had to apply for passports from Hyderabad. So my wife and kids had to go to Hyderabad apply for passports and stay for a period of three months for all formalities to be completed. him the invitation letter and told We had only one thing to do: plead Our passports came and we him our purpose. He said, “Why did to Heavenly Father to intervene on our were ready with other families, but you come to Hong Kong? Is there no behalf and help us in our righteous things did not work out. We missed temple in India? We will not give visas desires. We prayed in our hearts just a few schedules. Members and leaders for religious purposes.” We were kept like the people of Alma (see Mosiah kept encouraging us to keep the goal in detention. We feared they would 24:9–12). Our prayers were fervent in sight. Then finally we left to the deport us, as we had return tickets. We and pleading as we wanted to visit temple. When we landed at the Hong were made to sit. The minutes seemed the house of the Lord. Kong airport, there awaited a bigger hours and many emotions ran through Finally the immigration officer test for us. An immigration official my mind. We were near and yet could called us in. He again asked us to would not allow us in. We showed still not go to the temple. show our travel documents. He went

February 2016 A5 through them, and finding we also church but could not attend due to had return tickets, he stamped our I Am a Pioneer long distance. In our town we had passports. Tears of joy, gratitude, and By Gagan John only one church, the Swedish Baptist reverence to our Heavenly Father filled Church, and we had no option but to our hearts and souls as we came out. grew up in a small town of attend this church instead. Thanksgiving never ceased from our I Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh. It was very unfortunate that my lips for the miracle that had just hap- My mother was a history teacher mother started to suffer with an un- pened. It was a miracle! There are and my father worked in Delhi with known disease, and I was also in pain no words to describe the happiness the then Prime Minister Smt. Indira seeing her pain and sufferings. After a that we felt. We knew that Heavenly Gandhi. He was an honest man but few months, she died at midnight of Father was watching over us and due to his busy schedule, he was not June 16, 1982, in the presence of me that He had accepted our sincere, able to spare any time for our fam- and my sister. I was then 14 years old. heartfelt prayer to let us come into ily. This issue between my parents After her death, my father brought my His house. We were thankful to God developed, and the family atmosphere sister and I to Delhi, and I continued for increasing our testimony. Our faith and happiness was affected. I have with my studies. Every Sunday he was strengthened and we knew God two elder brothers and one younger took us to church. I was not com- hears and answers our prayers. With sister. One of my brothers decided to fortable because there was only one Him nothing is impossible. We also live with our father in Delhi, but my brother, Juriel, and two couple mis- knew that the Church is true. We knew elder brother, my sister, and I decided sionaries. But soon I was baptized a God loves us. to stay with our mother, hoping that member of The Church of Jesus Christ I am grateful to Heavenly Father someday we all would be together. My of Latter-day­ Saints. A senior elder, that He has given us the true gospel. mother was a religious woman. We Elder Erikson, baptized me in the My temple experience was too spir- were strong members of a Catholic swimming pool of the Claridge Hotel. itual for me to share. The experience surprised me and I felt very happy. The holy temple this is a place where God dwells. As a family, we were sealed in the temple. We fulfilled the commandment of our Father in Heaven. We are so grateful for the Church, Gagan John and its leaders, and prophets. I leave this his companion testimony in name of Jesus Christ, Elder Abel when amen. ◼ serving a mission in India. Ebenezer Paul Mahendran lives in India Bangalore Stake

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After my baptism, I became serious strong. I love and admire his great with a firm decision that we will not and started to learn very quickly the sacrifice. repeat the wrongdoings again. language of God’s unseen Spirit. That In my life there are many spiritual I was totally influenced by the young was great! I started to learn about the experiences that helped me to be a boy of 14 years, Joseph Smith, who was prophet Joseph Smith and his sacri- strong member of the true Church. directed by God the Father and through fice, how he struggled at a very early God gave me a very caring, loving, him, the true gospel was restored to age and how the pioneers struggled and helpful life partner who helps the earth. Also, the scriptures and the in the early days of the Church. After and supports me. We have two God-­ Prophet’s teachings have influenced a few months, my brother Ravi Julian fearing and talented children—daughter me a lot. Their teachings touched my John and my Aunt Leena John also Bhoomika and son Saransh—who heart and I was converted to the true joined the Church. One day, I told my make our family happy and complete. Church, The Church of Jesus Christ father that I wanted to go on a mission My children are active members. of Latter-day­ Saints. I know that the and serve the Lord. He was very happy They are growing in the Church’s truths which the scriptures contain are to give me permission and said, “You atmosphere, which will help them to perfect for our progression and give will be a pioneer missionary for this be strong enough to face the world’s us strength at times of need. part of the world.” challenges. They will have wisdom to The most powerful influence of the I have a Catholic background, but choose between right and wrong. I am Spirit of the Lord and what became the Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great happy for them and I know that they a milestone of my life came when I Price, Doctrine and Covenants, and the are on the right path. These things was serving my full-­time mission in inspiring talks of the living prophets make me a better person and a strong Bangalore. At that time, I strongly and apostles has had a great impact member of the Church. felt that the calling and responsibility on me. Keeping the commandments, My suggestions to youth and new assigned to me was heavenly and that looking for eternal hope, understand- converts is this that if you want happi- the priesthood is not mediocre, but it ing the doctrine of baptism for dead ness and joy, please hold on to the iron is superbly connected with heavenly and temple marriage for eternity, and rod and never be afraid. The Lord has power. I felt that the work which I even understanding that death is not chosen you in His family, and if you was doing was an assignment from an end increased my testimony. And follow His path, you will always be God. Thereafter I found myself priv- also knowing that Father Lehi’s vi- guided by the Holy Ghost. I know that ileged to serve the Lord to bring my sion of the iron rod is true. Studying Jesus Christ is the only way to eternal brothers and sisters into the light of and pondering increased my faith life. The day you understand the ful- truth. The prophet Joseph Smith’s sac- and made me humble before God. ness of the gospel and bear witness rifice and a lot of other pioneers’ suf- Attending church regularly has helped of the living Christ, you too will en- ferings to establish the God’s kingdom me a lot because that nourishes me joy eternal life. We all make mistakes on earth gave me the knowledge to regularly in my spiritual pursuits. The because of the human nature in every understand that the truth will prevail great sacrifice of our loving prophet person, but we can mend human na- when the time comes and the conflict Joseph Smith made my testimony ture by repentance and move forward shall be over.

February 2016 A7 From that time onwards, my testi- mony has grown a lot to see that the growth which started in 1984 with four families now becoming many thou- sands of people. They attend church regularly amd participate in various activities of the Church. I feel that they are fortunate to have the Church. My wife and I were sealed with our children in the for time and all eternity in 2004 when my daughter was six years old and my son was a tiny baby of seven months old. I love my family very much and always want to live with them. Our temple sealing gives me hope of being together forever, if

Gagan John with his family we faithfully endure to the end. I feel so happy and blessed that the seed planted in the past in India is grow- I have received my patriarchal is the Book of Mormon. I know that ing so fast with the help of mem- blessing. It gives me much strength The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-­ bers and many missionaries serving that I will have knowledge and day Saints is the only true Church around us. I share these things in the the power of discernment which upon the face of earth. I know that name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus strengthens my testimony. I know my Redeemer lives and that after this Christ, amen. ◼ for sure that I stand on a sure foun- mortal journey of my life is over, I will Brother Gagan John, Branch 1, India dation and that the key to my faith live again. New Delhi

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