Sunday, March 22, 2009

Sunday thoughts

This afternoon I was able to attend the broadcast of the Draper temple dedication. Unfortunately I had to go by myself -- Marc didn't get a ticket because he was planning to stay home with Eva, Lucas didn't really want to go and I didn't want to push it, and Max did get a ticket but ended up still being sick -- but it was still great.

I took notes (until the dedicatory prayer). Here are some of the highlights for me:

  • We cannot expect to go to the temple sporadically and be greeted each time by an overwhelming spiritual experience. But over time, with repeated, regular visits, our eye becomes single to the glory of God. Our state of mind becomes such that the temple is in us even when we leave. (It felt like this was just for me!)
  • Come to the temple. Lay your burdens on the Lord and you will be blessed with hope for the future. (Who doesn't need to do this?)
  • When friction and discord surface in marriage and family, it is evidence that we do not see clearly.
  • When we come to the house of the Lord, we improve our spiritual awareness, and we come away with a renewed determination to keep the commandments of God. (So true.)
  • What really stood out to me from the dedicatory prayer was, "Let peace prevail." I loved that.

12 comments:

Rebekah said...

it makes me so happy to know that there is now one more place on earth where Heavenly Father's children are saved through sacred ordinances. isn't that a wonderful idea? that what was once was only a piece of land, is now a physical, tangible, and direct connection to the eternities. that ground is hallowed now, and so sacred that the Savior himself has accepted it as His home. amazing.

i have always felt that in the Lord's eyes temples around the world stand out as beacons, that they shine forth to Him and to the spirits in heaven who are waiting for and watching the work that goes on inside. every temple that is dedicated pushes back evil and prepares the world for the Lord's second coming. it is one more piece of the earth where evil cannot physical or spiritually enter in.

i love the temple! i love our church for believing that temples weren't restricted to ancient times!

Becky said...

Thank you once again for the reminder that I need to attend the temple more often...this has been a real struggle lately with our schedules.

My sister-in-law shared a quote with me last week from her stake conference: "If we are too busy for daily scripture and prayer than we are busier than God ever intended us to be." I have been feeling personally admonished by the Lord as this relates to temple attendance.

Great thoughts!

patsy said...

Beautiful thoughts! And-- great reminder that this is the last full week of the month!!

I've gotta get there- I'm trying hard not to miss a month... why is that easier said than done?

Susan said...

Those are beautiful thoughts.

You are lucky to have such close proximity to Temples where you live. Count Philadelphia in that circle in a few years!!

Yea!

j said...

wow- that is great. these are wonderful thoughts. i'm reminded of how true they are because friday i managed to get to the temple...which is funny, b/c we live just 20 minutes from it now, but it takes this concerted effort to call and make the appointment. i just had this feeling that it was really REALLY important that i do it- and i'm so glad i did. really- the ability to lay our burdens at the lord's feet is such a blessing. and there was such a renewed feeling of peace when i left. so different from the anxiety i felt driving and going in...

shannon said...

I particulary liked "when friction and discord surface in marriage and family, it is evidence that we do not see clearly"--

And also--"Let peace prevail"

I do not get many opportunities to go to the temple (it's an all day affair for us-and it's just alot to ask of someone to watch our kids for the entire day)--

I look forward to the day when there is a temple in Philadelphia and we can have a little more flexability...

Jill said...

Thanks for taking notes, that first quote is for me too!

Marie said...

Those are great thoughts. I love the hope that comes with a new temple.

Amy said...

I can also lay claim on needing that first thought. I taught a RS lesson on the temple earlier this month and it has occupied my mind so often since then. That thought was like the final icing on the cake. Thank you for sharing!

jenn said...

Kelly and I went with three of our own kids and two neighbor kids (whose dad is out of town so the mom took all the younger kids). It was a sweet experience. I too loved "Let peace prevail" because it is my favorite reason for attending the temple.

Robyn said...

I got to go with Austin and we really enjoyed it. I feel lucky that we have SO many temples within such a short drive. We're so spoiled!

melanie said...

I've been thinking about the temple so much the past month and we have plans to go next week. It does take figuring out babysitting and being gone all day but it is always worth the planning involved. Every one of your notes is for me. Thanks for posting this!

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