Going to the TEMPLE and We're Going to Get SEALED!

On Friday, Doug and I had the opportunity to FINALLY attend the Rexburg, Idaho temple. We thought it would be so much easier to go once we moved home and had a temple 5 minutes away. Unfortunately, it never gets easier. It seems like when you plan a trip in advance something always comes up---I think it's Satan's way of trying to keep us away. Once you get to the temple all the struggles of getting there go away and you're at peace.

Let me just start by saying how AMAZING the temple is! It is sooooo beautiful on the inside. "A wheat motif, created by Utah artist Tom Holdman, is used throughout the Rexburg Idaho Temple including most of the 700 art-glass windowpanes. The wheat stock symbolizes the widespread agricultural industry in the area. (http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/rexburg/)"

We wanted to go the 6:00 p.m. endowment session with my parents. When we got there we heard the session was very close to full. We decided to do some sealings. Doug and I have not done sealings for the dead yet. I've always wanted to, but somehow in our seven years of marriage we haven't done it.

For those of you reading that may not understand what I'm referring to, I'll try to explain. Heavenly Father wants our families to be forever, not just for this life. By being married in the temple, we are given the opportunity to be sealed for time AND eternity. This does not guarantee that we'll be able to stay together forever. It is by our faith and how we live our lives that determine if we'll be with our Father in Heaven again.

The following quotes are from the lds.org website. "Temples are literally houses of the Lord. They are holy places of worship where individuals make sacred covenants with God. Because making covenants with God is such a solemn responsibility, individuals cannot enter the temple to receive their endowments or be sealed in marriage for eternity until they have fully prepared themselves and been members of the Church for at least a year. Throughout history, the Lord has commanded His people to build temples. The Church is working to build temples all over the world to make temple blessings more available for a greater number of Heavenly Father's children. "

"The ordinance of sealing children to parents is performed in the temple. Acting in behalf of ancestors and others who have died, Church members are baptized and confirmed, receive the endowment, and participate in the sealings of husband to wife and children to parents."

Because of the sacredness of the temple, I'm not sure how much I should reveal in this setting, but I will tell you it was an awesome experience to participate in. It was a wonderful reminder of the covenants that Doug and I made to each other and to the Lord. It was even more special being there with my parents. We were able to do some family sealings. The Spirit was there and I can't express the feeling of love that was in the room. I'm grateful we were able to stand as proxy for those who have already passed on. I pray that they have accepted the work that's been done for them and that some day, after my life here is done, I'll have the honor of meeting them.

If you have questions after reading this, I suggest going to Mormon.org. If you click on "Free Media" you can request a free copy of the "Together Forever" DVD. It is a beautiful movie done by the Church that "tells how several families discovered God’s love for them, and His eternal plan for their peace and happiness."