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Sustaining and Defending the LDS Temple

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President Monson Emphasizes Temple Work in Rare Online Message

February 4, 2013 by Bryce Haymond Leave a Comment
President Thomas S. Monson

President Thomas S. Monson (photo by Brian Tibbets)

A few days ago, on February 1, 2013, the Church News published a rare new online message from President Thomas S. Monson, marking the fifth anniversary of his calling as prophet and President of the Church, and his reflection back on fifty years of service since his calling to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. This type of message from the prophet is a rare occurrence, perhaps unprecedented, and we should take special note.

In the message he reemphasizes the importance of temple work:

Our temple-building efforts continue unabated. During the past five years, 31 new temples have been announced. During this same period, 16 temples have been dedicated, with five others having been rededicated after extensive renovations. When the Tegucigalpa Honduras Temple is dedicated in March of this year, we will have 141 temples in operation throughout the world. These numbers will continue to increase as we move forward in making temples accessible to all of our members, wherever they may live.

We continue to emphasize the need for our members to move forward in the work for our deceased family members. Our mandate is to seek out our dead and to provide them with the opportunity to accept the ordinances and blessings of the gospel. We accomplish this by making certain the ordinances are performed for them. President Joseph F. Smith, speaking of work for the dead, declared, “Through our efforts in their behalf their chains of bondage will fall from them, and the darkness surrounding them will clear away, that light may shine upon them and they shall hear in the spirit world of the work that has been done for them by their children here, and will rejoice with you in your performance of these duties” (Conference Report, October 1916, p. 6).

Concluding his message President Monson notes his declining health, but ensures us that the Church is in good hands.

Read the full message at the Church News website.

Posted in: General Authorities Tagged: building, ordinances, president, prophet, quorum of the twelve apostles, temples, thomas s. monson

The Apotheosis of Washington

June 27, 2009 by Bryce Haymond 8 Comments
The Apotheosis of Washington (detail), Constantino Brumidi, 1865, United States Capitol Building rotunda.

The Apotheosis of Washington (detail), Constantino Brumidi, 1865, United States Capitol Building rotunda.

I watched an interesting show last night, Secret America on Discovery, and learned some interesting things.  One of them was that there is a large fresco painted on the inside of the dome of the rotunda of the United States Capitol Building.  It is called “The Apotheosis of Washington” and was painted by an Italian Painter, Constantino Brumidi, in 1865 for the sum of $40,000.

What is interesting is what was painted in this profound location.   [Read more…]

Posted in: Artifacts Tagged: art, building, celestial, exaltation, fathers, government, hands, heaven, immortality, ordinances, president, signs, vicarious

BYU-Idaho Alumni Magazine Highlights the Temple

June 2, 2009 by Bryce Haymond Leave a Comment
Rexburg Idaho Temple

Rexburg Idaho Temple

Our friend Ferreira has pointed out that the Spring 2009 issue of the BYU-Idaho Alumni Magazine has a temple theme, and is entitled “In the Shadow of a Temple.” Having just recently received a temple of their own, the new Rexburg Idaho Temple, they thought it appropriate to dedicate this issue on temple themes.

The issue includes reprints of some great articles from Val R. Christensen (Rexburg Temple President), the late Truman G. Madsen, Kim B. Clark (President of BYU-Idaho), Leon Parson (one of the mural painters for the Rexburg Temple), and Elder John H. Groberg, among others.

It looks like a fantastic issue about the temple.  I look forward to reading this.  You can see the list of articles here:

In the Shadow of a Temple

Thanks Ferreira!

Posted in: Temples Today Tagged: idaho, magazine, president, rexburg

The Presidential Oath of Office

February 18, 2008 by Bryce Haymond 2 Comments
Bush oath of office

Bush taking the oath of office

Since today is Presidents Day, I thought it would be appropriate to take a look at the inauguration of the President of the United States into office. It is rightly called an oath of office or presidential oath. Wikipedia defines such an oath:

An oath of office is an oath or affirmation a person takes before undertaking the duties of an office, usually a position in government or within a religious body, although such oaths are sometimes required of officers of other organizations. Such oaths are often required by the laws of the state, religious body, or other organization before the person may actually exercise the powers of the office or any religious body. It may be administered at an inauguration, coronation, enthronement, or other ceremony connected with the taking up of office itself, or it may be administered privately. In some cases may be administered privately and then repeated during a public ceremony.

Some oaths of office are a statement of loyalty to a constitution or other legal text or to a person or other office-holder (e.g., an oath to support the constitution of the state, or of loyalty to the king). Under the laws of a state it may be considered treason or a high crime to betray a sworn oath of office. ((http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oath_of_office))

The actual formal act of taking this oath consists of the President raising their right arm to the square, following the lead of the officiator or Chief Justice of the United States who wears the formal ceremonial regalia, the President also usually extends and places their left hand on the Bible or other sacred object, and repeats the oath after the officiator as follows:

I, [insert the name of the one taking the oath], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States so help me God. ((http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oath_of_office_of_the_President_of_the_United_States))

This mandatory oath is specifically delineated in the Constitution of the United States, Article II, Section 1, Clause 8. The words “so help me God” and the act of putting the hand on the Bible indicate a sacred witness of the action, thus sealing or making the nature of the oath binding under the witness of God Himself. Often the Bible is opened to a specific verse. Indeed, after taking this oath President Abraham Lincoln noted that his act was “registered in heaven.” The breaking of such an oath is considered an act of treason or high crime, the penalty of which is determined by a high court.

Here is a link to photos of several Presidents taking this oath. Here is a link to photos of other government leaders around the world taking similar oaths. Below is a video of the last 13 Presidents of the United States taking this singular oath of office, noting that each time it is considered a highly solemn, sacred and respected moment:

Posted in: Practices Tagged: bible, covenant, inauguration, oath, oath of office, president, presidential oath, signs, uplifted hands

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