President Monson’s talk was about the temples. The important information that we see here is the opportunity for members who live far from at temple to receive financial help for their first visit to a temple through the General Temple Patron Assistance Fund. In the outlying Districts of the Church here in Brasil the leaders organize Caravans to the closest temple, usually by bus. For example, from the District of Ipatinga, Brasil just last week they chartered a bus for the members, but the monetary contribution of each member was still a sacrifice for them. There were about 50 members who made this trip and the testimonies upon return in sacrament meeting Sunday was sweet. We observed however, one member who has and inactive husband (returned missionary) who was not able to go. She is a full participant with here two daughters in all the programs of the Branch here but she works as she can but was not able to find the funds to enable her to go. The trip to the temple in Campinas, Brasil takes over 12 hours and is usually during the night. While she would apparently not qualify for the help from this fund, but it is great to see more temples being announced.
We just had the opportunity to see the temple site that has been purchased for the new temple in Fortaleza, Brasil which will be a great blessing to the growing Stakes and Districts in or near that important area of the country. Thank You President Monson for those special announcements.
What are your feelings about the temple caravans? How long does it take for you to travel to the temple?
1 comment:
I think President Monson's opening statement in this talk caught us all off balance. "Hello, I wonder who I should call on to substitute for me!" His remarks about the Temple and the Assistance Fund made me think of the Assistance Fund we have here in Brasil for the youth's college education, that Jim over sees in the Ipatinga District. We've seen many "Temple Caravans" arrive at the Campinas Temple and leave Ipatinga for the Campinas Temple. Whole families with youth to do baptisms while their parents do other Temple ordinances. We've taken part in some of the things they do in order to earn extra money to be able to afford even a long bus ride to and from the Temple. They sew for others or cook freezable dinners, you name it they all want to be able to attend the Temple whenever a caravan is leaving every 6 months from every District. As Jim mentioned the testimonies of these "Saint's" upon their return from the Temple is so full of the spirit. Since it is a law in Brasil that you have to have a civil marriage some of the caravans have couples going to finally be sealed together for Eternity. Their testimonies are so heart warming.
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