Dresden--A city Rebuilt from Ashes

Dresden, Germany

Ever since I heard President Ucthdorf's beautiful talk in April 2016, I have wanted to see the city of Dresden.   It is only an hour from the Freiberg temple, so we spent two days of the Christmas weekend in Dresden.  It was a Christmas to remember.

The city of Dresden was 90% destroyed in World War II from bombing that created a massive fire storm.  The city that was known as "The Jewel Box" of Germany was decimated.

  

But the people of the city carefully saved and marked the stones and rebuilt the beautiful historic landmarks using the burned and blackened stones where they could.  President Uchtdorf talked about the Fraunkirche, the beautiful Lutheran Church in the center of the city. 

All that was left of the Fraunkirche

President Uchtdorf said,  “Stones from the destroyed church had been stored and cataloged and, when possible, were used in the reconstruction. Today you can see these fire-blackened stones pockmarking the outer walls. These “scars” are not only a reminder of the war history of this building but also a monument to hope—a magnificent symbol of man’s ability to create new life from ashes."

He continued, "As I pondered the history of Dresden and marveled at the ingenuity and resolve of those who restored what had been so completely destroyed, I felt the sweet influence of the Holy Spirit. Surely, I thought, if man can take the ruins, rubble, and remains of a broken city and rebuild an awe-inspiring structure that rises toward the heavens, how much more capable is our Almighty Father to restore His children who have fallen, struggled, or become lost?

It matters not how completely ruined our lives may seem. It matters not how scarlet our sins, how deep our bitterness, how lonely, abandoned, or broken our hearts may be. 

The joyous news of the gospel is this: because of the eternal plan of happiness provided by our loving Heavenly Father and through the infinite sacrifice of Jesus the Christ, we can not only be redeemed from our fallen state and restored to purity, but we can also transcend mortal imagination and become heirs of eternal life and partakers of God’s indescribable glory.” 

Since I heard Pres. Uchtdorf’s  talk I have wanted to see this building. Today and yesterday I stood in front of this beautiful Church and other gorgeous buildings that had been restored from ashes.  Pres. Uchtdorf’s words brought me so much joy.  Last night and today we heard the church bells ringing from these beautiful buildings.  I thought how the bells will ring when he comes again and how joyous is the sound of the gospel of hope and deliverance through our Savior Jesus Christ

The beautiful Fraunkirche on Christmas day.

The beautiful Zwinger

A city rebuilt from ashes

This 394-foot mural called the Procession of Princes depicts a parade of Saxony rulers, some walking, others on horseback. Scratched into stucco by the artist in 1876, the mural was later recast onto porcelain tiles and, incredibly, survived the 1945 bombing of Dresden.

We walked across the Elbe River to see the old city from other side.

The entrance to the Dresden Christmas Market


A magical place seen from above

Filled with wonderful memories on the road home to Frankfurt.

 A typical German town with a church with a very tall steeple.

This will be a Christmas to remember... time in the Freiberg Temple, family file ordinances completed for six persons, travel with our new friends Elder and Sister Yost, travel to Dresden to see the reconstruction of that devastated city and see how its beauty has been restored. We were reminded how the Savior can repair, restore, and renew each of our lives through the power of His Atonement and His infinite love for each one of us. Hallelujah! and Merry Christmas to each of you.

Grandma and Grandpa/Elder and Sister Lindsay