The Pope Hosts President Nelson in Rome

The Deseret News reported on a historic event that happened this weekend:  In the first-ever face-to-face discussion between the heads of two global churches, Pope Francis of the Roman Catholic Church and President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints met yesterday at the Vatican.  "The differences in doctrine are real and they're important," President Nelson said, "but they're not nearly as important as the things we have in common — our concern for human suffering, the importance of religious liberty for all of society, and the importance of building bridges of friendship instead of building walls of segregation." President Nelson was invited by the pope for a private audience in conjunction with his weekend trip to Italy where he will dedicate the Rome Italy Temple on Sunday.   (You can take a virtual tour of the Rome Italy Temple at the end of this blog post)

The above photos were released by the Vatican.

Our friends, William and Graciela Jimenez of nearby Benque Viejo, were recently sealed in the Guatemala City Temple. Already married civilly, William and Graciela traveled to the temple where they were "sealed" for time and eternity in a beautiful and sacred ceremony, and their three children were also sealed to them.  Those who are sealed in the temple have the assurance that their relationship will continue forever as they are true to their covenants.

We were privileged to teach the Jimenez family the six classes that prepared them for this most important step in their lives.

Zone conference was held this week for all the missionaries in Belize. President Adams flew in from El Salvador to preside at the conference.

It's always exciting to meet every six weeks with the other senior couples and missionaries of Belize to be trained and motivated by our mission president and his wife.

We joined with the other senior couples in preparing and serving the zone conference lunch.

As a unique treat this week, the senior couples along with President and Sister Adams visited Cahal Pech, a set of Mayan ruins situated on the hill overlooking the town of San Ignacio. (From left to right: the VandeMerwe's, Adams', Magnusson's, Jensen's)

Archaeologists first discovered the site in the 1950s but excavation didn’t begin until 1988. Researchers believe that Cahal Pech was occupied from 1200 B.C. to 900 A.D. and includes temples and residential structures.

As part of his Belize trip, President Adams also conducted training for the two district presidencies. From left to right: Cayo District President Amin Salazar, Mission President Eric Adams, Belize City District Presidency 1st Counselor Paul Woods, Belize City District President Hilberto Casanova, Elder Magnusson.

We've been patiently waiting for the opening of La Popular Bakery in the neighborhood where we were living in Belize City.  In our visit to the city this weekend for the district conference, we were elated that the bakery opened yesterday! 

The "Crocodile" (a pastry) appears to be a regular product.

Take a virtual tour of the Rome Italy temple.