The ancient city of Rome is a city unlike any other in Europe and maybe the world. The cultural, governmental, military and religious backgrounds are still in full evidence as are the current cultural, governmental, military and religious institutions.
This past week the religious setting has a humble but powerful new player with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints dedicating the Rome Temple in the presence of the entire Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
We felt it a rare and special invitation to be in Rome and have a very very small part in the proceedings of the dedication of the Rome Temple. Out of respect for the privacy of the Brethren, we did not take any pictures of them though there are plenty to be found online. Please know there are pictures at https://www.lds.org/?lang=eng and a very meaningful video filmed on the grounds of the Rome Temple at https://www.lds.org/blog/modern-apostles-bear-witness-of-jesus-christ?lang=eng.
During the photo sessions on the temple grounds and while we were in the visitors center with them, we tried to stay just out of sight and yet within range to be called upon if needed. The sisters even had their pictures taken and we did see the security men posing for pictures, too.
Our responsibilities surrounding the Rome temple dedication involved welcoming the Brethren and their wives when they arrived at the airport and then introducing them to their drivers and helping them with their luggage to the awaiting shuttle service. There is a porter service that helped with their checked luggage and there was a ‘meet and greet service’ that received them as they got off the plane and took them to the terminal exit where we met them as tag wearing missionaries with whom they recognized and immediately connected. We have been able to talk with most of them and their wives and have shared a few minutes of welcoming conversation. They are each humble, gracious and caring even when they are jet lagged and tired. They took the time to ask us where we were from and where we were serving.
In between the arrivals of each, we would sit in the airport waiting area and read and write and answer emails and eat and walk around. While waiting between the Apostles flights, we watched literally thousands of people meet their waiting friends and family members as they came off their respective flights. We were able to see the power of love manifest itself time and time again as little ones would run and jump into the waiting arms of their dads and women and men would hug and kiss each other and grown sons and daughters would embrace their parents. The endearing scene was played out hundreds of times while we watched with smiles and understanding.
There was a youth devotional on Saturday night where the youth in the temple district were invited to attend where President Nelson and Elder De Feo and Sister De Feo spoke. Elder Johnson conducted the session in Italian. Each of the youth had done the family history work to find an ancestor’s name to take to the temple for baptisms. They had the names printed on white papers and waved them in the air for all of us to see when they were asked by one of the speakers to show them. Our responsibilities centered around crowd control and holding doors for entrance and exit for the brethren and their wives and then escorting them to their waiting cars and drivers. It was easy to see that President Nelson wanted to stop and shake hands with everyone there and he did take his time walking and smiling at people to some degree. As a security person, it could be quite a challenge to keep him safe with his outgoing and loving personality and the desire to shake everyones’ hands. He is a very personable man and his wife is much like him. Since we were the one holding the doors for him, he reached out to shake our hands. Sister Conlin did wash her hand later that evening but the memory of his sweet tenderness and caring will last much longer.
Temple dedication session Monday 2:00 session
We were able to attend a dedication session at the Rome temple. We were seated in one of the sealing rooms when Elder and Sister Johnson lead President and Sister Nelson and Elder Ballard and Elder and Sister Uchtdorf and Elder and Sister Soares and Elder and Sister De Feo through and waved at all of those in the room. They circulated to all of the rooms in the temple where there were people waiting to view the dedication on a screen. In our sealing room for the temple dedication there was a young man about seminary age sitting just a couple of seats away from us on the same row. Elder and Sister Johnson led President and Sister Nelson and Elder Ballard and Elder and Sister Uchtdorf and Elder and Sister Soares and Elder and Sister De Feo through each room where the attendees were able to see the brethren up close and the brethren smiled and waved at as many as they could. This young man broke down in tears after the prophet walked through and everyone finally sat down again. It was easy to see how he was touched. There were messages delivered by each of the Brethren and the sessions was conducted by Elder Johnson and the Hosanna shout by Elder De Feo. The messages reminded us of the power of families and the need to maintain the family relationships through eternity and the authority of the temple ordinances to make that blessing possible. President Nelson referred to the times in the New Testament that Jesus Christ referred to the temple in Jerusalem. The first time of the cleansing, “my house” and the second time of cleansing, “my father’s house”. The last time, “your house” when it had become so desecrated. How many warnings do we get to clean up our lives? He is always willing to help us when we finally realize we need Him.
We were able to see President and Sister Gardner, Madrid temple president and wife, who we have met previously when we had the Mission Leadership Seminar in Madrid and the Provo MTC President and his wife that were just released in January and staying in Rome to help with the dedication events. These opportune chance meetings were not by coincidence. We were also able to see and talk with President and Sister Pacini, the Rome temple President and his wife who we have had previous associations.
The Prophet and Elder Ballard and Elder De Feo and Elder Dini Ciacci were able to meet with the Pope for a few minutes one of the days he was in Rome. There was no need for the security men to be in the room with them though the photographers were there. I see this as a promising opportunity for these two great men to meet.
We have had some amazing life changing opportunities to be close to the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve and their wives and yet to try to stay out of their way while being available to help if needed.
It is impossible to articulate that which comes from the heart rather than what comes from the mind. So many people ask us, “Tell me about Rome and the temple dedication.” I think I can sum up what I have come to know by my visit to the Rome Temple dedication and interaction with the Brethren and their wives in a few words: This is His house and these men are called of God to testify of His Son.
Our son, Jeremy, teaches early morning seminary in his New Mexico Stake and they are discussing Doctrine and Covenants 109 which is about the dedication of the Kirtland temple. He asked us to FaceTime with his class and answer a few questions that he might ask. We went to the Rome temple site that would provide the perfect background for our FaceTime interview. We showed them the temple grounds and the visitors center and answered a few questions for the class. Since he gave us prior notice what the questions would be we did write a few notes in preparation.
- Will you please describe the Rome temple.
White exterior in an oval shape without squared off corners. Same clean lines sight drawn upward toward the two spires. Tasteful landscaping with ancient olive trees and spring flowers. Interior same oval motif beautiful staircase and chandelier. It was prepared for dedication services so the sealing room altars and other furnishings were not in place.
- What was it like being in the temple and in the presence of President Nelson, the prophet, for the dedication? He is a gracious and lovely man, Eager to be with people and shake their hands. I think he provides nightmares for his security men because he wants to visit with the members and not be whisked away to his waiting car.
In our sealing room for the temple dedication there was a young man about seminary age sitting just a couple of seats away from us on the same row. Elder and Sister Johnson led President and Sister Nelson and Elder Ballard and Elder and Sister Uchtdorf and Elder and Sister Soares and Elder and Sister De Feo through each room where the attendees were able to see the brethren up close and the brethren smiled and waved at as many as they could. This young man broke down in tears after the prophet walked through and everyone finally sat back down. Very touching.
- What impresses you about the sacrifices the early Saints made to build the Kirtland temple?
They had so few material possessions and were living in what we would consider primitive conditions and yet they sacrificed what little that had, their time and their faith. Even if all they had were a couple of fishes and a few loaves, it was enough.
- Other than paying our tithing, we don’t have to sacrifice much to build temples. What sacrifices do we have to make today in order to attend the temple?
Giving up worldly pleasures is required for attendance in the temple. Giving up worldly lifestyles to get a recommend and then giving up time enjoying worldly activities to spend in the temple helps to purify our nature’s to make us more able to become sanctified through our temple service.
- Will you please share an experience (if appropriate) where you have felt close to the Lord while in the temple? What did you do to prepare to have that experience?
With love for my family and concerns for their earthly and eternal welfare I went to the temple to find solace. I came out with distinct answers for how to deal with some of the issues I was facing. The answers came as I was walking in the parking lot after the hours of clearing my mind and focusing on eternal truths found in the temple.
- What blessings have you received through the temple and your worship and service in the temple?
Peace of mind knowing of the eternal sealing ordinances that I have made there.
Guidance and re-focus for living in the world but not of the world.
Refreshment of feelings of the love of my Savior and of my Heavenly Father
Something that always comes to my mind when anyone asks about what have I received because of any type of worship or service is-‘what blessings would I be willing to do without if I discontinued worshipping.’ That takes my breath away when I see worship in that light.
This unexpected experience has certainly been one of the highlights of our mission and will long be remembered.