"I Love to See the Temple...I'll Go Inside Someday"

One week ago, Nick was baptized as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On Sunday, he was confirmed as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. About an hour later, he interviewed with the Bishop and was found worthy to receive the Aaronic Priesthood and be ordained to the office of Priest. He also received a temple recommend. Nick has such an enthusiasm for the restored gospel that I absolutely love. It is so fun watching him get so excited about the newness of the experience that is all his own. It is so touching listening to him talking with God. He is truly a man of God, and I love him all the more for that.

Anyway...Nick really wanted to go to the temple. So, we planned our trip for this Saturday (yesterday). The sister missionaries got permission to attend and we invited our friends Sam and Kirsten from the ward to come along (congrats to them on their recent engagement).

We all excitedly made the 40 minute journey to the Phoenix temple. We arrived at about 6:45, and took pictures outside of the temple. But when we went to open the Baptistry doors, they were locked. A temple worker came outside to notify us that the Phoenix (and apparently the Gilbert temple for future reference) both close at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday's. WHAT?!?!? I guess we're not in Utah anymore, where the temple baptistries stay open until 10:00 p.m.

The sisters looked crushed. I felt my heart sink. Nick, a convert of only one week, took it like a champ.  He said, "the temple will always be here." And how true that is. The House of the Lord will always stand as a beacon of hope for us all. We just have to make sure it's open to partake of it's blessings :D

We ended up wandering across the street to the church building, where we were able to catch the last hour of the Regional Religious Freedom Conference hosted by Elder Dallin H. Oaks. I was very impressed with his words about the necessity that we, as members of the Church, have of not just accepting others rights but also fighting for their rights. Regardless of differing opinions about same-sex marriage from most of the world, it is my responsibility as a Latter-day Saint to uphold the freedoms of all men.

This quote by the Prophet Joseph Smith says it all:

"If it has been demonstrated that I have been willing to die for a ‘Mormon,’ I am bold to declare before Heaven that I am just as ready to die in defending the rights of a Presbyterian, a Baptist, or a good man of any other denomination; for the same principle which would trample upon the rights of the Latter-day Saints would trample upon the rights of the Roman Catholics, or of any other denomination who may be unpopular and too weak to defend themselves.

“It is a love of liberty which inspires my soul—civil and religious liberty to the whole of the human race. Love of liberty was diffused into my soul by my grandfathers while they dandled me on their knees. …"

              

Afterwards, we all journeyed back to Tempe for some delicious Coldstone ice cream (which I may or may not be currently eating for breakfast...shhhh) :)
I Love to See the Temple Verse 2

I love to see the temple.
I'll go inside someday.
I'll cov'nant with my Father;
I'll promise to obey.
For the temple is a holy place
Where we are sealed together.
As a child of God, I've learned this truth:
A fam'ly is forever.