A quote to remember

This quote doesn't fit onto a pin or into a tweet. But it's one I want to remember. May the truths contained therein bless your life.

Almost three years ago a devastating fire gutted the interior of the beloved, historic tabernacle in Provo, Utah. Its loss was deemed a great tragedy by both the community and Church members. Many wondered, “Why did the Lord let this happen? Surely He could have prevented the fire or stopped its destruction.” 

Ten months later, during the October 2011 general conference, there was an audible gasp when President Thomas S. Monson announced that the nearly destroyed tabernacle was to become a holy temple—a house of the Lord! Suddenly we could see what the Lord had always known! He didn’t cause the fire, but He allowed the fire to strip away the interior. He saw the tabernacle as a magnificent temple—a permanent home for making sacred, eternal covenants. 

My dear sisters, the Lord allows us to be tried and tested, sometimes to our maximum capacity. We have seen the lives of loved ones—and maybe our own—figuratively burned to the ground and have wondered why a loving and caring Heavenly Father would allow such things to happen. But He does not leave us in the ashes; He stands with open arms, eagerly inviting us to come to Him. He is building our lives into magnificent temples where His Spirit can dwell eternally. 

In Doctrine and Covenants 58:3–4, the Lord tells us: 

“Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation.

-Linda S. Reeves - October 2013 General Relief Society Meeting 

Volunteering in the temple

On Saturday I got to spend three hours in the temple helping in the clothing area. First off, I didn't know that this was even a thing you could volunteer for, second, I had no idea it would be that amazing!

It was full of very simple tasks: fold this item, straighten these things on hangers, iron this or stack these. And everyone was doing them. From the supervisors to the new volunteers, (like me) no one was above doing any simple task no matter how repetitive.

And I loved the important attention to detail. Making sure that this thing was folded just so, and that these things were stacked all in a straight line. Checking for this popped seam or stray thread on each article of clothing. It was so fulfilling to do!

It must be because we know the temple is God's house, and all of us just wanted to give our very best to Him no matter how insignificant the task may have seemed.

To anyone seeking for meaningful ways to serve, this was definitely one of my favorites!

"Tempernacle"

I want to be like the Provo Tabernacle (now being affectionately called the Provo "Tempernacle").

Really, that building lived a good long life. It was over a hundred years old when it died. And boy had it lived a good life. I've only been a Provo-ite for a few years, but even I had fond memories of choir concerts, stake conference, and friends recitals that all took place there. More permanent residents of the area recall graduation ceremonies, funerals, numerous stake conferences, etc. etc. etc. Needless to say, that building had worked valiantly throughout its whole life. And then in one night, it burned down. By all accounts its death was brought about by accident. No one was to blame, but nevertheless it died.

And now?

Could their be any better resurrection for a building than to become a temple? To literally become the house of the Lord? A place where thousands (if not millions) of souls will be given the saving ordinances of salvation?

This is why I want to be like the Provo Tabernacle. I want to live a good long life serving the people around me. Then I want to die (through no fault of anyone else), and then be resurrected. And I don't want to be resurrected to just any old state. I want to be like a temple: someone who helps other souls come unto Christ.

Well, I better go start living that kind of life right now. I've got a lot of work to do.

Architectural rendering of the finished temple
(source: newsroom.lds.org)

Weekend

Note: I originally wrote this back in May, but I forgot about it. I decided to post it now.
Last weekend, Chris and I drove to Logan and did a session up there. After the session, Chris made the comment that the outside of the temple looked like it was built in Pioneer days and the inside looked like the 1960s. That's pretty much accurate. The temple was originally finished in 1884 and the outside walls are still the original walls. The inside was completely gutted and renovated in the 70s.

My parent's were married in that temple, and even though I'd never been inside it before, I felt like I belonged there. This is the temple where my parents began their life together. It's the place where my Grandparents spent hours upon hours serving a temple mission. Something about losing a loved one makes you love the places where they spent time. Being in that temple, I could imagine my Grandpa sitting in thoughtful silence in those rooms.

I am thankful for temples. They are the houses of God. The saving ordinances are found there.