Friday, April 3, 2015

I Love To See the Temple, I Went Inside Wednesday...

Newport Beach California        Salt Lake City Utah       Washington DC
Raise your hand if you're on Spring Break! Just kidding. But I am on Spring Break this week, and on Wednesday, I decided to go to the temple. So I asked one of my friends if she wanted to go, and she said, "Yes,"--like any good friend should. Our moms came along so that they could do an endowment session, and they drove us the two hours to our nearest temple. (You'll just have to wonder which one...☺) 

Also, let me mention that we both brought family names! I brought one of mine and three of another friend's, and my accompanying comrade brought five, which we found in the many hours we spent together before we left for the temple. This goes along nicely with Individual Worth #6:


When you participate in family history, you come to understand your identity and individual worth. Visit with your living relatives to learn as much information about your family history as possible. Then complete a pedigree chart of your family and list the temple ordinances that have been completed for each person.


Even if you currently do not have access to a temple or a temple recommend, you can still do this experience (which, BTW, I learned so much by doing!), and in the process find names of your own ancestors! And then, if you have a temple recommend, get there ASAP and perform proxy baptisms for them. If you don't have a temple recommend, then, in the words of the temple president when he spoke to us in the baptistry, "Accost your bishop," and get a time set with him to interview for your own temple recommend. 


We both had a wonderful, peaceful time at the temple. I know that part of that was that we brought family file names that we were baptized for. We each did our own family names, plus ten other names the temple had on file. The temple file names were great (what part of the temple isn't?!), but I could feel the difference when I was baptized and confirmed for someone who shares my blood. It gives you a thrill to know that even though, if that ancestor were on earth now, she'd probably be older and wiser and maybe more learned than you, but she does not currently have a body and is not capable of receiving her saving ordinances and getting out of spirit prison. 


In Obadiah 1:21, it says that "Saviors will come upon Mount Zion". When we think of the word 'Savior', who do we immediately think of? Well, a savior is someone who does something for someone that that person cannot do for themselves. Jesus saved all mankind from sin, something that they could not do for themselves. 'But wait', you might be thinking. 'There was only one Jesus, and this verse says "Saviors"--plural.' Exactly. Plural. So it is not specifically Jesus this verse is talking about. Any guesses?? Any at all??


Us.


You heard right. Us. We are the Saviors on Mount Zion. That is, if we choose to go to the temple and stand in proxy to receive ordinances for those gone before us, doing something for them that they cannot do for themselves. If we don't, then we can't fulfill prophecy written before Christ was born. And seriously, who wants to miss out on fulfilling prophecy?! 

So log onto Family Search and find a name. It's as easy as looking for those little green temple icons. These links have some videos and tutorials that can explain further Link 1 Link 2 Link 3. If you need more help, go to my cousin Lily's blog. It's all about family history.


Thanks for making it all the way to this line. I appreciate it. ☺


Also, don't think that you can only go to the temple when your ward goes. That is a myth. Call your closest temple and ask if they have a time when you can come. For example, at my temple, they have an 'Open Baptistry' every Friday evening where you can come do baptisms with priesthood already there to baptize and confirm you. Every second Saturday of the month, our temple baptistry is open, with no youth groups scheduled, so that you can come and do baptisms. Youth temple trips are great, but it can be easier to feel the Spirit in smaller groups. 


Do your family history and go to the temple!!!


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3 comments:

  1. Thanks for the recommendation! You're my example.

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  2. Loved going to the temple with you!!!

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  3. That is so fun! Which temple district are you in?

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