Navoo, IL Temple - So, I have never actually seen this one in person, but I did go to the temple dedication from a broadcast in Arizona. So, I figure that counts for something.
Palmyra, NY Temple - I also attended this temple dedication with my mommy through broadcast.
San Diego, CA Temple - I was in 2nd grade so I don't remember much, but I did attend the walk through for this temple. I remember that I had to wear blue booties over my feet and that it was beautiful. I remember in the Celestial room (below) being on those stairs and the guide told me to look up and I was amazed. I can't even remember what it looked like (I think it was a pretty glass ceiling) I just remember how beautiful it was, and how peaceful I felt.
Oquirrh Mountain Temple - I see this one from the freeway a lot, but I haven't been in. I attended the dedication last Sunday with Ken through broadcast. President Monson said something that stuck with me. He started with the scriptures that the son of man has nowhere to lay his head and said how sad that scripture always made him feel, then he said something to the effect of...We have room in our homes for eating, sleeping, and even watching television, make sure we have room for Christ. We have time for work, golf, and recreation, make sure we have time for Christ.
Draper, UT Temple - I haven't done any work here yet, but I attended the walk through with Ken, and Karen & Andrew Bennett. It was beautiful. They had over a million people walk through so they had a boarded path instead of booties to protect the floors because of the huge traffic. My favorite part of this experience was in the sealing room. They had you sit in there while they talked about eternal families. I have done sealings since my marriage, but the live sealing rooms are much prettier. They had the couch where the couple sits and it reminded me of the day I was sealed to Ken. Sitting on that couch holding his hand waiting to get started. I couldn't wipe the grin off of my face I was so happy. Then we knelt across the alter and he became mine forever! I started crying as I held his hand remembering that wonderful moment.
Kirtland, OH Temple - Obviously this temple is not owned by the church, so there is no work to do in there, but I did take the tour and see inside in August 2007. Ken took me to Ohio to meet the family when we were dating and we went here with his mom. It is still a beautiful building, but the spirit was much stronger in the Newel K. Whitney store, and the John Johnson farm. At the John Johnson farm I sat in the room where Joesph Smith and Oliver Cowdery had their famous vision of the savior and I could feel the spirit in that room and knew that it was true. D&C 76: 22-23 "And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony , last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! For we saw him, even in the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father."
Columbus, OH Temple - I was able to do a session in this temple on our honeymoon. After the wedding we stayed in Ohio for a few days for the open house. Ken's mom was working at the temple so we went with Poobah and did a session here. It was neat to sit in the Celestial room with his parents.
Bountiful, UT Temple - This temple is more significant to me now that we live in Bountiful. I see it on the hill all of the time. In fact...I tried stepping onto to my deck to see it, but the buildings are in the way. I can see it from the parking lot though. Anyways, Ken and I did a session here in June. It is a beautiful beacon up on the hill.
Mesa, AZ Temple - This is the temple I have visited most from the outside. I took both Jeff & Mindy's, and Josh & Jamie's engagement pictures here. I have done baptisms ever since I was 12. In fact, all I wanted for my twelfth birthday was to go to the temple. I have gone for the Christmas lights and the Easter Pageant every year. This was the first temple to have a session in another language (Spanish). I have been twice to temple work with my family (besides baptisms). Once we did sealings, and the other time we did an endowment session. I am looking forward to attending Jace's sealing here in October. That will be a beautiful day because my parents will be in the temple with all of their children, and our spouses. It doesn't get much closer to heaven than that! 3 John 1:4 "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."
Mount Timpanogos Temple - I have done a couple of sessions at this temple. Once by myself when I was having a hard day and another with Ken's grandparents. They work at this temple. Sadly, I missed Karen & Andrew McNabb's wedding here as my car broke down, I was finishing my last final, and I was married the day after them (So that was a pretty crazy day for me). Anyways, this is a beautiful temple that I would pass every day when I taught preschool.
Provo, UT Temple - I lived in Provo as I went to Brigham Young University (Wow, that is finally past tense) so I attended this temple a lot. When I was single I would go often to do baptisms. For our first date Ken and I went and sat on the lawn behind the temple and gazed at it all lit up at night as we talked. We returned to that spot many times before and after we were married. I did both a sealing, and endowment sessions here with Ken.
Salt Lake City, UT Temple - Last, but certainly not least, the Salt Lake Temple. This one is my favorite. That bothers Ken because it is cliche, but I grew up watching "The Mountain of the Lord," and loving this temple. Many people in my family, including my parents were sealed here. I remember at Brian & Michelle's wedding climbing onto the platform where the Bride's take pictures and dreaming of being married here. This is where I always wanted to get married, and I got my wish. I was endowed here on December 19th, and then sealed to Ken for time and all eternity on December 22nd, 2007. Another memorable trip was during "Girl's Week" in July 2008 when I went to a session with Mom, Wendy, Grandma Van, Jeanine, and Valyn. It was awesome to look down the row at all of these women whom I love so much and share that experience with them.
This is what the temple looked like when I was endowed and sealed as it happened in December.
This is the Celestial room. I rememeber sitting in this room all dressed in white with butterflies in my stomach holding Ken's hand as we waited to be called into the sealing room to get married.
Well, This concludes this entry on temples, but I look forward to doing much more temple work, and adding many temples to my list. I want to end with my personal testimony that I know the temple is a house of God. I know that the church is true, and that the work we do in temples is sacred and beautiful. I have felt the peace of the spirit each time I have gone, and they are far more than a building to me. Temples are a precious gift and I am grateful for the chance I have had to be sealed to my sweet husband in the right place, at the right time, and by the right authority. I know my family can be together forever, and I look forward to returning there often to draw closer to God, and do do work for others. When I think of the experiences I have had in these sacred places I weep for joy. My heart longs to share these blessings with others, and I pray that my children will love temples as much as I do. I know my heavenly father loves me, and I am grateful for the glimpses of heaven that come so easily in these holy places. I have felt my grandfather's spirit many times in the temple, and I know the veil is thin there. There are not words profound enough to express my love for this gospel, and for my savior. I love this church, I love my family, and I love temples!
I know Josh and I are going to the temple (and trying) at least once a month! It's so energizing. I can't do a session anymore because of the pregnancy and also sealings have become difficult. But just being there and doing what we can is such a blessing! We have started saying a prayer together in the celestial room before we leave! It's amazing how close he feels when you're there! So good on you two! To the temple you go!
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