Temple moments: From hope to joy
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About 20 years ago, Evelyn Andrea Contreras Marambio of Arica, Chile, and her siblings began to ask their parents about their lives and their grandparents' lives and created a system for saving the names they were told. This was the beginning of a significant family history.
She later married Miguel Angel Lobos Meza. He began doing research seven years ago when a family history center was created in Copiapo, Chile. A school teacher by day and student at night, he made time for his research after classes until midnight.
"I looked for information in the cemeteries, in the civil registry, and obtained many names from my parents," he said. "My dear wife, Evelyn, with such dedication and love, is an example for me. She has the hope that all of these people would achieve [exaltation]."
In September of 2002, the Lobos family traveled by bus from their home in Chile to the Cochabamba Bolivia Temple. They were accompanied by 33 others who came to help them with the work. The group spent many hours in the temple, serving as proxy in baptisms and other ordinances for a small city's worth of ancestors' names.
"We learned by means of personal revelation about this process of salvation," said Brother Lobos. He said he felt impressed that as the work was done, "many people were embraced, and they were so happy, so grateful."
"I do not know how many accepted the work we did, but I do know that many exchanged their hope for joy."
The ordinance work for these relatives beyond the veil has not been finished, but is continuing, he said. And the Lobos family continues to look and search for the names of additional relatives.
"We know that this work is true and vital for the salvation of the whole human race," said Brother Lobos.
— Sister LeOla Leavitt, Cochabamba Bolivia Temple missionary
