2013 Camp Ideas for the theme

Holy Places around the World Focus your camp on the temple while also making it fun with the theme “Holy Places around the World.” Help your young women feel the strength and unity of the saints and the church organization all over the earth. Also help them understand the great importance of temples to the saints all over the world and to their own lives.

Theme Songs

-You could use the song “Temple Spires” and “Stand in Holy Places” (on Jenny Phillips’ CD “Stand in Holy Places”) in your devotionals and activities to bring the spirit into your camp. Also consider the hymns “More Holiness Give Me” and “I Love to See the Temple.” -On the “Ideas & Free Downloads” page on www.jennyphillips.com under “Young Women” you can download the song “Stand in Holy Places” in Spanish, Dutch, and Chinese for free along with a pronunciation guide to learn part of the song in the different languages (coming by February 1st, 2013). Choose different wards to learn part of the song in the other languages. At the closing devotional, have the entire stake sing the song with each ward singing their part in the different language. It is sure to bring in a powerful spirit of love and unity for the saints across the world. If you are doing a ward camp, you can break the song up into different languages, assigning a leader and small group of girls to each language.

Holy Places Around the World

Choose a temple from a different country to focus on each day of camp. Each day you could have leaders wear native dress from that country (like a hat or flower lei) and serve food from that country. You could have a picture of the temple for that day displayed on the food table, etc. Here are some ideas for Asia, Hawaii, Holand, and Mexico. If you need a country for another day, Australia would work really well.

ASIA - Hong Kong China Temple and/or Taipei Taiwan Temple -Display pictures of the Hong Kong China and/or Taipei Taiwan temples on the food table or in other areas. - Leaders could wear Asian Hats ($29 for a dozen on orientaltrading.com or make your own!) -Young women could make Asian hats out of construction paper. -Use chopsticks to eat. -Decorate with Asian lanterns or have the young women make and decorate paper lanterns. -Serve fortune cookies or chocolate dipped fortune cookies. -Have the young women make their own “dessert sushi” or “candy sushi.” These are really cute and lots of fun! There are some great recipes online. -For dinner you could serve stir fry and rice or anything Asian.

Asian Games “Catch the Dragon Tail” “This game began in China and works best with 10 or more players. Find a field or open spot. The players form a straight line and hold onto the shoulders of the player in front of them, except for the first player in line, who is the “head” of the dragon. The last player is the “tail.” Keeping the line unbroken, the head attempts to tag the tail. Every player tries to stop the head, but if he succeeds, the tail moves up and becomes the head. All the other players then shift back one space, and play continues.” “Capture the Dragon” This is basically “capture the flag” but instead of a flag, use a cut out of a dragon. Divide into two equal teams and make an imaginary line between the two sides. Each team has its own “drago” and must hide it somewhere on it’s side. The objective is to capture the opposing team's flag and bring it safely to its own side without being tagged. When players are in enemy territory, they can be tagged by the opposing team. Depending on the variation of the game, tagged players can be out of the game, be forced to join the opposing team or be placed in "jail" for a specified amount of time. A wide-open space doesn't work as well because you need places to hide while sneaking over to the opposing team's base. “The Chopstick Game” Divide the young women into equal team. Each young team

will need a pair of chopsticks, and each team will need two bowls and a number of marbles, small candies, and/or marshmallows. Place the bowls about 6-8 feet apart, on tables or chairs. Put the objects in one of the bowls. When you call “start”, the 1st young woman of each team must pick up one of his objects in that teams bowl, using only her chopsticks, and carry it to the empty bowl. She then passes the chopsticks on to the next team member for the next object, and so on. The first team to move all their objects safely across is the winner. Hands must not be used at any time! If an object is dropped, it must be picked up (with hands) and put back in the first bowl. You are only allowed to move one object at a time. You can make this game easier by varying the objects. Marbles are hardest, marshmallows are easiest! -Teach the young women some basic origami.

Ideas for Spiritual Workshop/Class

Do the activity “Temple Landscaping: An Activity on Modesty” found on the Ideas & Free Downloads page on www.jennyphillips.com.

Ideas for Devotional

-Play the recording of “Stand in Holy Places” or “When I See Him” in Chinese. -Share facts and stories about the Hong Kong Temple & have young women share a talk/testimony on the temple.

Facts about the Taipei Taiwan Temple The Taipei Taiwan Temple was the first temple built in Taiwan and the third built in Asia. At the first regional conference in Taiwan, held August 14, 1975, President Spencer W. Kimball explained the purpose of the temple that had been announced for Tokyo, Japan. "You, too, can have one," he said. "We leave the blessings of the Lord upon you, upon your posterity, and upon this land." The mission home in Taipei, which stood next to the stake center, was razed to make way for the Taipei Taiwan Temple. The Taipei Taiwan Temple was constructed with respect for local tradition including a stunning blue tile roof that complements nearby National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. The open house of the Taipei Taiwan Temple attracted over 20,000 visitors including high-ranking government officials, prominent businessmen, and religious leaders of other faiths. Many requested the missionaries to visit them. Both protesters and adorers descended on the Taipei Taiwan Temple during its public open house. Protesters, sent by a Protestant group in Hawaii, attempted to disrupt the event by creating a commotion outside the gates, though they were kindly invited to tour the temple and view informative displays. Other visitors who toured the temple were captivated by the spirit of the building—many expressing that it was the most beautiful building they had ever seen. At the time the Taipei Taiwan Temple was dedicated, there were three stakes on the island. Twenty-five years later, membership had grown to ten stakes and two districts. At the dedication of the Taipei Taiwan Temple, President Gordon B. Hinckley noted that a prison once stood on the temple site. It was President Hinckley who dedicated the temples in both Taipei and Hong Kong. He taught that In fact, he said, the most significant experience he ever had in Hong Kong was the through the inspiration for the design of the Hong Kong China Temple. He said that in searching sacred for a place for a temple, he and a Church real estate employee looked all over the ordinances island and all over Kowloon and all over the New Territories. Returning to his hotel, of the temple, the he was disturbed and didn't know what to do, he said. After "pleading with the Lord Lord had provided that He'd tell us what to do," he went to sleep. Then at 2 a.m., he woke up, he said, a way to release and envisioned what could be done. "We could build a tall building on property we souls from their owned and build a temple on top," he said. The baptismal font would be on the lower level and the floors in between would contain a chapel and classrooms as well as spiritual offices and other facilities. "We followed that same pattern in New York City," he prisons.

continued, speaking of the Manhattan New York Temple which he dedicated in

Citizens of Taipei are so impressed by the beauty of the Taipei Taiwan Temple that it has been nominated as one of the most beautiful buildings in the city and studied numerous times by students of architecture. Facts about Hong Kong China Temple The Hong Kong China Temple was the second temple built on mainland Asia, following the Seoul Korea Temple (1985). The Hong Kong China Temple was the first multipurpose temple built by the Church, as envisioned and sketched by President Gordon B. Hinckley in the nighttime hours following a pleading prayer. Elder David O. McKay of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated China for the preaching of the gospel on January 9, 1921, within the walls of the "Forbidden City" in Beijing. Elder Matthew Cowley, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and Chinese native Henry Aki officially opened missionary work in Hong Kong by prayer on July 14, 1949, from the Peak—the highest point overlooking the city of Hong Kong. The Kowloon Tong chapel, Hong Kong mission home, and Hong Kong mission office, which stood on side-by-side lots, were all razed to make way for the Hong Kong China Temple. The temple houses replacement facilities for all of these buildings. The angel Moroni statue was added to the spire of the Hong Kong China Temple on December 12, 1995. Several hundred spectators gathered to witness the Moroni raising. During its public open house, over 13,000 people toured the interior of the Hong Kong China Temple including over 500 VIP guests and 25 ministers of other faiths. Hong Kong was under British rule at the time the Hong Kong China Temple was dedicated, but sovereignty transferred to China just over a year later on July 1, 1997. Following the dedication of the Hong Kong China Temple, President Gordon B. Hinckley became the first president of the Church to visit mainland China. Church News about Temple Dedication Throughout his visit in Hong Kong, President Hinckley frequently reflected on his long association with this part of the world. He first came here 36 years ago, in 1960. "This temple represents one of the great dreams of my life," he said, at a meeting with missionaries the day before the dedication of the temple. On many occasions, President Hinckley commented about "the wonderful opportunity" he has had over the years to work "among these marvelous Chinese people - the sons and daughters of God." He reflected on the fact that when he first came to Hong Kong and the other parts of Asia, the Church did not own one piece of property, except for a small branch meetinghouse in Japan. In the dedicatory prayer he offered at the first session Sunday morning he noted that the Church in this area "now comes to full maturity with the dedication of this sacred temple." There are now some 20,000 members of the Church in five stakes in Hong Kong. "This is a very emotional time for me," President Hinckley said as he prepared to dedicate the temple. When asked about his thoughts on saying goodbye to the members in Hong Kong after the dedicatory sessions concluded, President Hinckley declared, "I didn't say `Goodbye.' I said zai jian - Cantonese for `Farewell, dear friends.' That is what it was - farewell. It was an emotional experience we had at the dedication of that temple, in looking into the

faces of many thousands of our Chinese friends, as well as those who had come from such distant places as Singapore, Thailand and Taiwan at great expense to participate in the dedicatory services of the temple. "It was wonderful to see old friends that I've known since I first came here in 1960. These wonderful people have been true and faithful all these years when there have been difficulties, troubles, disappointments, but during which time the Church has consistently and steadily moved forward. They have grown and developed as they have remained true to the Church and accepted responsibility for its operation here in their homeland." President Monson told the Church News: "We were absolutely thrilled with the beauty of the Hong Kong Temple. I believe the colors and furnishing have been so carefully coordinated to reflect the atmosphere of this temple that it astounded all of us. The workmanship of the temple is superb. It would be very difficult to examine that beautiful temple and find any area where the work could have been improved. "The spirit of the Saints there in the temple was a marvel to behold. They love the temple, and have waited a long time for it. They are very anxious for it to open. With all the great numbers of Chinese people who have gone on in the years past - this being one of the ancient civilizations - surely there is no dearth of names for whom the current Chinese members can officiate. "The dedicatory sessions were beautiful to behold. It was magnificent to hear President Hinckley reminiscing on his service to the Church in Hong Kong. Indeed, all that has been accomplished here today, for the most part, has been during his time as a representative of the Church with responsibilities for Asia. It was a great joy for him and Sister Hinckley, as well as for many friends, to be in the Hong Kong Temple and reminisce on how the Lord has blessed them from the early beginnings until what we have today in Hong Kong. Sister Monson and I felt very privileged to have the opportunity to be a part of this great outpouring of love." Elder Tai, who was born and raised in Hong Kong, said that the temple has created a better unity among members here, and has helped "them to see a new horizon." "The Church has advanced to a new era," he said. "The temple will bring great blessings to many more people in Hong Kong, inside the Church and outside the Church. More than 5,000 members attended the dedication, including some 200 who traveled from Singapore, more than 300 from Taiwan, about 100 from Thailand and several expatriate members from China. "We saw in the temple some of the old pioneers of the Church in Hong Kong. Some were in wheelchairs. It was a great joy to see this - finally the dream came true. They have been longing and waiting for the coming of the temple." Among those "pioneering" members of the Church in Hong Kong attending the dedication were individuals such as "Mama Lee," as she is called by most Latter-day Saints and missionaries in Hong Kong, and Tsang Po Fun, who joined the Church about 40 years ago. Both have been faithful over those years. Lo Chung Yu, who, in "the old days" served in a district presidency, offered the closing prayer at one of the sessions. Where it once cost hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars for members to attend the temple, it now costs very little. The temple, located at No. 2 Cornwall Street, Kowloon Tong, is about a five-minute walk from a main subway station, so the edifice is easily accessible from anywhere in Hong Kong. Cecil and Liana Lee were among those attending the dedication on a rainy May 26. "It was just like a long wish that has come true," Brother Lee said. "I had a very special experience during the session. I was especially touched by the talk given by our prophet and by the dedicatory prayer. The temple is really a big blessing for us. I'll never forget this day." Sister Lee, a convert of 14 years, translated from Cantonese into English the testimony of Sister Ng during the dedication. She also attended a session with her husband and their children. "I had a very warm feeling in my heart," she said. "I felt that every word of the dedicatory prayer went deep into my soul. I was touched very much. Tears came out

of my eyes. I'm so grateful for this temple. We were married in the Tokyo Japan Temple, the only temple that was nearby. It takes quite a bit to go to Tokyo." (from LDSchurchtemples.com)

HAWAII – Laie and Kona Temples -There are 2 temples in Hawaii: Laie and Kona. Display pictures of these temples. -Leaders could wear flower leis. -For breakfast you could serve Hawaiian French toast—French toast with the following topping options: pineapple syrup (find recipes online or buy), sliced bananas, shredded sweetened coconut, chopped macadamia nuts, drained crushed pineapple or pineapple tidbits. -For lunch you could serve Hawaiian pizza and salad (you may want to have some cheese pizza on hand for those picky eaters) -For dinner you could serve Hawaiian chicken and pineapple kabobs or Hawaiian haystacks. -Dessert could be coconut cupcakes, coconut cake, banana pie, pineapple upside down cake. -Play “Limbo,” “Around the Island Basket Toss” (see http://www.alohafriends.com/game5.html), Lei Coconut Roll” (lay out a fake lei in a circle, have each girl take turns rolling a coconut from a certain distance, whoever gets closest wins). You could also play some games with inflatable beach balls. -Encourage everyone to say “aloha” instead of “hi.” -Hawaiian style skits: divide the girls into groups, and let each group choose 3 Hawaiian related words from a bowl. They then have 10 minutes (or whatever time you choose) to come up with a skit that uses those three words. Word options: palm tree, coconut, beach, aloha, guava, snorkeling, hula dancer, ukulele, grass shack, surfing, shark, grass skirt, tropical island, surfboard, lei, flip flop, waterfall, pineapple, waves, rainbow, flower print shirt, volcano, canoe, turtle, seashell.

Ideas for Spiritual Workshop/Class

-Create a workshop on the topic “Temples are a Holy Place.”

Holy place

Temples The temple is identified as a sanctuary, a place of holiness set apart for sacred purposes.

Read: D&C 109:12&13 Read: “The key word used to describe temples is holy. The phrase "Holiness to the Lord" was inscribed on the gold plate on the brim of the cap of the High Priest Aaron and his successors who officiated over the tabernacle and temple worship of the ancient Israelites. The same inscription is over the eastern entrance of modern LDS temples. The temples are holy because they are dedicated to the Lord, who has manifest himself within them. They are also the place where God's children learn more about the Man of Holiness, Jesus Christ, and the purpose of his atoning sacrifice. Finally, it is in the temples where those with "clean hands, and a pure heart" receive special instruction about the process of being made holy.”(Victor L. Ludlow “Principles & Practices of the Restored Gospel,” pg 361)

Discussion: -How is the temple a sanctuary? -What is the key word used to describe temples? ________________ -Not only is the temple a holy place, but it also is a place that helps people become more holy. -Some synonyms for “holy” are sacred, hallowed, and divine. The opposite of these words are ungodly, desecrated, and earthly. Not only does the temple not contain ungodliness and earthliness, but it helps those who enter to become more sacred, hallowed and divine. -Do you have a testimony of temples? Have you felt peaceful while on the temple grounds? Do you have a testimony of eternal families? Take some time to pray and ponder these topics, and then write your testimony about temples:

Ideas for Devotional

-Share facts and stories about the Laie Hawaii temple -Have a leader talk about the blessings of being married in the temple -Have a young woman perform the song “Temple Spires” or play the video “temple spires”

Facts about the Laie Hawaii Temple The Laie Hawaii Temple was the first temple built in Polynesia. The temple exterior is made of native crushed lava rock and coral. Surrounded by lush Hawaiian flora on a gently rising hill that features cascading pools and a large fountain, the Laie Hawaii Temple graces the north shore of Oahu just a half mile from the Pacific Ocean. The Laie Hawaii Temple was the first temple built outside of the continental United States. At just 10,500 square feet, the Laie Hawaii Temple was the smallest temple the Church had ever constructed. The Laie Hawaii Temple sits on the original Mormon landholdings of Hawaii known as Laie Plantation. The 6,000-acre parcel was purchased in 1865 for $14,000. President Joseph F. Smith was in Hawaii on business in the spring of 1915 when he was moved by a spiritual impulse to dedicate a site for the Laie Hawaii Temple. The action was later ratified by the brethren and publicly sustained in the October 1915 General Conference. Construction of the Laie Hawaii Temple came to a standstill when the supply of lumber ran out. Prayers were uttered, and two days later, a freighter was discovered stranded on a nearby coral reef. The captain offered his entire cargo to the saints if they would unload it for him. His cargo? Lumber—enough to complete the temple. The Laie Hawaii Temple was dedicated on Thanksgiving Day. LDS Church News Article about Dedication of Kona Hawaii Temple Comments from children and youth concerning the new temple indicate wearing it out with use should not be a challenge. The day before the dedication, 12-year-old Scott Arquero of the Pahoa Ward, Hilo Hawaii Stake, sat in the courtyard of the adjacent Kona Hawaii Stake center. Waiting for family members practicing with temple choirs, Scott sat by himself on a bench, strumming his brown ukulele. He was going to attend the dedication the next day. "First time I actually get to see a temple dedicated," he said, adding he was excited to see the prophet. He said that some day he wanted to tell his own children that going to the temple "is a wonderful experience." For 11-year-old Kiam Han Conradt of the Keei Ward, Kona Hawaii Stake, the temple "means that Jesus Christ will come again and I'll meet Him." Shawn Curtis, 16, of the Keei Ward said he tells his friends, when they ask about the temple, "It's a church building times 10 million," meaning the depth of the sacredness of the temple. "I tell them there's things we do in [the temple] we can't do outside the temple. I tell them we get married in there." Seventeen-year-old Jolyne Hao of the Kona 1st Ward wanted to represent youth in the cornerstone choir. "You don't get this chance [often]," she said. Her brother, Jarom, 16, added, "I wanted to be able to sing for the prophet." Whether a youth or an adult, members here are emotional about "their" temple. Wally Bell, public affairs director for the Kona stake, recalled the first night the temple lights, which point downward rather than upward, were turned on. "I was headed out to a birthday party and the traffic was so backed up [on the road leading by the temple]. I didn't know what was happening until I got up closer to the temple, and I noticed the lights were on. For many evenings later, the traffic was just backed up. It was a beautiful sight. Awesome!" (from LDSchurchtemples.com)

HOLLAND – Hague Netherlands Temple -Get a few Holland flags to put around camp for the day. -Display a picture of the Hague Netherland Temple -Make paper tulips as a craft. -Make tulip hair clips as a service project for an orphanage or local shelter. http://www.hipgirlclips.com/store/index.php?main_page=document_general_info&products_id=2340 http://www.hipgirlclips.com/store/index.php?main_page=document_general_info&products_id=2338 -Make paper Dutch hats -Serve “Dutch Hot Chocolate.” -Serve traditional Hagelslag (sprinkles of chocolate served on white bread with butter) -Serve “Dutch Apple Pancakes” for breakfast or apple pie for dessert. -For dinner: A traditional Dutch main meal would include mashed potatoes sometimes mixed with green vegetables (“stamppot”), pork in the form of smoked sausage or bacon cubes and a rich gravy. Meat balls are also popular served with gravy and potatoes. -Windmill making contest. Give each girl the supplies to make a windmill (toilet paper roll, construction paper, colored cardstock, brass tack, markers, scissors, tape, glue, popsicle sticks, little fake flowers, etc.)

Give them a certain amount of time to make their windmills, and then have a judging panel give out awards for: “Cutest”, “Most Creative,” “Most Colorful, “ “Most Artistic,” and “Most Charming.”

Ideas for Spiritual Workshop/Class

-Do the activity “Temple Landscaping: An Activity on Modesty” found on the “Ideas & Free Downloads” page on www.jennyphillips.com.

Ideas for Devotional

-Share facts and stories about the Hague Netherlands Temple -Play “Stand in Holy Places” or “Temple Spires” in Dutch (free download on jennyphillips.com). Ask the young women to ponder the blessings of the temples throughout the earth as they listen to the song.

Facts about the Hague Netherlands Temple The The Hague Netherlands Temple serves members from 5 stakes based in the Netherlands and Belgium. The Hague Netherlands Temple was the first temple built in the Netherlands. A church building was razed to permit construction of The Hague Netherlands Temple since the city would allow only one building on the site, which is located in a city park. The Hague Netherlands Temple is located in Zoetermeer, which translates to Sweet Lake in English. So, while Utah has the Salt Lake Temple, the Netherlands has the "Sweet Lake Temple." The Hague Netherlands Temple sits below sea level. Land comes a premium in the Netherlands, so the parcel purchased by the Church for The Hague Netherlands Temple is just larger than the footprint of the building itself. Although the city constructed a parking lot adjacent to the temple, the Church desired to have at least some parking under its control, so the only direction to go was down. The result is a 40-car (and many-bicycle) parking structure with a Beehive Clothing store. President Gordon B. Hinckley dedicated The Hague Netherlands Temple the day after he rededicated the Freiberg Germany Temple, and he said: “The following day we dedicated The Hague Netherlands Temple. Four sessions were held. What a touching and wonderful experience that was. The temple is a beautiful structure in a good area. I am so grateful for the house of the Lord which will accommodate the Saints of the Netherlands, Belgium, and parts of France. Missionaries were first sent to that part of Europe way back in 1861. Thousands have joined the Church. Most of them emigrated to the States. But we have there now a wonderful body of precious and faithful Latter-day Saints who are deserving of a house of the Lord in their midst.”(from LDSchurchtemples.com)

Mexico – Mexico City Temple -Leaders could wear sombreros or ponchos (you could make out of inexpensive fleece) -Hang up Mexican flags. -Display a picture of the Mexico City or several of the temples in Mexico. -Have nachos, taco soup, taco salad, or enchiladas with beans and rice for lunch or dinner. Chips and salsa. -Have the young women make maracas with plastic Easter eggs, and then have them use them while you teach them a fun dance to Latin music. See: http://www.danamadeit.com/2012/04/tutorial-easter-egg-maracas-for-cinco-demayo.html. To make these cute maracas.

-Serve “Sombrero Cookies” for dessert. See: http://ediblecrafts.craftgossip.com/sombrero-cookies/2011/05/04/ for instructions on making these cookies:

-Other dessert ideas: ice cream with dulce de leche sauce, sliced apples with dulce de leche dip, Mexican hot chocolate (lots of recipes online) with sopapillas.

Ideas for Spiritual Workshop/Class

-Teach a workshop on “Families are Holy Places”

Holy place

Families “And in our day Satan has chosen to wage war directly at the heart of God’s plan, which is the family.” ~ Russell M. Nelson (April 2007 General Conference)

Pass out copies of “The Family: A Proclamation to the World. Have each young woman read it on their own and under line any parts that they feel are concepts being challenged and fought heavily by the adversary, and then have a discussion on those items and what they can do to see through Satan’s deceits about marriage and family. Read: Elaine Dalton: “Last month I had the opportunity to attend the temple wedding of a young woman I have known since she was born. As I sat in the sealing room, looking at the beautiful chandelier sparkling in the light of the temple, I remembered that day when I first held her. Her mother had her dressed in a little white dress, and I thought she was one of the most beautiful babies I had ever seen. Then this young woman walked through the door, once again dressed in white. She was radiant and happy. As she entered the room, I wished with all my heart that every young woman could envision that moment and strive to always be worthy to make and keep sacred covenants and receive the ordinances of the temple in preparation to enjoy the blessings of exaltation.” “As this couple knelt at the sacred altar, they received promises beyond mortal comprehension that will bless, strengthen, and assist them on their mortal journey. It was one of those moments when the world stood still and all of heaven rejoiced. As the newly married couple looked into the large mirrors in the room, the groom was asked what he saw. He said, “All those who have gone before me.” Then the couple looked into the large mirror on the opposite wall, and the bride said with tears in her eyes, “I see all those who will follow after us.” She saw her future family—her posterity . . . Young women, in a world ever growing in moral pollution, tolerance of evil, exploitation of women, and

distortion of roles, you must stand guard of yourself, your family, and all those with whom you associate. You must be guardians of virtue.” (April 2011 General Conference) Discussion or have the youth write down answers in their journal: 1. What kind of mother do I want my children to have? Read Alma 56: 47-48 How would you like to have your children be as strong and valiant as the stripling warriors? Their mothers had a tremendous influence on them. 2. What do I need to be doing NOW in order to become a mother like the mothers of the stripling warriors? N. Eldon Tanner: “All young people should consider very carefully and prayerfully the kind of mate they would like to have for eternity and for the father or mother of their children. (Ensign May 1980) 3. What kind of father do I want my children to have? 4. What do I need to be doing NOW in order to be worthy and attractive to the kind of man I want my children to have as a father? Would the kind of man I want my children to have as a father:      

Be interested in someone who dressed immodestly? Be interested in someone who watch TV shows and movies that aren’t in keeping with the spirit? Be interested in a girl who understood and had confidence in her divine worth? Be interested in a girl who was cheerful and optimistic? Be interested in a girl who groomed well and exercised but wasn’t caught up in her physical appearance? Be interested in a girl who was kind and thoughtful?

Think About Your Family Now: Do you contribute cheer and optimism to your family? Are you a peacemaker in your family? Do you encourage family scripture, family prayer, and family home evening? Are you living in a way that will allow you to one day be sealed in the temple to a worthy man? Are you learning skills that will help you be a good wife, mother, and homemaker?

Ideas for Devotional

-Share facts and stories about the Mexico City Temple -Play “Stand in Holy Places” in Spanish (free download on jennyphillips.com).

Facts about the Mexico City Temple Characterized by its highly ornamented Mayan-inspired exterior, the México City México Temple is an acclaimed landmark in northeastern Mexico City, located near Bosque de Aragón—one of the city's principal parks. The temple grounds are park-like themselves, featuring beautiful gardens and an enchanting water feature. Several other Church buildings share the "Manzana del Templo" (Temple Square) including a missionary training center, stake center, patron housing facility, and an informative visitors' center—free to the public. The visitors' center's centerpiece is a supernal reproduction of Thorvaldsen's Christus statue. During Christmas, the grounds are decorated with hundreds of thousands of lights in a festive display of the season. The México City México Temple was the first temple built in Mexico. The México City México Temple is the largest temple outside of the United States.

Even since endowments were first given in Spanish in 1945 in the Mesa Arizona Temple, faithful Mexican Saints looked forward with anticipation to the time when they might be blessed with a temple in their own country. When Church architect Emil B. Fetzer received the assignment to design the México City México Temple, he turned to a book on Mayan architecture, which Heber Grant Taylor and his wife felt inspired to give him 18 years earlier from the library of his grandfather President Heber J. Grant. An incredible 9,000 attended the one-hour groundbreaking ceremony of the México City México Temple. Elder Boyd K. Packer offered the prayer dedicating the site in Spanish. During its 10-day open house, more than 110,000 visitors toured the México City México Temple including thousands of government, business, and civic leaders. Mission presidents estimated 2,900 requested visits as a direct result of the open house. The México City México Temple has received favorable attention from the school of architecture at the University of Mexico, becoming the subject of much study. Temple History—Rededication Having participated in the original dedication of the México City México Temple 25 years earlier, President Thomas S. Monson returned to Mexico's capital city in November 2008 to rededicate the nation's first temple. The evening before the dedication, some 87,000 poured into Aztec Stadium—venue of the 1968 Summer Olympics and two World Cup finals—to hear the Lord's prophet and to enjoy a cultural event featuring 8,000 youth. President Monson connected with the Saints in his opening remarks, speaking of his childhood experiences with Salt Lake City's Mexican community and fondness for enchiladas. He even surprised the crowd with an impromptu verse of "El Rancho Grande." Following his remarks, the audience was delighted for 80 minutes with regional folk dances, reenactments of Mexican history, and a finale procession of full-time missionaries set to a medley of hymns. The evening closed with an exchange of handkerchief waves between the Lord's servants and the tens of thousands of attendees. On dedication day, thousands of Mexican members participated in the two rededicatory sessions, which were held in the temple and also broadcast to meetinghouses in Mexico and Spanish-speaking congregations in the United States. Following the dedicatory prayer, President Monson expressed his love for the Mexican people and his assurance of the continued growth of the Church and of temple building in Mexico. "There will be more," he said. (from LDSchurchtemples.com)