For those of you who are wondering why the Boston Temple, why not a closer temple, this is why... Detroit is closed until the end of the month for cleaning, Toronto is closed for maintenance and Washington DC is closed for cleaning as well. It seemed like our back up and our back ups back up and everywhere we thought we'd go was closed, but if I could do it over and go to absolutely any temple, I wouldn't change a thing. I can't even begin to explain how absolutely breath taking the Boston Temple is! If you ever have a chance to go, absolutely take it. Just the temple alone is magnificent, but then the spirit and the peace you feel there makes all the difference. I know a lot of friends and family have had a lot of questions about what the temple is and what it's significance is. I'd love to answer that for you! But I honestly could not word it any better than these, so I hope these resources help answer some questions about the significance of the temple to me and members of our church.
Why do Mormons build temples?
What happens inside of the temple?
What are temples used for?
So, is a temple just like a chapel?
Who can enter the temple and when?
Why do only Mormons go to the temple?
Why do you go to the temple?
What is it like inside the temple?
Simply put, the temple is a blessing. Elder Russell M Nelson said it better than I ever could.
I can't even begin to put into words the feeling I had at the temple. It was so peaceful and comfortable. It really helps you feel so much closer to the Savior, learning more about the Atonement and our Heavenly Father's plan for his children. What an amazing opportunity to learn more of him in his house. The temple strengthened my testimony that our Heavenly Father does indeed have a plan for us, his children. Our Heavenly Father sent his son, Jesus Christ, to live and die for us, that we may be able to return to live in his presence. We can indeed feel closer to our Heavenly Father as we attend the temple and experience and receive the joy and blessings of the temple.
President Dieter F Uchtdorf said, "Regardless of your circumstances, your personal history, or the strength of your testimony, there is room for you in this Church." If I may, allow me to change just the end of that quote. "Regardless of your circumstances, your personal history, or the strength of your testimony, there is room for you in the house of the Lord." Our circumstances, personal history, strength of our testimony and whatever other excuses we may have matter more to us than to the Lord. The Lord will provide for our needs when we sacrifice what we can for him. Our circumstance does not matter, our history does not matter, and our testimony can only be strengthened by attending the temple. There is room for all in the temple who are willing to make sacrifices for the Lord to attend his holy house, how ever large or small those sacrifices may be. Some may sacrifice money, or others may sacrifice time. Instead of thinking of the sacrifices of attending the temple, consider the blessings of attending the temple.
If you haven't gone to the temple, GO! President Thomas S Monson related a story telling of one family's struggles and sacrifices in order to attend the temple.
"Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy."- Nephi 2:25
There is no greater joy that can be felt on Earth than the joy felt in the temple. In the temple, we can feel closer to our Heavenly Father. We can seek guidance and direction as we turn to our Heavenly Father in prayer and attendance in the temple. I can testify that joy comes as we recognize that we can communicate with out Heavenly Father and that he has a plan for us.
I can't say enough about the temple, there's so much I want to say, but there is nothing I can say that would be better than you experiencing the temple for yourself. For those of you who are members, go to the temple! Do whatever you need to do to make sure you are ready and worthy to enter the temple and make whatever arrangements are necessary. I promise, that temple attendance will bless your lives. If you cannot enter the temple, there are temples all around the country and world where you can go and sit or walk around the temple grounds. Even the area around the temple is calming and peaceful and there are blessings to be had just from being near The House of the Lord. For those of you who may not be members, there are also opportunities for you to enter the temple as well. In fact, there is a temple opening soon in Indiana, a bit of a drive for some, but definitely worth the travel. You too can feel the peace and blessings of the temple if you so desire. It will be open to the public for several weeks and there will be many wonderful and kind people who would love to walk you through the temple to see it and answer any questions you may have.
One last thing before I wrap this up. I don't have an outside perspective of the temple since I was raised in this church, however, Danielle Tumminio, a female episcopal priest, visited the Kansas City Temple before it was dedicated. This is here experience inside this sacred place. Danielle's experience illustrates the kinds of things that can be felt by attending the temple, whether it is before or after it is dedicated.
I want to challenge all of you, go to the temple. Whether it is the temple grounds or inside, just go. I know that you can receive a better understanding of our Heavenly Father's plan for us on this Earth and you can receive the guidance you may need in your life as you pray and seek the direction of our Savior.
If you want to learn more, you can:
- Visit mormon.org, and click the chat button at the top corner, and you can chat with missionaries
- Call or text our local missionaries at, 810-357-7198
- Ask me! I'd love to answer any other questions you might have.
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