Week 81 - Solis Family Sealing

Solis Family Sealing

January 25, 2014

25 January 2014, Probably one of the most eventful and fulfilling days of my mission.

It started at 4:00 in the morning. I got a ride to San Diego from Bro. Robinson (my ward mission leader from Murrieta) who is the baptistry coordinator for the San Diego temple and his wife. Their shift starts at 6 so we had to leave Corona at 4:30. We did, and the ride down to San Diego we talked about Murrieta ward. It was amazing to see how well they are doing. They had 7 baptisms that year after I left. Three of which were people who just walked into church one Sunday and said they wanted to get baptized. We also talked about the people I had worked with who are all doing well and moving forward. (Especially the Solis family.)

it was cool to round the corner on the freeway and then "BAM". Mormon temple. It looked really cool all lit-up in the pre-dawn hours.

Once we got to the Temple, I was put to work in the Baptistry once people showed up around 8ish. Most of the people who were there were youth groups from Tiajuana. They come monthly, and were really great kids. It was interesting to see how the temple works from the inside and fun to help out.

The San Diego temple is incredibly beautiful both on the inside and out. Some of the most breathtaking spaces I've seen in my life. The architechure and interior design is impeccable. The Spirit there enhances the beautiful surroundings, a little piece of heaven on Earth.  

When the Solis' got there, I went and said hi. I don't know that I have ever seen people smile that big. They all had huge smiles and I did too. We were all so glad to see each other, that alone was great.

The sealing itself was so simple, sacred and sublime. Those are the only words that I can think of to use, no words are good enough to describe it.

I couldn't help but think back to a year ago when I first met the Solis family. Oscar wasn't a member, and it didn't look like he would be any time soon. But when Elder Plaster and I were teaching him, something clicked. Miracle after miracle followed until (and not ending at) his baptism. Many tears of joy were shed then about the prospect of them being an eternal family. I am so thankful and honored to be there to see that come to fruition. They are the coolest family! It is rare as a missionary to see your efforts go full circle. I am reminded of a scripture in the doctrine and Covenants.

D&C 18

10 Remember the ^aworth of ^bsouls is great in the sight of God;
 15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one ^asoul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!
16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the ^akingdom of my Father, how great will be your ^bjoy if you should bring many ^csouls unto me!

I know for myself, by experience, that there is true, pure, and immense joy in bringing souls to the Kingdom of the Father. Our experience at the temple cannot be duplicated or denied. All of the blood, sweat, tears and effort of missionary work are worth it. I can honestly look back at my mission (all 19 months of it) and say that if nothing else, seeing the Solis family sealed made everything worth it. I know that the Temple is the House of the Lord and that His gospel is restored on this Earth, to bring as many as will come to God the Father and Jesus Christ whom he has sent. He has done this to bring them true joy and to set them free. Free from the stains of sin, free from the weight of the world. That is the purpose of the gospel.  

Sometimes I wonder, do we really appreciate the import of our message?