I Love the Temple

All the images are of temples I have been to. (The Church currently has 141 temples in operation.) 

Boise, ID Temple (Image from www.lds.org) 

We went to the temple on Friday night. It had been far too long for us, and a trip to The House of the Lord was long overdue. Every time I enter the beautiful building, I always feel a sense of peace and purpose. The world can seem so dark and chaotic, and then you enter the temple full of light, peace, and order -- it is extremely spiritually uplifting, and strengthening. What a blessing it is to have the temple to go to as an escape from the cares of the world. I needed to go and receive light, and peace. It was so wonderful, I cannot wait to go back again, as soon as I can. 

Anchorage, Alaska Temple (image from www.lds.org.) 

St. George, Utah (image by www.lds.org)

We had the opportunity to go and do temple work for Charles' family. It was a very beautiful night, and we shed many tears of joy. It was very special because we have both looked into the history of those whose work we performed. We knew some details about their lives, and it made the experience very personal. It was especially meaningful for Charles because it was his family line (Charles is a convert to the Church) and many of the names were "van Ormer" names. He has worked very diligently over the years on his family history, and it was a real joy to be there with him to see his work come to fruition. We could not help but smile when we did the work for people like Captain William van Ormer, and Reverend Abraham Bunn van Ormer, and their families. We know so much about them, and knowing who they are made the experience very powerful. What a unique and precious experience it was! 

Bountiful, Utah Temple (image from www.lds.org) 

When you take your own family names, it makes a world of difference in the experiences that you have. You are literally linking your generations together, and helping those who have gone on to receive the blessings that are so special and precious to us. I think Friday night was likely one of my most profound temple experiences -- it was like nothing I had felt or experienced before. 

Charles and I spent our time in the Sealing room, linking his family generations together forever. It was a very sweet experience to be there with him, and others who were willing to serve and give their time and energy. I love to look around and see everyone dressed in white, we all work together in the cause of the Lord, as equals before Him. The temple is such a pure and holy place, this time I really felt the separation from the world -- the contrast seemed very extreme -- and I felt such a strength from being surrounded by the beauty that exists in The House of the Lord. 

Idaho Falls, Idaho Temple (image from www.lds.org)

What do people do in the temple? (From www.lds.org.)

In the temple we are taught, we make covenants, and we are promised blessings. We receive ordinances that enable us to live in the presence of God.

One ordinance we receive in the temple is the endowment. The word endowment means “gift” or “bestowal.” As part of this ordinance, we are taught about the purpose of life, the mission and Atonement of Jesus Christ, and Heavenly Father’s plan for His children. We gain a glimpse of what it will be like to live in His presence as we feel the peaceful atmosphere of the temple.

Another temple ordinance is the sealing ordinance, in which husbands and wives are sealed to each other and children are sealed to their parents in eternal families. This means that if we are faithful to our covenants, our family relationships will continue for eternity.

In addition to receiving these ordinances for ourselves, we can receive them for our deceased ancestors. In this way, people who died without receiving essential ordinances such as baptism and confirmation, the endowment, and sealing have the opportunity to accept these ordinances.

Jordan River Temple (image by www.lds.org)

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints I value family relationships above all things. I want everyone to be able to partake in the blessings that come from temple ordinances, and to have eternal family relationships. I desire more than "until death do us part" -- I want to be together as family forever, and I want everyone to have the same blessing that comes from being sealed in the temple, by the proper authority. 

Manti, Utah Temple (image from www.lds.org)

When we perform work for those who have passed away it is done by proxy. We "stand in" for those who did not have the opportunity to have the ordinances done for themselves while on the earth -- ordinances such as baptism. (See: HERE for images of the inside of the temple.) The work that goes on in the temple is not secret but sacred, and so we treat our discussions about the temple with great reverence and respect. 

Portland, Oregon Temple (image from www.lds.org.) 

Even though we do the temple work for individuals that have passed on, they always have the ability to choose whether or not they will accept the work done on their behalf. Those who have gone on will always have their agency. They do not have to accept the work done on their behalf, they are free to reject it. But we feel strongly about allowing all to have their work done, so that they can choose whether they will partake in the blessings of eternal life, or not. Heavenly Father wants all of His children to have the blessings of the temple, but above everything else, He has always protected our agency -- the power to choose. 

Mesa, Arizona Temple (image from www.lds.org.) 

The work done in the temple is very beautiful and sacred. I love attending the temple, and serving in The House of the Lord. It provides a great sense of peace and strength in my life that I cannot find any other way. I am eternally grateful for the temple, and the glorious work that goes on within the sacred walls. 

Salt Lake City, Utah Temple (image www.lds.org)

*If you are not familiar with why Mormons do temple work go: Here for more information. The link has wonderful information and images too. 

San Diego, California (image from www.lds.org)

Provo, Utah Temple (image from www.lds.org)

Twin Falls, Idaho Temple (image from www.lds.org) 

Spokane, Washington Temple (image from www.lds.org) 

For more images of temples around the world click: HERE