Another day at the temple

Yesterday I went to my friend Stephanie's wedding at the Billings Temple.   It was a very sweet ceremony.  She and her husband, Rick, knelt across an altar from each other while the officiator read the vows to which they each had to reply, "yes".   But Stephanie could barely say the word yes because she was so happy and she immediately started to cry.   It made me cry to see them so happy. 
Afterwards she had also had an outdoor ring ceremony, with bridesmaids and flower girls and a normal wedding processional down the aisle.   That was also lovely.

Here is a picture of a "sealing room", where marriages take place.   This one isn't the room in the Billings Temple, but it looks almost exactly like this, except without the window:

 

My experience at the wedding in the temple was much more peaceful than my first trip through the endowment session in the temple.    

But one of my friends want to go through the temple again with me next week, so I will probably do that.

A picture of Stephanie with her husband outside the temple:

Temple Reflections

So I went to the temple two days ago... and I have to say that it was very different than I was expecting it to be!   The ceremony has much much more ritual and symbolism in it than anything I have ever experienced (or imagined myself experiencing) in Mormonism.    I am not quite sure what to feel about the experience, right now, but I believe in time I will come to know for certain what is right.  

My voice teacher, Lesley Jorden, whom I studied with for my voice degree at Montana State University in Billings, happened to be working in the temple that day and was my "guide".   That made me happy, and it was very sweet and special to have her there.  

I really liked the "initiatory" session of the temple, where I was given a blessing of health and strength by women dressed all in white (I was also dressed in white), one of whom happened to have been one of my teachers in seminary many years ago.   That was also very sweet.

But I didn't understand the second part of the ceremony very well (called the "endowment session")... I felt very uncomfortable during it and it left me feeling quite overwhelmed.     So now I am praying for God to help me know what is right and true. 

I will probably go back and see if I feel I begin to gain something there, to see beyond the ritual and symbolism to what is really being taught.    Because certainly the only purpose in learning a symbol is to understand the true meaning that the symbol is supposed to represent....

We will see.   The one thing I know for certain is that God loves me.  He has answered my prayers too many times for me not to believe that.  I am so grateful for his goodness, and I pray He will continue to bless me with answers to my prayers and guidance throughout my life.

Temple Day

Tomorrow (well, I guess technically now it's today since it's past midnight when I am posting this!) I am going to go through the temple for the first time.   My sister is coming to town in the morning and she will go with me, as well a my mom and the two woment who taught my "Temple Preparation" class. 

The temple in Billings is very beautiful.  I toured it a long time ago when they first built it, before it was dedicated.  And I sang in the choir at the dedication!

Tomorrow I'll go to "receive my endowment", as it is called.  Basically that means that I will make covenants to keep the commandments of God, and have blessings pronounced upon me that I am promised to receive if I strive to keep those covenants.   My friend Stephanie will be getting married in the temple on Saturday, so I will be able to attend her wedding in the temple after I have gone through the temple myself tomorrow.   She is going to come with me when I take out my endowments tomorrow, as well. 


I have some nice pictures of the Billings temple here: 




The Celestial Room inside the Billings Montana Temple.

"Fiberglass oxen supporting the marbled baptismal font at the LDS Temple in Billings represent the 12 tribes of Israel and the strength upon which God’s work rests. In the Mormon religion, the obedient and faithful make up the covenant family chosen to accomplish God’s purposes. God’s work rests on them, in the same way the temple font rests on the oxen. Temples in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are not just large churches. They are considered some of the most sacred places on Earth. "

One of the three sealing rooms


The Baptistry


The bride's room.


Read more: http://billingsgazette.com/news/features/magazine/image_0c9b42cd-0628-5a20-9201-359d3cd41112.html#ixzz1S9fVzCfN


 By Aaron Nuffer
 

by Aaron Nuffer

I am excited, and a little nervous!   But everyone who goes there tells me they always feel a great sense of peace and love every time they go.

 So, here I go!

A beautiful quote

"...O Sarah! If the dead can come back to this earth and flit unseen around those they loved, I shall always be near you; in the brightest day and in the darkest night—amidst your happiest scenes and gloomiest hours—always, always; and if there be a soft breeze upon your cheek, it shall be my breath; or the cool air fans your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit passing by.
Sarah, do not mourn ...me dead; think I am gone and wait for me, for we shall meet again.
As for my little boys, they will grow as I have done, and never know a father's love and care. Little Willie is too young to remember me long, and my blue-eyed Edgar will keep my frolics with him among the dimmest memories of his childhood. Sarah, I have unlimited confidence in your maternal care and your development of their characters. O Sarah, I wait for you there! Come to me, and lead thither my children."
- Written by Sullivan Ballou who died a week after he wrote this letter to his wife. - Civil War