What an exciting time to be on earth! In the past six months we have seen so many positive developments with the way we minister, church leadership,

Melchizedek priesthood quorums, and family history. This month the youth of the world had the chance to spend a Sunday evening with President and Sister Nelson in a world- wide devotional broadcast from the Conference Center in Salt Lake City. Some of the youth in our area were invited to attend at the Conference Center where President Nelson stated: “We would like to talk with you about the greatest challenge, the greatest cause, and the greatest work on earth. And we want to invite you to be a part of it.”

President Nelson went on to say that the gathering of Israel, on both sides of the veil, is the most important thing taking place on earth today. Then he explained:

“Nothing else compares in magnitude, nothing else compares in majesty. And if you choose to, if you want to, you can be a big part of it. You can be a big part of something big, something grand, something majestic!”

President Nelson said that participating in the gathering of Israel will require some sacrifice on our part, maybe even some changes in our lives. He then invited the youth of the church to do five things that will change them and will help them change the world.

One of the five things was to make a weekly sacrifice of time to the Lord, for three weeks in a row, to let Him know that you want to be part of His youth battalion, more than anything else. For three weeks he asked us to give up something we like to do and use that time to help gather Israel. Then he suggested helping those on the other side of the veil receive their baptismal and temple ordinances.

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to attend a gathering of temple and family history consultants and leaders from some stakes in the Millcreek area. President Beardall and Sister Laurie Beardall from the Granite Stake and five youth that are active participants at our FHC shared with them some of the activities our youth are involved in at the FHC. The Spirit was powerful as these youth stood up before a large audience and shared the joy they found in family history and temple work. Their countenances truly were shining as they bore humble and sweet testimonies of family history and temple work. These youth are already enlisted in the Lord’s army to gather Israel and they are living examples of the “believers.”

Since the worldwide broadcast I have noticed that many of our youth have taken President Nelson’s challenge. I serve in the Draper Temple on Wednesday mornings and have had the opportunity recently to serve at the recommend desk in the baptistery. What a joy it is for me to see youth, families, YM and YW classes and adults come in with their family cards all excited to be part of this great gathering. I have seen first-hand the fulfillment of promises made by so many of our modern- day prophets of the blessings that will come into the lives of those that engage in family history and temple work. There is something about their countenances that is different from the rest of the world.

We look forward to the coming months when the FHC will be providing many new opportunities for individuals, families, and groups, young and old, to participate in the gathering. If there is anything we can do to help you, your family, your ward, or your stake, please let us know. We look forward to working with you in the coming months as fellow soldiers in the Lord’s battalion to gather Israel, on both sides of the veil.