Elder Reynolds loves serving at the Gilbert Temple grounds. He pulls up weeds,
picks up trash, mops sidewalks, mops the garden shop, clean the lights around the temple,
oil the lights, plans projects for new plants.
They had a great time carving a watermelon and tie dying shirts.
On June 6, 2021 Elder Reynolds gave a talk at the Mission meeting.
Here is his talk he wrote...
The thoughts come to my mind when I talk about Christlike attributes.
I think of Humility and showing that brightness with others. When I think of humility
I remember the story of Ammon and king Lamoni when Ammon said
that he was not the great spirit but he has direction from that great spirit.
It took a lot of humility to say that he had help when most say oh that was all me.
Sometimes we all falter to pride but in order to have humility you must realize that
there is always someone better than you.
Elder David A. Bednar mentions in his talk meek and lowly heart about Amulek
and how he gave all ye hath and differences between the boy who had
great wealth and did not give willingly and Amulek who did allow alma to come
unto his house gave willingly.
Matthew 11:28-30 He describes himself as meek, also inviting us to come unto him.
Every time when I swim, I always realize that I am not the best at my sport and
understand that without the Savior I would not be as good without him.
Not to mention the constant hours that I put to in my effort so the Savior knows
I would be willing to give my time to practice serving the Lord. No one expects
everyone to be perfect. That is why we have the atonement to better ourselves
each day and repent of our shortcomings to the lord Jesus Christ.
Just to recap in order to have humility you must realize you're not perfect,
but do not let that limit your potential God sees in you. Also realize that
the Lord is always there to help you.
Also give willingly to the Savio Jesus Christ.
Finally, realize that God created all things and respect what he has
given to you as well as others.
Bearing of testimony
In the name of Jesus Christ amen
I took this picture right before he left for Midwest Food Bank
June 3, 2021
Elder Reynolds is serving three days a week at the Midwest Food Bank.
Gratitude fills my heart that I was able to witness Max being set apart as a Service Missionary. It will be a blessing to watch him take on this journey in his life of serving our Heavenly Father and Savior.
He will be a witness of how much Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us. Never, ever, did I think Max would have the title of being Elder Reynolds and have the privilege of wearing a name badge.
To think, an hour after roasting in the sun next to the pool we were at the church building to have Max set apart as a service missionary and having his name tag put on his suit coat.
He is so happy to serve and build up others. I know its boastful of me to be proud of Max, but my... its been a long journey. A journey of many, many hours of food therapy, speech, occupational, music therapies and hours of working with him.
To look at him and talk with him now you would of never believed he once was unable to do things on his own and NOW he is CAPABLE to do a lot. He has achieve so much and I know there is more he will achieve. His Enthusiasm to serve is remarkable.
By all accounts Elder Maxwell Reynolds has been a ray of light to the Reynolds family. Elder Reynolds has autism, but that has not stop him from achieving impressive accomplishments. He has excelled with the determination in athletics, school and building his testimony. As Elder Reynolds says, “I want to show that anyone can be great and accomplish anything.”
He was on the Gilbert High swim team where they now have a trophy given every year. It’s called the “Max Reynolds Family Award” Why? Because Max loved to cheer those in the same heat as him and would say, “we are tight as a family.” Elder Reynolds was selected to be in 2018 USA National Special Olympics with the swim team. He won two goal medals and one silver and was even on ESPN swimming his 100 freestyle. He was privilege with other Special Olympics athletes to sing the National Anthem at the Diamondback game. Another accomplishment he achieved was getting his Eagle Scout award, just like his two older brothers.
Elder Reynolds has as a passion for gardening. He is thrilled with the success he’s having with the garlic he planted. He has seven garden beds and has planted three apple trees, three fruit trees, three blackberry bushes, one pomegranate, two avocado trees and many others. He enjoys attending to his chickens and sharing his eggs with family and neighbors.
His other passion is making a visit to the pool Monday through Saturday, at 5am to get his laps in. He wants to continue his education in math and become CPA like his father. He is currently serving as an Emergency Preparedness Specialist with his mom and a 17–18-year Sunday School teacher. He enjoys sharing the scriptures with the Sunday School class. Elder Reynolds likes to share his testimony and when he visited his sister’s ward, he bore is testimony and challenge everyone there to be a missionary. Now it’s Elder Reynolds turn to follow in the footsteps of his two older brothers by serving a mission. He is looking forward to this opportunity.
Words that describe Elder Reynolds are loving and compassionate towards family, friends, siblings, Grandma and his nieces and nephews. One of his nephews also has autism and Elder Reynolds is always near him to lend a helping hand. Elder Reynolds loves hot sauce and hopes someday to make ketchup with the tomatoes from his garden. His favorite food is his momma’s salsa with chips and quesadillas. He loves to play baseball and even played on a base-ball team. However, he soon realized swimming was more his sport. Whenever he can attend the Diamondback games he enjoys it, weather they win or lose. If you ever want to know anything about the Diamondback players just ask Elder Reynolds. He loves to play the piano (hopes someday to take piano lessons) and used to be in an orchestra and played the viola.
Max had the opportunity to attend the Gilbert Arizona Temple on Tuesday June 1, 2021
and was beaming with joy to have this opportunity.
I didn't get a picture of him at the temple, but got one right after he went in.
Never did I think he would be the first to attend the temple with this pandemic
that has cause so much sorrow and pain in the world.
When the pandemic was in full bloom last year we kept the faith that it would pass
so we could get back to normal living.
The Primary song that we held dear last year was...
I Love to See the Temple
I
I’m going there someday
To feel the Holy Spirit,
To listen and to pray.
For the temple is a house of God,
A place of love and beauty.
I’ll prepare myself while I am young;
This is my sacred duty.
I love to see the temple.
I’ll go inside someday.
I’ll cov’nant with my Father;
I’ll promise to obey.
For the temple is a holy place
Where we are sealed together.
As a child of God, I’ve learned this truth:
A fam’ly is forever.
Words and music: Janice Kapp Perry, b. 1938
© 1980 by Janice Kapp Perry. This song may be copied for incidental, noncommercial church or home use.
This is the beautiful Gilbert Temple
