Temple Trip
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| Brigham City, Utah Temple (Photo from lds.org)
Our family had the opportunity to go to the Brigham City Temple open house a week ago. This is a great experience, one that I didn't want my kids to miss out on. Temples are so beautiful, and while pictures of them are nice, there's nothing like getting to walk through and see the lovely architecture and decor first hand. Plus, there is spirit there that is very unique.
(The morning of, Max let me know that he was not going. It would be boring. Walking is boring. Temples are boring.)
This temple was so gorgeous. There is much attention to detail in these buildings. From the hardwood floors with inlays of cherry blossoms, to the staircases' intricate banisters, and the stained glass windows-- it was amazing. 
I realize that our temples seem to be shrouded in mystery. Because they are different than regular churches, not everyone is allowed inside once they've been dedicated. What happens in the temple isn't secret, it's sacred. This is why children don't attend the temple. There is a level of maturity needed.
I can tell you that the temple is a place of covenants. There we make covenants to live a life of honesty, morality and service. In the temple, we can be sealed as husband and wife for time and eternity. Our children are sealed to us, as well. Which is important to me, because I love these guys--
 Him, too. |
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| (Not that kid behind us, don't know who he is.)
For me, the temple is a place of peace. When I'm there, the stresses and worries of the world are left behind. I can remember the real reason we're here and it helps me get my focus back.
It's also a place of hope. My feelings of hope are renewed and I am reminded that it is possible to live a good life, that I can be with my family forever and that someday, I can return to live with my Father in Heaven and the Savior again.
(Max didn't complain once during the tour or on the way home. That is a testament to me of the power of the Spirit there.)
*If you have any questions about my religion, or about my beliefs, feel free to ask me in the comments, or in an e-mail, and I'll be happy to answer the best I can. (I am NOT an official representative of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I am just a member.)
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Beautiful post, Jewels. Beautiful temple. Beautiful testimony.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a gorgeous and moving post, Jewels. I apologize for interrupting it with a fit of snorting, shaking giggles over your caption on the picture of you and your husband.
ReplyDeleteWhew. I thought I was the only one. I gotta believe God has a grand sense of humor, right? He gave us Jewels.
DeleteAw, thanks. I believe He has a sense of humor, too.
DeleteI love that you have a place where you feel the wholeness of your spirit. That's a beautiful and precious gift.
ReplyDeleteOh, and like TL, I giggled at that caption, too. :OD
It is a gift. I like that you describe it that way. It makes me grateful for those who share their talents to build such beautiful places.
DeleteIt's beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI love the openness with which you share your faith. Thank you for that. The temple is beautiful. It is hard not to be struck with an immediate sense of peace just seeing it.
ReplyDeleteDespite the fact that I am not religous in any way, I find churches, temples and other religious buildings fascinating expressions of faith--often they are architectural marvels, but there's something more there, too I think. The comfort of faith and fellowship that so many have felt (or will feel) there seems to linger in the very walls.
ReplyDelete