Temples

Yesterday, Steve and I went to the Portland Temple (for more info on why we go to the temple, click here) because we hadn't been there for a while. It was so nice to go during the day. And not because we had to to receive some sort of answer to a prayer, or with our ward for ward temple night. Just to go to the temple, because we wanted to, and we could go.

Photo Source

The temple has a special place in my heart. I can't remember how old I was, how active I was in the church at the time, but I remember this Sunday School lesson that Sister Weaver gave about temple marriage. I can't remember the lesson exactly. But I remember the Spirit I felt, the feelings of how important it was to be married in the temple. She also gave us a coupon for a free wedding cake if we were married, first, in the temple.

I know that after that lesson, I didn't go back to church for a while. I got wrapped up in boys and school. After I graduated high school, and I was thinking about who I was, where I was going, and where I wanted to go; I took out my patriarchal blessing and read it. I mean, really read it and ponder what it said. Two things stuck out to me at the time. First, that I was to pick a man that would be worthy to take me to the temple. And second, the temple will hold an important part/place in my life and heart.

After reading that, I thought about who I was dating. How badly I wanted to be able to go to the temple. And Sister Weaver's lesson and coupon. At that moment, I knew I had to break up with my boyfriend. He wasn't a member, and had no direction in his life. I knew that I wanted a temple marriage.

So, I broke up with him, started going back to church, read the Book of Mormon, went to institute classes (that were being taught by Brother and Sister Weaver!), making amends for those that I had hurt and offended. All before going off to collage.

Once in Bellingham, I wanted to focus on me and get me back on track. I started meeting with the Bishop there, to work on getting worthy to go back to the temple. Then, this returned missionary started asking me out on dates, and before I knew it, I had an even better reason to go to the temple. I wanted to marry this guy for all time and eternity. So, after months of repentance (yeah, months, not fun, not fun at all) and learning all I could about the atonement and Jesus Christ, I was finally worthy to go back to the temple.

A few months later, Steve asked me to marry him. And two months after that, we were married in the temple for forever. And I got myself that free wedding cake from Sister Weaver!

Life hasn't been easy, I've made mistakes and have chosen to do things that would prevent me from going to the temple since that date. Again, through the miracle of repentance, I've always landed on my feet again, and have been able to get back to the temple.

Now, there is no need for repentance or struggling to keep the commandments. I've seen and enjoyed the blessing of being temple worthy and I don't want to go back to wishing I could go to the temple. I can just go, when I want to.

I just LOVE the feeling I get at the temple. The feeling of love, peace, happiness. The calm, the lessons I learn, the feeling of doing something wonderful for my family.

The temple, it's light, is what has helped me keep on track, or get back on track. I always want to be able to go to the temple, whenever I want to.

All this has come to me, as I have prepared to give my first lesson in my new calling, as a Sunday School teacher for 13 year olds. The lesson, Eternal Marriage. Funny how sometimes life comes full circle. (No coupon from me, I can't back a wedding cake. Not one of my talents.)