Learning from the Temple

A couple of weeks after we were married, Mark and I were called to be temple workers at the Detroit Temple. I was kind of hesistant about taking it because I had been through the temple only a handful of times, and didn’t feel like I would be able to do the work that needed to be done simply because I lacked the experience needed. Plus all the temple workers seemed so much older and more experienced, I couldn’t possibly be qualified enough to do what they were doing. We went in and met  with the temple president and his wife and talked with them about what days we were available and what days they needed us, which turned out to be Saturday mornings. Now I was pretty peeved about the whole thing, Saturdays were the only day I could sleep in during the week. I was already exhausted by all the other things I was doing, how could I give up even more sleep to go and work in a place I was still relatively unfamiliar with?? But I frustratedly committed to trying to go.

That first Saturday it was hard to roll out of bed and get ready and double check we had everything we needed for the temple. We got there and changed.  Of course as a youngin and as someone new I attracted a bit of attention, which anyone who knows me knows I absolutely detest. So feeling even more uncomfortable I walked into the meeting unsure of what to expect. But as soon as we watched the lesson of that day I felt peaceful. And that peace followed through all the studying and learning about the temple and its practices that I did that day. I left that first day thinking, okay this isn’t too bad, I’ll come back next week and see.

And we’ve been going pretty consistently since that point. I’ve continued to learn more and more about the temple and about all the things that take place there. I’ve had to study and work hard to learn and memorize all the things that are said and done, but it’s been a labor of love and peace for me. I’ve seen the power of the ordinances performed there and I’ve felt the spirit speaking to me. From giving me peace, to giving me understanding about certain things, to enlightenment on things i once found difficult. Most recently I was fumbling around with my wording and trying not to show my frustration, embarrassment with myself, and fear of not being perfect in the ordinances. Suddenly I was given the impression that “someone might need a little imperfection today, someone needs a touch of humanity. Don’t worry about perfection, just do your best and do it with meaning”. And I was surprised by the feeling, but stuck with it and the rest of the day was beautiful, even with its little flaws.

I’ve come to really love the people I work with. These women are strong in their testimony of the temple and have helped me to strengthen my own beliefs through their patience, understanding, and by sharing their own experiences and wisdom with me. They all have such diverse lives and purposes and understandings but can all stand together and bring others closer to God through their service in the temple. It really is a beautiful thing to be able to work and fellowship with my sisters in the temple.

So I won’t say that waking up on Saturdays at 6:25am has gotten really easy, or that the hour drive is how I want to start my Saturdays, but I have come to appreciate them more because I know that those seemingly difficult things are bringing me closer to my Heavenly Father, to understanding His ways and His people a little more.