“It would be an error to believe that Temple city is an accident in history…the temple is not the foundation of a city, but as the pinnacle of it’s glory. The very existence of a temple tells much of the mental capacity and indomitable force of character of the founders of that particular city, which has invited the temple to come and endow it with a destiny-to-endow it…WE MAY BE ASSURED THAT NO CITY HAS BEEN CHOSEN AS THE SACRED PLACE OF A TEMPLE, WHICH HAS NOT PROVED ITSELF WORTHY OF THE HONOR.” (Logan Temple; the First 100 Years by Nolan P. Olsen pg1)
I read this quote the week before finding out that Bentonville, Arkansas was on the list for getting a temple. The announcement during Women’s Conference was exhilarating to say the least. The whole room was full of hugging, cheering, crying, and sharing. I am not sure a temple announcement in Utah would be quite the same. This area has been fasting and praying for a temple for a long time. We moved here two months ago, and I was shocked at how “going to the temple” is on the forefront of everyone’s minds, even though it’s a 3 1/2 drive one way. The full day trip means nothing, it is something the saints here look forward to, and plan into their schedules. I found myself in tremendous gratitude for the faithful, diligent stamina of the saints of NWA Arkansas. Just like the above quote said, the temple announcement was not one of coincidence, it is one of steadfast, long suffering, faith, from many saints, for many years.
This has all brought me to ponder upon my own testimony of the temple and the purifying, peaceful effect that it has on those who will take the time to be blessed by it’s presence, even for those who are unable to enter into the temple. It will truly bless individuals, families, communities, cities, states, and countries.
I was married 20 years before I was able to get my endowments, because, my husband, Mark Jorgensen. was not a member, and I wanted to try and wait for him to be able to go with me. Then, after years of waiting, I still wanted to wait for him to be ready for me to go. My bishops felt the same way, so when Mark would say “yes”, I would go in for my interview and the bishop would tell me to ask him again. This always confused Mark, and made him wonders why? So he would tell me he would rather me wait. So I waited. 20 years is a long time to wait, but I feel it was an important time of supporting my husband and well as learning. I was able to enjoy the temple in different ways and to gain a firm testimony of it’s purifying effect to all who will embrace it’s light. There is serenity to patience, even though at times it can become difficult.
Early on, I remember hearing about the African saints who desired to get their endowments, but either didn’t have the means to get to a temple, or didn’t have a temple in their vicinity. They were told to hold a temple recommend, and to live temple worthy, and to wait for their opportunity to come. This challenge rang true to me as well. I took this personally, and went through the process of a temple recommend. It was so fun to have my own recommend in my purse at all times. Then I just waited for my turn to come. I didn’t know how long that would be, and I honestly expected it to be much shorter than it was, but somehow, when discouragement set in, the Lord would send reinforcements to help me get re-encouraged. Also, this process prepared me for the time when my kids would desire to be baptized. Due to the situation at hand, Mark asked the kids to wait until they were 18 to be baptized. I was able to give them the same advice that I followed, and to help them feel supported with their desires. I told them to take the baptismal covenants upon themselves, as if they were baptized and to wait for their turn. All of them who have expressed a desire to be baptized have followed this advice, and found that the Lord really does build our desires. Their testimonies have been strengthened and they have felt the guiding hand of the Holy Ghost.
About 8 years in, I took the kids to the Winter Quarters temple. As I stood in the visitor center, overlooking the temple, I started to pour my heart out to Heavenly Father, and to express how hard it was to follow alone. I desired for Mark to be a member with me, and I was feeling overwhelmed. At times I couldn’t help but wonder if it was really worth it—was I doing a good enough job—was the Lord pleased with me?? I just stood there and cried and cried while my kids toured the visitor center. Then, as my prayer ended, and I sat just pondering the spirit and the temple, someone hugged me, and I felt the voice in my heart tell me I was doing a good job, that it was all worth it, and that I should carry on, press forward with faith, and be steadfast and courageous. I’ve always felt like it was a hug from Heavenly Father, but it could have been one of my many ancestors who crossed the plains, letting me know that they understood. I am sure there was many time when they had that same prayer as they crossed the plains, cold and hungry. I am sure they wondered at times if it was worth it. Now that I get the opportunity of reading their stories in their journals, I can see that each and every one of them, no matter how much they suffered, felt the overwhelming love of their Savior, and that it was indeed worth it.
Probably another 8 years later, while at a family reunion in Utah, we were all at my sister’s house in Provo, when many of us decided to go visit Temple Square. We walked the grounds, and visited the sites of the Salt Lake City Temple. The spirit was strong and the peace penetrated our hearts. As we sat and admired the majestic beauty of the temple, my heart was filled with calmness, and I didn’t want to ever leave. It didn’t take long and the kids started to get hungry, urging us to get back home. As we drove the hour back to Provo, I reflected on the spirit I had witnessed and my yearning to have the temple a part of my life and my family’s life became overpowering. I found myself pouring my heart out to the Lord once more. As I walked into my sister’s home, I was engulfed with that same spirit of love, peace, and calmness, even though there were over 70 people, mostly kids running around. I had the firm conviction that I must do everything in my power to create the spirit of the temple in my home and wait for my turn to go. Once again it was the reinforcement I needed to re-energize me for my family’s journey to the Lord.
A couple years later, it was my turn. I got to go to the temple. I was a bit hesitant, because this dream had been in my heart for 20 years and now it was about to come true. My mind was flooded with questions and concerns. What if it created a wedge between Mark and I? Would I feel lonely without Mark? There were many unknowns. My parents came into town, and my sister joined us, we made the 3 hour drive to the Nauvoo Temple. What a perfect temple to be able to enjoy my endowments in, as the starting point of thousands of saint’s journey west. It was the end of my spiritual trek to the temple, and the start of my new walk as an endowed daughter of God. The experience far exceeded by expectations, and quieted all my concerns. As I walked through the doors, all the heaviness of mortality’s worries were lifted and removed from my mind while in the temple. There was a lightness that doesn’t exist in the world. I’m not talking lightness pertaining to brightness, I’m talking a lightness of heart. Complete calm filled my mind and body, and I felt weightless to the stresses of life. My commitment, love, and admiration for a Mark was strengthened with a fortification that I can’t explain, I was bursting with gratitude for how amazing he was. My eyes could see clearly the role he takes as the leader of our home. I couldn’t wait to wrap my arms around him and express how thankful I was for him, both as my eternal partner and as the father of our children. I felt peace with our situation of different faiths, and knew that Heavenly Father was keenly aware. I was empowered with patience and excitement to continue to bring the temple home into the lives of my family, and to wait for our chance to be sealed together for eternity.
This past weekend, I took a last minute flight home to Arizona to see my brother who is in hospice care from his long, difficult fight with Glioblastoma. It was a one day visit, yet, I was able to fit in a temple session at 5:30 am. Once again. the temple was the perfect way to start a difficult day, for it warmed my heart, brought peace to my soul, calmed my personal stormy emotions, and gave me an eternal perspective. From the moment I walked in the doors, until the second I walked out, all my earthly concerns were gone, as if Heavenly Father picked them up for me for a moment, while I could soak in his love. Then I headed over to the house. I was expecting chaos and despair, due to the fact that my brother was dying and leaving his wife and 9 children–7 of whom have muscular dystrophy. Instead, as I walked in his room, there was a peace that existed amongst the noise of worry. As I sat and visited with all the kids, his wife, and my parents, my brother appeared to not be present mentally. Yet, he would gently, subtly point when one of his children talked. He wasn’t concerned with all of the details of life that we were presently discussing, but he was focused on each individual person and their needs. This struck me as interesting and inspiring. When I finally was able to sit next to my brother and hold his hand, a surge of Heavenly calmness pierced my whole body and mind. It was the same calm that I had experience in the temple. My brother, who is the closest he has ever been to his Heavenly Father, and who lived a life devoted and consecrated to His work, was filled with peace during the most mortally trying time of his life. His internal peace filled the room, even with all the commotion going on around him. If those in the room chose to be overwhelmed with the details of the situation, they were weighed down by the seriousness of the situation. However, for those who chose to accept the peace that was present in my brother’s heart and that was engulfing the whole room, they could experience the calm of the storm. It was beyond beautiful, and one of the greatest lessons of my life.
The experience with my brother taught me two important concepts, the first being that all the above situations were examples of a loving Heavenly Father pointing at me amongst the chaos of life, letting me know he is aware of me, that he loves me, and that he understands my concerns and desires. Secondly, the temple’s heavenly presence will penetrate into the whole world if they will but allow that spirit to rise above the noise of life. As we take this understanding into our own lives, and into our own homes, we can experience a little peace of heaven’s calm and happiness while right here on earth. Temples truly are a piece of heaven here on earth.
“I testify that the sacrifices we make to receive temple ordinances are worth every effort we can make.” -Robert D. Hales
-Written By Sherri Jorgensen
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