Saviors on Mount Zion

My paternal grandfather, Ricardo, with my father on his lap at about four months old.

Last night I woke up about 2:00 am. I picked up my Ensign so was just re-reading President Monson’s closing address of last conference. He mentioned how we are Savior’s on Mount Zion. He said:

“What a privilege it is to be able to go to the temple, where we may experience the sanctifying influence of the Spirit of the Lord. Great service is given when we perform vicarious ordinances for those who have gone beyond the veil. In many cases we do not know those for whom we perform the work. We expect no thanks, nor do we have the assurance that they will accept that which we offer. However, we serve, and in that process we attain that which comes of no other effort we literally become saviors on Mount Zion.. As our Savior gave His life as a vicarious sacrifice for us, so we, I some small measure, do the same when we perform proxy work in the temple for those who have no means of moving forward unless something is done for them by those of us here on earth.”

Personal experiences in doing the work for my kindred:

Shortly after oldest son, Hank came home from his mission we went to the temple together. We were going to perform the vicarious work for a paternal great uncle, Pedro Ulloa. My son was about to drive out of the carport when I had the impression to have a short prayer for those that we were going to do the work. I was voice for the prayer and then continued on our way.

The prayer was to know of their acceptance of this work and if they would be there with us there in their behalf. Well, we no sooner were out of the driveway when I had the prompting say to me, “It is a celebration for us to have our work done there. We gather together too in the temple with those who are in our families much like when you have a missionary that is receiving his own endowment. We rejoice in this great work in our behalf, and express our gratitude for doing this for us. Thank you, dear daughter, (Gracias, Mija).” I distinctly heard that last thank you in Spanish! It gave me comfort to know this.

I bear witness that it is not unusual for our kindred to be present and let us know their approval of our efforts in their behalf. The week I did my former mother-in-law’s temple work 28 years ago, she came to me in a dream. She thanked me and told me some very precious things about her receiving the ordinances in her behalf. I remember it as if it was yesterday. I have been very blessed with these kinds of things throughout my life. My joy is full.

I really think the Lord compensates us by filling in the gaps in our lives when we fall short of the blessings we hope to have or are denied. I find great comfort in these kinds of pearls of thought. When we do this work we are especially close to the veil and much cannot be withheld from us, worthy, and as long as we can receive it without questioning it or doubting.

Another outstanding account:

I found my paternal great-grandmother’s birth record on some microfilms at the Family History Center in Salt Lake City in the early 1990s. Now, I had long since done her work from the information I had from my father. But; there was something about this particular roll of film. I had ordered it to view the parish records where she was born in Mexico. I looked and looked by the dates that I was given. I was prompted to keep looking and not worry about the dates. I kept on rolling the film and just looked at the names written on the pages and not the dates. I am so glad I didn’t just give up!

Well, sure enough her name was there, but it showed up about six weeks later than her actual birth date. Somehow, at the time of her birth she was not brought to the Church for her christening. I don’t know why, other than it was recorded much later. I thrilled to have the actual record after so many years searching for my ancestors. This validated what I already had. I also discovered her birth name. I had only been given two names, Maria Eduviges Ulloa. But the record I found along with her parents’ names was Maria Elena Eduviges Ulloa. I loved it. I had named one of my daughters, Maria Elena, as a middle name and liked it, besides Elena was my mother’s given name too. Yet, here I found my great-grandmother’s full name as Maria Elena. Eduviges. . . twenty years after naming my daughter that same name. I had shortened it to be a middle name instead and made it Marielena.

It is my testimony that as we are engaged in this great work we are blessed beyond imagination and in our dreams to understand the value in blessing our ancestors. They deserve the blessings of the gospel along with us. What a reunion it will be when we meet them again with open arms and hugs!!

Love, Mom aka Anna

06/03/09