Why These Temples?

As many of you probably have figured out, I'm a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as a Mormon.

Further, you've probably found reference on my blog at some point or another about temples. To me, temple worship is a very sacred, holy, uplifting, strengthening and significant part of my religion and spirituality. I'm also getting married in a temple for time and all eternity. Sometimes it is hard for friends and family who are not Mormon to understand why Mormons have temples, why they attend them, and why they are not open to every John or Jane Doe on the street. I recently read this from one of the most inspiring men in my life, Gordon B. Hinckley, the President of our Church for over a decade and a great man of faith.

I encourage you to read his words in an effort to find some understanding regarding something so important and special to me and most people of the LDS faith.

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Why These Temples? (part one)


Temples are places where our questions about life receive the answers of eternity


Was there ever a man or woman who, in a time of quiet introspection, has not pondered the solemn mysteries of life?

Has he or she not asked, “Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going? What is my relationship to my Maker? Will death rob me of the treasured associations of life? What of my family? Will there be another existence after this, and, if so, will we know one another there?”

The answers to these questions are not found in the wisdom of the world. They are found only in the revealed word of God. Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are sacred structures in which these and other eternal questions are answered. Each is dedicated as a house of the Lord, a place of holiness and peace set apart from the world. There truths are taught and ordinances are performed that bring knowledge of things eternal and motivate the participants to live with an understanding of our divine inheritance as children of God and an awareness of our potential as eternal beings.

Temples are unique in purpose and function from all other religious edifices

These buildings, different from the thousands of regular Church houses of worship scattered over the earth, are unique in purpose and function from all other religious edifices. It is not the size of these buildings or their architectural beauty that makes them so. It is the work that goes on within their walls.

The designation of certain buildings for special ordinances, as distinguished from regular places of worship, is not new. This was the practice in ancient Israel, where the people worshipped regularly in the synagogues. Their more sacred place was, first, the tabernacle in the wilderness with its Holy of Holies, and then a succession of temples, where special ordinances were performed and where only those who met the required qualifications could participate in these ordinances.

So it is today. Prior to the dedication of a temple, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints invites the public to go through the building and inspect its various facilities. But when it is dedicated it becomes the house of the Lord, vested with a character so sacred that only members of the Church in good standing are permitted to enter. It is not a matter of secrecy. It is a matter of sanctity.

(stay tuned for parts 2 and 3)

Plan D?

Before I get to a few thoughts, where in the heck was Izzie tonight on Grey's? It was the first night since September that I was able to watch Grey's on tv. I didn't have to work tonight! Also, as much as I like Christina, I think that Hunt should be with Teddy. Don't stone me for saying that. 

I think I'm being taught some very important lessons right now, and I'm not sure that I'm being the best pupil.

One of them is that you can plan as much as you want, but things rarely go according to plan. You aren't working on your timing, your working on God's. And sometimes you can't understand what in the heck the point is as to why things can't just go to plan. I honestly think that I've had my next 12 months planned out about four different times now. Each time it's been a bring-you-to-your-knees-type-of-quick-kick-to-the-shins where it takes some time for me to feel comfortable with the "new plan" and as soon as I find some level of comfort another kick comes.

I've found a lot of comfort in my scriptures these last few weeks. This week, after some frustrating news, I opened up my scriptures and read in Ether (in The Book of Mormon), the first chapter. About Jared and his brother and their families.

"(38) And it came to pass that Jared spake again unto his brother, saying; Go and inquire of the Lord whether he will drive us out of the land, and if he will drive us out of the land, cry unto him whither we shall go. And who knoweth bu the Lord will carry us forth into a land which is choice above all the earth? And if it so be, let us be faithful unto the Lord, that we may receive it for our inheritance.
(42 - part of the Lord's response)....thou shalt go at the head of them down into the valley which is northward. And there will I meet thee, and I will go before thee into a land which is choice above all the lands of the earth.
(43) And there will I bless thee and thy seed, and raise up unto me of thy seed...And thus I will do unto thee because this long time ye have cried unto me."

Essentially what I got out of these verses was that we should pray for guidance, have faith that the Lord has a plan, prepare to follow in faith and then let the Lord lead you from there.

Soon after reading this, my plans were changed again. A few hours later I was able to feel fairly at ease as I remembered to put it in this perspective. And so I continue to make plans, because I think in some way it makes me feel more secure, but I also count on them changing. 

Finally, I'd like to thank my mom. My mom is human, she makes mistakes, she's the first to admit she's far from perfect. But, I must thank her for her strength and her example. I think through a combination of genetics and growing up watching her, I've been blessed with some of that strength that she posseses. I do a lot more complaining than she does, that's for sure. But, I think this week, has been trying for the both of us. And yet somehow she is so brave and so strong and I sometimes wish that she had more of a partner to lean on. Yet, that's the great thing about my mom, she makes it, with or without other people.

And now, I must go to bed. I have a long day ahead of me as I move forward with something like plan D.

Good night and good luck (and enjoy this song from one of my favorite movies).