I've attended approximately 1,080 sunday services, a relatively equal amount of home evenings, 700 seminary classes, 300 mutuals, 22 general conferences, and countless other church activities where I have learned, taught, prayed, studied, sang, and danced. I've served and have served in return. I have sinned and been redeemed. I've feasted on the good word of Christ, and, of course, my fair share of "nourishing and strengthening" refreshments.
At the age of 21 I considered myself a seasoned member of the Christ’s church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- a whole world in which I felt I had coarse knowledge of all there was to know and I was determined to spend the rest of my mortal existence examining it with a finer lens. Connecting dots, filling in spaces.
In one temple session, all of that changed.
No, not changed, expanded.
The world in which I knew became exponentially greater, as if my my whole life I had been looking up at the starry night sky, and then was given a telescope, even one of Hubble-like caliber. And just like stars in heaven, all of the teachings and covenants in the temple and all the blessings that are promised therein are as simple as a single bright light in a dark sky, and as glorious and breathtakingly beautiful as the cosmos.
Having received my endowment, I have felt the joy and peace of a more fully consecrated life. Nothing else that I have done so far has helped me prepared more for a mission. In the temple, those things that don’t matter no longer have a place in your mind. And those things that do matter settle deep into your heart.
I’m grateful for a temple so close and for the means the Lord has provided me that I can go so often.
Hallelujah! and Merry Christmas!! :)
Hallelujah! and Merry Christmas!! :)
