Claim the Exceeding Great and Precious Promises

Here's the link-of-the-week, Claim the Exceeding Great and Precious Promises by Elder Spencer J. Condie of the Seventy:

http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=d7841b3e50cf5110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=f318118dd536c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

This one really spoke to my heart, and I knew that Elder Condie's words were exactly what my thoughts and feelings were encircling ever since it was announced that Connecticut would still be receiving a temple this past General Conference weekend.

I love what Elder Condie has said about seeing the promises afar off. "Important components of faith are patience, long-suffering, and enduring to the end." The examples he gave of Sarah and Abraham, Isaac and Rebekah, etc... are wonderful examples to emulate, and an assurance that everything works on the Lord's time.

Note that I say the word "still" in reference to the CT temple. To me, it is an example of seeing the promise afar off. As soon as it was announced, the first thing to cross my mind was, "The Lord has kept his promise." I remember being 12 years old when it was announced the first time around, and all the excitement and joy that was felt in the Stake. For various reasons, the months dragged and dragged, with lots of opposition, until, in the wisdom of the Lord, the shift was focused to Boston. I remember a touch of disappointment, but in the end, overall happiness because at least the temple would be only two hours away, instead of the 8 it normally took to get to D.C.

We, as Saints in CT, were grateful for that blessing, and I think we felt that this was how it was all meant to be, and that was that. We had peace and joy, knowing a temple would be in New England.

But the Lord never makes a mistake. And He remembers what He promises. And this is where my real testimony has grown. It has been 16 years since it was announced the first time, but it is coming to pass. And this brings me hope. Without getting too personal, it reminds me of the very intimate and individual promises the Lord has made me via my Patriarchal Blessing, and subsequent blessings. I have yet to see some of things happen, but it doesn't mean that what He has promised won't come to pass.

Here's where Elder Condie's talk really gets me: "But with the passage of time, we encounter four of the most beautiful words in holy writ: 'And God remembered Rachel' (Genesis 30:22)."

And God remembered CT. And He remembers me.