SABBATH SCRIBBLINGS

"This temple will stand a thousand

years. But you are His forever."
from: The Stones of the Temple
by: Frederic Voros

Today is a unique and special Sabbath day!!!
No one here can remember that last time that church has been canceled. There hasnt been a snow storm to disrupt traveling to and fro. Nor earthquakes or any other natural disaster. So what has happened to cause such a rift in our weekly rituals???
Our church is dedicating another temple this glorious morning!!
And even though this temple isn't located in some far off exotic place, but can be found in our own desert state of Utah...each and every temple dedication is a special occasion. Temples dotting Utah speaks to the number of faithful members willing to attend and serve there. As our numbers grow, so will the amount of temples we build.
Temples are built with tithe money.
Temples are the "architectural manifestation of the green pastures and still waters. It is the well and the garden." -John Rosenberg
There are now130 temples around the world.


Temples are crowning jewels to any community. Real estate values go up in a neighborhood where a temple is built.
Of course thats not what temples are about for us-
They feel as if they are safe haven.
They feel like sanctuaries from the storms of life.
They feel as it says in Gen 28:12-like "the gates of heaven."


We build these temples, these Houses of God, for numerable reasons-
First- it is a commandment. ref???
Next- it gives us opportunity to lay aside the things, the worries, the concerns of this world for a time, so that we can concentrate on things of more importance. Things of an eternal nature.
We build them as an act of faith.
We love our temples because we find that while we serve in the temple we are changed, recharged, touched, and taught. Few places on earth can accomplish such lofty things.
We preform sacred ordinances there. We unite families in marriage for time and all eternity. Weddings are most sacred and venerated within these walls.
We honor those who came before us as well. Each time we enter the temple we revere and honor our ancestors. Those that came before us, many who had difficult lives, who may have died wondering if God had forgotten them. In the temple we show them that we havent forgotten them. God never forgets a single child. Maybe for the first time in many, many years their names will be spoken again, in the Lord's house, and they can then know the eternal nature of Gods love.
I think Neal L Maxwell says it best for me and why I love the temple, when he states, " Temple work is not an escape from the world but a reinforcing of our need to better the world while preparing ourselves for another and far better world...Being in the Lord's house can help us to be different from the world in order to make more difference in the world." (from: Not My Will but Thine)
So this morning we head to our meetinghouses to witness another sacred dedicatory prayer in behalf of our newest temple. I go with a sense of determination to pay heed to what is spoken, and with a goal in my heart to attend our beautiful temple right here in St George with greater frequency and devotion. And to always be striving to do my part to make this world a better place. For I do feel such gratitude for this glorious world we have been given.
(photos by Michael Provard and David C Moore)