Draper Temple Open House

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Draper Temple Open House

Last night we went to the Draper Temple Open House. I LOVE temples, and it is so much fun to go tour the whole building. This is the 4th temple open house I have been able to attend, but the first time I have had children to take with me. I enjoyed the opportunity to teach Ammon about temples and more than that, for him to have the chance to feel what it is like to be in a temple. We went from room to room pointing to the various pictures of Jesus that hung on the wall. Of course we always see that when we patron the temple, but it was nice to see the consistency of it and realize that He is represented in EVERY room and EVERY hall. Truly the temple is built as a House of the Lord.

We were not able to take pictures inside of the temple, but on the way in they had this example of what the exterier of the temple was made out of.

After the tour, they had some disaplays set up in the church next to the temple. Ammon enjoyed this map which had a pin representing each temple in the world.

I have so many wonderful memories and experiences involving temples. More than anything, I treasure the peace that I always feel when I am there. The movie they showed at the Houston Temple Open House had a song which has always touched me. It says:

I can feel the power of Heaven

As I stand on holy ground

And the Spirit whispers what I long to learn

Eyes are touched with understanding

I have strength beyond my own

It's a place I reach for Heaven

And it reaches in return

I can't think of a better explanation of the temple than that.

5 comments:

TiffanyJanuary 27, 2009 at 1:25 PM
I want to go!! I'm having troubles finding tickets for a time I can go...hopefully I find something. Your family is so cute, we miss you and need to hang out!
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KristaJanuary 27, 2009 at 1:59 PM
I am sad I missed it. Sounds like you guys had a great time.
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MichelleJanuary 27, 2009 at 8:24 PM
Yes, I love that song. What a wonderful experience to get to share the spirit of the temple with your sweet boys.
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JacyJanuary 28, 2009 at 6:36 AM
What a great opportunity! Looks like you had a great time with your boys.
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ErickaJanuary 31, 2009 at 12:19 AM
What a great post! I don't know where I have been because I didn't even know the temple was completed yet! What a great family experience though!
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Family Proclamation

The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God's eternal plan.Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. "Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.

This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.