Momma Mayo's Mission

Catching up on my photo posting!  Here are pictures from the Argentina Buenos Aires Temple Rededication on September 9, 2012

We went to the second session of the Temple rededication.  We had to stand in line for a while, but then it was so worth it!  I feel like we were specially blessed to be able to be inside the temple as many saw the rededication from the stake centers across Argentina.

Here is the picture as we walked into towards the front door, past the fountain.  They had a small white pavillion in front of the door so that the youth who were there putting paper booties  on our shoes (to keep the floors clean).  They were being sure that the youth didn't get wet if it rained, but we were blessed with a beautifully bright, warm, clear day.

Here I am by the side of the temple.  As you can see I only needed a sweater.

This is the flag of Argentina flying over the grounds of the temple.  The blue and gold (of the sunburst in the center) in the flag are throughout the temple. 

Also in various places are oak leaves from when Melvin J. Ballard, grandfather of Elder M. Russell Ballard (who was at the rededication with President Henry B. Eyring) dedicated South America to Missionary work.  Here is the way Elder M. Russell Ballard explained it:

"On Christmas Day of 1925, in the park of Tres de Febrero in Buenos Aires, Argentina, my grandfather, Elder Melvin J. Ballard, dedicated South America for the preaching of the gospel. I quote from the dedicatory prayer:

“Bless the presidents, governors, and the leading officials of these South American countries, that they may kindly receive us and give us permission to open the doors of salvation to the people of these lands. …"

 

"On 4 July 1926, Grandfather said:

'The work of the Lord will grow slowly for a time here just as an oak grows slowly from an acorn. It will not shoot up in a day as does the sunflower that grows quickly and then dies. But thousands will join the Church here. It will be divided into more than one mission and will be one of the strongest in the Church. The work here is the smallest that it will ever be. The day will come when the Lamanites in this land will be given a chance. The South American Mission will be a power in the Church.' (Vernon Sharp diary, in Melvin J. Ballard, p. 84.)"

 

On the temple grounds is also the Missionary Training Center.  We went inside with the Brunts.  He is the Area doctor and had to check on two sick missionaries at the MTC.

There is also housing for the Temple workers and another building for housing Patrons.

It's quite a large complex.  The temple is now larger with the two additional wings on the front.


When we got inside the temple the guide was moving people directing them to their seats.  He shuffled us off to some seats another direction promising us that these seats were "especial".  They were in the hall just outside one of the endowment rooms.  We, Sister Casos and I were the ones in the front row just below a portable TVscreen.  Special?  Oh yes they were!  President Eyring, Elder Ballard, Elder D.Todd Christofferson and Elder William R. Walker of the 70's and their wives walked right past us as they walked in and again they walked out waving to us and they walked out.  The Area President, President Arnold came over and shook all our hands.  Definitely special seats.

....more pictures to post, but in another section.