The night before our visit, we had a special family home evening to explain to the kids what an amazing opportunity they were about to experience. We talked all about temples, their purpose and how lucky we are to have so many so close to us. We also talked about how we need to be so reverent and quiet. I thought the lesson went well, but in the back of my mind I could just see the "wild" side of my kids creeping out while inside the temple.
We started out at a church in Draper, where we parked our car and went into the chapel for a brief movie about the new temple. Sadie insisted on bringing her baby with us...of course. When the movie started I was immediately hit with the strong, peaceful spirit only the temple can bring. I got teary really quick. And to aggravate my "teary" condition, I listened to Sadie whisper to her baby, "Look baby, that's the beautiful temple. It's very special. It is sooo beautiful. See?" During the entire movie, Sadie continued with her sweet comments. I was an emotional wreck and we hadn't even stepped foot on the temple grounds yet!
We took a bus from the church up to the temple. The boys said this was one of their favorite parts of the entire visit. They said they loved sitting on the giant bus and not wearing a seat belt. On the way up, the bus was very full, so Spencer and Matt stood, to allow others to sit. Spencer loved standing. He thought he was very cool. (he was. :) )
After riding the bus and getting off right in front of the temple, we walked through a series of tent tunnels that led to the door of the temple. The closer we got to the door, the more reverent and quiet the kids got. I stopped a couple of times just taken back with the spirit. My kids quiet in a tunnel? Really? Yes, the Lord does answer prayers!
Once inside, Spencer and Ethan were in awe with everything they saw. Both boys really enjoyed seeing the font. Ethan liked that they had already put the water in. In fact in his own words he said, "What I liked about the font, that I didn't know, that it didn't have much water." Spencer was excited to think that in only 2 years he could come and participate in baptisms!
In part of our lesson the night before, we explained they could not touch anything....ANYTHING! Well, as we were walking through, Spencer asked if he could touch the floor. I told him that would be fine. So he bent down and touched the carpet. He got a huge smile on his face and whispered, " I just touched inside the temple." That seemed to start a bit of a trend. After that, both Ethan and Spencer carefully touched the carpet, the walls, and the tile. I didn't stop them because it made them so happy.
In the sealing room, I showed the boys how you can look in the mirrors and see forever. Spencer said he can't wait until he can get married in the temple someday. And of course...more tears from me...
Overall, the experience was awesome. I could not believe how nice our kids were. I kept doing double takes and doubting those were really our kids!
Everyone had an amazing time. It was a day we'll always remember.
After being bussed back to the church, we hopped back in the car and drove up to the temple for some pictures. I have to thank everyone for being sooo patient, while Mommy spent 25 minutes taking pictures of the temple....from every angle.
You could see the Jordan River and Oquirrh Mountain temple's in the distance. On a clearer day, I'm sure I could have got a picture of the Salt Lake Temple too...I guess I'll have to go back!
At the end of the day, I felt so overwhelmed with joy and appreciation to belong to such a great church. It was great to be inside the temple with my entire family. Good feeling.
Everyone had an amazing time. It was a day we'll always remember.
After being bussed back to the church, we hopped back in the car and drove up to the temple for some pictures. I have to thank everyone for being sooo patient, while Mommy spent 25 minutes taking pictures of the temple....from every angle.
You could see the Jordan River and Oquirrh Mountain temple's in the distance. On a clearer day, I'm sure I could have got a picture of the Salt Lake Temple too...I guess I'll have to go back!
At the end of the day, I felt so overwhelmed with joy and appreciation to belong to such a great church. It was great to be inside the temple with my entire family. Good feeling.
12 comments:
What fun! It really was a great experience for us too. (And our kids were really well behaved too...miracle!!)
Your photos turned out great. Those are gonna be some really cool memories. Glad you had a good time!
So happy you enjoyed it and that the kiddos were so well behaved. The pictures are beautiful. Yesterday I got to volunteer once again at the open house doing the reception area duties...basically plating the cookies, but it was wonderful. They called the cultural hall reception area an "annex to the temple" and to treat it that way. I cannot wait to get the temple dedicated and have it open for work.
Hey thanks for the comment. Funny huh, Becky always says to me that all she needs to do is call me so that she can get her soap opera fix. I am so loving your pictures too. Me and Becky drove up to the temple when I was there this past winter. It is way pretty. And the view is to die for. You totally captured the wonder of it.
Erin- those pictures are just Amazing! I love them. They need to be blown up! I would love to get the one you did towards the end with the writing on it. We got to go through also.. It is amazing. That one is special because we can see the whole thing from my moms big windows.
Seriously amazing pictures, Erin! Crazy that you could see the other temples...I didn't even think to look! I love how excited Spencer got after touching the carpet inside the temple...what a sweet boy! They'll remember that forever!
What a touching picture journal of a very special experience-- thanks for letting all of us in on it. I loved hearing how much the kids liked it and the sweet things they said and did. Thank you ! ! !
What an amazing experience! I loved the story about Sadie during the movie. SO adorable! Gorgeous photos, by the way. I envy your talent.
That is so neat that you guys got to do that. Spencer, Ethan and Sadie are lucky to have good parents who are strong in the gospel!
You got some beautiful pictures. I didn't even think to drive back up and take some pictures afterwards. It's so fun to share such a wonderful experience with our children. Hopefully they'll remember it for a long time.
wow, amazing pictures! I love them! And isn't it cool to go inside a temple with your children? We wanted all of our kids to go with us as well, but our youngest screamed through the last half of the tour. AAAHHHH. But hey, we were in the Temple together DANG IT! hehehe
OH, and we are surrounded by 3 temples where we live. My kids think its so cool they can see the Draper Temple out their window.
I am so jealous I wanted to go see inside the temple before it was dedicated. It sounds like an amazing experience.
I've been wanting to make a special trip up there just to go to the Open House. It's such a great teaching experience for your kids. I'm glad you got to go and your pictures are so beautiful!!
Post a Comment