Because of some life experiences I had, I didn’t really trust in the eternal nature of families until I asked to be taught by the Holy Ghost. When the Holy Ghost confirmed the truth to me, not only did I feel the doctrine, but I could trust and understand the doctrine. I pray that the Holy Ghost will fill all of us with truth and light to deepen our understanding of the eternal nature of families.

Once upon a time, a righteous, covenant couple completed their mortal probation, fulfilling their Father’s plan. They received a glorious resurrection and became Gods. Eternity is one eternal round and this Father and Mother had spirit children of Their own who wanted to follow in Their footsteps. Our Father presented a plan of salvation to His children—us—and a righteous Son stepped forward willing to give His life to help us return home to God.

Eternal Family Roles By Divine Design

The Family: A Proclamation to the World teaches:

By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners.

Consider what that means since those roles are eternal. If a mother’s role is to nurture her children, how does our Heavenly Mother do that?

If fathers are responsible for necessities and protection, what is God our Father responsible to provide for us? What are the necessities of life? King Benjamin talked about how Heavenly Father gives us breath. Moses taught how the Lord preserved the people from day to day. How do you see His providence in your life?

How does Father provide protection? Among many ways, He sends angels and answered prayers. But most importantly, He provides us with a Savior who can heal every wound, redeems every repentant sinner, saves us from death and hell, and seals us up unto eternal life.

Our family relationships follow this divine design. As Elder Dieter F. Ucthdorf said, “Forever is composed of nows.”

Not “Ideal” Circumstances

Six years ago this past week, I experienced my most devastating miscarriage. While working as an ordinance worker in the Laie temple, I felt excruciating pain; when I got home, I miscarried the baby. It was a difficult one for me because I was 42, the age when my mom had her last child. In my mind, there was still a chance to have children until I turned 42.

If the whole purpose of life was to create families and eternal units for God’s children, I definitely didn’t understand His path for us. In the Church, we teach about the ideal eternal family that we’re all striving for, but we sometimes miss the part about how to muddle through our usually not ideal situations.

I go to the temple to find answers. The first time I asked Heavenly Father years ago about my purpose outside of being a mother, I was working over a thousand miles away from home. I sat in a corner of the Portland Oregon Temple’s celestial room, desperately seeking revelation.

As I asked, the Holy Ghost told me my purpose in a way I understood. I didn’t necessarily like that answer and I’ve struggled with obediently following that path. But I knew with clarity that I had Heavenly Parents and my Father spoke to me. I felt I could trust Him and that my life had purpose and could have joy always.

So I want to testify of the ideal. I know that we have Heavenly Parents, equal in godliness and authority and capable in all ways to be parents who offer salvation to their children. I know that in our heavenly home, one Brother sought our salvation and another brother sought his own increase.

The Temple Teaches Truths About the Eternal Nature of the Family

The Portland Oregon Temple

I received my most powerful confirmation of these truths in the temple. The temple is the House of God where we can learn of Him and how to become like Him or not. The temple has sanctifying powers like the sacrament. If we worshipfully approach the sacrament with a repentant heart, we can be sanctified. On the other hand, I could come to church and casually take the bread and water and have nothing significant happen to me. The Lord provides an opportunity for sanctification in the temple.

When we recognize and expect that ordinances have power to change us, then we find that we are changed.

Being Endowed with Power

President Russell M. Nelson recently taught that we are endowed with power in the temple. What does that mean?

The scriptures teach that being endowed with power means we can know the truth of all things. That’s eternal truths and temporal truths. It means we can discern the hearts and thoughts of others.

Being endowed with power enables us to experience gifts of the Spirit. We have power to ask and receive. We receive power to renew our bodies and command the elements. We have power to evade enemies and avoid harm. We access the power of life over death, which is to retain your life or lay it down as the Lord’s plan requires.

Being endowed with power means that through the Atonement of Christ, we can overcome the sins and weaknesses inherent in the Fall. We become holy. And our family relationships with people who also choose to be holy become sanctified.

Why wouldn’t Satan oppose a plan that, through Christ, empowers us to exalt ourselves, our spouses, and our families so completely? Every sin and distraction I can think of ultimately attack this family.

We can expect to be attacked by the adversary. We absolutely will be attacked by the adversary. But we need not succumb to those attacks and we certainly shouldn’t cower in fear, for Jesus Christ has promised to fight our battles and carry our burdens.

In the dedicatory prayer of the Kirtland Temple, Joseph Smith entreated the Lord for all who worship in temples.

And we ask thee, Holy Father, that thy servants may go forth from this house armed with thy power, and that thy name may be upon them, and thy glory be round about them, and thine angels have charge over them.

We are armed with His power, His name, His glory, and His angels. In the temple, we learn the significance of taking on us the name of God as members of His eternal family.

Eternal Nature of the Family Continues Despite Death

To read more of Delisa’s articles, click here.

Sometimes circumstances like death force us to face the eternal-ness of the family because we are separated from loved ones now.

In the King Follett discourse, Joseph Smith taught about the eternal nature of God’s family:

These are the first principles of consolation. How consoling to the mourners when they are called to part with a husband, wife, father, mother, child, or dear relative, to know that, although the earthly tabernacle is laid down and dissolved, they shall rise again to dwell in everlasting burnings in immortal glory, not to sorrow, suffer, or die any more, but they shall be heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. What is it? To inherit the same power, the same glory and the same exaltation, until you arrive at the station of a god, and ascend the throne of eternal power, the same as those who have gone before.

President Harold B. Lee taught that our eternal families are close to us and influence us.

“Where is the spirit world? Is it away up in the heavens? That isn’t what the scriptures and our brethren explain. They have told us the spirit world is right here round about us, and the only spirits who can live here are those who are assigned to fill their missions here on earth. This is the spirit world.

 

And if our eyes could be opened we could see those who have departed from us–a father, mother, brother, a sister, a child. We could see them, and sometimes when our physical senses are asleep, sometimes our spiritual self–and we have ears, spiritual ears, and spiritual eyes–sometimes they will be very keen and awake, and a departed one may come while we are lying asleep and come into our consciousness. We’ll feel an impression. We’ll wake up. Where does it come from? It comes from the spirits of those whom we are sealed to” (The Teachings of Harold B. Lee, p. 58).

Seen or unseen, all of our family members influence or impact our eternal now. My husband’s dad, who I called Papa James, was the single greatest influence in Anthony’s life. He died 12.5 years ago and we still grieve his physical absence. I will never forget the moment that Anthony, who joined the Church at 24, was baptized by proxy in the temple for Papa James. As Anthony came up out of the water, the Holy Ghost filled him and he cried out that he wasn’t alone anymore.

Because of the eternal nature of the family, we are not alone.

Again, the Eternal Nature of Our Relationship with Our Father

The dedicatory prayer of the Laie Temple asks the Lord to sanctify and consecrate the temple, that His Spirit might dwell in that holy house and rest mightily upon all who shall labor there, that all who come to the grounds of the temple, member of the Church or not, may partake of the spirit of peace.

“We most earnestly pray that this sacred building may be a place … in which Thy Son may see fit to manifest Himself and to instruct Thy servants.”

That promise is for each of us. All of our Father’s promises are available to all of us, even in our unideal circumstances, because we are all part of His eternal family and, through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can all become like Him.

Featured Image: The Laie Hawaii Temple

Delisa Hargrove

I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I have moved 64 times and have not tired of experiencing this beautiful earth! I love the people, languages, histories/anthropologies, & especially religious cultures of the world. My life long passion is the study & searching out of religious symbolism, specifically related to ancient & modern temples. My husband Anthony and I love our bulldog Stig, adventures, traveling, movies, motorcycling, and time with friends and family.

Albuquerque, New Mexico Temple

We called these treats “temple cookies.” They were huge cookies, at least 8 inches in diameter. They weren’t anything special as far as cookies go, except for the size. But I loved how my parents thought of us enough to bring us back something we would enjoy so much. I am sure our love for those treats helped encourage my parents to make more frequent visits. Being a parent now, I see the brilliance of that move.

Temples are peaceful

Have you ever been to a Latter-day Saint temple? It is so quiet. Just walking on the grounds gives me a deep feeling of peace. The lawn, trees, and flowers are beautifully manicured. The grounds are immaculately clean and the building is maintained to such a level that it’s never allowed to get dirty.

There is a visitors’ center where you are welcomed by smiling missionaries. There is usually a spiritual thought of some kind. They answer your questions and let you sit in the quiet peace that permeates everything within the temple grounds. The feeling at the temple always puts the rest of my world into perspective.

I recently had a friend ask me why temples matter. The internet is full of the doctrinal reasons why Latter-day Saint temples exist and why they matter for the salvation of souls. But I want to give you my reasons why it matters to me.

God is There

Oakland, California Temple

The Spirit on the temple grounds is nothing compared to the power of the Spirit of God inside the building. At times, it has taken my breath away! The temple is the house of God, and He literally walks its halls. The love and light, the peace and assurance, the acceptance and joy that fill the temple are a testimony to me that He is there daily. It is a place unlike any other. The veil between heaven and earth is very thin in the temple.

I have often felt the presence of my ancestors and other spiritual beings who have passed on to the next life. The temple takes my fear of death away because it expands my vision of eternity. I know any separation will only be temporary. Such a beautiful promise makes it worth every sacrifice to be worthy to spend time in God’s house. I find strength and comfort in the temple.

My First Visit

When I was six weeks old, I got to take my first visit to the Washington D.C. Temple. My parents got married soon after my mom got baptized, but you must be a member of the Church for a year before receiving your endowment. So when their year anniversary arrived, they went to the temple to be sealed and make their family eternal.

By then, I had joined the party, so I got to be at my parents’ sealing. I obviously don’t remember it, but I do know the feeling of security and love that I feel every time I hear them tell me the story. I love that temples help families be united forever.

Baptismal font in the Draper, UT Temple

The next time I attended the temple, I was 12 years old. I got to go do proxy baptisms for the dead. Sounds creepy, but I promise there are no dead bodies in the temple! I got to stand in for someone who had passed on and be baptized in their place. It was such a cool experience to step into the baptismal font, which is built on the backs of twelve oxen that represent the twelve tribes of Israel.

Temples Are a Place of Service

Knowing I was doing something for someone who had passed on and could no longer do it for themselves was amazing. I felt a connection to those women. (Being a girl, the work I do in the temple is for women. A man would do work only for men.) I love how the temple gives me a chance to serve my ancestors and give them a chance to have ordinances they never got while on earth. The temple is a place of service.

I’ll never forget the day I got to go to the temple to receive my own endowments. I was twenty-one and I thought I knew everything. But as I sat there and heard the words of the endowment ceremony, I realized my understanding of things was tiny! I learned that we are infinitely more important to God than I had ever imagined.

Some religions distance man from deity, feeling that man is unworthy of a close relationship with God. But I learned that we are literally God’s children, that He cares about our success more than we could imagine, that He is working for our good in a way I never understood before. I love the temple because I’ve learned so much there. The temple is a house of learning.

Wedding Day

The day I was sealed to my sweetheart, I felt the power behind God’s love. I remember kneeling across the alter in a sealing room, surrounded by family and friends. The sealer gave us some marital advice, joked with us, and put everyone at ease. Then he began pronouncing blessings on us from God. I felt the power in his words. A warmth and a spirit that was almost tangible seemed to descend on me and my brand new husband. It surrounded us like a dome directly from heaven.

I felt the protection, strength, and support that God was giving us in our new adventure as a family. I am so very grateful that we got married in the temple. I can’t imagine how our marriage would have survived all the challenges we have faced without that protective strength. I wish every marriage could be done in the temple — it really is God’s house and He is there. The temple strengthens families.

The things in the temple are kept sacred, so you won’t find the details of what happens there anywhere else. But the amazing thing, the beautiful thing, is that all the details of the temple ceremonies are already things that are part of the gospel. What I mean is that none of the things in the temple are going to be things you haven’t heard before.

Come See the Temples For Yourself!

The power of God’s Spirit in that holy place opens your mind and brings the pure truth of the gospel to the forefront. It’s amazing in its simplicity and beautiful because it reaffirms God’s love. He hasn’t hidden anything from us. He wants us to be truly happy and to succeed, and He has told us how to do it! And He keeps telling us until one day the light turns on and we truly get it.

To read more of Patty’s articles, click here.

There you have it: the reasons the temple matters to me. The temple is a place of strength and comfort through all life’s trials. It is a place where families are united together forever. The temple is a place of service and a house of learning. The temple strengthens individuals and families. And the temple reaffirms the simple truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Remembering all the wonderful experiences I’ve had with the Spirit in the temple naturally leads me to want to encourage everyone to go there. You won’t regret it. There is nothing like it anywhere else. You get to perform a service for those who have passed on. You get to make a difference in their eternity while learning things that will make a difference in yours.

It is worth every sacrifice you must make to get there. Nothing can bring you as much joy and peace as being worthy to attend the temple and getting to spend regular time in God’s house. I can’t say anything more than that! Go to the temple. You won’t regret it. The peace and beauty will heal and strengthen your soul.

Patty Sampson

Patty thrives on all things creative. You’ll often find her in the garden pretending she is a suburban farmer. She loves meeting new people, and is devoted to her friends and family. In her heart she is a Midwesterner even though life has moved her all over the country. She believes in “blooming where you’re planted” and has found purpose in every place she has been. She has a deep and abiding love for the Savior and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And she loves editing LDS Blogs because it is a constant spiritual uplift. Not many people can say their job builds their witness of the Savior.

Albuquerque LDS Temple

So often my good plans of temple attendance were derailed or sidetracked. Why was it that months passed between trips to the temple? Often at the end of the year, I would look back and realize that I had only attended a handful of times. For a while, the nearest temple to me was in Dallas, Texas, a five-hour drive away. Then we received the wonderful announcement that we would have a temple in Oklahoma City in the year 2000. This cut our driving time to less than two hours, but unfortunately my temple attendance did not improve.

This really started to bother me as I listened to lessons at church and heard talks in general conference reiterating the importance of temples. It was obvious that temples are important to the Lord and I wanted them to be important to me.

I came across the following words spoken at the funeral of Joseph Smith Sr., father of the prophet Joseph Smith Jr.

“To dwell in the house of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple, was his daily delight; and in it he enjoyed many blessings, and spent many hours in sweet communion with his Heavenly Father. He has trod its sacred aisles, solitary and alone from mankind, long before the king of day has gilded the eastern horizon; and he has uttered his aspirations within its walls, when nature has been asleep. In its holy enclosures have the visions of heaven been opened to his mind, and his soul has feasted on the riches of eternity.” (History of the Church 4:194)

Why weren’t my visits to the temple a “delight” and why hasn’t my “soul feasted on the riches of eternity”? I decided to take my desires to my Heavenly Father. I knew He would answer my prayers, but as a wise man once said, “You can’t steer a parked car.” I knew I needed to get to work and “must study it out in [my] mind” (Doctrine and Covenants 9:8). I needed to see what more I could learn about temples.

I decided to start learning about the temples of old. I read about the tabernacles that the Lord commanded the Israelites to build as they journeyed through the wilderness. I read about the temple of Solomon in all of its glory. The temple of Zerubbabel was next followed by the temple of Herod, which was visited by the Savior during His earthly ministry.

In the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, near the beginning of its history, a prophet named Nephi built a temple “after the manner of the temple of Solomon save it were not built of so many precious things” (2 Nephi 5:16). Then I read in Mosiah about the great speech King Benjamin made from the temple in the land of Zarahemla (Mosiah 2:1). Of course, who could forget the climax of the Book of Mormon where the resurrected Savior visited the people who were gathered at the temple in the land Bountiful (3 Nephi 11:1)?

Mount Timpanogos Temple

Moving my focus to the latter-days, I learned about the commandments of the Lord “to build a house to me” (Doctrine and Covenants 124:33) and the intense struggles the early members of the Church had to fulfill that commandment.

It was evident that temples were central to the people of God in all ages. It seemed to me that there had to be additional benefits of temple attendance for the living—more than I currently understood.

A large piece of the puzzle fit into place as I read the words of George Q. Cannon at the Logan Utah Temple cornerstone dedication:

“Every foundation stone that is laid for a Temple, and every Temple completed according to the order the Lord has revealed for his holy Priesthood, lessens the power of Satan on the earth, and increases the power of God and Godliness, moves the heavens in mighty power in our behalf, invokes and calls down upon us the blessings of the Eternal Gods, and those who reside in their presence” (Millennial Star, 12 Nov. 1877, p. 743).

President Gordon B. Hinckley obviously understood this principle. Looking back to the October 1997 General Conference when President Hinckley announced the plan to build smaller temples around the world, there were 50 temples in operation. By 2009, there were 146 temples announced, under construction, or operating across the world. What an amazing and miraculous accomplishment in 12 short years! Now, in 2019, there are 209 temples that fit that description.

I was beginning to understand. We live in a time that is becoming exponentially more evil. Heavenly Father knew this and instructed President Hinckley to build more temples. He almost tripled the number of temples, in fact! I realized this was to provide the power and protection for us spiritually as well as lessen the adversary’s effect and power on the earth.

As I continued my studies, I noticed three blessings of the temple that I had not noticed before: power, protection, and spiritual refinement.

John A. Widstoe taught that temple service not only strengthens us personally but affects the entire community. He said:

“Men grow mighty under the results of temple service; … the community increases in power; until the devil has less influence than he ever had before” (“Temple Worship,” The Utah Genealogical and Historical Magazine, Apr. 1921, pp. 51).

Star Valley Wyoming Temple

President Boyd K. Packer explained why attendance can be so difficult at times when he said, “Temple work brings so much resistance because it is the source of so much spiritual power to the Latter-day Saints, and to the entire Church” (The Holy Temple, p. 178).

Continuing to teach about power, protection, and spiritual refinement, President Packer stated:

“No work is more of a protection to this Church than temple work and the genealogical research which supports it. No work is more spiritually refining. No work we do gives us more power. No work requires a higher standard of righteousness.

 

Our labors in the temple cover us with a shield and a protection, both individually and as a people.

 

If we will accept the revelation concerning temple ordinance work, if we will enter into our covenants without reservation or apology, the Lord will protect us. We will receive inspiration sufficient for the challenges of life” (The Holy Temple, p. 265).

“We are bombarded on all sides by a vast number of messages we don’t want or need. More information is generated in a single day than we can absorb in a lifetime. To fully enjoy life, all of us must find our own breathing space and peace of mind. How can we do this? There is only one answer. We must rise above the evil that encroaches upon us. We must follow the counsel of the Lord, who said, “It is my will, that all they who call on my name, and worship me according to mine everlasting gospel, should gather together, and stand in holy places (Doctrine and Covenants 101:22)” (James E. Faust, “Standing in Holy Places,” April 2005).

I know I am “bombarded on all sides” and that I need a “shield and a protection.” I see the world around me and I know that we need to “lessen the power of Satan on the earth.” All that I hold dear depends on my ability to withstand the temptations of the world and endure to the end. I have often worried about how to best prepare my young children to succeed in this world. I know if they understand the power and protection the temple affords, they will be more apt to make temple worship a high priority.

I know a lifetime of study may not be enough to fully understand everything about the temple, but now I understand enough to help me realize how important it is. We have many tools to help us on our journey and the temple is a very powerful one.

Santo Domingo Dominican Republic Temple

Now as I prepare myself to attend the temple, I am filled with excitement. I eagerly mark our ward temple dates on my calendar. The temple has become a top priority for me and attendance has become regular. The old excuses and roadblocks melt away as my priorities shift and I can see Heavenly Father’s hand helping me accomplish my righteous desires. My time in the temple has become a “delight” and I am beginning to see the “riches of eternity.” I feel more help and guidance in all aspects of my life as I worthily and regularly attend the temple.

I know Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers. I know He loves me and wants me to succeed. I know the things I learn and the covenants I make in the temple will provide the power, protection, and spiritual refinement essential to “peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come” (Doctrine and Covenants 59:23).

This article was originally published in February 2009. Minor changes have been made for timeliness and consistency.

Ben

Then Stockholm, Sweden Temple

Because of the hopping I planned, I couldn’t leave baggage control to chance so I carried one awesome backpack and another small bag. European baggage requirements are even smaller than the US requirements, so I bought an appropriately sized bag. I left Hawaii in March, anticipating a warm experience in Cairo and a warm-ish one in Israel. I knew Europe would be chilly, but only had room for a hoodie, which I planned to just wear on me. Besides, I don’t own a coat anymore. For extra warmth, I took an old airplane blanket and the one long-sleeved shirt I owned and just hoped for the best. Besides, it was just a couple of days, right?

After a wonderful reunion with my beloved German family, I boarded a train and headed towards Sweden. This section of the trip was the longest, including a ferry crossing and riding an overnight train through Sweden to Stockholm.

On the German trains, I traveled in warmth and comfort. But the train options to Stockholm, in the middle of the night, proved to be quite drafty and tankish. I found an inside seat and leaned against the wall using my bag as an extra blanket as I slowly froze. With frequent stops, the doors opened and Arctic air blasted the car.

But it was only one night. I’ve learned I can endure anything if I know the endpoint.

At 2:00 AM, I prepared to disembark to catch the final train to Stockholm. The train came to a stop. I looked at my fellow passengers totally bundled up. I figured I’d desperately underestimated what I was about to walk out into. Immediately, I knew I was right about that.

After two steps into the cold, my eyelashes and nose hairs froze. I followed the crowd towards the station, eagerly expecting some respite. To my horror, the station had closed for the night, so we had to stand outside for the next train scheduled to arrive around 2:30 AM.

I found an enclosed staircase from the station to the platform I needed and huddled there with other passengers. Several shook their heads at me and asked, “American?” I just laughed. Yes, of course. I definitely stood out. Compared to their winter apparel, I might as well have been naked. I kind of felt like I was. And just like in the parable of the ten virgins, the wise virgins provided no respite.

After a frigid eternity, the half an hour wait passed. The train arrived and I ordered my body to move towards a train car. I literally stumbled in, found a seat, and pulled my appendages in as close as possible to stimulate circulation and body heat. Half sitting, half laying in that fetal position, I half slept for the last few hours to Stockholm.

It took me a bit to get my bearings in the bustling Stockholm train station. Each moment and connection mattered in order for me to see all the temples and catch my plane to Cairo in two days. I nearly got on the wrong train but felt a quiet prompting to recheck the route to Västerhaninge.

The public transit train was warmer. I melted into a seat hoping I’d interpreted Swedish correctly.

I soaked in the sunshine peeking through a cloudy sky as we rattled along suburban Stockholm. The residual cold reminded me I’d been foolish. But I knew the temple would be a warm haven that I’d relish.

I hopped off at my stop to begin my walk to the temple, knowing I’d arrive about a half hour before the temple opened and bracing for cold. My phone told me the morning sun had warmed the temperature to 2 Centigrade (35.6 Fahrenheit) so I had hope for survival.

The Västerhaninge sky was perfectly clear. Soon into the walk, Moroni burst into view, the sun setting him ablaze. I felt warm delight and hurried along the path.  Before long, I found myself at the temple grounds. Gratefully, they were open.

I stepped into the garden and sat on a bench. The sunlight embraced me. I felt chilly but not cold. I felt fine enough for a husband check-in call. As I related my near-death adventures (which he’s never super happy to know about), I felt warmer and brighter. After our quick call, I noticed that when I arrived at the temple, while still outside in near-freezing temperatures, the chill of the night thawed and I felt physically bathed in the light of the sun. What a difference in waiting for a half hour!

That Swedish trip segment became such a meaningful metaphor for me. While wandering in an unknown land’s dark and bitter chill, I felt alone while fighting for survival. But the very moment I saw the temple of God in that same unknown land, it bathed my soul in light, warmth, and rejoicing. I’d found home again at the house of the Son.

Delisa Hargrove

I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I have moved 64 times and have not tired of experiencing this beautiful earth! I love the people, languages, histories/anthropologies, & especially religious cultures of the world. My life long passion is the study & searching out of religious symbolism, specifically related to ancient & modern temples. My husband Anthony and I love our bulldog Stig, adventures, traveling, movies, motorcycling, and time with friends and family.

I had been feeling lost for a long time. I wasn’t sure what to do with my life, and I was having struggles in my relationships. My family was really struggling because of some bad decisions my brothers were making. And I needed comfort, and hope. I was newly endowed, and had been going to the Temple weekly with friends. It was the place I felt closest to God. Every time I went, I felt Heaven close by. So I tried to be there as often as I could.

Finding A Haven

In the Washington DC temple, on the 7th and highest floor is the solemn assembly room. I was visiting my parents, and when they go to the temple, they like to do several endowment sessions in a row. But I needed some time alone to think. I was looking for a quiet place away from everyone and began climbing stairs. When I reached the top floor, the Solemn Assembly room doors were open. I was the only one there, so I tiptoed in.

The room was enormous! There were hundreds of chairs set up in preparation for a meeting that would likely happen soon. I remember the room was so clean and beautiful. The chairs were cream colored, the carpet was very thick and beautiful, and the stained glass on the windows threw color around the room. There were huge chandeliers, and a tall podium on either end of the room.

I didn’t stay long, but that floor became my special place. It felt like a sign that it was totally accessible when it normally wouldn’t be, just when I needed a connection to my Heavenly Father.  I often went there to have alone time with my Heavenly Father.  It was a place I could pour my heart out in the privacy of the foyer outside the solemn assembly room. In that place, I received heavenly guidance and comfort, and a sense of purpose for my life. Soon afterward is when I had the dream.

The Dream

In my dream I was wearing a white dress. I was in the temple. Temple dresses are floor length, and  I remember feeling my skirt brush my ankles. It was a very real dream! I felt the air conditioning and the carpet under my feet. I was waiting for the elevator, and when I stepped inside there was an angel standing there serving as the elevator operator. He was also dressed in white, and smiled at me.

He pressed buttons, and the elevator began moving. When the doors opened, and I was looking at a park. There were gently rolling hills, trees, grass, and flowers. The sun was so bright! And when I looked closer at the landscape I realized that everything had an inner light. It was like each blade of grass was made of crystal lit like a Christmas light. It was the same with the trees and flowers. I was mesmerized!

Just as I was about to step out of the elevator to take in more of this wonderful place, the angel said “Whoops! Wrong floor!” and closed the doors. The next time the doors opened we were at my floor, back inside the Temple. I can’t tell you how disappointed I was that I wasn’t allowed to walk in that garden. But like many experiences, I know that one was designed to bring me hope.

Stronger

After that dream I felt a new sense of purpose. Like somehow what I was doing in the temple was more valid than before, because it was literally connected to Heaven. And I felt like I wouldn’t be so afraid or worried when my time came, because Heaven was such an amazing place.

I also felt like Heaven was more accessible after that dream. I mean, if it was as easy to reach as an elevator ride, then getting there couldn’t be that traumatic or hard. It also made me want to try harder to be the kind of person God wanted me to be. So the next time I found myself on an elevator with an angel, he would be leading me back to my Heavenly Father.

I have often thought of that dream in the years since. And I ask myself if I am living the kind of life that would grant me access to that wonderful place. I’ve shared my experience with loved ones, curious about what Heaven is like. And I miss many loved ones who have passed on. But I am comforted knowing they are surrounded by joy and beauty, and that they are safe and loved.

Purpose

To read more of Abby’s articles, click here.

One day I will be able to join them. And having seen where I am going takes away the worry and fills me with peace. That’s why I wanted to share my glimpse with you.

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin said “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.”

He is so right. We are more than we realize. We are God’s kids. And we are destined for so much more than this earth. So if you are wondering what Heaven is like, you’ll love it. I’ve seen it.

Abby Christianson

Abby is capable and caring. She is learning more about Autism and parenthood every day. Having completed training to be an RBT (Registered Behavior Technician) for ABA therapy she is beginning to understand her son. And even though she is the first to admit she makes a lot of mistakes, she is so grateful to be on this journey. She comes from a family with many autistic members. She invites us to join her, as she shares her adventures. She wishes to emphasize that Autism is a difference not a defect. If you or a family member have autism, Abby wants you to know that the challenges can be overcome, and there are blessings in autism. You or your loved one are not sick or broken. Together we will teach the world this new language.

Mount Timpanogos Utah temple

In Gospel Principles, Page 258, Fifth Paragraph, we read: “Temple Ordinances have been performed for the dead since the early days of the Church. Consequently, some ordinances for our ancestors may have already been done. To find out which ancestors need temple ordinances, we can look in two places. Our own family records might have information about what has been done. If not, the Church has a record of all ordinances that have been performed in the temple.”

The most current form of this record can be found on FamilySearch.org. FamilySearch was created and is maintained by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and is the largest collection of free family history, family tree and genealogy records in the world. It contains a special feature just for members of the Church. That of being able to see if certain ordinances have been performed for various ancestors.

At the bottom of the Registration form there is a section titled: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Membership Information (Optional). Latter-Day Saints must fill out this portion if they wish to see what ordinances have been performed for their ancestors.

The membership number that is asked for can be obtained from their Ward Clerk or from their own Temple Recommend. A Temple Recommend is a type of certificate given to members who are considered to be in good standing with the Church. A person may not enter the temple without a recommend. The confirmation date asked for can be obtained from the Ward Clerk.

Once registration is completed a church member will be able to sign on and begin their search for ancestors who have had their temple ordinances completed. This information can be obtained by searching the International Genealogical Index (IGI).

This is done by clicking the SEARCH tab at the top of the page that appears after signing on. The next page that appears will have a list of links in a sidebar on the left. One of those link options reads, International Genealogical Index. Once this is clicked on, a page will appear with a number of search options. It is not necessary to fill every search option offered there. Once you have decided which options to fill, click the search button. You will be taken to a results page showing numbered results.

Each number will have next to it the Name, Gender, and a date/place of either Birth, Marriage or Death for an individual. By clicking on the name of an individual you may then see more information about them. For Latter-Day Saints this includes a section titled: LDS Ordinances. This section will show what, if any temple work has been completed for that individual. There are several things that might appear:

* A capital B inside a blue box means Baptism. The date appearing next to that blue box is the date on which that individual was baptized.

* A capital P inside a blue box mean Sealing to Parents. The date appearing next to that blue box is the date on which the individual was sealed to their parents.

* A capital S inside a blue box means Sealing to Spouse. The date appearing next to that blue box is the date on which that individual was sealed to their spouse.

* A capital E inside a blue box means Endowed. The date appearing next to that blue box is the date on which that individual was endowed.

Sometimes an ordinance will appear but will not have a date next to it. Instead you will see either CHILD or CLEARED.

*CHILD indicates that the individual died before the age of baptism (age and therefore does not need those ordinances performed.

Philadelphia LDS temple baptistry

*CLEARED indicates that someone has submitted that ordinance to Temple Ready and that the temple work for that ordinance will be completed soon. TempleReady is a program created by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and is used to submit individuals to an LDS temple so their ordinance work can be completed.

Another thing you might see next to the dates of ordinances that have been completed are the abbreviated names of the Temple at which the ordinance was completed.

You may notice as you use FamilySearch that there is a lot of duplicate information. This usually happens when multiple people submit the same name, with slightly varying information. This often happens because many people do not check FamilySearch to see if temple work has already been done or has been submitted for completion for an ancestor before submitting that name to TempleReady. Please be willing to check FamilySearch before submitting your ancestor’s names to TempleReady to avoid adding to the duplication on the site.

Summer O

The tiles that are laid on the floor have to be perfectly set, perfectly centered, and perfectly level. The walls have to be perfectly straight — both up and down, and horizontally.

Mount Timpanogos Utah temple

All the spacing of the walls, casings on the doors, and even the calk on the windows has to be done correctly.  All the carpet is custom made for each room and must be laid exactly.  And every piece of furniture and art must be made to exact specifications.

Knowing all this explains why temples take a year or more to build. This kind of exactness is followed from the foundations to the paint application on the walls. And every construction worker has to be a worthy member of the LDS faith, worthy to enter the temple.

The Temple is the highest form of worship for those of the LDS faith. While no person on earth is perfect, those who enter the temple are required to maintain standards of living that make them worthy to be in God’s house.

James the Mormon has just released a new video about what happens inside the temple. It’s not a secret!  Check it out.

To read more of Patty’s articles, click here.

I love the Temple. The peace and love felt there is unlike anything I’ve felt anywhere else. I feel very blessed to have gotten to be married to my sweetheart in the Temple. And when I was 6 weeks old I got to be sealed to my parents within its walls.

Temples are a blessing to the whole human family. I encourage you to get to know more about the Temple.  Please attend as often as you can if you are LDS and worthy.  And if you aren’t currently worthy, please make the changes you need to so you can go. You will never regret it.

Patty Sampson

Patty thrives on all things creative. You’ll often find her in the garden pretending she is a suburban farmer. She loves meeting new people, and is devoted to her friends and family. In her heart she is a Midwesterner even though life has moved her all over the country. She believes in “blooming where you’re planted” and has found purpose in every place she has been. She has a deep and abiding love for the Savior and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And she loves editing LDS Blogs because it is a constant spiritual uplift. Not many people can say their job builds their witness of the Savior.

It celebrated the Tabernacle and recounted the experience the night of the fire in detail and the devastation felt by those involved and the community at large. What had come to be a treasured icon in the community and among our families was now lost, seemingly destroyed forever.

The majestic tabernacle instead of being the heart of Provo and a gathering place for the community, families, musicians, and saints was now a shell of ashes, destruction, and loss. I remembered the times we went to stake conference there, the occasions we attended general conference priesthood sessions, and the beauty, uplift, and unity it brought our community.

Tragedy, shock, disbelief, and devastation were the words used to describe this loss and the feeling in our hearts. This gem in Utah County was but ashes. Though the emotions were real and intense, I can hardly remember them now.

In a following general conference session, President Monson announced that the Provo Tabernacle would be restored into the second temple in the city of Provo, Utah. Disbelief of a whole different sort was prevalent then. Could this really be? Can they actually do that? Is it even possible to rebuild? And a measure of hope broke through the despair like a stream of light breaks through the clouds.

An artist’s rendition of the new temple was released, and we began to see a miracle take place. Construction began and we were all hopeful and as it progressed often amazed. All the while, we watched the progress with wonder, excitement, and anticipation.

Now, five years after that devastating fire, a beautiful temple has risen from the ashes. We are just beginning to see this miracle and beauty inside and out that has come from the resources, efforts, and skills of many. This causes me to reflect on the sacrifice the saints made to build temples to God during the early days of the restored church.

In both the Kirtland and Nauvoo Temples, the women responded to the call by grinding their precious china into small pieces to be used for the walls of the temple to give the edifice a glistening appearance. I believe they would be pleased to see the craftsmanship, care, and sacrifice that have gone into this our temple.

To read more articles by Walter Penning, click here.

The analogies are many and the lessons evident, saving what was thought to be lost and exalting this precious edifice beyond its original grandeur into something even more beautiful. Nothing is beyond the reach of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Nothing. This symbolism is precious.

In preparation for the open house, pictures were released, websites updated, and arrangements made to unveil this edifice to the community and dedicate it as a House of God. They released a Provo City Center Temple Completed video. Enjoy.

Walter Penning

In 1989, Walter Penning formed a consultancy based in Salt Lake City and empowered his clients by streamlining processes and building a loyal, lifetime customer base with great customer service. His true passion is found in his family. He says the best decision he ever made was to marry his sweetheart and have children. The wonderful family she has given him and her constant love, support, and patience amid life’s challenges is his panacea.

Finally, an elderly man, standing directly behind her, stepped up to help. He pulled from his wallet the correct amount of coinage and placed it in the machine for her. She was relieved to have her problem solved by this native-born hero, and immediately tried to hand him currency in return. He waved it away, refusing to accept it. In his broken English he said to her, “You would do the same for me,” smiled, then went about his business.

She was shocked by his response. Here was a man whom she had never met, who not only helped her when she needed it most, but did so without any regard for reward. And his comment opened her heart to a new way of thinking—“you would do the same for me.” This was not a comment on his own generosity, but on an assumption about her, a complete stranger. How could he know what she would do in such a situation? But his words opened her mind to a new possibility—one she had never considered. Yes, she thought, I would do the same for you—simply because you acted so kindly, and followed up with the assumption that others would act with such kindness when given the opportunity. She never forgot the gesture, or the comment. She spent the rest of her life doing for others and commenting to them how they would do the same for her, even if she didn’t know them.

“You would do the same for me” is a life changing phrase in so many ways.  It shows a gracious nature of the human being and how one can reach beyond oneself, outside of a given comfort zone, and realize we are all in this together as a human family. It makes an assumption that we are united for one purpose, whether we remember this or not, and that purpose is for good. It reminds us that family reaches across cultural lines and is equally binding as such.

For years, I too have tried to use this phrase when helping strangers. It has made for some happy moments in my own life and it has brightened more than my share of days. But I’ve noticed lately how this phrase not only acts to knit the tapestry of the human race together crossing cultures, neighborhoods, and even within the bond of family, it can work vertically as well. By vertically I mean through the generations, and by work, I am referring to temple ordinances.

Before we were born we were presented with God’s eternal plan—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. We made covenants with our Heavenly Father to be part of this plan. One part was to be born in families, to perpetuate humanity. This was God’s way of bringing us to earth. In terms of basic biology, every child has a mother and a father. In terms of spirituality, both parents have the moral responsibility to raise their children in wisdom to God’s laws. This is of course, the ideal, and many children never get the chance to experience this kind of loving relationship, but that does not negate God’s plan for happiness. All things and circumstances will be made right through the grace and atonement of Jesus Christ, even those situations where loving parents are denied or lost.

Keeping family records through the generations, genealogy, has been something that has been practiced by millions of people crossing cultures and religions through the centuries. Why is this so important? For many, it provides a sense of stability—noting where a person came from. It also ties people together through the generations, making sure everyone is a metaphorical link in the chain of humanity. 

No one wants to be lost, physically or spiritually.  Family records ensure that through the generations. If we were not born in families we would not know our grandparents, and so forth. On many levels this would be tragic, but on the spiritual level of “doing the same for them” a deeper level of love is realized. We have an opportunity to do for them what they cannot do for themselves, and we can do so out of love.

Being born in the fullness of times when the gospel was restored was a gift we were given. Our ancestors may have consciously passed up that gift. Why? Because they may have known that someone had to wait. Someone had to be born first, and then continue that pattern of bringing souls to earth, until you and I could be born at this time. They made a sacrifice of living without the fullness of the gospel for a reason—to ensure we would be born and that we would be in a position not to forget them.

We have an opportunity to remember our ancestors when we attend the temple. In the temple, we perform the saving ordinances necessary for salvation as proxy members for our ancestors. These ordinances were not always available to God’s children, as they were not established on earth through all dispensations of time. God knew this would happen due to the corrupt nature of man, but He also had a plan to account for our nature. He gave his children the Holy Temple, where all the saving ordinances are performed in proxy for those who did not receive them in their lifetime.  This is the gift we give back to them for making the sacrifice of being born without the gospel.

Morning Devotional: To read more of Nanette’s work, click here.

What if the roles were reversed? What if we were born in the dark ages and had the responsibility to bring the next generation to earth, and so on, in order for our posterity to have the privilege of being born today? What if we said, “You would do the same for me?” We would be opening our hearts to a level of vulnerability, unsure if the rising generation would in fact do the same for us. This is the risk they took. And I, for one, am grateful for what they did. This is why I perform temple ordinances for them—their sacrifice allowed me to be born at this time. I feel a need to give back to them a gift they could not have for themselves, a gift they waited a lifetime to receive. And yes, I equate their willingness to wait with a level of love that cannot be matched. I believe if the roles were reversed, they would do the same for me. I owe it to them not to let them down.

Nanette ONeal

Nanette O’Neal loves the gospel and is very happy to share her testimony on LDS Blogs. She is a convert to the church and still feels the spirit burn strong within her heart. She graduated from Mason Gross School of the Arts with a degree in music education and has taught children and adults in the private and public sphere for over twenty years. Nanette continues to study the gospel and the art of writing. She writes weekly inspirational articles on her blog and is currently working on an LDS fantasy novel series, A Doorway Back to Forever. You can find her at NanetteONeal.blogspot.com. Nanette has a wonderful husband, talented son, and three beautiful dogs.

But in the temples, we perform sacred ordinances that bind families spiritually for eternity to our heavenly family. Temples are a testament to God’s children, that no one is forgotten in God’s eternal plan, and that His plan will progress beyond the grave. There is no other place on earth that guarantees eternal progression, eternal happiness, and the chance to receive what God himself has.

My testimony of temples began when I was a child, even before I knew of their existence or their eternal significance. I grew up in a church different from the Latter-day Saint church I attend today. I went to Sunday school and learned the basic doctrine of that church, but I also developed a strong testimony in Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world.

As a child, I knew Heavenly Father was all-powerful, all-wise, and all-loving. Jesus Christ was His only begotten Son, the master architect of the entire universe, worlds without end. We are children of an eternal Father in Heaven, and he loves each of us equally. He wanted us to progress from our first state—spirits in heaven—to an eternal state—perfect, like Him. To do this, we had to be born to receive a physical body and master the choices we’d be faced while in this physical state. He gave us the light of Christ to testify of right and wrong. Our faith would increase with each choice for good.

He also knew we would make mistakes on earth and become unclean in a spiritual way. He knew we would need a Savior to overcome sin and death so that we could return to live together with our eternal family in heaven. He knew sacred ordinances were required to be performed here on earth in order for the plan to be complete. He provided a Savior for us, Jesus Christ, to be our advocate, our redeemer, and to pave our way back to our eternal heavenly home. This shows us that our Heavenly Father had a plan for us to become more than what we appear to be in our earthly state.

But I was faced with a spiritual inconsistency as I learned about God.

If God so loved the world that he gave us Jesus Christ to be our Savior, and He required the performance of ordinances such as baptism for all of his children, he also must have known that not everyone would get a chance to hear the gospel on earth, nor would they have an opportunity to be baptized or receive the other saving ordinances required to return to our heavenly home.

It is not logical that everyone, from the jungles of South America, to the mountains of Tibet would have the same opportunities as those brought up in a comfortable Christian home. This either meant that God is inconsistent, that he doesn’t really love all his children, or that he didn’t think of a backup plan. I knew as a child that none of these options were true. I knew there had to be more to the plan, but my troubles grew deeper before they were subsided.

When I was in second or third grade, my best friend was Jewish. I was a curious child who gave the Sunday school teachers a run for their money, asking questions of an eternal nature that they were unprepared to answer. When I asked if my Jewish friend would go to heaven, I received answers that ranged from “I don’t know,” to “Not a chance.” You see, my child-like mind could not wrap itself around the notion that Heavenly Father was inconsistent in his omnipotence, nor could I believe that his love was limiting. As a child of eight years old, I received a direct witness from God that there was more truth out there that I had not yet received, and one day I would find it. And so, without even realizing it, I began my search for God’s eternal plan.

As an adult, two missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints taught me the fullness of the gospel. This included learning about the Holy Temples, where sacred ordinances could be performed for the living as well as those who died without knowledge of Jesus Christ. The doctrine rang true to my heart as I had been searching for proof of God’s all-encompassing love for quite a long time. They even had a scriptural reference from the Bible to back it up. In First Corinthians 15:29,  Paul is talking about the very practice of baptisms for the dead.

He is trying to convince the people of the importance of the resurrection, why we even baptize for the dead, because the dead will rise. It is an obscure reference, but it is powerful because of the context—it shows the practice of baptisms for the dead was going on in Christ’s day as a common practice. But over the centuries the practice had been lost, the reference forgotten. Thankfully, it is reestablished today through the restored gospel, and we can once again open the doorway for our ancestors and  fellow brothers and sisters in the human family to receive the same ordinances that we enjoy.

I plan to make this a banner year of eternal significance—I plan to remain temple-ready for the opening of the Philadelphia Temple. I have attended the temple consistently for many years, and I’m excited to perform temple work in Philly. I rejoice in the fact that I can help more of my brothers and sisters progress by standing in as a proxy for them. And I know they are rejoicing on the other side of the veil as they wait for the momentous day of its opening.

Morning Devotional: To read more of Nanette’s work, click here.

Indeed, the Latter-day Saint temples provide a way for all of God’s children to receive the saving ordinances needed to enter the kingdom of heaven. My testimony of God’s love for His children is vastly strengthened because of modern-day temples. It is proof to me that God has not forgotten His children—none of them. It humbles me to know I can participate in their eternal rewards. This is the gift I can give to them. They paved the way for me to be born in these latter-days because of their willingness to be born during a time when the fullness of the gospel was not yet available. It is my sacred obligation to give to them what I have received so we can all sit down in heaven together.

Nanette ONeal

Nanette O’Neal loves the gospel and is very happy to share her testimony on LDS Blogs. She is a convert to the church and still feels the spirit burn strong within her heart. She graduated from Mason Gross School of the Arts with a degree in music education and has taught children and adults in the private and public sphere for over twenty years. Nanette continues to study the gospel and the art of writing. She writes weekly inspirational articles on her blog and is currently working on an LDS fantasy novel series, A Doorway Back to Forever. You can find her at NanetteONeal.blogspot.com. Nanette has a wonderful husband, talented son, and three beautiful dogs.