Yesterday we went to the Gilbert Arizona Latter-day Saint Temple Open House!! A mouth full to say, so it's okay that it was such a jaw-dropping experience(: I can't even tell you how much I loved it there....but I'll try! I've gone before, a couple of weeks ago and it was a wonderful time, seeing all of the amazing and over-the-top yet simply elegant construction and design of the temple. Only the best for the Lord, as we would all agree is important. I wasn't sure what I would be expecting and was in awe of the beauty of the staircases and the chandeliers and the amazing artwork that were so carefully chosen to put into this lovely temple. The agave flower was the theme throughout the whole building!! So cool, as it symbolizes the family passing onto the younger generations, just like the seeds of the agave will drop down to revive the dying plant. Which is what the temple is all about!! "And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers" [Malachi 4:6] (...sorry, sidetracked)
I knew there would be a great feeling there,too. And there really was. I was able to talk to everyone about the great feeling of the Holy Ghost while in the building...about how you could have feelings like I had at least. I have attended the temple a few times in my days and can recognize the special Spirit that is felt while I am there. It's a feeling that brings me a special sense of happiness that nothing else can provide and helps me to open my mind and heart to the teachings that I am in need of. But the Gilbert temple is not dedicated yet, that is why, of course, everyone is able to go inside and look around. The feeling was still amazing....I wanted to squee the whole time I was there! But it had a distinct feeling of "I am made especially to be a House of the Lord....but I'm not quite there yet.....Almost!!" The difference is so weird and fabulous...being specifically set apart from the world by the power of Priesthood authority and the sheer cleanliness of a dedicated temple (and having only those worthy being inside) is the feeling anyone can have at the Open House x894357485735.
I did get all of that from the first trip there, but yesterday was a little bit more special. We got to go with the sweetest, most amazing mother and son in one of our wards, our newest convert, and his wonderful and supportive mother. It was nifty to be there with them and, having already gone through, we were able to focus on them rather than being caught up in the surprises and physical beauty held inside. And with not worrying about that, it was interesting that I could feel even more excited and giddy about everything we saw. Just being with them and seeing their reactions and helping them to recognize the Spirit and what it meant was.....almost more than I could handle. My companion and I were about bouncing off the walls. At one point in the endowment room, the boy who was baptized in December, looked into the mirrors that face each other and go on and on to represent eternity. And the kid was beaming! Absolutely stunning and bright with joy and....it was almost like pride, but I'm actually going to have to say humility, because in a split second I saw a young man that knew. He absolutely knew the truthfulness in the power of the Holy Ghost he was feeling. He knew that he had made the right choice in being baptized. He knew the temple was the place to be. He knew who he is. I haven't ever seen such power in a person before in my life. .....My companion and I did the squeeing thing again....Because, seriously we can't imagine anything better. All we want is for people to find that happiness and joy and peace! Shoot, I wish I could have it as strong as that all the time! It came from all of his hard work though, and I know if I will change and repent all the time as we are each commanded to do, then maybe someday I'll be as great as him!
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Anyway! His mom really loved it too, it was her birthday present and I think she really enjoyed herself. Well...I know she did, we all could feel it. And we all learned so much. I wish I could always be in the temple! Or somewhere just like it..........Oh wait!! One day I can be :D The temple is only a small glimpse of the eternity that our Heavenly Father has in store for us. Like I mentioned, if we continually repent and change, and grow toward our Savior, Jesus Christ, then when the day comes that we meet Him again (and we all will) we might be worthy to stand in His very presence. To tell him we tried our hardest and that we love Him and want to live with Him again. And then we can live in the glories and joy that we so desire...with peace and true knowledge of who He is and who we are!
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| Devin and His Mother |
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