New calling...

Walt & Eileen Petersen - April 2011

Photo by Cherie Peterson - Peterson Photography - Oakley, Idaho

Walt has been called as president of the San Salvador El Salvador Temple. I have been called to be the temple matron.

For the official announcement in the Church News you can Google "ldschurchnews," then hit "callings," then "temple presidents."

We are in shock, humbled, and nervous all at the same time.

We were asked to meet with President Henry B. Eyring in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, April 19, where this call was issued.

This new temple will be dedicated August 21 and we have been asked to be there a month before the dedication, so we may be leaving July 20 or 21. A temple president's call is for three years.

Missionaries teach the Gospel truths so many can and may come unto Christ, repent and be baptised, confirmed to receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and then receive eternal blessings in a Holy Temple--the House of the Lord.

We have been blessed to serve three missions together.

Walt is currently serving as a sealer in the Twin Falls Temple, and as a patriarch--Spanish speaking for 15 stakes, English for our Burley Idaho West Stake, and as a home teacher.

I have just finished this year as a co-teacher for Institute for singles 31 and over, serve in the Twin Falls Temple two evenings a week, and am a visiting teacher.

So we thought we were back home in Burley, Idaho for good...getting back into our comfort zone "snug as a bug in a rug" as the saying goes.

We believe The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true, restored by the Prophet Joseph Smith. Jesus Christ leads the Church through His living prophet today, President Thomas S. Monson.

We are thankful for the Atonement of the Savior and pray we may show our gratitude through the lives we live.

As our 8th Article of Faith states: "We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God."

We share this testimony in confirming why we can leave our family of 7 wonderful children, their 7 great spouses, and our 32 precious grandchildren for 3 more years.

In closing, here are the entire 13 Articles of Faith:

"The Articles of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.

3. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.

6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.

7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.

8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.

9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.

11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things. "
--Joseph Smith