Journal Jar -- Temple

Describe your feelings the first time you went to the temple. What are your feelings now when you attend the temple?

I think maybe the first time I went was from the other side when my family to be went for the first time....so I don't remember. Dave was the baby in Mom's arms.

We may have gone while I was growing up but again I don't remember and since Idaho Falls was the closet temple we may not have either. So the first time I should remember is going over when I was in Mutual and we went to do baptisms for the dead...

We would take a greyhound bus and leave at midnight so that we would be there for the 6 am appointment time. It was always a fun ride over and very quiet on the way home when everyone finally slept. One time the bus broke down and we spent a few hours in Blackfoot Idaho....there was not much there. It was always special and spiritual but I don't remember much now. I did always try to get in touch with my twin cousin Vi Ann Steele. One time I asked to go outside to the visitors center so I could call her They would not let me go out without a leader ... however they took me to a phone where I could make the call from in the temple. (I remember I saw a bride and thought it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen and knew that that was the only way to go) I guess I was where I shouldn't have been but it left a lasting impression on me for the good.
I did get to be a bride at that very temple years later!!! This is our wedding pictures .. a little different from today's idea of wedding pictures. I was lucky that a brother took this picture. Yes, it was snowing.
So, as an adult my first experience was the week before Gerald and I were married. Luckily the ward had a temple trip already planned so we were able to ride the bus over from midnight on. So I could spend the time with Gerald to and from with many chaperone's. The rest of the ward went to do Temple work while Gerald and I went to do paperwork, etc. I remember sitting in the hallway waiting and a member of the presidency (I think) came by and stopped to shake our hands and say, "Thank you for your sacrifice to be here."
I had a hard time keeping my chin off the floor .. I couldn't figure out what he was talking about. What SACRIFICE this was the BLESSING, the GOAL, the BEAUTY, the gift of God to US.
Now I understand but I am very grateful that living so that I could go to the Temple wasn't a sacrifice to me.
This is our current Temple and it is only 2 hours away instead of 5 - 6. It is always beautiful weather. This is how it looked Dec 17, 2010 at night. Still beautiful weather.

We were in Boise for the Boise Temples dedication but moved a year later so that was the nearest we have lived to a Temple so far. Right now I think the most beautiful celestial room I have experienced has been the Las Vegas Temple. However, everyone that I have been to has special meaning and experiences attached.

As to how I feel now when attending .. I am still amazed at the blessing it is in my life and still don't feel like it is a sacrifice to be there. I am grateful to have the opportunity in this life to commune and approach our Heavenly Father in His Holy House.