This summer was filled with spending time with family but also strangers that were on the same wavelength. We had all chosen the same place to enjoy ourselves be it Seattle, Leavenworth or McCall. None of us were disappointed and I believe that we each added to the others good time.
Saturday I spent the morning with people that share my faith. Temple attenders. We'd not really planned to go Saturday morning but plans changed and we were there for the 9:30am session. When we pulled into the parking lot, we were caught off guard, with the number of cars, in what seemed to be every available space! Finding a spot to park and stepping out, the feeling in the air, was celebratory! There were people milling about. People posing for pictures. A YSA group having a group shot taken. People sitting outside, of all ages, on the ledges waiting for others to come out of the Temple. People laughing and talking. Happy people!
The similarities were striking to my family vacation time but enhanced in that entering the Temple anteroom, I could feel the anticipation and the joy and excitement of everyone. It was startling to feel awash in the overwhelming feeling of love. I was seeing joy on people's faces and it was actually tangible. Each was waiting for the Temple entrance doors to open and have a fresh-faced newlywed couple come out and greet friends and family.
We happened to be there on a day that there were 11 weddings going on!! Truly, love permeated the air!!
In RS Michelle shared that she'd seen 3 wedding couples on the Temple grounds, visiting and having pictures taken. Myra Faye and Bob, worked that Saturday morning Temple session and I think she said they were assigned 5 brides/grooms. What a great assignment that would be!!! To help them feel comfortable and relaxed and enjoy their wedding day!
I was standing in a hall waiting for the session to start when the sealing room, at the far end of the hall, emptied out. All of the invited guests, family and friends exited and passed right in front of me. Each person just looked joyous. There were some dabbing their eyes. All were smiling. Many young couples, holding hands or arms around waists, walked past and you could see and feel their happiness. It was a never to be forgotten day!
It was a memorable day filled with friendship when we saw Ward members enjoying their Temple service. I was happy to see Bob and Myra Faye, Nick and Orba, and Nate- all Temple workers from our Ward. Plus others I knew from Sunnyside and Yakima.
Usually I feel so much peace from the moment I step into the Temple but this was the first time I felt it coupled with excitement in the air and pervading love. It felt romantic with so many starting their married lives on that day!!! It was great!! Sigh.
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Surely this is not an onerous burden!
It is a privilege. A temple recommend is one of the
highest accolades we may receive. to use it
regularly permits us to participate in the
choicest gifts within the keeping of the Church.
Those who attend feel a special spirit there. Peace comes.
And I know that blessings will follow you home from the Temple.
--by Elder A. Theodore Tuttle- 1982
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