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)