Some friends of other faiths may wonder why all the excitement over what will become the 12th temple of the Church in Europe—especially if some of the excitement comes from people who live on the other side of the earth.  True, a temple can be an indicator for the strength of the Church in any given area.  A temple in any given area is a symbol that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is well established.  But whether or not there is an extra amount of anticipation over a temple being constructed in Rome is beside the point.

David Petersen, one of Becky’s friends, was also excited about the announcement.  He said, however, that “It is not just the temple in Rome that is significant, but every temple is significant.  We go to the temple to receive ordinances that help us return to our Heavenly Father.”

Gordon B. Hinckley, former President of the Church, expounded further on the blessings of the temple when he said,

“Every man or woman who goes into the house of the Lord leaves there a better man or woman than he or she was when he or she entered the house of the Lord. The house of the Lord will have a refining effect upon you. It will cultivate unselfishness within your lives. It will build righteousness. It will impress upon you the importance of doing what you ought to do. Go to the house of the Lord.”

Temple worship makes a person better.  There is something about going there that lifts one up, helps one consider things of an eternal nature, and draws a person closer to God.

John A. Widstoe said,

“The mighty perspective of eternity is unraveled before us in the holy temples; we see time from its infinite beginning to its endless end; and the drama of eternal life is unfolded before us.  Then I see more clearly my place amidst the things of the universe, my place among the purposes of God; I am better able to place myself where I belong, and I am better able to value and to weigh, to separate and to organize the common, ordinary duties of my life, so that the little things shall not oppress me or take away my vision of the greater things that God has given us” (In Conference Report, Apr. 1922, pp. 97-98).

What a wonderful blessing it is to have temples on the earth; what a wonderful blessing it will be for the Saints in Italy to have a temple so close.

Prior to his calling to preside over Saints and friends of other faiths in the Rome area, President Acerson served as a counselor in the Lindon Stake Presidency (a stake is an area that includes multiple wards or congregations of believers).    While serving as counselor, without pay, as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints do, Jeff Acerson also worked as Mayor of the Lindon City.

President Acerson shared in one of his final meetings as counselor in Lindon, his impressions through the Spirit, that this sacred call was imminent.  Those feelings were ratified when the actual call from the leaders of the Church came to him and was extended in the presence of himself and his wife, Karen.

Karen has served in many capacities in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (”Mormon” church), including as counselor in the local women’s organization, or Relief Society, and as President over the young women of her stake.  Karen is originally from Moab, Utah.