The Gift of the Lord's House

I cannot help but notice the stressed importance of Temples of late. Last month, it had been my goal in Seminary to visit the Temple-- at least the grounds. I fulfilled that goal, and a friend of mine expressed interest of coming with me next time (an experience I anticipate). But what's more, this week was "Temple Week" in Seminary. I was quite surprised and pleased when I saw the sign on the building doors last Monday, as I crossed the threshold into walls covered with pictures upon pictures of Temples from all around the world. I could not help but laugh when  this sight greeted me, for the previous day I had been given a rendering of the Gilbert Temple (which is absolutely GORGEOUS!!). Additionally, Prophet Monson announced yesterday cites for new Temples, and to my glee, the reconstruction of the Provo Tabernacle into the second Provo Temple! It is such a B-E-A-UTIFUL building!! (Through fire comes rebirth) Furthermore, many talks given in the last two days' 181st General Conference have mentioned-- if not explicitly discussed-- Temples, their importance, and even our neglect. I am immeasurably grateful for the blessed gift of Temples on the earth today! Their existence warms my soul and lifts the grime of the world from my eyes to allow me to see God's grand design for all of us, and our great potential! I will never forget my first Temple visit after I got contacts a few years ago: entering the font room was breath-taking! I had never before been able to see, with more clarity than a blur of color, the murals on the walls of Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery being baptized and on the other side restoring the Priesthood to the earth! I used to watch "Legacy" almost every Sunday and still adore that movie. I love watching the pains and struggles of (and feeling the pains and struggling with) the early saints of the Church. I greatly appreciate their immense efforts to establish Zion and build Temples for the benefit of their posterity and ancestors. I hope, pray, and try not to let their efforts go in vain. I will cherish and use to their fullest advantage the Temples upon this earth and the ones yet to come. They truly are the House of the Lord.

(rendering of the Gilbert, Arizona Temple)