Temples

Yesterday in Relief Society we had a lesson on attending the temple. I needed that lesson because it has been a while since I was able to go to the temple. Or should I say, since I chose to spend my time at the temple. I have lots of good excuses, but they are just excuses. Spending time in the temple always seems to clear my head and I feel the blessings of a calmer spirit for several days after going. So why do I wait so long between my trips there?

Being in Utah you would think it would be easy to just "run over" to the temple. But we are a two hour drive and right now that is expensive with gas prices so high. Someone in Relief Society said "We should go while gas is only $4.25 instead of waiting until it is $4.50 or more." What a good way to look at it. We really just need to do it. Selma also mentioned that the stairs are so hard for her. I remember being worried about them the last time I went, but I was able to make it up the large flight of stair alright. Even though it was difficult to breath. Now I am feeling better with breathing and our knees are all working better, that isn't even a good excuse any more.

Cranessa Mower and her husband, Bill Anderson, came in and shared their story about how they made the trip to the temple. Cranessa started to go with the Relief Society women to do baptisms and she would come home so excited about being able to go to the temple, but feeling that she wanted to go with the others to do an endowment session. She struggled with this for several years, until her husband started to see the spirit she came home with and felt he needed that in his life as well. They went to the temple in February of this year. They had such a special spirit about them. He talked about how much the Book of Mormon has helped him gain a stronger testimony. It was really special to see and feel their spirits.

Even though it takes us 4 hours of travel round trip to attend the temple, we are blessed to have a temple! We had a couple from India visiting our ward today. They brought such a great spirit with them. He is attending LDS Business College. They knew Kent when he was on his mission. This brother said all the priesthood leaders in their ward had been members just about a year, the bishop, counselors, Elders President, etc. They all decided they wanted to go on missions, but they were worried about what would happen to their branch. But they all went and when they returned the branch had more than doubled, split and ready to split again. What a blessing. Do we really appreciate what we have? Our attendance at meetings has been so sparse, it is like no one is there. We are really struggling with activitation and motivation.

I love the gospel. It brings peace to my mind and I enjoy the calming spirit I get when I read and attend my meetings. I enjoy the peace knowing that God is in charge and I just need to do my best and things will work out for my good. The clue is to look for that good, to do what I should, to keep trying to better myself through study and prayer.