Back in March I started working on a post for the April 2024 A to Z blogging challenge, and added the widget for the challenge to my blog layout. Alas, I never finished the post, didn't sign up for the challenge, and have so far had a very busy April with family, General Conference, work, the yard, etc and etc. Long story short, the A to Z challenge did not make it to the top of the to-do list this year, but I did want to do at least this one post, since my planned topic for the year was going to be Temples from A to Z! And perhaps I can do that again another year, because there are now more than 300 Temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in various locations all over the world. I'm not sure if this Temples Map by Google is completely up to date since 15 more new temples were announced by President Russell M Nelson on the afternoon of April 7, 2024, but it gives a pretty good representation.
So why am I so excited about Temples and a new Temple in Taylorsville? I've been blessed to be able to regularly attend the temple for over forty years, and in recent years I try to attend at least once a month. It is a way that I can serve my Savior and my Heavenly Father, my ancestors, and others who have already finished their life's journey here on this earth. It is the place where I was married to and sealed to my Dear Husband not only for this life, but for ever and for eternity, and to our children and their families as well as our parents and their families. It is a place where I can feel close to our Savior, learn more of him, and of our Heavenly Father's plans and the purpose for life. It is a place where can feel comfort and peace, and clarity of mind when times are challenging and decisions need to be made.
This past week I was able to be a small part of the public Open House for the Taylorsville Utah Temple, which is currently open to the public for tours until May 18, 2024. I was very happy to be able to help as an usher, and hope to return again this coming week. After the the open house and the Temple's dedication in June, the temple will only be open to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints who have met the requirements for a temple recommend.
This video explains in a bit more detail the purposes of the temples and what happens inside:
This new temple is very beautiful, and honors the pioneer heritage of the Taylorsville area. It is smaller than some other temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, but feels right, and I feel at home there. I'm very much looking forward to spending many hours there in the coming months and years. We don't take photos inside the temple, but I'll include more photos of the interior here that have been shared by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter=Day Saints, and close with a promise recently shared by our church President and Prophet of God, Russell M Nelson.
Baptismal Font
Celestial Room Chandeliers
"My dear brothers and sisters, here is my promise. Nothing will help you more to hold fast to the iron rod than worshipping in the temple as regularly as your circumstances permit. Nothing will protect you more as you encounter the world's mists of darkness. Nothing will bolster your testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Atonement or help you understand God's Magnificent plan more. Nothing!
The temple is the gateway to the greatest blessings God has in store for each of us, for the temple is the only place on earth where we may receive all of the blessings promised to Abraham. That is why we are doing all within our power, under the direction of the Lord, to make the temple blessings more accessible to members of the church."
