Temple Open House

When I was five (or so), my parents took me to see the Logan LDS Temple being renovated. I told them right then and there, “I will not be going to the temple, ever.” There’s no way I was going in a building where there were tractors inside. To prove me wrong, and show me how truly beautiful the temples are, my parents took all five of us back up to Logan for the “open house.” This is when our temples are open to the public, to go in all areas, before they are dedicated to the Lord, and the doors are closed to the public. After that, only members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with temple recommends, can go inside.

We waited outside in a line, in the freezing cold, for what seemed like forever. I remember sitting on my dads shoulders, trying to stay warm, and I put my legs in his big, orange, puffy coat. I don’t remember the inside of the building, but I remember that I was in awe.

I have been to a few other temple open houses since then. The Jordan River Temple, when I was seven, almost eight. I remember being almost eight because my entire family, but me, got to go the actual dedication of the temple. My mom waved a white hanky in the hallelujah chorus, framed it for me, and it hung on my wall throughout my adolescent years.

I also went to the Portland Temple open house, where I was finally old enough to really enjoy it. It was more beautiful than I could have imagined. Truly, temples are built with only the finest materials money can buy, with only the most skilled of artisans, and in the most lovely areas in their designated parts of the world.

I do have some other memories of this trip, though. Like people picketing the temple with derogatory signs about Mormons, wearing underclothing over their clothes, and even people chaining themselves to the gates in protest. Isn’t America great? Freedom of religion is a wonderful thing.

When Peter and I were first married, and knew for sure (haha) we’d never live in Utah, we took a trip from the Great Northwest to Utah. At this time, it was the Mt. Timpanogos Temple open house. (Which, funnily enough, is now the temple district we live in) This was amazing and beautiful as well. With fine detail in every direction, fantastic colors, furniture and paintings. Again, I was in awe.



So when we found out that the Draper Temple open house was going to be held, I knew I had to get tickets for our family. They’re free and open to the public, you just have to get them online.

Again, I was not left disappointed. Everything was absolutely amazing. The exterior stone of the temple is imported from China. The interior stone, which lines the entire building as stone carved base boards, is limestone from France. All of the finish woodwork is wood imported from West Africa, and the beautiful mural walls are all hand painted by local artists. Truly beautiful.

I will write some of the highlights the kids said and did. The one thing I really noticed is that this is a beautiful building. Really beautiful. But being a member of the church, and having a temple recommend, I can say that after these amazing structures are dedicated to the Lord, they become so much more. They feel so much more full of the Spirit of God. The minute you walk in, you are engulfed. While the Draper Temple is wonderful, really. I can’t wait to return once it is dedicated, to recognize the difference. And to feel that small part of earth, so much closer to heaven.

Baby: He was perfect the entire tour. He rode in his backpack, head leanign back looking up most of the time, cooing and ooing at all the beautiful shiny things. And, I like to think, the angels that were there as well.

Ruby: She was hilarious. I kept hear her talking to herself, “bee-you-ti-ful, bee-you-ti-ful, bee-you-ti-ful,” I’d say, “what do you think?” She’d look up and say, “They’re so sparklie. It’s so sparklie in here.”

In one of the mural painted ordinance rooms, she jumped off the “path” (they had wood covered with carpet, lining the whole tour, so as to not get our shoes on the new white carpets), run up to the freshly painted wall and started petting “the cougar.” There was small cougar painted into the outdoor scene, she saw it, and had to pet it. Yes, the whole room heard a ‘snap’ and a “Ruby!” from me. But really, it was sweet.

She ooed and awed over the brides room. (where the brides get ready before they are married) In another room with a satin curtain she said, “Oh. This is where she dances in her beautiful wedding dress!” (not really of course, no dancing in the temple – save that for your reception, Roo)

Simon: He was astounded at the gold paint that many of the walls were detailed with. “Real Gold!? It is like King Solomon’s temple!”

And Samuel told me that he really felt the spirit in the sealing room. (This is where we are married, and sealed to our spouse for time and all eternity.) It was beautiful.

My jaw dropped, then I recovered and had to ‘chill’, when I saw a kid jumping, shoes on, on the couch of the Celestial Room. Or another little one running circles around the alter in a sealing room, squealing. Children are welcome, though. And after I inhaled deeply to calm myself, I remembered this and was glad that families are such an intricate part of our lives. Even in the most sacred of places.

I’m so glad I was able to be there with my family, both my immediate and my extended. We had a wonderful time there, and a fun dinner together afterwards. Family really is the most important thing in this life.

The building next to the temple had cookies and water set up beautifully for the visitors. They did a fantastice job "transforming" the gym. I could hardly tell I was in a gym, except for those darn basketball hoops.

The buses weren't so bad, but the wait for home was really long. We had to park at church buildings around the area and be transported up to the temple. Apparently buses break down now and then, who knew?

Photos courtesy of http://drapertemple.blogspot.com/