Elder Nielsen's Mission Blog: October 2010

Because Elder Nielsen is serving in the Rome Italy Mission we have followed the progress of the Rome Italy Temple with great enthusiasm. So we are very happy to share on this mission blog the thrilling news that construction has officially begun with a traditional groundbreaking ceremony that was held on 23 October 2010!

Here are a few links if you are interested in learning more...

President Monson Breaks Ground for Rome Italy Temple
(official Church News article)

Note of thanks:
All of the information and links below are courtesy of being on the Rome Italy Temple Mailing List, a service provided at this awesome website: http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/lists/

"In conjunction with the groundbreaking ceremony held today for the Rome Italy Temple, the Church has launched an official website revealing details of the plans for the temple complex, which will feature a stake center, patron housing facility, family history center, and visitors center, all surrounded by meticulous landscaping. An inspiring video presentation has been created, which displays the future complex from a variety of angles."

OFFICIAL WEBSITE:
http://tempiodiroma.chiesadigesucristo.it/en/

VIDEO PRESENTATION:
http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/rome/video/

ARCHITECTURAL RENDERING:
http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/rome/

SITE PLAN:
http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/rome/construction/

I also want to say how much I personally love the temple and how grateful I am for the many blessings that come through temple ordinances and covenants. Attending the temple often is something we REALLY miss while living here in Okinawa. It was wonderful to live near so many temples in Utah, now to get to the closest one we have to fly several hours by airplane, so we are saving up and working toward that goal!

To learn more about LDS Temples please follow this link:
Purpose of Temples

"Was there ever a man who truly loved a woman, or a woman who truly loved a man, who did not pray that their relationship might continue beyond the grave? Has a child ever been buried by parents who did not long for the assurance that their loved one would again be theirs in a world to come? Can anyone believing in eternal life doubt that the God of heaven would grant His sons and daughters that most precious attribute of life, the love that finds its most meaningful expression in family relationships? No, reason demands that the family relationship shall continue after death. The human heart longs for it, and the God of heaven has revealed a way whereby it may be secured. The sacred ordinances of the house of the Lord provide for it."
~Why These Temples? By President Gordon B. Hinckley

"The temple will provide direction for you and your family in a world filled with chaos. It is an eternal guidepost which will help you from getting lost in the 'mist of darkness.'"

~ Gary E. Stevenson, “Sacred Homes, Sacred Temples,” Ensign, May 2009, 101–3