Our Temple Mission: General Conference & Bill's Birthday

We always look forward to General Conference and being able to hear messages from the General Authorities who have been called to lead us. Their words are always inspiring and seem to address our individual needs. Truly an inspiring weekend.

It was exciting to hear the announcement of 4 new temples. Peru rejoiced in hearing that there would be another temple built in Lima, Peru. Members at the Stake Centers here in Trujillo stood and cheered and hugged each other when it was announced.

The Deseret News stated, "The Lima Temple is the 2nd smallest temple in the world, 9600 square feet, yet it served over a half a million members in nearly 100 stakes, the largest number served by any temple. After the dedication of the Trujillo Temple, the Lima Temple District was reduced to 73 stakes. In contrast, the Mount Timpanogos Temple has more that 107,000 square feet and serves 55 stakes."

I was curious about which was the smallest temple in the church so I did a little research and found out it was the Colonia Juarez Chihuahua Mexico Temple. Bill & I actually attended this temple with Linda and Don (sister & brother-in-law) about 16 years ago.

Here are some interesting facts about that little temple:

"The Colonia Juárez Chihuahua Mexico Temple was the second temple built in Mexico and the first built in Chihuahua.

The Colonia Juárez Chihuahua Mexico Temple was the first of the new generation of smaller temples built outside of the United States.

With just one ordinance room and one sealing room, the Colonia Juárez Chihuahua Mexico Temple is the smallest temple in the Church.

At the time of the dedication of the Colonia Juárez Chihuahua Mexico Temple, the Mexican saints were experiencing a drought in the area. In his dedicatory prayer, President Gordon B. Hinckley petitioned the Lord for rain. After the final session on Sunday, March 7, 1999, the first rain drops began to fall."

Sunday was Bill's 69th birthday. We ate pancakes for breakfast, dressed very casually, knowing this would be a day we would not see anyone as we would be home enjoying conference. We were settling into our seats in front of the TV getting ready to watch the Spoken Word before the morning session of conference when we heard a knock at the door. When we opened it, we found our fellow temple missionaries singing Happy Birthday in Spanish and Hermana Gomez holding a banana pudding birthday treat. We work with such a special group of people.

After Conference the Casos's came by to wish Bill Happy Birthday as well as the Hawses bearing cinnamon rolls and a Trujillo wallet left by the Nields. Before bedtime he received a call and singing from the office missionaries and President and Sister Marler. It was a wonderful day. We ate two of the cinnamon rolls before I remembered to take the picture. They were soooooo good. Next time Bill has a birthday I am going to dress up!

Thanks to the internet. we are able to watch all of the sessions of conference in the comfort of our little apartment, just like we do back home.

After conference we spent a little time listening the the Messiah by the Mormon Tabernacle choir, before taking our evening walk around the temple. It was performed in the Tabernacle to celebrate Easter. Our neighbor De Anna Fry sent us the link. The Uchtdorfs and Benders were on the front row.

This picture of a sunset was taken by Jan some weeks ago. It is always beautiful walking around the temple, no matter what time of day it is.

It was spring break in Utah this week so Heather took the kids on an outing to Salt Lake City. Robert had to work but the kids seemed to have a great time.