More Than Just a Temple Trip
The first of several temple trips to begin this weekend
By Robyn Peterson
This weekend, Southern Virginia will launch the first of several Palmyra temple trip experiences offered this semester. Students will have the opportunity to worship at a temple of The Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter-Day Saints. This trip is also unique because of the opportunity to view religious sites, such as the Sacred Grove, that are important to The Church’s early history.
“President Wilcox had this vision. It wasn’t just about a temple trip, it was about creating an experience,” said President Moss, a member of the Buena Vista YSA Stake Presidency, who helped coordinate the event. “We want this to be a highlight of their four-year experience at SVU.”
Students reserve their spots by signing up through the Temple Trip group in the Knight App. Students will board buses in Buena Vista at 6 am on Friday and are expected to arrive in Palmyra by 3 pm, where they can then perform temple service. The following morning, students can enjoy church history site visits. Students are asked to pay $35 towards the cost of attending. Four meals and lodging are included in the trip.
This weekend’s trip is planned specifically for the Buena Vista YSA Second and Third Wards. There will be many additional opportunities to take this trip throughout the semester, with different ward assignments to be announced. President Braddy of the Buena Vista YSA Stake Presidency and his wife Sister Braddy will be attending this first Palmyra trip.
One of the ways that students can enrich their experience is by preparing family names to take to the temple. “I can’t stress enough how meaningful it would be if students could take a family name to the temple,” said Moss.
Sister Christensen and Sister Hancock teach family history courses at The Church Institute. Even if not registered for these classes, students can sit in and get help in researching names.
Never done Family History before? Students can set up one-on-one appointments of about 15–20 minutes to visit the Family History Center and research names. “We would love to do that, that’s why we’re here,” said Hancock. Think that all the work has already been done? “I have never had a patron that we could not find a family name to take,” said Hancock.
In addition, the FamilySearch Tree app makes it easy to look up the names of people who need ordinances done. With the click of the button, a list of five names, either from your family or from the temple file, will pop up. These names can then be printed ahead of time, either at home or at the Family History Center.
The other upcoming Temple Trip dates are Jan. 18–20, Feb. 1–3, Feb. 8–10, Feb. 15–17, and Feb. 22–24.
Further information:
Family History Classes — Monday, Wednesday 11–11:50, 12:30–1:20 and Tuesday, Thursday 7–8:30.
Want to visit the Family History Center? Set an appointment with the Family History Center by emailing Sister Hancock (slhancock0753@gmail.com) or Sister (Christensen 09else2@gmail.com).
