Thursday, June 25, 2009

Extremely Grateful

I haven't done a Thankful Thursday in a LONG time so this could count as that...
Last night, Ben and I had the opportunity to go with our mutual group to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House. What a neat experience it was. Temples are always beatiuful, but for me this was an exceptionally beautiful temple. It wasn't big, or flashy it was simple and small. Those are the things that I love the most. It was good to feel the spirit in the temple, it was even more of an experience to go to the temple with my eternal companion. It reminded that we are going to be with each other throughout eternity, and for that I am grateful. I am truly blessed to have the eternal companion that I do. To this day, I don't know how I got so lucky? We were watching a video before we got into the temple and Elder Holland was talking about heaven and he said something that made a big impression on me. He said I can't imagine heaven without my wife and kids. He said that it wouldn't be heaven without them. How much that simple phrased weighed in on my mind. It is so true. Heaven won't be the same without Ben, our children, and yes, even our dog Cherokee. Going inside the temple made this statement even more impressive to me. Temples are the House of the Lord, and if the temples are anything like heaven I want to be there with my family. Not just Ben and my children. I want my parents, ben's parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends there with us too. I want to strive harder to be a better latter day saint, a leader, a wife, a mother, a daughter, and a friend to all so that I can be in heaven with those that I love. It amazes me that the Lord works differently in all of us. My experience was different than Ben's, and others that attended. It was something I needed. My spirit has been feeling low, and not wanted, the temple experience for me was what I have needed. How truly blessed we are to have the Gospel in our lives, and the House of the Lord here on this short journey.

5 comments:

Gaylene said...

Amen!

Nicole said...

Ditto to all of that!

Tiffany West said...

I agree! I am so glad I was able to go too! I have to say that I am with you on the simple elegance of this temple, and I am always impressed at how strong the spirit is at the temples before they are dedicated. I was also impressed by the same statement from Elder Holland, he said perfectly how I feel (amazing how eloquently the twelve can express what we feel isn't it?)

Anonymous said...

I loved reading this post. Temples are seriously wonderful. I am jealous. I miss being so close the temple. The nearest one we have hear is the Winter Quarters in Omaha (2 hours away).

I hope that Ginger and Sophie will be in heaven with me, even though I had to give them to a new family! Who knows maybe they would rather be with there new family. :) HA!

The Melo Family said...

I wish I had the chance to go! I love touring new Temples! They are so peaceful and make the Spirit grow around you!! I need to go soon, You and Ben and Drew and I should go do some Temple work one of these days as a double date:D