Salt Lake Temple with Hugo and Landon

Our friend, Hugo Perez is visiting from Peru.  Landon baptized him and his family back in 2008 while serving as a missionary there.  Hugo has spent an enjoyable week here in Utah with our family.  We topped it off last night, by  a session at the temple.  A temple he has only be able to IMAGINE going to.  It was a very special experience for him (and us).   Afterwards we walked around Temple Square, the Joseph Smith Building, and had supper at the Lion House.  Such a special time. 

Early morning - Ogden Temple

I met Mom and Dad here for initiatory work at 8am.  

Utah County Temple Tour

Today Mom and Erika and I traveled to Payson the LONG way......... and we went to the Payson temple and did initiatory work.  I looked for Matt Hone's mom to introduce myself and say hi, but her shift had ended.  I think the temple was so pretty.  It reminded me of an Arabic building out of Alladin.  It almost had a pink tone to it.  The stained glass windows were beautiful. 

We then grabbed us some lunch at Zupas, and made it to the Provo City Center temple in time for the 1pm session.  What a beautiful restoration has taken place in that building!  We parked underneath, and entered the main doors (which are on the basement level).  The ordinance rooms we started in were covered in the most beautiful nature murals, and when we moved to the second ordinance room on the level above us, we climbed the winding narrows stairs in one of the corner turrets!  The celestial room was gorgeous as was to be expected.

We saw Roger and Karen Bigler who used to live in Morgan, and also Marianne Merz, the wife of Michael Merz, who is mom's first cousin.  It was a great day to be in the temple with my mom and sister. 

I love the temple.  My next date is to attend the Vernal Temple in June when I go to the Assessor's Summer Workshop.  (didn't end up going to the workshop)

Planning for it

At our last ward conference, Stake President Joey Skinner said to always have a date planned, for the next time you will be going to the temple.  I knew I would be down in Ogden on Friday for UAC meetings, so I planned on going afterwards to the Ogden Temple.  When I arrived there about 11am, it was PACKED.  I could barely find a parking space.  As I was walking in from the Washington Boulevard side, there was a bridal party that was just finishing up with pictures, and the FLOWERS!!  Oh my, beautiful, smelled so nice.  Spring is beautiful. 

I was able to make the 12 noon session, and our old Stake President councilor, Brother Bohman was officiating in the chapel.  I also saw Kathy Collins, and Byron Porter and his wife and daughter, and low and behold, my visiting teacher, Heidi Eggett and her husband Roger were in the same session, and I was able to sit next to her.

It was a wonderful day in the temple. My next plan is to go down the Provo City Center Temple with Mom.

Orlando Temple

Mom and Erika and I visited this beautiful temple today while vacationing in Florida.  We performed initiatory ordinances.  It was so nice to be here, away from the hustle and bustle of the world.

Provo City Center Temple Dedication

This morning I was able to go to the Morgan Utah Stake Building with my parents and participate in the Provo City Center Temple Dedication via satellite.  It was a great experience.  I have only done this once previously, with the Brigham City Temple Dedication.  I hope to go here in person soon.

Wonderful afternoon in the Salt Lake Temple

I was in meeting in SLC most of the day, but had decided that I was going to go to the Salt Lake Temple when I finished.  Last week we had Ward Conference, and it was very inspiring, and helped me and buoyed me up.  One of the things that I am determined to do, is to always have a "date" set when I will go to the temple NEXT.  So right after that meeting on Sunday, I made the decision to go the the Salt Lake Temple on Thursday after my meetings.  My NEXT date to go to the temple in on April 1st, when I will be in Orlando Florida with Mom and Erika, and will attend the temple there.

I loved my experience at the Salt Lake Temple today.  After the session in the Celestial Room, I was able to sit for about 30 minutes, and since I was so close to finishing the Book of Mormon, I did so, right there in the Celestial Room.  That was a special experience to read Moroni's promise there.  To have faith that all will be well, everything will work out, I'm on the right course, and will endure to the end.