July 2004 Ensign - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

40
Above: Members visit at a ward social in Mérida.
Far right: The Mérida Mexico Temple.
“Many are looking for the truth, but they don’t know
where it is,” says the boys’ father, also José Julio. It is easy to
share beliefs with people when we, as members, are attentive
enough to the Holy Ghost to know their need, Brother
Briones says. His wife, Josefina, learned that the seeds we
plant may take time to sprout, then grow quickly. She had
shared her beliefs with one couple who seemed ready to
listen but declined her invitations to attend Church meetings
because of conflicts in their schedule. When they finally
were able to attend with her, even she was surprised at how
readily and quickly they accepted the gospel.
Mauro Gil of Mérida, who served as president of the
Mexico Torreón Mission from 1999 to 2002, says the example
of members is probably the major factor in the
reception missionaries receive. Reflecting on the influence
of exemplary members, he says, “I think the gospel
is going to make a greater nation of Mexico.” He has
witnessed steady progress in the lives of members in
the Yucatán Peninsula over the past 20 years not only
spiritually but also temporally as they have obeyed
principles of the gospel, including the law of tithing.
The temples in Mexico, he says, are just one visible
symbol of the blossoming and growth among members.
“They are going to bless the lives of people. They are
going to bless our children.”
The Temple Effect
Members who recall the era of weeklong excursions to
the temple in Mesa, Arizona, rejoice at having a temple
now within a day’s drive from almost any point in their
country. On a typical Saturday, the parking lots of temples
in Mexico accommodate several buses bringing members
from outlying areas.
Some rejoice in simply helping to clean the house of
the Lord. In Guadalajara, Alfredo Gómez, second counselor
in the temple presidency, greets a member who is
leaving after a shift of cleaning the temple. President
Gómez asks if the man is tired. Yes, the man replies—but it
is a good kind of tired, and he is leaving strengthened.
“The value of the temple
to members here is
incalculable,” President
Gómez says. Some from
outlying areas will even
skip necessities, such as
food, to pay the cost of
the trip. “Members know
Above: Manuel García,
Guadalajara, with booklet
from a 1968 stake conference;
Carlitos, Carlos, and Aracely
Burgos of Mérida. Left: Sisters
María Teresa Solís de Hercila
and María Anastacia Solís of
Mérida.