Jesus' House

Today I had the wonderful opportunity to take my two boys to the Draper Temple open house. Neither of them have been inside a temple since the womb :) It was a wonderful adventure and worth every ache and pain. I say ache and pain because I didn't realize that I could take a stroller so I carried Ezekiel the entire way.

First, we park in the parking lot of a local chapel that has been designated for preparing us for our temple tour. We are seated in the cultural hall for about 10 minutes and then they call a group of us to the Chapel where we veiw a 12 minute film on the history of temples as well as Draper. To be honest I didn't get much out of this as Ezekiel began squirming and squealing due to hunger. I was too busy trying to quiet him and just wishing it would end so I could get hot water for a bottle. Sad, I know but part of mommyhood.

Next, we are all loaded on a bus that drives us to the temple. I really enjoyed this part almost as much as Joaquin. He thought it was the coolest thing to be riding a bus. As we road up the hill (about a 6 minute ride) to the temple an usher read us some interesting information about the temple. The marble on the outside of the temple was shipped from China, the stone on inside shipped from France, the cherry wood inside shipped from the west coast of Africa and the murals were painted by local artists. I have always known that the finest materials are used but when he read us these facts I was in awe. I take for granted the physical part of the temple...thinking it is pretty but not appreciating the wonder of it. I was grateful that someone planning the open house thought to use that brief ride to remind me of the physical glory of the temples.

Once we entered the temple there were three things that really stood out to me.

First - The baptismal faunt was beautiful. It was the typical design set on the backs of the 12 oxen but the colors that they chose were this peaceful green tile(the tile was the color of the water) and a warm brown on the walls. I wanted to sit down and soak it all in...I wanted to stay and do baptisms! Joaquin was in awe...I could tell he wanted to stay too.

Second - The chapel has a beautiful painting of the Savior at the tomb with Mary on the front wall. The lighting in the painting was gorgeous and caused me to pause and reflect on that moment in a way I had never done before. VERY MOVING!

Third - the Celestial room. To be honest I don't remember much about it except the beautiful Chandelier and a ceiling that looked like it went up into the enternities. I just kept looking up...my eyes were drawn and I was mesmerized. I kept telling Joaquin to look up...he loved it too. I can't wait to go back and do a session when it is open.

Something that stood out to Joaquin were the mirrors in the sealing room. He wanted to look in them...he was got by the eternal effect that looking in them has. I wish I could have accomodated him more in this desire but alas Ezekiel was so tired and I thought my arm was going to fall off or my back break. All I could think about by this point is where is the exit! Poor my Joaquin...I even missed the cookies and water in the little reception at the end. But the best part of the whole tour was as we stepped outside of the temple and Joaquin exclaimed..."Mommy that was soooo COOL!" And I know my little Ezekiel felt the spirit as well because he was good throughout the tour and didn't act up at all until we got on the bus.

I wish that I could say that arriving at the car was a relief but Ezekiel was beside himself at this point and it took me the good part of an hour to calm him...Yet, I say it was still worth it.

I love to see the temple.

I'm going there someday.

To feel the holy spirit.

To listen and to pray.

For the temple is a house of God.

A place of love and beauty.

I'll prepare myself while I am young.

This is my sacred duty.