Well my home never really smelled like chocolate chip cookies when I walked in and neither does this "Heaven on Earth". BUT there is a place that allows you to feel peace and comfort when all other sources don't, and that place is what we call a Temple.
Temples aren't a new concept, you can read all about them in the Bible as well as The Book of Mormon. Temples are a very sacred, not secret place where worthy members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saint can go to make covenants and gain spiritual strength. There is a story about a little boy and a security guard for the temple. The security guard was watching the camera screen when he noticed a little boy run in and out of the gate. He though this was interesting, so he went outside to ask the boy what he was doing. The little boy asked the security guard if he could feel "it". The security guard looked a little confused and the little boy had the security guard go outside the gate and than run inside with him again. He than asked the question again "Can you feel it?". He than continued to tell the security guard that it "feels different" as they stood within the temple gates. There is a special spirit or feeling when you are at the temple, one that you cant find anywhere else.
This last summer I had the opportunity to take a little trip up to Utah with my family and my 2 best friends. Well my one best friend who many are familiar with (Ryan) was preparing for baptism just a week later. The first night that we got into Salt lake it was pretty late, if I am recalling correctly, so we didn't get out of the car, we just drove around the block. And the temple even though it is well lit and is rather large can sneak up on you in down town Salt Lake. So we told Ryan to look out his window, and the look in his eye as he caught his first glimpse of this sacred ground was priceless. It was as though heaven was in his eyes, and he had just witnessed a miracle.
The same thing happened when we took investigators to visit the Manila temple. My dear friend in my first area went to the temple for the first time with his family and it would be sufficient to say they have experienced some rough times, but when you see the picture of the 3 of them standing with the temple in the background you cant help but notice the smile on their face. In fact after that day my companion was looking at the pictures and made the comment that they just looked so happy! For once they could smile! I cant wait for the day that they will be able to go inside that temple and become an eternal family. A family that wont be together just here on this earth, but will be a family linked together for time and all eternity!
Sometimes there are things in life that you just cant explain and these experiences fall into that category.So if you want to know what I'm talking about, hop on the nearest form of transportation and get to the closest temple, even if you cant go inside! But the image and feeling from both occasions will forever be with me, never to be forgotten. I feel so honored to be a part of these spiritual experiences, and to be a part of both of their journeys into the wonderful gospel. I don't know why I was blessed to be a part of it, but I wouldn't trade it for anything in this world! Thank you! :)
There really are blessings that come for those who attend the temple. Not just immediate strength and personal revelation, but blessings that last for an eternity. Before I left on a mission I worked for a wedding and event firm, naturally I witnessed a lot of weddings! And it always killed me when you saw 2 people so incredibly in love and than to hear the words "till death do us part". The beautiful thing about the restored gospel through the Prophet Joseph Smith is that not only were correct principles and doctrines restored, but the priesthood or the power and authority of God was restored as well. This is why families are able to be made eternal in the temple. In Matthew 16:19 we read " And I will give unto you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven". If you love someone so much, wouldn't you want to spend more than just the short time we have here on earth with them?
I know that families are forever! This knowledge brings me great comfort in times of uncertainty! I know that I will see my sweet grandma again and all my other family members who are on the other side of the veil. I know that no matter what happens here in this life all will be made right and perfect in the end and that MY family is forever. Its more than forever! Its eternal! Families are essential and the center of our Heavenly Fathers plan and I am happy I have the one I have. There is a quote on my moms wall that say "We may not have it all together, but together we have it all". That is 100% correct, we are far from the perfect family, but they are perfect enough for me! So wherever you are give your sibling a hug, or call up your mom and tell her you love her because they are a Gods special gift to you, intended to never be separated.
-XOXO-
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