LDS Draper Temple Open House

Yesterday I went with my in-laws to the Draper Temple open house (which is when a temple is open to the public before it is dedicated). I'd never been to an open house before and it was a beautiful experience. Jon had to work and had class so he couldn't come with us, but I took Asher with me. I tried to tell Asher about what the temple meant and sang "I love to see the temple" with him, and then I just prayed that he would 1) feel the spirit in the temple and know that God loves him and 2) behave well enough so that we wouldn't ruin the peaceful feeling.

I think God answered both my prayers. Not only did Asher behave pretty near perfect-- except for one time in the sealing room when he wanted to get out of the stroller-- but I could tell he knew he was in a special place. The temple was absolutely beautiful. It is kind of small compared to most of the other temples I have been in, but the small size makes it feel more intimate and I really liked it-- I think it makes God feel closer. The ordinance rooms have THE MOST beautiful murals painted in them. There is one that makes you feel like you are sitting in the middle of the woods. The Celestial room was stunning. The ceiling is so high that it makes you feel like it goes on forever, and the crystal chandelier was amazing-- seeing it immediately turned my thoughts to God and his ever enduring light. Asher really liked the Celestial room, everyone was quiet in that room, looking upwards and pondering. Asher was quiet for the first few minutes and then he saw the chandelier. He leaned waaaaaaay back in his stroller, looked up, pointed and in an awed voice said, "baaaaaallllll....... bi baaaaaallllll (translation: big ball)" and then made motions to me that he wanted to touch it. Well that was out of the question since it was suspended 20 feet above us, but he was so cute. It was almost silent in there except for our squeaky stroller and him pointing at the "bi ball".

I am really glad that I had the opportunity to go to the temple open house yesterday. It was my first time in an undedicated temple and I was really struck by the feeling that it had compared to a dedicated one. There was definitely a strong spirit in the temple, even though it wasn't dedicated, but it still didn't feel like a temple. I'm not quite sure how to explain what I mean by that, except that it was so apparent to me as I went through the rooms that something was missing. The spirit was still present and I could feel it, but compared to the normal amount of peace, joy and spirit that dedicated temples have... it was nothing. It really made me realize that once a temple is dedicated God REALLY does dwell in it, and that it is His presence that gives a temple the overwhelming peaceful feeling it has.

As I thought about this yesterday I realized that I have really taken for granted what an amazing privilege and blessing the temples are in my life. It is such a great privileged to enter one of God's temples, to dwell in His presence, to commune with Him, and to serve Him. As I sat with Asher in the sealing room I was overwhelmed with gratitude that my husband, my son and I are sealed together for eternity and that as long as I live up to my promises to God, no power on heaven or earth can separate us. How different the world would be if every person realized how much God loves us and how many blessings He has for us if we will only obey and follow Him. Going to the temple yesterday gave me a spiritual boost, and made me want to be a better disciple and realize that I need to make a better effort to attend the temple-- which I hope will happen ;) The temple open house goes for a few more weeks and then it will be dedicated the middle of March. Then the Oquirrh Mountain Temple (just across the valley) will have an Open House in June. How exciting to have two new temples so close to us! Temples truly are the most amazing places on earth.