Temple Open House

Words cannot adequately describe – certainly not in this quick post.  Before today’s tour, we already know the renovated Ogden Utah Temple is built with the finest design, materials and workmanship available today.  All that the public sees inside and throughout the grounds surrounding the temple, invites everyone to come unto Christ.  That is the purpose of temples, for the living and the dead; saving ordinances for both will be performed therein, following the rededication 21 September 2014. 

During our 43 years of marriage, my wife Kay and I have attended a number of public open houses for temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Today we meet good friends, our former neighbors in Ogden, to take the tour across the street from where we all lived in the morning shadow of the temple which was originally finished in 1971, and dedicated in January 1972 by Joseph Fielding Smith.  We cherish our memories of those four years, and the two previous years on the east bench of Ogden, near historic homes of many of Mother’s family.

"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has issued a news release with interior photographs of the renovated Ogden Utah Temple ...  The general public, including children of all ages, is invited to attend an open house.  Admission is free, but reservations are requested."  – ldschurchtemples.com/ogden
See templeopenhouse.lds.org/tickets for Open House Reservations.

Last Thursday we had the privilege of serving as ushers at the open house by our former home.  The five-hour shift was an experience that Kay and I will never forget.  After the half-hour training, and hours of standing as “smiling, silent sentinels” in various locations inside the temple, we felt physically exhausted but spiritually renewed.  We loved seeing all kinds of people of all ages … many families with beautiful little children and great grandparents … who were eager to walk (or ride in wheelchairs) through that extraordinary edifice.  As I looked into their eyes, many responded with a grateful smile, reminding me they are all my sisters and brothers – children of our loving Heavenly Father.