Through all the days of my childhood and youth I knew I wanted to go to them temple, someday. I thought it would probably be to be married. I did know that temples have been an important place to commune with God from the beginning of time and in many religious groups. I knew it was important to the religion I was raised in. I’m grateful that there was an anticipation and goal to go inside someday. There is a song that talks about going to the temple written by Janice Kapp Perry.
I love to see the temple. I’m going there someday
To feel the Holy Spirit, To listen and to pray.
For the temple is a house of God, A place of love and beauty.
I’ll prepare myself while I am young; This is my sacred duty.
I love to see the temple. I’ll go inside someday.
I’ll cov’nant with my Father; I’ll promise to obey.
For the temple is a holy place Where we are sealed together.
As a child of God, I’ve learned this truth: A fam’ly is forever.
She wrote this song in 1980. I was 19 years old and taught little eighteen month-three year olds in the nursery. I’m sure we sang it. I love the spirit this song brings to my heart. As I got older I looked forward to going to the temple. I didn’t know for sure what happened in there because it is sacred and not talked about in regular conversation, but I knew I wanted to go and planned on going when the right time came.
The right time came shortly after I received a mission call to serve for my church. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I was called to serve in the Texas, San Antonio Mission. I had been going back and forth with the decision to go or not for months. Every time I thought about going the spirit would burn inside my chest, testifying that this was right and good. I was very scared to leave home. I had never been gone for more than a month in my whole life. Missionary girls serve for 18 months. I was afraid my parents would die while I was gone, etc. But I could not deny the prompting, it was real and powerful. So powerful that I sent my papers in and received my call.
After my call came the next step was to enter the temple and receive my endowment. At churchofjesuschrist.org the endowment is descibed like this:
“The endowment is a religious ceremony administered in temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is available to adult Church members who are prepared for this sacred experience.
The endowment provides instruction, covenants, and promised blessings that offer power, purpose, and protection in daily life.”
I knew I wanted to go to the temple. I had planned on going my whole life, but I was very overwhelmed at the thought of it. I knew it was important. I knew it would change my life, and help me to be better, and do better in my life.
On the day I was planning on going to the temple I was going to Cosmetology at the local college and thought off and on about what would happened later that day -all day long. I was apprehensive, nervous, and excited. I got home from school, and my parents and I left for the temple. It was only about 8 miles away from our home. I continued to think about what I was about to do. I had looked forward to this all of my life, 21 years. I honestly thought I would be getting married when I went to the temple, but the opportunity was not presented. I had become quite independent and was ok to an extent leaving home and having an adventure.
When we got to the temple my Daddy dropped me and my Mama off at the doors and went to park the car.
I walked into the temple for the first time.
The first thing I noticed was how light it was. It was dark outside, but it still seemed so light. I felt the most peaceful feeling I have ever felt in my life. The sweet lady who was there just for me, walked up to me and touched my arm and asked my name. I told her and she said with the sweetest voice, “I’m so glad you’re here.” She asked me to follow her. I felt so much love. Love and Peace are exactly what you want to feel when you are doing what God wants for you. I knew my life, and my decision to serve a mission was what God wanted. I knew that I was where I was supposed to be. I felt the same feeling I felt when the spirit prompted me to go and serve the Lord. I knew that everything would be ok.
My experience at the temple was sacred. I am so grateful for that experience, and all the other experiences I’ve had attending the temple.
It wouldn’t be for another 2 and 1/2 years before I was married in the Salt Lake Temple to my eternal companion and sweetest Darlin.
“For the temple is a house of God, a place of love and beauty.” What a wonderful Father in Heaven, and Savior to bless us with the ability to commune with them and feel love and peace in this world.