Temple Service and What I Know and Learn

I attended the temple today at the Jordon River Temple in South Jordon. The Mount Timpanogos is closed until mid-June. There were several wedding parties outside taking their families photos and of the brides and grooms. I heard and noticed a group of children sitting singing Primary songs as I walked up to the entrance. The one they were singing was, "Tell Me The Stories of Jesus." There were dozens of women waiting to do initiatory; and I was one of them. I must have read for about forty-five minutes until it was my turn. I read this week's Sunday school lesson scripture's in Mosiah 25-27 during that time.

It seemed like the temple work I did took less time than the wait...but I also took my temple clothes to go upstairs afterwards to the Celestial room to pray and meditate. It was quite peaceful and I pondered several things as I observed the couples and patrons enter from the endowment rooms.

The thoughts that I pondered were the things I have learned as a temple ordinance worker a few years ago. How I appreciated those times and experiences as I had that privilege and calling. Our leaders encourage us as members to go to the temple often. It is the only place that we can get away from the world and find a quiet peaceful place for solace.

Attending the temple as a patron is a blessing, yes; however, there is so much more involved with our time into serving others at the temple. I believe the times and seasons are much different when one reaches the age to be able to serve that mini-mission for temple worker versus attending as a patron regularly.

I learned what patience really is when I was first a temple worker. I believe it is about waiting and calling on the Lord; allowing him to bless me in his own time and way. There is a lot of time to ponder and pray there which I did in my heart as I was assigned at various places for my six hour shift. There were days that my work schedule overlapped with my temple service. I was blessed with an extra amount of understanding by those who were my peers and those that supervised.

There must be special blessings poured out upon us as workers that are similar to those of having a full-time missionary in the field. I saw blessing flowing from heaven in my behalf. I was able to travel to places I always wanted to go and see, to name a few, Nauvoo Temple, visiting Aunt Alma and Judith in Indianapolis, going to Cincinnati, San Diegeo Temple in California and the Newport Beach Temple.

I count my blessings and with gratitude for the patience the Lord has with ME so that I can learn the things He wants me to as I go about my life. I know the hand of God is in my life each day. The beautiful clear blue sky, with the clean air we have in this valley, and the amazing mountains (Timpanogos) that stand to the east, that represents the anchor who is the Savior and part of my life and feeling of "home" that Hank describes how he grew up at the foot of that mountain.



Mount Timpanogos has always been a view that has been as near as my living room window wherever I have lived (in Utah)even now. When I was in Monterrey several years ago, there was a mountain to the East of the city. It was called "El Sillon," which was translated as the shape of a saddle, like a saddle back of a horse. It reminded me of home while I was there too.

I hope these thoughts today are meaningful and uplifting. I felt strongly as I was thinking of these things today to be sure to share them with my family. This is the best way I know how to do, even if I AM LONGWINDED!!