The House of the Lord

Last Sunday night we attended the dedication of the Draper, Utah Temple. As I sat listening to the beautiful organ music and watching photos of the inside of that beautiful ediface, I recalled many sweet experiences that I have had in the temple.

Dave and I had the blessing of living in Dallas at the time the temple was built. We watched it go up, prayed for those building it, contributed funds for the construction, worked as hosts at the open house and even cleaned this beautiful ediface the night before the dedication. We also saw dectractors chain themselves to the gates of the temple, yelling obscenities and untruths as they demonstrated against all that is good.

I was a visiting teacher to the temple matron and she always shared sweet stories about the temple with us. One day she shared that many of the neighborhood residents strongly objected to the building of the LDS temple in their neighborhood. One woman in particular led the group in public and private demonstration against zoning permits for the temple. All along the way she was a thorn in the side of those working to complete this house of worship. The very first open house session was for VIP members of the community and neighborhood. This woman was invited and probably came to complain about something or other. As she was guided through the building and told about the LDS faith, something stirred in her soul. At the end of the openhouse she asked to know more. She shared that she had spent everyday of her life looking out her kitchen window at this building, cursing it's presence in her life and little did she know that she had watched the raising of what she needed most in her life. She gained a powerful testimony of the gospel and joined the church. Sweet experiences. It is a particular blessing to be in the temple district of a new temple. Blessings and spiritual experiences abound.

I also recalled an experience when I went to the temple with deep pain and distress. I went alone seeking answers and solace. That is exactly what happened for me. My load was lifted when I heard my answer; "Be still, and know that I am God." I have recalled those words many times since and though time has passed, the feeling and answer I received in the House of the Lord that day has not dimmed. Each time I proceed through the veil, that same spirit comes to my mind with great force. I am grateful for the blessings of the temple and delight in knowing that those sacred ordinances will seal all that has meaning in my life, to me forever.