August 16, 2010

Hey Mom,

So first things first, don't worry about my shoes, they will be fine.  The Rockports are wearing down a little, but only because I have worn them almost everyday here in Ukraine.  They just get beat up with all the walking we do, but they will be fine.  I will probably have to buy new insoles, but that is pretty normal.

So it sounds like you have a great week in front of you.  Enjoy it, especially at the Manti Temple.  I can't wait until I get to go do a session there. It is a beautiful building.  (We are taking Caitlin to school at SUU and while we're down south Rob and I are doing a session at Manti.)

Speaking of beautiful buildings, the Kyiv temple is absolutely incredible.  Elder Parker and I were there three days this past week and we were lucky enough to go through it twice.  Everything about the temple is absolutely perfect and everyone notices it as they drive by it.  There is not a more beautiful place in all of Ukraine.  The Spirit is so strong there as well.  Every member who is working there has been great as they welcome all who come and prepare them.  The open house tour was perfectly set up.  As you go from room to room, the wonderful volunteers teach basic beliefs for those who don't know the church while testifying of the significance of the temple.  Everything ties together perfectly and makes perfect sense and I have not heard a single negative response from it.  As I went through it the second time, I started to think about change.  20 years ago, this part of the world was completely cut off from the joy of the gospel.  In such a short time, the Lord has prepared His children and the temple is now here for those who have waited.  Since the temple open house began, there has already been a huge change in the work and the way that people act.  Nonmembers who have never heard anything positive now recognize what we truly believe and many of them have a desire to find out more.  Missionary work in Kyiv right now is growing so fast.  There have been hundreds of referrals coming in from members whose family and friends visited the temple and everyone feels the Spirit of this work.  There are so many members too that are working to prepare to go through and do work for their ancestors as well.  It has been absolutely incredible.  This temple is truly a miracle and in two short weeks, Satan is going to lose so much power that he has over these people. The temple is going to bring a new life to the church in Europe.

So Elder Parker and I returned to Rivne Saturday and yesterday at church we had an opportunity to talk to the members who all went to the temple on Saturday.  It was so cool to hear their testimonies and to realize that the work we have done to help prepare them has payed off.  There are so many members that now have a desire to go forward and share with their family the blessings that are about to come into this land.  There was even a member's nonmember brother there yesterday.  He has come to church recently, but never had a desire to meet with the missionaries.  On Saturday he went to the temple and yesterday before church, as we sat and talked to him, he started to explain his experience at the temple.  He talked about what he felt and Elder Parker and I both knew that it was the Spirit he was explaining.  He felt exactly what I felt when I was in the temple.  Immediately, Elder Parker asked helped him to realize that it was the Holy Ghost he felt and I think it was a testimony builder for him.  I know it certainly was for me.  It is just so incredible to me that everyone who visits is feeling the Spirit so strongly.

Well, there is so much more I could say about the temple, if only there was time.  I know that this temple in Kyiv is a true house of the Lord.  It is such a huge blessing for the members here and I know that they will feel the Spirit of Elijah as they continue to prepare and perform this work.  All of us can receive these blessings as we continue to prepare ourselves and find the time to go to the temple. This church is true.  It is the Church of Jesus Christ, "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone."  Thomas S. Monson is our living prophet today.  I know that it is through the priesthood of God, that he will dedicate the Kyiv Ukraine Temple allowing the Kingdom of God to continue to grow.

With Love,

Elder Jones