08 October 2021 • Sprouting Seeds

We are loving this wonderful opportunity of being here at this unique time.  The temple currently has only one evening shift per day from 4:00 pm until 9:00 except on Saturdays that also have morning shifts.  We have not yet been able to return to a normal schedule of two shifts every day due to the limited number of trained workers and with covid related closure of patron housing.  But we are being trained and getting ready in anticipation of adding more morning shifts hopefully soon. Consequently, we are assigned on almost every shift, even sometimes two on the same day. And we are being used in virtually every possible assignment, including as coordinators in the various ordinance areas.

Last night I was assigned to be the coordinator over the baptistry.  A small group came from Caserta, near Naples.  This group included a senior missionary couple as chaperones, one experienced Melchizedek priesthood bearer, two men who were recent converts and the two sister missionaries who had taught these two men.  President Pacini has made it possible to provide train tickets for young missionaries to come to the temple with new converts if they have first taught them how to do family history work and have prepared them do baptisms for their own family members. The experienced brother first performed the baptisms for the new converts, doing this work for their own ancestors.  The new convert having just had that new experience would then in turn perform other baptisms. What a profound and rich experience for these new members and what a joy for us to watch the seeds they recently planted begin to blossom.

Rome Temple Baptismal Font

(stock photo)