We'll Sing and We'll Shout with the Armies of Heaven -! A TEMPLE IN KIEV UKRAINE

I have a grandson serving in the Ukraine Kiev Mission - The first temple was dedicated in Eastern Europe last week - His letter was so filled with the Spirit, I thought I would share part of it on the Blog.

Yesterday was a miraculous day that really opened my understanding, and expanded my vision. Yesterday was a day that the Lord had been preparing the Ukrainian people for a very long time. Every aspect of it was a miracle, and I count myself so lucky to have been a part of it. This day will go down in history as a turning point for the Saints in Eastern Europe. The Temple is the Lord’s gift to the Ukrainian people, and so very few Americans were actually let in for the dedication. The missionaries got to listen in a large building nearby.

The day started out as a cloudy and rainy day, but the shadows broke and the darkness fled away. It truly was a brighter day for the people of Eastern Europe, who had waited for this temple for 12 years. There were three sessions of the dedication. The first session President Monson spoke, he was so humble, and also had a twinkle in his eye - it was a good reminder to never take ourselves too seriously - but when he spoke of the ordinances of the Temple, he spoke with great power. It was fun to watch him choose little children to help cement in the cornerstone of the Temple, and then he likened it to Christ, as he is the Chief Cornerstone of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Elder Nelson also spoke, and talked about how the Temple prepares us to behold the face of God. President Monson said as a boy, he loved to look at maps. He said never in his imagination, did he think he would ever set foot in Eastern Europe, and now he is dedicating a Temple there. He said that God ways were higher than our ways, and our simple duty is to trust in Him, do all we can, and watch Him open doors to hearts, minds,and souls of people and nations. That the Lord simply took this people by the hand and opened doors that only He could open.

President Uchdorf spoke about his experiences with temples. As a 16 year old boy, he was sealed to his parents in the Swiss Temple. He was also very involved with the temple which was opened in Freiberg, East Germany. He testified that this day would have the same effect in Eastern Europe, as the Freiberg Temple had when that dedication brought about so many miracles, including the fall of the USSR,

Finally in the third session, President Monson talked about eternal families, and how much our ancestors are waiting for us to do their work. He talked about funerals that are outside of the temple covenant, and the hopelessness of it. The great responsibility to bind our families together forever. I just drank up the Spirit that I felt, and it was amazing. The veil was very thin, and I could almost hear them shouting with the Army of Heaven. We’ll sing and we’ll shout with the Armies of Heaven, AS LONG AS WE ARE FAITHFUL - HOLD ON TO THE ROD OF FAITH. I am so grateful for all of you - to be part of our Forever Family, for the teachings I have received, and the opportunity to serve the Lord in this part of His Vineyard.

The cultural event the night before the dedication was amazing. They told the history of Ukraine in song and dance, and then all the missionaries marched up to the podium, singing, “Truth Again Has Been Restored”. We march right up to President Monson, and then he gave us a standing ovation. I was so filled with the Spirit - I thought I would burst. I’m sure my words have not done it justice. The first day of the Open House, over 1200 people signed up to have the missionaries visit them - “the field is white, all ready for the harvest.” Elder Carsten

He goes by Elder Carsten, because they can't write his last name in Ukrainian
When I feel Satan raging around us, and standards sifting everywhere but in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - I know that the work of the Lord will proceed quietly and stalwartly through sweet, humble 19 year old missionaries who serve because they love the Lord.