Temples

Today, I had the wonderful opportunity to go do baptisms at the Provo Temple with my roommate after classes were over for the day. We drove up to the temple, showed our recommends, changed into baptismal suits, and walked into the waiting room to be confirmed, and then baptized.

The reason we had come to the temple was to feel peace and do the Lord's work by performing baptisms. We quickly realized after entering the waiting room that we were not the only ones that desired the peace that the temple brings. The benches were nearly all taken--and still filling. By the time we had done confirmations, been baptized, and walked out the door, people were squeezed as tightly as possible next to each other on the benches. It was clear that many other people besides us knew of the blessings of the temple and wanted them for themselves.

And blessings were indeed what we obtained. We walked out of the temple with a deeper sense of peace and fulfillment. It's so easy to forget what's really important, but going to the temple helps you remember.

Here is a list of the temples I've been inside and why I love them:

Portland. This is my hometown temple! It's the one that I've been to the most out of all of the temples I've been inside. The youth in my ward go to this temple at least three times a year together to do baptisms. Not only do I love being inside this temple, I also love walking around the grounds and looking at the beautiful flower gardens, fountains, and pine trees. The Portland Temple means a lot to me, and always will.

Provo. This is the "BYU" temple. It's a fifteen minute walk from my dorm, and it's situated on a hill, so you can see it from across Provo! It's usually very busy because both the students at BYU and the missionaries at the MTC do work there frequently. The fact that BYU students cause so much traffic at this temple makes me happy--it shows that temple work is important to students at BYU (which makes me even prouder to go to this great school). Oh, and walking around the grounds on Sunday afternoons is the best! 

Nauvoo. I did baptisms here when my family was in the Nauvoo Pageant (one of the best summers of my life!) There's so much history behind this temple. To me, it's a symbol of perseverance--the pioneers refused to leave Nauvoo until their temple was finished, even though they knew that it would be destroyed. I remember when the new Nauvoo temple was dedicated, and how everyone was so glad that the work that the early saints started was finished. The Nauvoo Temple is a living miracle.

Mount Timpanogos. I went to this temple to do baptisms with my roommates back in December. I don't really remember it, but I actually went to the dedication of the Timp Temple when I was really little! The Timpanogos Temple is a bit smaller than the other temples that I've been to, which I like; it has a nice, cozy, homelike feel. It's also beautiful, inside and out.

I love to see the temple!