Recently (March 11, 2019) Russell M. Nelson, President of The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, dedicated the Rome
Temple. The temple is the 162nd temple in operation in The
Church and is the first temple built in Italy and in an area where the ancient the
Apostle of Jesus Christ spent their ministry. To learn more about the purpose
of modern temples and to see more pictures inside and outside the temple go here.
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| Rome Italy Temple |
Another first in the modern Christian era was when the
Twelve Apostles and the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ met in
Rome for the temple dedication. It was the first time all fifteen Apostle had
been together outside of the United States.
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| Modern Apostles of Jesus Christ |
They met in the new temple visitors center. Behind the apostles
is the Christus statue and the original twelve Apostle of Jesus Christ. The
modern apostles hold the same priesthood authority that the original apostles
held. In The New Testament we read that Christ called and gave his apostle
power to administer his gospel (Luke
9:1). That same authority was given to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery by
Peter, James, and John in May of 1930 (Doctrine
and Covenants 27:12).
As in ancient times, the modern apostles are called as special
witnesses of Jesus Christ to the world. President Russell M. Nelson is the
Lord’s prophet today just as Moses, Elijah, and other prophets of the Old
Testament times. Prophets of the Lord then and now speak the mind and will of
the Lord to all the world, not just the members of His Church. The Lord, Jesus
Christ, has said:
“What I the Lord
have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and
the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine
own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.” (Doctrine
and Covenants 1:38)
This next weekend we will have the opportunity to listen to our
modern prophets in the 189th General Conference of The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During the general conference sessions
members of the First Presidency, The Quorum of Twelve Apostles, and other general
officers of the church will give messages of council and direction for our
lives. In addition to general council announcements of changes in church
policies and programs have been announced as well as new temples that will be
constructed. We live in the gospel dispensation known as the “dispensation of
the fullness of times” where the Lord’s Church is preparing the earth for the
second coming of the Jesus Christ.
All sessions of general conference are open to the public,
including the priesthood session Saturday evening. To find out more information
and to watch the sessions go to www.thechurchofjesuschrist.org.
If you have ever wondered what the Lord’s message to you today would be, I
invite you to come and listen to the prophet’s voice because it is the same as
if the Lord were here himself. I also invite you to come and listen to the modern
apostles as they testify of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Your thoughts and questions are welcome.
