Gratitude for Temples and Ancestry

Temples are more than places of worship.  They are a place of love, reunion, and family connection.

Ever since I was a child I've experienced a special spirit at temple grounds and in the temples.  For those that are not familiar with temples and what goes on there, here's a reputable link.  Basically, it is where we make covenants with God that connect us with him and our families past and present.  Think baptism, think marriage, think prayers, priesthood, and promises.

I have always loved making family memories, learning family stories, and documenting personal/family history.  Later, after I had children I wanted to discover more of my family history for myself, so I went on a research journey and started filling in my family tree.  As I learned more and more, I felt more and more family connections, and I loved it!  The connections weren't all written, either.  I found that there were spiritual connections happening.  I was feeling my ancestors.

That's quite a statement, but I make it boldly: I feel a strong reach from my ancestors!  There's a spirit that has caught hold of my soul and touches me deeply, quietly, personally.  

As I learn their stories, and see their handwriting, I live their fears, their joys, their boredom, their interests.  I relate to my relatives!  My conviction is their spirits do not die.  I feel them. It is through doing family history and temple work that I am introduced to my ancestors and get to know them through names, dates, places, and documents.  Sometimes during that immersive story-building experience, I feel their spirit near me.  Sometimes not.  But when I do, every now and again I feel their current feelings. 

When I'm in the temple, my favorite is feeling the joy of my ancestors who I'm honoring and doing work for, but it's not always joy they are feeling.  Sometimes they feel grateful.  But guess what? Sometimes they feel unsure.  Sometimes they are reflective and content.  They are so real and varied personalities.  Some are boisterous, some are warm, some shy. And so, since I can sometimes feel them, I don't know, but I assume they can observe and feel me too, and probably better than I can them. So I'll often say a prayer and ask for a message to be sent to that ancestor or allow them to hear me.  Then I share my testimony of Jesus Christ's love and rescuing power, and the work of being his disciple and committing to Him through covenants.  I want them to know I have tried to live it and I love it and I'm doing what I can to spread the good news and allow others the same goodness I have experienced. 

I value my family past, present and future... and our reunions.  Our connections are important to me.  Those connections are not dead at death.  They are eternal and are meant to be cherished.  I am so thankful for temples and family history work.

Lily's home from the mish! Join us for our weekly temple trip!

Vernal Temple- our date for baptisms

Grand Junction open house- so beautiful and smaller than I thought.

Houston Temple- Thanks Jake for taking us!