On Tuesday (6/7) Kim taught her 1st English class with 7 in attendance (6 non-members).
On Wednesday we drove 1h 15m to Braganca for District Meeting. Prior to the meeting Delton Sambo reviewed the plans for a Young Adult activity on the river beach in Mirandela planned for 6/18. Delton mentioned that on the following day he and the Branch 1st counselor were going to the temple in Lisbon (4h 30m drive) to be endowed.
At 4PM after we had dropped the missionaries off at the bus station for their 6 hr bus ride to Lisbon (in order for E. Quarnberg to receive his residency card), Kim, who is always up for an adventure (and recognizing the significance of this situation) proposed that we should also attend the temple the following day! On Wednesday night we spoke with the temple president to confirm the scheduled time of 3PM for the following day (6/9). At 9:30AM the next day we were on the road for a 4hr drive to the temple!
The Braganca Branch 1st counselor-Joao Freire
Delton Sambo
What a privilege to be with these good Braganca Branch members and serve as the witness couple!: Jose Carlos, his wife, Joao Freire, Paulo Peixoto, & Delton
After the temple we had dinner with E/S Wayne & Margo Wilcox + E/S Bruce & Debbie Seabold.
The next day we went to the beautiful city of Sintra. Our first stop was Peña Palace!
Next stop was Quinta da Regaleira! In addition to touring the palace the main attraction is walking down the Initiation Wells. This is a spiral staircase that is over 85’ deep!
Now for the Initiation Wells!
On Friday (6/10) we drove 2 hr to the City of Coimbra, famous for the University of Coimbra founded in 1290!! The main attraction is the spectacular 2 story library.
This bell /clock tower has a very narrow circular stairway with 184 steps that come out on a landing above the clock.
The building of St. Michael's Chapel was probably built in
the 12th century and served as the private oratory for the
former Royal Palace. It is named after Archangel Michael,
the protector of King Afonso Henriques (first king of
Portugal). • It is one of the only remaining two royal chapels that still exist in Portugal.• The chapel can be used for weddings and one took place while we were there.
GREAT HALL OF ACTS
This hall is the most important space at the University of
Coimbra. It was the old Throne Room, and was the
residence of the kings of the first Portuguese dynasty
between 1143 and 1383. Important events in the history of
portugal took place here, such as the proclamation of King
John I in 1385.After the University opened in the Palace of
Schools, this space became the main hall of the University
of Coimbra, where the most important ceremonies of the
academic life took place.
On Sunday 6/12 we met the Porto Stake President Nuno Ferreira. He served a mission in England, spoke English during our 45 minute interview where he shared his vision for the north part of Portugal which includes another temple! He’s a good one!
SCRIPTURE POWER
Mormon wrote the Words of Mormon and Mormon chapter 7 prior to being slain in the final battle at Cumorah in A.D. 385. Moroni writes about being alone (Mor. 8:3-5) from the time of his father’s death until he completes the book in A.D. 421 (Moroni 10:1) 35 years he was alone. He chooses very carefully the last line he writes, which describes one of the main purposes of the book
The very last line written by Moroni is on the title page. The last 12 words are: "that ye may be found spotless at the judgement-seat of Christ"
Interestingly in the testimony of the 3 witnesses they use a very similar statement: "And we know that if we are faithful in Christ, we shall rid our garments of the blood of all men, and be found spotless before the judgement-seat of Christ.." The Book of Mormon includes the phrase "be found spotless" 3 times (Jac. 1:19; Alma 12:14; Mor. 9:6) The word "spotless" does not ever occur in the Bible.
"The title-page of the Book of Mormon is a literal translation, taken from the very last leaf, on the left hand side of the collection or book of plates..." (HC, Vol. 1:71)
Moroni's final verses describes "the covenant of the Father" that "through the shedding of the blood of Christ" we can be sanctified , receive a remission of our sins "that ye become holy without spot." (Moroni 10:33) without spot is the same as being 'spotless'
This was also Nephi's desire as he concludes his record he reminds us that he has spoken "harshly against sin according to the plainness of the truth" (2 Ne. 33:5) but his great hope and goal in writing is "that I shall meet many souls spotless at the judgement-seat". (2 Ne. 33:7)
Jesus himself said: "no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom...save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their 1.) faith, and 2.) the repentance of all their sins, and 3.) their faithfulness unto the end. Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth...that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day." (3 Ne. 27: 19-20)
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