Welcome.

Yesterday I worshipped in the holy temple with three of our ward’s newest converts, two sister missionaries, a dedicated to missionary work family in the ward, and our ward mission leader. All in all, it was a decent sized group with most all of us bringing family names.

In one word, it was glorious and in two, magnificently glorious!

We enjoyed a meaningful time in and near the baptismal font and during the succeeding confirmations. A member of the temple presidency spoke to our group, and it was absolutely edifying. His comments were soul stirring. As he concluded his remarks, he asked the recent converts how they had felt for their first time in the temple. One responded, “Powerful.” It was a one-word truth, beautifully said and absolutely backed up by the Holy Spirit.

As I listened to the names of my brothers and sisters who were being offered ordinances of salvation, I centered my thoughts on the importance of the one. What was taking place were one by one, deliberate, intentional readings of individual names, actual people who had once had the mortal experience.

Each is so important in Father’s plan that every single one was being offered this gift via a personalized offering. Easier? Not at all. But we aren’t interested in easier. We are interested in deliberate offerings, individualized salvation, and concern for the one.

I love these words by then Elder Ballard: “Brothers and sisters, never, never underestimate how precious is the one.” (Ballard, R., The Atonement and the Value of One Soul. General Conference Address: April 2004)

This is something Jesus never gets wrong, something He never underestimates! What an example we have in Him in this!

I thought of Elder Bednar’s song, One By One, that Paul Cardall masterfully put to music. Have a listen if you’d like:

I love the moving account this song references as found in 3 Nephi. I love the one by one coming to Jesus. His salvation is offered one by one. It’s just as it should be.

And then I thought of the temple’s celestial room chandelier. When it is cleaned, each crystal is taken off and one by one, rendered dustless and shiny. Even for our temple chandelier’s, the one-by-one principle applies!

I love this principle, and I love that Jesus has time for each of us individually. Even when we seek Him collectively in gatherings and within worship circles, He still sees His sons and daughters one by one. This feels so good to the soul, and it rings true to my spiritual senses.

One by one.

Thank you, Jesus.

Unto all the world: One-by-one we are so valued.