Temple baptistry update

The Oakland Temple has made changes to the scheduling for performing temple baptisms to put priority on families coming to the temple together.

Families can make an appointment or on a first-come basis.

Peak-demand schedule:
Tuesdays, 5pm-9pm :    Family/Walk-ins
Wednesdays, 5pm-9pm: Ward/Stake appointments
Thursdays, 5pm-9pm:    Family/Walk-ins
Fridays, 5pm-9pm:        Ward/Stake appointments
Saturdays, 5:30am-2pm: Ward/Stake appointments
Saturdays, 2pm-5pm:     Family/Walk-ins

The general schedule of the baptistry is:
Tuesdays, 5am-9pm
Wednesdays/Thursdays/Fridays, 7am-9pm
Saturdays, 5:30am-5pm

Patrons are also invited to consider participating at the baptistry during the non-peak demand hours.

Another change is that each ward/branch in the temple district can only schedule one appointment time during the peak-demand times each year. They will no longer be automatically 90 minutes but will instead be based on the number of patrons participating.
Units are invited to provide, when possible, a sufficient number of endowed brothers and sisters to assist in the baptistry.  For the family/walk-in time slots, as well as other times throughout the day, the temple is responsible for providing workers to assist the patrons.

Though ordinances should be performed in the proper sequence, patrons do not need to perform both baptism and confirmation ordinances on the same day.




3:40

The Great Commandment—Love the Lord - January 18, 2014

Natalie M. led the discussion based on (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson Chapter 1).

The great test of life is obedience to God.

The great task of life is to learn the will of the Lord and then do it.

The great commandment of life is to love the Lord. (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson Chapter 1)

• Why is 'love God' the first commandment?

Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace. Whoever will lose his life in the service of God will find eternal life. (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson Chapter 1)

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 1 Corinthians 2:9

You mothers, who are especially charged with the righteous rearing of the youth of Zion, are you not putting God first when you honor your divine calling? … Our mothers put God first when they fill their highest mission within the walls of their own homes. (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson Chapter 1)

Mary Fielding Smith set an example as a strong, loving mother. Her son Joseph F. Smith, who became the sixth President of the Church, recalled: 

“I can remember my mother in the days of Nauvoo. I remember seeing her and her helpless children hustled into a flat boat with such things as she could carry out of the house at the commencement of the bombardment of the city of Nauvoo by the mob. I remember the hardships of the Church there and on the way to Winter Quarters, on the Missouri river, and how she prayed for her children and family on her wearisome journey. … I can remember all the trials incident to our endeavors to move out with the Camp of Israel, coming to these valleys of the mountains without teams sufficient to draw our wagons; and being without the means to get those teams necessary, she yoked up her cows and calves, and tied two wagons together, and we started to come to Utah in this crude and helpless condition, and my mother said—‘The Lord will open the way;’ but how He would open the way no one knew. I was a little boy then, and I drove team and did my share of the work. I remember coming upon her in her secret prayer to God to enable her to accomplish her mission. Do you not think that these things make an impression upon the mind? Do you think I can forget the example of my mother? No; her faith and example will ever be bright in my memory. What do I think! Every breath I breathe, every feeling of my soul rises to God in thankfulness to Him that my mother was a Saint, that she was a woman of God, pure and faithful, and that she would suffer death rather than betray the trust committed to her; that she would suffer poverty and distress in the wilderness and try to hold her family together rather than remain in Babylon. That is the spirit which imbued her and her children.”¹⁹  (Daughters in the Kingdom)

• Are we striving to put the Lord first?

John 14:15  "If ye love me, keep my commandments."

"Men and women who turn their lives over to God will find out that he can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace. Whoever will lose his life to God will find he has eternal life." Ezra Taft Benson 

1 Corinthians 2:9  "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."

What blessings have come from putting God first?

You mothers, who are especially charged with the righteous rearing of the youth of Zion, are you not putting God first when you honor your divine calling? … Our mothers put God first when they fill their highest mission within the walls of their own homes. (Ezra Taft Benson) 

 A story is told that during the bombing of a city in World War II, a large statue of Jesus Christ was severely damaged. When the townspeople found the statue among the rubble, they mourned because it had been a beloved symbol of their faith and of God’s presence in their lives.

Experts were able to repair most of the statue, but its hands had been damaged so severely that they could not be restored. Some suggested that they hire a sculptor to make new hands, but others wanted to leave it as it was—a permanent reminder of the tragedy of war. Ultimately, the statue remained without hands. However, the people of the city added on the base of the statue of Jesus Christ a sign with these words: “You are my hands.” (Elder Uchtdorf , April 2010 General Conference). 



Thanks Natalie for the wonderful lesson 

Receiving Personal Revelation - January 11, 2014

Here are some of Katie S.'s thoughts shared during today's presidency message on Receiving Personal Revelation:

To me, one of the most comforting doctrines in our church is that we can receive personal revelation from our Heavenly Father. Don’t we all feel lost and confused at times? As wonderful as this world is, it can be an awfully big place, full of all sorts of decisions and challenges that can leave us feeling completely bewildered.

President Uchtdorf said,

"The Everlasting and Almighty God, the Creator of this vast universe, will speak to those who approach Him with a sincere heart and real intent.
Of course, there will be those who scoff and say such a thing is impossible, that if there were a God, He would have better things to do than hear and answer a single person’s prayer.
but I tell you this: God cares about you. He will listen, and He will answer your personal questions. The answers to your prayers will come in His own way and in His own time, and therefore, you need to learn to listen to His voice." (Receiving a Testimony of Light and Truth by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf)

I have been taught this doctrine my whole life - the idea that when we need to know something, we ask God - just as Joseph Smith did - and so many others before and after him. And so throughout my life, when I’ve had a big decision to make, I have tried to do just that: I have asked God. Sometimes I’ve studied things out in my mind, made a decision, and asked for God’s approval. And I have to say, that the answers have never come to me in the way I’ve hoped or in the way they have been described in scripture.

This is one of the reasons I have felt prompted to study this topic of personal revelation. The more life I live, the more desperately I feel the need to receive revelation from Heavenly Father. I do not have the confidence or the understanding on this subject that I would like to have - and I have come to believe that personal revelation from God is a gift that each one of us has access to - but it is a gift that we need to learn to use. 

Just like when my kids’ Uncle Dan gave them a cotton candy machine for Christmas. We have the gift, but we don’t know how it works, so we have not enjoyed the gift yet! We need to learn how it works and how to make the cotton candy before we fully appreciate and use his gift.

“We all know that human judgment and logical thinking will not be enough to get answers to the questions that matter most in life. We need revelation from God. And we will need not just one revelation in a time of stress, but we need a constantly renewed stream. We need not just one flash of light and comfort, but we need the continuing blessing of communication with God.” (President Henry B. Eyring, Continuing Revelation)

You may remember that previous General Relief Society President, Julie B. Beck, said:

“The ability to qualify for, receive, and act on personal revelation is the single most important skill that can be acquired in this life.” (Julie B. Beck, And upon the Handmaids in Those Days Will I Pour Out My Spirit) 

And so she helps us understand that receiving personal revelation is a skill - one that we can develop.

• How do we receive revelation? 
• How can we recognize answers and promptings from the Lord?

We heard from Monajo E. who related her experience with revelation as telling the Lord 'where I am', knowing He loves me, at the end of a prayer - waiting in silence/listening, and keeping a prayer in your heart all the time.

Here are the main points I plan to take away from this lesson. I have hope and faith that as I draw closer to the Lord, He will help me to recognize His hand and his guidance in my life. I have felt impressed that I need to write down and take note of impressions, feelings, and thoughts I have when seeking to receive revelation. I feel more committed to being more thoughtful in both prayer and scripture study. I will be more patient. I will look for small and simple impressions. I will take note of the moments when I feel, as Richard G. Scott said, “peace in your heart and a quiet, warm feeling.”

“The Savior has told us in our day, “That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.
The more we incline our hearts and minds toward God, the more heavenly light distills upon our souls. And each time we willingly and earnestly seek that light, we indicate to God our readiness to receive more light. Gradually, things that before seemed hazy, dark, and remote become clear, bright, and familiar to us.” (Uchtdorf, “Receiving a Testimony of Light and Truth”)

May this be the case with all of us!

2015 Lesson Schedule

4-Jan-2015	Intro to Ezra Taft Benson
11-Jan-2015	Presidency Lesson
18-Jan-2015	Ezra Taft Benson #1
25-Jan-2015	Stake Conference
1-Feb-2015	Presidency Lesson
8-Feb-2015	Ezra Taft Benson #2
15-Feb-2015	Ezra Taft Benson #3 & #4
22-Feb-2015	"Stay in the Boat and Hold On" Elder Ballard
1-Mar-2015	Presidency Lesson
8-Mar-2015	Ezra Taft Benson #5
15-Mar-2015	Ezra Taft Benson #6
22-Mar-2015	"Approaching the Throne of God with Confidence" Elder Klebingat
29-Mar-2015	Combined Adults 3rd hour
5-Apr-2015	General Conference & Easter
12-Apr-2015	Presidency Lesson
19-Apr-2015	Ezra Taft Benson #7
26-Apr-2015	TFOT
3-May-2015	Ezra Taft Benson #8
10-May-2015	RS All Hands
17-May-2015	Ward Conference
24-May-2015	TFOT
31-May-2015	Combined Adults 3rd hour
7-Jun-2015	Presidency Lesson
14-Jun-2015	Ezra Taft Benson #11
21-Jun-2015	Ezra Taft Benson #12
28-Jun-2015	TFOT
5-Jul-2015	Presidency Lesson
12-Jul-2015	Ezra Taft Benson #13
19-Jul-2015	Ezra Taft Benson #14 & #15
26-Jul-2015	TFOT
2-Aug-2015	Presidency Lesson
9-Aug-2015	Ezra Taft Benson #17
16-Aug-2015	Ezra Taft Benson #18
23-Aug-2015	TFOT
30-Aug-2015	Stake Conference
6-Sep-2015	Presidency Lesson
13-Sep-2015	Ezra Taft Benson #20
20-Sep-2015	Ezra Taft Benson #22
27-Sep-2015	TFOT
4-Oct-2015	General Conference
11-Oct-2015	Presidency Lesson
18-Oct-2015	Ezra Taft Benson #23
25-Oct-2015	TFOT
1-Nov-2015	Presidency Lesson
8-Nov-2015	Ezra Taft Benson #19
15-Nov-2015	Ezra Taft Benson #21
22-Nov-2015	TFOT
29-Nov-2015	Combined Adults 3rd hour
6-Dec-2015	Créche Sunday
13-Dec-2015	Presidency Lesson
20-Dec-2015	Ezra Taft Benson #24
27-Dec-2015	TFOT

Lesson Summary 1/4/2015: An Introduction to Ezra Taft Benson's life

See "The Life and Ministry of Ezra Taft Benson" for the full lesson material

Throughout the years of his mature life, when he walked with presidents and kings, he never lost the touch of his boyhood farm days. He never lost his capacity for work. He never lost the will to rise at dawn and work into the night. But there was more than a tremendous habit of work that came out of that boyhood home. There was a certain strength that comes from the soil. There was a constant reminder of the dictum given Adam and Eve when they were driven from the garden: “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground” (Gen. 3:19). A spirit of self-reliance was built into those who worked the soil. There were no government farm programs then, no subsidies of any kind. The vagaries of the seasons had to be accepted. Killing frosts, unseasonal storms, wind, and drought were all accepted as the risks of life against which there was no available insurance. Storage against a day of want was a necessity, else there would be hunger. The one constant resource against the risks of life was prayer, prayer to our eternal, loving Father, the Almighty God of the universe. - Gordon B. Hinkley 

Reflecting on his experiences with the young men in his ward, President Benson said: “One of the joys of working with boys is the fact that you do get your pay as you go along. You have an opportunity to observe the results of your leadership daily as you work with them through the years and watch them grow into stalwart manhood, accepting eagerly its challenges and responsibilities. Such satisfaction cannot be purchased at any price; it must be earned through service and devotion. What a glorious thing it is to have even a small part in helping to build boys into men, real men."

 [about post-WWII European saints]:
 "As I looked into their upturned faces, pale, thin, many of these Saints dressed in rags, some of them barefooted, I could see the light of faith in their eyes as they bore testimony to the divinity of this great latter-day work, and expressed their gratitude for the blessings of the Lord. …
“We found that our members had carried on in a marvelous way. Their faith was strong, their devotion greater, and their loyalty unsurpassed. We found very little, if any, bitterness or despair. There was a spirit of fellowship and brotherhood which had extended from one mission to the other, and as we traveled, the Saints asked us to take their greetings to their brothers and sisters in other countries although their nations had been at war only a few months before.” Even the refugees “sang the songs of Zion with … fervor” and “knelt together in prayer night and morning and bore testimony … regarding the blessings of the gospel."

[about the people lined up to see the funeral procession in Whitney, ID]:

This outpouring of affection was indeed a tribute, but it was more than that. It was visible evidence that people’s lives had changed because they had followed the counsel of a prophet. And the people who gathered along the highway represented many more. Between the time Ezra Taft Benson was born near Whitney, Idaho, and the time his mortal remains were buried there, he served as an instrument in the Lord’s hands, traveling throughout the world and helping millions come unto Christ.

Thank you Tori G. for giving a wonderful lesson