For those of you who do not know me, my name is April Rose Collins, my husband is Rhett and we have four beautiful and amazing boys, Rhett 10, Jayden 8, Christian 5 and Kaleb 3.
A little over 5 years ago, we were living in Stansbury Park, I was 7 months pregnant, working 6 days a week and commuting two to three hours a day. Close to having a new born baby, I didn't know how I was going to keep up with my rigorous schedule. Rhett and I talked about our options and decided that we needed to move to Salt Lake so that I could be closer to work and be able to spend more time with my boys. One night as we were picking up Rhett and Jayden from my mom and dad's house in Tooele, we broke the news to my parents that we would be moving. They were so disappointed, they didn't want us to leave and especially take their boys. Without even having to discuss the situation, Rhett and I knew what we needed to do, we looked at each other, his eyes sparkled and then we asked my mom and dad if they wanted to move with us. They didn't even hesitate to answer, they had lived in Tooele for most of their married life, they had so many friends in Tooele and my mom had such a beautiful yard that she had been beautifying for years. I thought it would be a little harder to convince them into going with us but unanimously that answered, “Yes, we would love to. And that is where the merge of our two households began.
My parents are Earl and Jesusa Rose and they are the most loving parents I could ever ask for. My dad is a Marine - big, strong and gentle who married his beautiful Filipina. She is small but has the biggest heart, she is full of compassion and love for life and all those she comes in contact with.
I am the oldest of seven children; between us seven there are 29 grandchildren. Ours is a family full of love and derived of faith. This love and faith is the result of our wonderful parents who taught by example the importance of kindness, generosity, hard work and dedication to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
In January of 2010 my daddy was diagnosed with Leukemia. This is an ugly disease that has rocked our world; this last year has been a rough one for our family. We have had a roller coaster of emotions, lots of ups and downs and hours of earnest pleading with our Heavenly Father. But it has also been a wonderful year full of powerful priesthood blessings, miracles, family togetherness, hope and love. This trial has increased our faith in our Savior Jesus Christ and his eternal plan. I know that families can be together forever and we have the opportunity through temple ordinances to be together for eternity.
President Monson spoke in this last April conference about the importance of temple ordinances in his talk entitled The Holy Temple - A beacon to the world. I am so grateful that I have the opportunity to share his important message to you today, because it is so close to my heart.
He said, temples are more than stone and mortar. They are filled with faith and fasting. They are built of trials and testimonies. They are sanctified by sacrifice and service.
The first temple to be built in this dispensation was the temple at Kirtland, Ohio. Construction of this temple was a huge sacrifice. Most of the church members were poor, and yet the Lord had commanded that a temple be built, and so they did just that. Then, after three years all that had been painstakingly completed, the Saints were forced to leave Ohio and their beloved temple. They eventually found refuge—although it would be temporary—on the banks of the Mississippi River. They named their settlement Nauvoo, and willing to give their all once again, they erected another temple. Persecutions raged, however, and with the Nauvoo Temple barely completed, they were driven from their homes once again, seeking refuge in a desert.
The struggle and the sacrifice began once again as they labored for 40 years to erect our very own Salt Lake Temple.
Some degree of sacrifice has ever been associated with temple building and with temple attendance. Countless are those who have labored and struggled in order to obtain for themselves and for their families the blessings which are found in these holy temples of God.
President Monson asked: Why are so many willing to give so much in order to receive the blessings of the temple?
His Response: They are those who understand the eternal blessings which come from the temple who know that no sacrifice is too great, no price too heavy, no struggle too difficult in order to receive those blessings. There are never too many miles to travel, too many obstacles to overcome, or too much discomfort to endure. They understand that the saving ordinances received in the temple that permit us to someday return to our Heavenly Father in an eternal family relationship and to be endowed with blessings and power from on high are worth every sacrifice and every effort.
While preparing this talk I learned from my mom that when the Jordan River Temple was being built local members were asked by church leaders to fund the construction of the temple. I was only eight years old at that time with 5 younger siblings and another on the way, and times were not easy. I didn’t know this but my dad sold his favorite motorcycle so that he could honor his obligation as a member of the church. He didn't want me to share this story because he is a humble man. We usually find out wonderful things he has done through other people. But to me this was an amazing example of my father's faith in the gospel.
President Monson said that if you have been to the temple for yourself, your sacrifice could be setting aside the time in your busy lives to visit the temple regularly.
I have had several opportunities to receive ordinances in the temple for myself, for people I don't know and for my own family members. Several years ago I had the opportunity to go to the Manila Temple in the Philippines with several of my brothers and sisters, their spouses and my mom. We were able to perform the temple work for my grandma, grandpa and my mom's brother who died tragically at a very young age. As we all gathered in the temple sealing room to have my grandparents sealed for time and all eternity, we felt an overwhelming joy. To share that beautiful experience with my siblings and my mom is something I have always and will always treasure. What we were able to accomplish in just one day will have an effect throughout eternity. And I am so thankful and blessed that I was able to be a small part of helping my family members to receive their saving ordinances.
There is much to be done in our temples in behalf of those who wait beyond the veil. As we do the work for them, we will know that we have accomplished what they cannot do for themselves.
President Joseph F. Smith stated, “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.”5
I felt so inspired by that profound statement. I feel so determined to not only attend the temple more regularly but to do the work for my own ancestors. We have so much work to do for my mom's family since she is the only convert in her family and one of the first members of the church in the Philippines. Rhett is also a convert and the first member of the church on the Collin’s side of the family. There are so many loved ones waiting, it is our responsibility to make the time for them.
President Monson continues to say:
If you have not yet been to the temple or if you have been but currently do not qualify for a recommend, there is no more important goal for you to work toward than being worthy to go to the temple.
Until you have entered the house of the Lord and have received all the blessings which await you there, you have not obtained everything the Church has to offer. The all-important and crowning blessings of membership in the Church are those blessings which we receive in the temples of God.
The world can be a challenging and difficult place in which to live. We are often surrounded by that which would drag us down. Our prophet has promised us that as we go to the temple, and as we remember the covenants we make within, we will be more able to bear every trial and to overcome each temptation. In this sacred sanctuary were we will find peace; we will be renewed and fortified.
I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for hearing my prayers. I have longed for a temple marriage and to have the opportunity to be sealed to my husband and children. I remember little Rhett asking me what would happen to our family if we were not sealed. It broke my heart to tell him that we would not be a family forever. He was so hurt but was even more determined to do whatever he had to do to make sure his family would always be a family. I don't remember a prayer that he or Jayden didn’t ask Heavenly Father for their daddy to be baptized so that our family could go to the temple and be sealed forever. At first I didn't know what Rhett would think of their prayers but their prayers did melt his heart and he started to recognize for himself the importance of an eternal family.
Because of the love Rhett has for me and our children he was finally baptized in February of this year. What a miracle and a relief it was for me to finally witness what I had only dreamed about for 20 years. I always knew he would baptized, I wouldn't have married him if I didn't know that it was going to happen.
This is just the beginning for our family. We are now preparing to go to the temple in March of next year to receive one of the most important ordinances a family can receive, it will be the happiest and most important day of my life and the lives of my family.
I am so grateful to our loving bishop and so many of you who have touched our lives and who have cared so much for my family and especially my parents who have been going through the most difficult time of their lives. I know that it has been through you that Heavenly Father has blessed us and helped us with this journey.
Brothers and Sisters, I have a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I have a testimony of his eternal plan. I know that families can be together forever and that my family will be together forever. Our Heavenly Father loves each one of us. We are so blessed to be surrounded by so many beautiful temples. I know that it is only through the temple ordinances that we can truly be happy for eternity. And I want my dad to know, that I am so thankful that he is here today. Not only here at church but alive. Dad I also want you to know that we will only be separated for a short time, we will all miss you so much but we will be reunited once again because our family is forever!
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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