Tremendous Temples

The North side of the new Ogden Temple.  It is spectacular  inside and out!

It was a temple weekend for everyone!  We had the amazing Ogden Temple Re-dedication on Sunday and the incredible youth celebration on Saturday.  We sent her some of these pictures, and she sent us a marvelous story from their week:

              Most of the kids in our ward sang in the 2000-strong youth choir.  It was magnificent!!             

Our Stake was in the Army of Helaman/Missionary number.  It was one of the best!

I love this picture!  The theme of the celebration was "Shine the Light".  This shows that perfectly!

From Sister Trommlitz: 
 
This week, our young man investigator actually went to the temple with his parents! It was right after we had a lesson with him and he told us he was 50/50 for continuing lessons with us. We thought he was done. 3 days later we find out that he went to the temple with his parents. He was looking for an experience that would help him draw closer to God. While he was there, he bought himself a quad (he had been wanting one since day 1) and later he found a triple combination and bought that too! Sunday he came to all 3 hours of church and was so happy. You could just see it in everything he did. He had his new quad open the entire time and was making comments in class. We hope this is the turning point for him. We haven't had a lesson since he went to the temple, but just from talking to him at church, he says he felt peace, but still seems a little unsure if it was the spirit. We hope when we get the chance to really sit down with him and talk about it in more detail, he will recognize that he was feeling the spirit and God was answering his prayers. The temple is truly an incredible place. I miss being able to go! 

I have a strong testimony of the temple. the peace that is felt there is not just a coincidence or just because of the beautiful grounds and building. It is not just from the quiet or the smiles of people walking by. All of that attributes to it, but it is peace from God because the temple is such a sacred place. It is God's house where we make sacred covenants with Him. I know the peace that he felt was the spirit confirming this to him and all that he has been diligently studying. I have never seen anyone desire for an answer so much. 

I remember when Rachel turned 12 and was so excited to be able to finally go inside the temple and do baptisms.  Ken and I took her to the old design Ogden temple, just the 3 of us.  I showed her around the locker room, got her clothing and made sure she felt comfortable, and Ken was able to perform the baptisms for those who have gone before.  It was a wonderful day.  But at that time I didn't know that she would prefer to be in the temple over almost anywhere else, over the next 6 1/2 years. When she could drive, there would be days she would already be gone when we got up (which is at 5 a.m.), having headed to the Bountiful Temple before school started.  And many Friday and Saturday nights would find her in the temple before or after hanging out with friends.  And many times she would organize her groups of friends for temple trips.  Others of her HS friends would also plan temple days and they would all go together.  It was a great way to spend some of her teenage  years.  After she made additional covenants when she received her mission call, she attended the Provo temple at least once a week until she left on her mission.  So when she says she misses the temple, she really means it!  Would that we all could have such a love for the Lord's house.  
  
Our ward had a day of service on Saturday where we cleaned and repainted a school playground. It doesn't sound like as big of a project as it was! It was great to see the ward come together and serve in the community. Service unifies the ward because it brings us all closer to God as we serve his children. 

Sounds like a great way to spend a Saturday :)