Temple moments: Preparing paves way
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A ward temple trip is not generally a historic occurrence for the Church, but it can be for a ward.
Such was the case with the Wichita (Kan.) 3rd Ward, which began preparing for a trip to the Dallas Texas Temple on Oct. 22, 1994. Preparation began when Bishop Lyle H. Cooper was called as bishop in March 1994. He encouraged ward members to become a temple-worthy people.Dan Paxton, high priests group leader, began a systematic effort to help members of the group complete some family history and prepare names for the temple. On the fourth Sunday of each month, the high priests would go to the stake family history center and work on their family lines.
As word of this effort spread, other leaders in the ward, in ward council meetings, worked to involve as many ward members as possible.
Family History work in the Wichita 3rd Ward became a fever. The family history center was flooded with patrons, and phone lines between distant family members hummed with conversation about deceased relatives. New TempleReady software was put into use as the newly obtained names were cleared for temple work.
Bishop Cooper became busier as more people requested temple recommend interviews.
When the temple day arrived, 65 ward members car-pooled the seven hours from Wichita to Dallas.
At the temple, Bishop Cooper performed the first vicarious baptisms of ward members. The baptistry was filled to standing room only. During the confirmations, the Spirit filled the room and many ward members were emotional as they said they felt that their work was being appreciated and accepted on the other side of the veil.
Each member escorted his or her names through the baptism, initiatories, and through a ward endowment session. The spirit of the day was like no other; it was moving and spiritual for all those involved.
By all opinions, the most beautiful experiences occurred in the sealing rooms as members of the ward witnessed families being sealed together for time and eternity. At the end of each session, some ward members shared their relationship with the individuals who had been sealed, and told a little of the history of the person.
As members spent the day in the temple binding eternal families together, it also bound the hearts of the brothers and sisters of the Wichita 3rd Ward family, with love. - Trey Hall, Wichita (Kan.) 3rd Ward
