Touching the Temple

We have often heard the following story

 “Early in the week, Elder Thomas S. Monson of the Quorum of the Twelve suggested deep spiritual meaning in the physical presence of the temple. He recounted the late Elder Matthew Cowley’s story about a grandfather who took his small granddaughter on a birthday visit to the Salt Lake Temple grounds. With permission of the groundskeeper, they walked to the large doors of the temple. He suggested that she place her hand on the temple wall and then on the door, saying tenderly to her, ‘Remember that this day you touched the temple. One day you will enter this door.’ His special gift to his granddaughter was an appreciation for the House of the Lord. Likewise, counseled Elder Monson, ‘As we touch the temple, the temple will touch us.(’In JoAnn Jolley, “A Shining Beacon on a Hill: Jordan River Temple Is Dedicated,” Ensign, Jan. 1982, 77)

We took this counsel as we recently visited the Salt Lake Temple.  

One Grateful Husband

Saturday's mean football games and yard work.  They are days to get caught up on all that has been delayed and needs to be done.  It is a day to relax and enjoy stress free time.  This was what I thought Saturday's were for until my dear wife taught me otherwise.  Saturday's are days to be found in the Lord's house.  With the recent fall and surgery of Grandpa Gus and no doubt much on her mind she woke up early and did a session in the Salt Lake Temple with her dad.  Having been home alone all week and anticipating her return I anxiously called her hoping for a quick arrival only to get her mom on the other line telling me of their early morning trip to the temple (Saturday October 10).  

How grateful I am that I have a wife that loves the temple and goes there often.  How thankful I am that she goes there when the turmoil of life is pressing down on her.  How appreciative I am of a loving wife who sacrifices the Saturday pleasures to be serving in the Lord's house.  

As for her experience in the temple, I am going to leave that to her for the telling but in my case her actions have spoken louder than words.  Her actions echoed the words, "I love to see the Temple".  

Feels like Home!

Being back to the Manti Temple was a wonderful experience.  As we entered on Saturday, September 18, it felt like coming back home again.  I love Manti for that reason.  We were able to load up the car with Heather and Tommy Eden, their kids, and of course our little Parker.  We first headed to Price to drop off Parker with Grandma and Grandpa, then on to Mt. Pleasant to drop off the Eden kids to their grandparents house.  It was worth going the extra few miles so we could have them watch the kids.  

We pulled into Manti and just the site of the Temple makes me happy.  It was such an amazing spirit as we went through the session with the Eden's.  I was so overjoyed to be sitting by Heather and know that we were in the right place.  It was a wonderful experience that I will never forget! The temple is such a sanctuary and a privilege to have one so close to be able to experience a little piece of heaven on earth!

Tara's Temple Trip

On August 15 my dear friend, Tara Sullivan, entered the House of the Lord in St. George, UT to receive her own endowment.  I love this girl and was so ecstatic to hear of the news.  I wouldn't have missed this session for the world.  She is one amazing sister and I love her.  She is so true and faithful and has made it top priority to be back to church and serve!  It was a gorgeous day and so amazing to see her in white.  I love the purity and equality of the temple.  We are all children of our loving Father in Heaven!  Each time I attend I am reminded of the worth of our souls in His sight and I want to strive to be with Him and my family and friends forever!

Temple Trip #12 - Oqirrih Mountain Temple Dedication

What do you do on a rainy August Sunday?  If you are Dr. Seuss you invite The Cat in the Hat to play.  If you are a baseball fan, you sit in a rain delay.  But if there is a temple dedication with all of Utah invited you put on your Sunday best and make a trip to the dedication.

And so it was today.  There was no rain delay and there was no cat in the house to play.  The gloom of rain hovered most of the day but didn't dampen the spirit of this sacred occasion.  Our friends the Eden's brought their kids over in the morning so that they could go to the dedication.  Parker was in heaven as he colored and ate graham  crackers with them.  The favor was returned as we participated in the afternoon and final dedication in the church house in Orangeville.

The dedication was uplifting and enlightening as Sister Allred, Elders Zwick and Ballard, as well as President Monson each addressed us.  President Eyring's reading of the dedicatory prayer sealed the session as Elder Ballard led us in the hosanna shout.  Coming out of the building and out into a drizzle of rain reminded us of many valuable lessons that the gospel and rain bring.  

1.  A sense of freshness and a new beginning

2.  Heaven's open with bounteous blessings

3.  There is always a refuge from the storm

4. The Lord is the source of all blessings 

Fittingly as we drove home we saw in the distance a rainbow, another reminder of God's love for His children.  And so it was that on this rainy Sunday the heavens were opened in many wonderful ways.  

Why Temples???

Why temples?  Need we say more?

Attending Mia's blessing was just another reminder of the importance of temples and covenants in our lives.  Thanks Mia for the reminder!

Temple Trip #11 - Vernal Utah Temple - July 31

As a seminary teacher it is our hope that all of our students have their eyes fixed on the temple and achieve that goal.  It isn't always possible to know the outcome of all of our students but know and trust that they are in good hands.

So what happens when one is able to see their students go to the temple?  Well this trip was one of those experiences.  While Melissa was a senior at Carbon High School she had a seminary teacher that influenced her greatly by teaching her the the power of the atonement.  

Brother Walton's influence continues as he teaches in the same area as us in Vernal.  So, while on our way to Green River, WY to attend Mia's baby blessing, we stopped and visited the Walton's.  We went to dinner to a Chinese restaurant followed by a sealing session with the Walton's in the Vernal temple.  On our way home to rescue the baby-sitter's from Parker's madness  we picked up some yogurt from Maverick.  By the time we got home it had become soup.  This was the least we could do for the brave baby sitters Rachel and Emily.  They had discovered that the "only thing" that worked for Parker was a ride in the stroller.  The night was topped off as Brother Walton and Melissa reminisced of their seminary days in Price as he pulled out old photographs.

We are grateful for those that have an influence in our lives and point us to the temple, and then pay them back by finding ourselves there (ironically we are the one's that are rewarded!).

Total Miles:  286 Temple Miles

504 Round Trip Miles