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Show Mount Timpanogos Temple Special Edition Living in the tempie's shadow By Kelli Nielson imagine them gathering quietly over a simple meal discussing the things they heard and the Spirit they felt, parents As King Benjamin neared the end of his life, he desired to leave with the people of Zarahemla his wisdom, much as a father would counsel his own children. He sent out a proclamation to have his people gather at the grounds of the temple. And in the temple's shadow they were taught by their ruler and prophet. I've often reflected upon this scene, wondering about the families that gathered to the temple grounds. Each one pitching a tent, and bringing provisions for several days. How far did some have to travel? Did they walk, carrying everything themselves? Or were some fortunate enough to have carts or animals to help with the load? Did they come early to get a good spot, and camp next to friends, neighbors and relatives? I helping younger children understand what was said. have wondered if the people living close to the temple in King Benjamin's time walked the roads surrounding the building with their families and friends as I do now with the Mt. Timpanogos Temple. Did they marvel at its beauty and their good fortune I at living in its shadow? Was watching the sunrise over their temple as wonderful an experience for them as our sunrise is for me? Maybe some in Zarahemla, as some are now, were too busy to appreciate the significance of the work performed A temple we By We have in such a sacred building. Perhaps it was as hard for them, as it will be for us, to fully comprehend home in Kaysville). in proparticipate in temple-buildin- g jects several times as we have moved around the coun- try but this will be the first time we have been around long enough to see one of them dedicated. That alone makes this occasion a significant first for our family. When my husband and I got married 20 years ago, we had to travel 1500 miles to the temple. That is a small distance compared to what Saints in other parts of the world sometimes must go, but we were young and poor and had to work many months to pay for a very bare-basi- stake complained about driving to the LA Temple. They felt so happy to have a temple that near! I think of saints who live extended distances from a temple and travel davs at great expense to be able to receive the blessings of temple ordinances. It makes me reflect on the times that could have attended the temple, but didn't for some seemingly important reason. Or recall trips to the temple made grudgingly, when they should have been made willingly. I don't imagine the people of Zarahemla being grumpy about King Benjamin's request to come to the temple. They weren't worried about the crowds, and it was crowded, nor were they worried about I I the inconvenience We had no family or close friends in attendance; in fact, there were only seven people in the entire room. My husband wore his Sunday suit and I a simple, homemade dress and veil, done with the help of my roommate. We had no tuxes, no flowers, no attendants or official photographer in short, none of the trappings that normally attend temple weddings here. Fortunately, young as we were and very new in the Church, we had been taught well. We knew that it was the temple covenant, not the trappings, that mattered. I am the only member in my family and they have never forgiven me for marrying where they could not go. Was it worth it? Yes, and I would do it again if I had to start over. My own daughter's wedding this past fall was no more beautiful, even though she had the good fortune to be surrounded by loved ones and many of the material touches we lacked. The temple is the dwelling place of God. There we can get closer to heaven than anywhere else on earth. The benign influences pouring forth from that building will bless the lives of every member of this community, young or old, believer or not. A temple requires not only patrons but a large host of worthy workers. That we were accounted prepared for this responsibility says something about our community. So, too, does the fact that those not of the LDS faith have welcomed this temple as neighbor. how special the Mount Timpanogos temple was to me. Since that morning, the words to the primary song," I Love to See the Temple" have had a whole new significance. That morning I was strongly prompted by the Spirit that I needed to go to the temple grounds that day. I hesitated a moment; why was it so important for me to be there today? After all, it was nearly a five mile trip in the heat of mid-Jun- e. Later as I packed a with my bag and a a snack Scriptures, bottle of fruit juice, I realized how much I was looking forward to going to the temple. It wasn't long after I'd left when I realized that walking to the temple was much harder than I'd anticipated. Several times I small of hauling their families a long distance. I'm positive they had pressing concerns at home and work that thev gladly put aside for a chance to be spiritually fed. As I watch our wonderful Mt. Timpanogos Temple cast its long shadow over mv home and family, I think of the people of Zarahemla with their tent doors facing the temple listening quietly to King Benjamin telling them to serve God and each other. The beauty of our temple reflects that same message for us todav. About the author: Kelli Nielsen is a homeiuaker and She of five children. almost ;ns her degree in communications from Brilliant Young Unrversity, but close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. She loves to write and is working on a children's hook which she hopes will he a series. mother n ' JimMM Despite the rapidly increasing number of temples in the world, there are still only a handful of communities anywhere that hold such sacred ground. I will be ever grateful that ours is one of them. The most wonderful place on earth It took one day in June of 1996, for me to realize Yet no one our California ward and 15 can see from start to finish Beky Quintero had the opportunity to trip. what it means to have a temple nearby. The people of Zarahemla probably never imagined a time such as now with airplanes, cars and trains, modern conveniences that make traveling relatively easy. Their idea of a long journey and ours would certainly be different. Yet living close to a temple is still a matter of perspective. I was married in the Seattle Temple which was almost two hours from my home in Washington State. I remember when that temple was built. We felt fortunate to have a temple so close! Moving to California and having to drive two hours to get to the Los Angeles Temple, my husband and I found ourselves reflecting on how nice it was to have lived so close to the Ogden Temple, (it was a fifteen minute drive from our - Page wondered why I'd come at all, but when I'd finally reached the crest of the hill and saw the majesty of the temple. The struggles it had taken to get there seemed insignificant. It was worth it to see it shining in the early morning light. I believe the Mount Timpanogos temple is the most wonderful place on earth and I am happy that many more Saints will be able to have their work done for them in our wonderful temple. About the Author: Nicole Dodaro is nineteen years old, and the oldest of three children. She has one brother, Colin who's nine; and one sister, Katie, who's five. Her family lives in the 23rd Ward in the American Fork Hillcrest Stake. She is currently attendi)ig Utah Valley State College. - Photo by Beky Quintero It took a time long By Adam Edwards It took a long time to build the temple. was just little when they started and now I am five years old. My favorite thing was seeing the workers put Moroni on top of the temple. They did it with a crane. I'm glad the temple is done now so I can go to the open house. The temple reminds me of Jesus. Jesus is a very good man. He was kind to other people. He walked away from none. The temple is his house where families can get sealed. If we be good like him, our whole family can be together forever. 1 |