Due to all of the snow in VA lately, only one of our doors, the back one, has easy access. But, we don't have a key for that door, so, we've been taking turns stumbling through the snow to the front door to let everyone else in the back.
On Christmas Eve, after our Herring family party, it was my turn. I stumbled through the snow and around the corner to see a package on the front porch (poor postman). I pick it up expecting it to be my Dad's Christmas present (which actually came 2 days AFTER Christmas), to see, "From: Elder Tyler LaMont Herring, To: The Family"
WAHOO!!!
Well, traditionally, we only open one present - pajamas - on Christmas Eve. I begged and we opened Ty's gift then too. In it was the most awesome Christmas present EVER:
So, if you know my brother, you know that he doesn't smile in a picture - ever! He's SMILING!!! We know he's in the right place now! I hope you can click on it and enjoy the full effect of this awesome gift that brought us to tears. :)
I was so glad I was in town and was able to get off from work so I could go with Lewis, Brenda, and Tyler to the MTC.
The night before he left was, obviously, an emotional one for me - we had a family devotional, and I couldn't hold the tears. I am SO proud of this kid. He is AWESOME! And his service will not only bless the lives of the people he meets on his mission, but also the lives of those of us at home - and I can't adequately explain how much we desperately need those blessings these days.
We were able to get Tyler a Utah license and have lunch before we dropped him off around 1 pm. The days of the families going in and watching the video thing, are over. And quite frankly, I think the new way is better. We didn't have a lot of time to take pictures (which if we had understood it a little better, we could have), but, we dropped him off and there was a line of over 100 missionaries assigned to greet the new missionaries and their families, and then escort the new missionaries to their rooms. These Elders were so enthusiastic and happy, and the drop-off itself was so fast, that you couldn't help but be happy for your missionary, and there wasn't time for tears... Until I was driving home by myself afterward.
Tyler went through the Washington DC temple yesterday to receive his endowment before he leaves to serve a two year mission for our church in the Utah Ogden Mission. He was so thrilled to be surrounded by so many friends and family who were there to support him. Congratulations Ty! We are all so proud of you!
Chelsea decided to step on a HUGE horseshoe crab today. Seriously. The thing was ginormous! Tip to end, it was about 2 feet long. And the little sort-of claws on the sides are apparently quite sharp!
In Moses chapter 1, verse 39 the Lord revealed, “For behold, this is my work and my glory, to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” The Atonement of Jesus Christ made the blessings of immortality and eternal life possible. However, we need the power of the Priesthood to fully access those blessings. During the Great Apostasy, the priesthood, which is the power to act in God’s name, was taken from the earth. In May of 1829, the Lord, through his ancient apostles, Peter, James, and John restored the second and higher Melchizedek Priesthood to the earth. In Doctrine and Covenants section 110, we learn that Moses, Elias and Elijah appeared to Joseph Smith during the dedication of the Kirtland temple to restore the remaining priesthood keys, including the Abrahamic covenant, the key of the gathering of Israel, and the sealing power to bind families together both on earth and in heaven. Thus, the Melchizedek Priesthood and all its associated keys were restored and conferred upon Joseph Smith, which allowed him to organize the Church, with all the covenants and ordinances necessary for us to access the full blessings of the Atonement- immortality and eternal life.
So, what are the blessings of the Melchizedek Priesthood, and why did it have to be restored as well as the Aaronic Priesthood?
Only some of the ordinances of salvation can be administered by bearers of the Aaronic Priesthood, including baptism and the sacrament. The remaining ordinances, including conferring the Gift of the Holy Ghost, ordaining others to the priesthood as assigned, and the ordinances of the temple, both the endowment and the sealing ordinance, can only be administered by one who holds the Melchizedek Priesthood, and who ahs been authorized to do so by one who holds the appropriate keys. We receive our patriarchal blessings from patriarchs bearing the Melchizedek Priesthood, We receive our temple recommends from our bishop and stake president who hold keys as judges in Israel for our ward and stake at this time. We are also set apart for our various callings by the Bishop or those he has authorized to do so, but always by the power of the Melchizedek Priesthood. Worthy Melchizedek Priesthood holders may also anoint the sick with consecrated oil and give blessings of healing and comfort
Growing up, I was blessed to live in a home where my father held the priesthood. Each year before school began, I received a father’s blessing of protection, guidance, and comfort as I faced new friends and teachers, which were often intimidating. It was also a great comfort to know I could call on my dad for a blessing if I was sick or scared.
When I came to college, it was a big adjustment for me to learn to call on my home teachers when I needed help, rather than my dad. I have realized very powerfully in the last 6 years that those special blessings come from the Lord and not from the priesthood holder themselves. There have been many times when guidance from priesthood blessings has been about concerns I have harbored in my heart and not voiced to the priesthood holder who gave me the blessing. The Lord knows our hearts. As bearers of the priesthood, worthy men have the opportunity to act in the place of the Savior when administering these blessings and other sacred ordinances. The blessings of the priesthood are available to everyone, and when we ask for and receive those blessings, we enjoy a direct line of communication with the Lord – He will answer the questions in our hearts and remind us that we are His children and that He loves us and knows us.
Receiving our patriarchal blessings is another gift made possible through the Melchizedek Priesthood. We not only learn our unique heritage according to the Abrahamic Covenant, but we also learn about gifts and talents we have, and blessings that can be ours if we are faithful. Our patriarchal blessings can be a source of comfort, strength, and guidance. Whenever I call home about something that is bothering me, my mother’s constant piece of counsel is to call my home teachers for a blessing and to read my patriarchal blessing. How easily I forget these simple acts that provide me with another direct link with the Savior through the Melchizedek Priesthood.
We also receive the sacred ordinances of the temple through the Melchizedek Priesthood. While I have not received my own endowment or sealing, I am striving to live worthy to receive them. Even as an undendowed member of the Church, however, the sealing ordinance has held special significance and power in my life. A year and a half ago, my uncle was diagnosed with Leukemia. As our family faced this trial, there was an added sense of peace and trust in the will of the Lord because we knew that we would be together forever, even if the Lord’s will was not the same as ours. My uncle is now doing well, and continues to serve as a counselor in his bishopric. Especially as my brother has been preparing for a mission, we have seen that the Lord still has a work for this uncle to do in encouraging my brother to serve. As Elder Holland mentioned in the video for the Draper Temple Open House, “Truly heaven would not be heaven without those that we love.” Through the Melchizedek Priesthood, that blessing can be ours.
