Melchizedek

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Attending the Temple in the Past Year

Amanda and Aliza Ross on 12 February 2022 at the Twin Falls Temple

Our daughter Aliza turns 12 this year. That means that in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints she is of sufficient age that she may attend the holy temple and perform work on behalf of the deceased. The year that a youth turns 12, starting in January, they may enter and do that work.

Our Ward, the Burley 11th Ward, took various youth on 12 February 2022 to the Twin Falls Temple. Amanda was able to go with her.

We returned to the Twin Falls Temple on 6 March 2022. I met my former mission companion in the England Manchester Mission and former roommate at Utah State University Brad Hales there at the temple with his daughter Eliza. Another great opportunity for our family. My Dad also arranged his schedule while he was working at the temple so that he could also watch and participate in some of the vicarious confirmations as temple recorder.

Paul, Aliza, and Amanda Ross on 6 March 2022 at the Twin Falls Temple

Yesterday, we attended the Pocatello Idaho Temple for baptisms. We took Aliza and my cousin Mary Lou and her husband Bill Teal. We also met Brad and Eliza Hales, this time joined by Aleah, who can also now attend since she turns 12 this year.

Bill and Mary Lou Teal, Amanda, Aliza, and Paul Ross, and Aleah, Brad, and Eliza Hales on 16 April 2022 at the Pocatello Idaho Temple

It was fun to visit with Bill and Mary Lou on the way there and back. Bill had never performed baptisms for the dead, either as the proxy or as the priesthood holder performing the ordinance. He was baptized when a child, but only received the Melchizedek Priesthood and was endowed in the holy temple in 2021. It was the first time Mary Lou had returned to the temple in over 25 years. Here is a picture from that occasion.

Bill and Mary Lou Teal on 20 February 2021 at the Twin Falls Temple

There was a good little crowd there to support Bill and Mary Lou going to the temple on this occasion. Especially with the limited COVID-19 restrictions that were still in place.

Matt and Carrie DeTemple, Becky and Curtis Smith, Ryan Yee, Brandon Clegg, Corinne Carter, Linda Hosteen, Paul and Amanda Ross on 20 February 2021 at Twin Falls Temple

Bill and Mary Lou continued to work and were sealed to each other for time and all eternity in the Twin Falls Temple on 29 September 2021. Which also happened to be the wedding anniversary for Norvel and Karen Christenson.

Bill and Mary Lou Teal on 29 September 2021 at the Twin Falls Temple

Another fun crowd there to support Bill and Mary Lou going to the temple on this occasion. It was a joyous occasion!

(l-r) Linda Hosteen, Corinne Carter, Candi Wells, Denise Olsen, Dave Wells, Denise Olsen, Ryan Yee, Karen and Norvel Christenson, Mary Lou Teal, Paul Ross, Bill Teal, Matt and Trista Cook, Brandon Clegg, Marilyn Felt, and Katie Clegg on 29 September 2021 at Twin Falls Temple

Miracles continue to happen in the lives of those around us. The holy temple is not only a gathering place for the saints spiritually and in the covenant, but for families and friends in this world.

Mary Lou told the story of her attending the Idaho Falls Temple to do baptisms as a youth in the 1960s, just like Aliza is now. Mary Lou grew up on a farm at Hunt, which was part of the Jerome Idaho Stake.

Mary Lou is my first cousin once removed. Bill and Mary Andra are her Grandparents and my Great Grandparents. Her mother, June, and my Grandmother, Colleen, are sisters.

Denise Olsen in one of the photos is the same, but through my Grandpa. Joseph and Lillian Jonas are her Grandparents and my Great Grandparents. Her mother, LeReta, and my Grandfather, Norwood, are siblings. On that occasion in September, I was with two separate relatives of my Mom. How small is the world and the church?