2nd Ward Temple Trip 2016 to Taipei

Preparations

Early in 2016, planning began for a Ward Temple Trip under the direction of Bishop Jacob Soh and in collaboration with the Ward Council.

All members, whether youth or adult, were encouraged to attend the temple during the week of 6-10 December. If they were unable to make it, they were encouraged to engage in family history work and prepare names of their own kindred dead, for whom 2nd Ward members could perform holy saving ordinances in the temple.

Special lessons were prepared on the purpose of temples. The Ward Family History consultants met with the Young Men and Young Women and ensured that they each had a family history account and could do some family history work for their own family members prior to attending the temple.

The High Priest Group was tasked with laying the groundwork by contacting the temple, coordinating travel and housing needs and requirements, and helping to schedule temple service activities during the period in Taipei. Extracurricular activities were also suggested and planned.

Miracles

One member, whose plans changed, contributed two tickets to members who otherwise would not have participated – bringing blessings to both parties. Hundreds of deceased persons received saving ordinances during the 2^nd Ward Temple trip.

In all, five Young Men, ten Young Women, six families and three parents participated in the temple trip. Amongst these were family and friends who did not participate in the temple work per se, but wholeheartedly supported the temple trip with their personal attendance at the extracurricular activities during our time in Taipei.

Fulfilment

Elder William Woo and Sister Connie Woo, from Clementi Ward and currently serving in the Taipei Temple, were instrumental in arranging baptistry, endowment, initiatory, and sealing sessions. Upon arrival in Taipei on Tuesday, 6 December, the members registered in the Temple Housing and did their first baptistry session at the Temple. From then on, the youth did two baptistry sessions per day (either morning and afternoon, or afternoon and evening) until they departed to return to Singapore. Adults too, participated in at least two temple sessions daily throughout the week in Taipei.

On 7 December, Sister Michelle Hsieh arranged a service project for the youth at the “New Taipei Ai-Chi Developmental Center“.  Each of the youth was assigned to take care of one special needs child alongside the teachers in the Center. 2nd Ward Young Men and Young Women leaders participated with the youth, who were able to bring the children out to the nearby park for photo taking with Christmas decorations. As the leaders saw the kind and gentle way the youth fed the little ones, talked with them, held them, and pushed them in their strollers, they felt the tender love the youth had for each of the children. The youth remarked that they enjoyed the experience too.

The photos tell part of the story. In one picture you will see our Young Women and Young Men at a seminary class with local Taiwanese youth. They got up to attend early morning seminary and they all said it was both fun and interesting! They enjoyed the lessons taught by Brother Will Chen (seminary teacher), as well as the delicious breakfast and gifts he prepared. They also enjoyed soccer and pool table games with the Taiwanese youth who attended early morning seminary.

On Thursday evening, 8 December, a testimony meeting/fireside was held at the Taipei Stake Centre so that the youth could express their feelings about the temple trip and their service in the temple. They were unanimous:  We should do this again each year!

By Bro. Nef