Sacred Ground

On Tuesday, March 17, 2015, we gathered the members of our Mission Leadership Council at the Stockholm Temple to do a special temple session with them.  It was a beautiful day and the Lord blessed us with an abundance of sunshine to help brighten our souls.  After the session, we invited Ronny Werjefelt, member of the Täby Ward, to come and tell us about the temple grounds and relate some stories of when President Hinckley and President Monson came to the site and dedicated the temple in 1985.

 Here Brother Werjefelt explains about the temple site and the ancient burial grounds that were uncovered during the excavation of the site.

 The site was an ancient burial ground dating back to 500 BC - 500 AD.

 Outside the temple fence is a small marker which describes the temple site and the burial ground.



Brother Werjefelt points out several areas for the group to take note of.  The ancient Vikings buried many personal effects with their dead.  Several items were unearthed during the excavation, including an ancient sickle, used for harvesting wheat.  It is rather interesting that we talk of the Second Harvest here in Sweden, and here on the temple site, a sickle was found.  Let the Second Harvest begin!

 This old road which is just outside the temple fence is over 1000 years old, and leads to more Viking burial grounds in the woods only 10 minutes walk from the temple.

So, after the temple session and the time with Brother Werjefelt, we each took a nice sack lunch and walked toward the Viking burial grounds.

 This is such a serene place, quiet and peacful.  As you look out into the woods, you can see the old stone markings of where the Vikings were laid to rest.

 Everywhere you look, there stands more markers of the ancients.

Sister Beckstrand with Elder Beck, Elder Krebs, and Elder Taggart.

 Well, with our sack lunches gone, it was time for a few pictures of the Mission Leadership Council on top of some of the old stones.  This is a great group of missionaries and we are so fortunate to be able to serve with these great young leaders here in Sweden.

 Sister Beckstrand and President Beckstrand after a wonderful day in the temple and in the forest with our great Mission Leadership Council.  We are truly blessed and we thank all you wonderful parents for allowing your sons and daughters to be with us here in this beautiful land of Sweden.

 One final "group selfie" of some of the missionaries in our Mission Leadership Council.

 

Members of the CCM for Sweden.  March 1, 2015.  President Beckstrand, President Hagman, Stockholm Stake, President Clark, Malmö Stake, Elder Olsson, Area Seventy, President Karlsson, Stockholm South Stake, and President Strömbom, Göteborg Stake.
  

This picture is of the missionaries serving in the Malmö Stake.  They are enjoying a wonderful lunch after the Sunday session of the Malmö Stake Conference, held on Sunday, March 15, 2015.