100 temples: Strength via faith
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SAN JOSE, Costa Rica Most Church leaders can enlist their own temple experiences to guide and direct those they serve. Others, like Jose Luis Quesada, have sometimes had to rely entirely on their faith of hoped-for temple blessings.
Jose Luis Quesada presided over the Alvarado Branch in San Ramon, Costa Rica, for two years before receiving his own endowment. Still, President Quesada always kept himself temple-worthy and encouraged his branch to do likewise.
President Quesada learned years ago to find strength via faith. He was initially drawn to the gospel after relatives began saying ugly things about the Church. Later, he developed a testimony of the Book of Mormon during late-night reads illuminated only by a lantern. He ached in his hunger to visit one of the Lord's temples.
Finally, he was able to save the money needed to travel to Guatemala City last year and enter the temple.
"I was able to attend seven sessions and acquired a very strong testimony of the temple," President Quesada said. "Now it is my desire to help other members go to the temple."
His dreams are being realized. With the recent opening of the San Jose Costa Rica Temple, costly trips to temples outside the country are part of history. Now every Costa Rican leader can draw on his or her own temple experience to fortify others.
