New Temple in Brazil

"We dedicate it as a house of baptism, a house of endowment, a house of sealing, a house of righteousness for the living and for the dead....We are thankful that Thou sent Thine Only Begotten Son to this earth to be its Savior, and the Prophet Joseph Smith to bring about the Restoration, and that Thou did appear to the Prophet in person to open the heavens and to restore to the world the knowledge of Thee and Thy Son and Thy holy purposes...Today, when the family unit is under attack and things long held sacred are often ridiculed by the world, we seek Thy help to make us equal to our tasks, that our homes may be havens of peace and happiness. In our families, may we pause to pray and think to thank....Oh, Holy Father, bless Thy children everywhere with the peace promised by Thy Son--even the peace which passeth understanding. Shield us, we pray, from selfishness or sin and provide the power that we might rise above all that is sordid or below the dignity of Thy children." [A portion of the Dedicatory prayer, Church News June 7, 2008]

Friends of ours from the L.A. Temple were able to attend the dedication of the new Temple in Curitiba, Brazil. He had served as a missionary there several years ago and was able to reunite with friends, converts from his mission, and missionary companions. He and his wife said it was a very inspiring time. As I read the church news, June 7 issue, I was impressed with a story of this young man.
" To get the dedication underway, President Monson presided over and conducted the symbolic sealing of the temple's cornerstone...After General Authorities and the temple presidency and their wives participated, President Monson looked around and saw a group of children who had been invited to stand on the platform erected for the ceremony. Among them was 6-year-old Lincoln Vieira Cordeiro, who appeared to be very cold; he was wearing a winter coat and a hat with flaps that covered his ears. President Monson invited him to place some mortar on the cornerstone. Lincoln's hat was removed so that his face could be seen in photos and video footage recording the historic event. His head had no hair. President Monson guided Lincoln in placing mortar around the cornerstone, and then invited several other people to participate. Then he announced it was time to conclude that part of the ceremony.

However, he paused, looked around the crowd of onlookers and said that there was someone else who needed to be called upon. He walked around the platform. He looked to his left, and said he wondered who that person might be. He turned to his right. Several dozen people stood on the ground between him and a choir that performed at the outdoor ceremony. He kept looking, saying that he knew that there was one particular person who ought to be invited to place mortar around the stone. Finally, his eyes rested upon a woman. He pointed to her, and invited her to come join in the ceremony. Later, President Monson was told that the woman, whom he had never met, was Odilene Cordeiro, Lincoln's mother. "Of all the people he could have called upon to participate, it was that boy's mother," said Elder Nelson. "That said to me that Heavenly Father is communicating to His prophet, and that President Monson is responding. That was not just Thomas S. Monson standing there. That was the prophet responding to a revelation as it flowed from heaven through him to bless that mother who has gone through so much in caring for her son who is so sick. President Monson had no way of knowing who that woman was, or that the little boy he called upon has cancer. But the Lord knew." That example of a prophet receiving revelation for the Church, and even its individual members with special needs, was reflected in many ways throughout the day of dedication in Curitiba."