Week 7 - Modern Army of Helamen

We received this letter from Clay's mission president  on September 4th, 2020


We are thrilled with the news that the St. Paul Temple will start “phase 2” on Monday, September 7.  This means that almost 60 of our missionaries will have the opportunity to receive the endowment.  We are beginning to make a schedule for “missionary” temple sessions that will take place over the next 8-12 weeks.  This will be a complicated process as we work around missionary-related efforts—zone/district conferences, interviews, service, finding, and teaching.  We will also need to work out some logistics before our missionaries receive the endowment.  For example, they need to have garments as we do not have a distribution center in Minnesota.  They will NOT need their own temple clothing as the Temple will be able to accommodate missionary needs.  

Some of our missionaries have asked if their parents would be able to attend the temple with them.  We fully understand this desire, AND we also understand that many families will not be able to travel to Minnesota for a variety of reasons.  After careful and prayerful consideration, we welcome those that are able to come to temple with their missionary.  Parents attending the temple must bring their own temple clothing and be prepared to adhere to COVID-19 protocols (masks, physical distancing, etc.).   In order to keep the spirit of consecrated missionary efforts, your time with your missionary will be short and focused on the temple ordinance.  This means that you will have time in the temple with your missionary and spend a couple of hours together before or after the session (depending on what time of day the session starts/ends).   

With all of this in mind, I wanted to reach out to you and see if you are considering coming to St. Paul to accompany your missionary in one of the planned missionary endowment sessions. If so, it would be extremely helpful for me to know of when you might be able to come to Minnesota.  To be honest, a couple different dates would be helpful. If all possible, I need to know this tentative information by Sunday evening (September 6).  This will help me construct an idea of how many sessions we will need and when we might need them. We can then start putting together a final schedule.  Please know how much we admire, love, and enjoy having your missionary in this mission.  It is a privilege and a please.   

 

With gratitude,  

 

Matthew O. Richardson

President, Minnesota Minneapolis Mission 


I had been told by others that this was probably going to be an option for us and I've thought about what I would do if it was...and now here it is. I feel so torn as what the right thing to do is here. 

I am starting to really miss Clay a lot and I really want to see him, hug him and just be in his presence. BUT after talking to Josh and messaging Clay about this, we have decided not to go.  The #1 reason is because it would be too hard for both of us.  I really don't think I can say good bye to him a second time and when I already miss him.  Clay thinks it will make him home sick when he sees us.  Plus flights aren't that cheap for the amount of time that we will get to see him.  BUT I'm feeling extremely guilty for not taking the chance to see him. 

I know he will have an amazing experience in the Temple with all the other worthy young men that he spends so much time with right now.  


I just keep picturing the temple room just chuck FULL of all these young men and women dress in white.  The modern day Army of Helamen, the Stripling warriors ready and willing to fight the fight.  What a special experience that no others have gotten to witness or be a part of but these missionaries right now.   Just waves of the Lords Army...and one of those kids are mine.  I'm so proud.  This world clearly needs these young people to share the light of Christ RIGHT NOW! 



We have been born, as Nephi of old,
To goodly parents who love the Lord.
We have been taught, and we understand,
That we must do as the Lord commands.
. We have been saved for these latter days
To build the kingdom in righteous ways.
We hear the words our prophet declares:
"Let each who's worthy go forth and share."
We know his plan, and we will prepare,
Increase our knowledge through study and prayer.
Daily we'll learn until we are called
To take the gospel to all the world.
We are as the army of Helaman.
We have been taught in our youth.
And we will be the Lord's missionaries
To bring the world his truth.




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