I Love to See the Temple, a Primary activity, for children from both the East and West Mesquite Nevada Stakes was held Saturday, May 20. Temple President Keith Reber and his wife Stephanie spoke to the children about the temple and helped them looked forward to being able to go and visit at the open house September 15 through November 11. President Reber and his wife were introduced by Jennifer Woods, primary president of the East Stake and their niece. Pres. Reber grew up in Littlefield and went to a one room school with his mother, Dessie Reber, as his teacher. In high school he came to Virgin Valley and was a bulldog where he played on the basketball team with coach Brotherson. All four years in high school. he was the one leading the way as he and his teammates made their run up to the water tower on the hill. He served a mission and married Stephanie from Arizona. When she was at BYU, she was on the ballroom dance team and traveled all over the world with the dancers. Sr. Reber asked several questions and had participation from the children. She asked them to tell her what they could do to prepare to go to the temple? Their responses were: apologize, pray and ask, read the scripture, talk about it, repent, get baptized and go to church. She encouraged the children to ask their parents for a picture of the temple to remind them of a place to feel the Holy Spirit. She said soon the gates will be open and you can walk around the grounds and enjoy the beautiful landscaping. “You can go up and touch the door of the temple and take pictures while you are there. She continued with, “God knows each one of you and the temple is a symbol of His love for you.” Pres. Reber asked the children why we build temples? He explained that the temple helps us let Christ come into your heart and through the covenants you make, you can center your life around Christ. He asked, ‘” What do you want to be when you grow up? Kind? A good Friend? Peaceful? Trustworthy? Honest? How do become this kind of person? God said I will help you be that kind of person; by making covenants you can become that person.” He asked them to look for symbols when they visit the temple open house. He said the altar represents the sacrifice of our Savior and where is the alter placed? In the exact center of room with a large light above it. This reminds us to center our life on our Savior. “He will make you kinder. He has the power to do that.” He then quoted Ammon from the Book of Mormon,’ But with Christ I can do everything.’ He then asked the children to, “Make a decision of the kind of person you want to be and the Savior will help you be that kind of person.” The children rotated around to three different activities – making pictures of the St. George Temple, singing primary songs including I Love to See the Temple and Families can Be Together while playing with rhythm sticks, and other instruments. One group had wooden blocks, white Legos and plastic blocks to build temples. The children were very creative and worked together to construct their edifices complete with steeples and towers. The children viewed a video with Elder Bednar and Elder Rasband taking them on a tour of the Rome Temple and explaining the symbolism of the lights, alters, rooms, stained-glass windows and the baptistry where they can be baptized in behalf of their ancestors. The children were treated to cookies and drinks at the Heritage Park at the end of the activity.
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