Going Through the Temple

I went through the Idaho Falls Temple last weekend!! YES! I chose that temple because it was close to extended family AND it's where my parents got married. Lots of good reasons. It was a great day.

My cute parents on their wedding day 26 years ago.

First of all-for my friends who don't have a lot of context for what this means: I've been going to the temple since I was 12, but up until now I was only able to go into the baptistery. The rest of the temple is reserved for additional ceremonies that church members don't usually do until they are getting ready to leave on a mission, get married, or are at a place in their adult life where they feel that they are spiritually prepared.

Now that I'm getting ready to go on my mission, I was able participate in those additional ceremonies-one in particular called the endowment. Endowment essentially means "gift." The endowment ceremony is a course of teaching, ordinances (sacred rituals), and covenants (mutual promises between myself and God) received in the temple by worthy and prepared adult members. It is one of the most sacred ceremonies in the Mormon religion, and I was so excited to finally be able to experience it! I hope that explained everything well enough. If you have any more questions, you can absolutely ask me or visit lds.org. 

SO-as I was preparing to go through the temple, people told me so many things. They told me it would be weird, it would be different, it would be amazing, it would be the best day of my life, ...that I would have to ride a goat (hilarious, Jason. Hilarious.) Anyways. A lot of things.
I really appreciated all of the advice I got, but it got to the point where I just needed to go through and experience it for myself!

And the verdict is...I loved it. And I was so happy that I got to be in the temple with so many people I love. These people have been such examples to me. I want to be like every single one of them.

Top left-right: Nate and Jill, Sarah Jane Fenton, Aunt Julie, Aunt Lacey, Aunt Becca and Uncle Mark
Bottom left-right: Leah, Sara Marie, Grandma Janet, ME!, Momma Jill, Grandma Sherry and Grandpa Alan
And Nicole Maxfield came too, but she had to leave before we could document her presence. I love her.

My favorite part about going through the temple was how much it continued to influence my life after I left. It's been almost a week since I went through, and I can still feel that spirit. I feel empowered. I feel like I understand my purpose a little better. I have a greater conviction to take good care of myself and work hard and enjoy my life! This is how it's supposed to be. This is how we're supposed to feel! I love that the temple helped me get into that mindset, and I can't wait to go back. Now that I'm home, the Denver Temple is only a short hour away from my house!

In conclusion: Temples are amazing. They really are a piece of heaven on earth, and we are so blessed to have access to them. I love that I can go as often as I want to realign my perspective and be reminded of what's really important.

The Denver Temple. The best looking temple around.