True Blue, Through and Through

No, the title isn't referring to my love and loyalty to BYU (although, now that we're talking about it, go Cougars!).

The title comes from a story of one of the prophets of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Joseph F. Smith. When he was nineteen, he was returning home from his mission when a wagonload of drunk men came up to him, cursing the Mormons. One of them said, "Are you a Mormon?" Joseph was scared, but his reply was anything but. "Yes siree," he said. "Dyed in the wool; true blue, through and through." His answer shocked the men. The man who had addressed him even shook his hand, saying, "I am glad to see a fellow stand for his convictions." Then the men left.

Isn't this an amazing story? Joseph's reaction is such an inspiration. He had so much courage to stand for what he believed even in the face of certain danger.

That same danger is still in the world today. It may not be a wagonload of drunk men, but there are things that challenge what we believe. This happens all the time, but what really matters is how we react to the challenge. Will we let the challenges make us doubt what we know to be true? I hope not.

I hope to always be like Joseph F. Smith. I know where I stand in my beliefs, and I don't plan on ever budging.

I am a Mormon, dyed in the wool; true blue, through and through.

I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true church on the earth.

I know that the gospel was restored by Joseph Smith, a true prophet of God, and that The Book of Mormon is filled with answers to our questions and knowledge that will help us be happy and get through the hard times.

I know that the current prophet today is Tomas S. Monson. He and the apostles are true messengers of God. If we listen to what they say, we will hear what the Lord wants us to do.

I know that because of the blessings of the temple I can be with my family forever and that families start with the marriage of husband and wife (see The Family: A Proclamation to the World).

I know that the power of the priesthood is real. I'm so happy I have a husband who honors his priesthood and is worthy so that he might bless me and others.

I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. He died so that we might return to our Heavenly Father. He suffered for our sins so that we might be forgiven. His hands are always stretched out; all we have to do is reach out and He'll guide and direct us to where we need to be.

I know who I am, where I came from, and where I'm going. I am a daughter of a Heavenly Father and Mother who love me. I lived before in the premortal world, and I am here to be tested. I am doing my best to follow the commandments and be like Christ so that I might return to heaven to live forever.

I know that paying tithing brings many blessings, not just to those that it helps but also to me.

I know that I am truly happy because of the gospel.

To learn more about Mormons, click on my link on the right or visit

mormon.org. 

To read The Book of Mormon, visit lds.org

Inside the House of God

Until I went away to college, I lived in Riverdale. No, not Rivendale (which is what Lord of the Ring nerds on campus always think I say when I say that's where I'm from); Riverdale. Riverdale is a small city that meshes into Ogden.

It was always a blessing to live just about ten minutes away from the Ogden Temple. I remember going on a lot of youth activities to go do baptisms in the temple and walk its grounds, singing "I Love to See the Temple" in my head and promising that I'd "go inside someday" to make sacred covenants with God and to be married for time and all eternity (check!).

Last Saturday, I got to go inside the temple for another reason. For the past while, the Ogden Temple has been undergoing extensive renovations and reconstruction. Finally, it was finished and opened to the public. I had the wonderful opportunity to go with my family and friends to the open house. 

The temple was beautiful! I mean, all LDS temples are beautiful in their own way, but seeing this temple where the old one used to sit was just amazing. It was obvious that a lot of thought and skill went into the building of the temple with all the beautiful marble and stained glass and woodwork.

The transformation is unbelievable!

I've been to several open houses now, and I love going to them. I love seeing people (and not just Mormons) walking through the temple and going into rooms where we as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints perform sacred ordinances. There is a font for doing baptisms for the dead, rooms to perform marriages for time and all eternity (like where my marriage to my husband took place), rooms for sealings for the dead, just to name a few. As you can see, a lot of work is done in the temple.

As we walked through the temple during the tour at the open house, I could definitely feel the Spirit. It was a peaceful and happy feeling. I knew that what would happen in those temple rooms after the dedication would bring people true happiness. And if it felt that good just at the open house, imagine how much better and stronger that feeling will get after the temple is dedicated. That feeling is one of the reasons I like going to the temple. I like being able to shut out the world (even just for a couple of hours) and focus on my spirit and Jesus Christ. I feel safe and happy in the temple, and I feel good that I'm able to do work that will bless others.

I know that temples are essential, and I know that the purpose of the work done inside of them is to bring people (both living and dead) the opportunity for happiness. The temple brings me so much happiness. I know that my family can be together forever because of the blessings that a temple marriage brings. I'm especially grateful for temples now that I'm married because I know that my husband is mine forever. I never have to leave him.

If you haven't been to the open house, go! It is a beautiful experience. If you want to know more about Latter-day Saint temples, visit here or here.

My eternal family (plus two sisters who couldn't be there in person)