The Detroit temple has been in "phase two" for a couple of weeks now. What that means is that live ordinances can now be performed (initiatories, endowments, and sealings). We were told by the temple presidency that a few people would be needed to help, but that there wouldn't be a great need.
So last Tuesday, I got a call from Sister Holden, one of the shift coordinators, asking if John and I could come work on Saturday for a live endowment and sealing. Of all weekends, John was actually going to be in Pennsylvania working, but I told Sister Holden that I would be happy to help. Not surprisingly, she told me that they were looking more for couples than singles, and single sisters (per the usual) are needed the least. She told me though that she would keep my name on the list.
I didn't hold out much hope, but my heart nearly jumped out of my chest when Sister Holden's name popped up on my phone Thursday night. As she told me, she had called every other person she could, and not one person could help her. Yeah, so glad I'm at the bottom of the list....
Anyway, she had a need for a single sister to be the hostess for the own (live) endowment. A young couple had already been married civilly during COVID and were coming to be sealed, but the bride hadn't received her endowment yet.
Let me tell you, on a normal Saturday, it's a thrill and an honor to be a hostess. I mean really, when I scan my schedule which is handed me at the door, there's nothing better than seeing HO for a certain time slot! So being asked when there are so few live endowments happening? I jumped at the chance! Sister Holden then went on for a good ten minutes more, telling me how things would work, and afterwards she sent me a long, detailed email. With COVID, things have changed at the temple--nothing that is important has changed, but there are so many precautions and a different order of doing things. I wasn't sure I would remember all of the changes, but you better believe I studied that email!
The following day, Friday, I spent the day preparing to go to the temple. Not that I needed to do much different from what I normally do, but I wanted to be really prepared. I decided to go through the hymnbook and sing every song that was listed in the topical guide under "Temple". There are so many hymns that are sermons in themselves, and I knew that I would find some good ones. The one that struck me the most was "Holy Temples on Mount Zion" simply because it described exactly what I have missed the most about the temple for the past six months:
Holy temples on Mount Zion in their lofty splendor shine.
Avenues to exaltation, symbols of a love divine.
And their kindly portals beckon to serenity and prayer.
Valiant children of the promise pledged to sacred service there.
When I was walking the dogs on Saturday morning (before I left for my shift), I memorized that verse (and just typed it from memory, thank you very much ;-)). I sang it over and over and over as I got ready that morning.
A beautiful thing about our new home and its location is that it is only 30 minutes from the temple! Aside from Utah, we have never lived this close to a temple, so it was a short drive as the sun was rising. I pulled into the adjoining church's parking lot, and when the temple came into view, I was moved to tears. The sky was cloudy, but there was a sunbeam shining right on the Angel Moroni. Moroni was definitely beckoning!
In the email, it said to wait until 9:00 exactly before walking up to the doors, and everyone would be let in at the same time because the temple doors are being kept locked. There is no person standing at the recommend desk anymore, because everyone now scans their own recommend, so we all entered as a group after having our temperature taken by Sister Jones. The worker locker rooms also aren't being used so that there is less to clean in the end, and the waiting room is being used either, so we all headed back to the patron locker room. We were given magnets to put on the door to our stall, and within the stall, there was only one locker with a key (all the rest were locked). The magnets would let the cleaning person know afterwards what stall and locker they needed to clean.
Like I said, there were so many "procedures" for us to follow!
We then went into Endowment Room One for prayer meeting, but honestly, it was an hour of straight-up training! There have been enough changes due to COVID that we were given directions on what to do...and then we asked about a million questions.
As hostess, I had been preparing to take the new sister through the clothing booth and then giving her the new name, but with COVID, there was only one chair in the entire booth (all of the curtains were gone), and I was the ONLY sister doing anything in the booth. In fact, I had to do EVERYTHING for initiatories by myself, even sealing the ordinances. I found this out about ten minutes before the new sister arrived, and I said a silent prayer that I would be able to remember EVERYTHING after six months of not being in the temple. Too, because one of the couples was the witness couple and already seated in the endowment room, and the other couple was the officiator and follower, I had to do all of the name issue for the sisters who were accompanying the new sister. It was like a well-choreographed dance. As Sister Jones told me while we were waiting for everyone to arrive, she was crazy stressed about doing everything correctly while looking like she had everything under control (aka a peaceful smile on her face), and President Jones told us to expect "mistakes AND miracles" ;-). Man, they are such good people.
I first had to give the new name to the bride's escort, her mother. No biggie. But as I was saying the words, she broke down crying. I threw COVID to the wind, and just bear-hugged her. She wouldn't let go of me either. We're told not to talk in the name issue booth, so I didn't say much, but she looked at me, weeping, and said, "We've prayed for this day for so long." Well then I started crying, and we just held each other.
I love working in the initiatory booth. I've definitely worked more hours there than anywhere else, and I know the words backwards and forwards, but there were a few little changes, and I certainly have never done the entire ceremony by myself. But with Sister Jones acting as the second witness (around the corner and out of sight to ensure that I said everything correctly), I began.
Because I was coming straight from being with her mom, I still had tears in my eyes, and I had to take a deep breath to not be overcome with emotion. I mean, when I've done one of the booths before with a new endowment, it's always emotionally overwhelming, and the spirit is strong, but with this small group of loving family, and the mom breaking down, and me breaking down, and then going in to do it all?
I tell you now--I don't even remember it. I would say the words came back to me, but honestly, it was like I had never lost them. I said them slowly and clearly, and there was such a feeling of love in that booth. I don't know if things will stay the same after COVID subsides, so I will always be eternally grateful that I had that solo experience. It was unique and astounding and beautiful.
I then gave her back to Sister Jones for instruction and took the sisters, one by one, from the endowment room, to give them the new name. Another family member broke down as well, and she told me that the new name had great significance for their family. I love the tender mercies of the Lord <3
After that, I was off the hook for at least an hour. While there aren't any scriptures or church magazines laying out anymore, Sister Jones told me that I could go in the office and take scriptures into the celestial room if I wanted. Man, it was good just to walk in the office again. As much as that was my least favorite place to work, I sure know the ins and outs of it, and it felt like an old friend. So I grabbed a white triple combination, and walked back to the celestial room.
Even thinking of the moment now, tears come to my eyes. I walked in the room and there was no stopping my emotion. I took off my mask, grabbed some Kleenex, and sat down and just cried. Tears of joy, for sure.
I wish I could publicly express what happened to me, but it will have to remain on this blog for the value of those who read it. It was like the windows of heaven opened to me. Thoughts and ideas and revelation just poured into my mind. Things I hadn't been thinking about or even wondered about came to me, and suggestions of how I need to change my life and things I need to do came as well.
The biggest thought though came right after I sat down. I looked around the room, and it felt as if I had just been there yesterday. It all seemed so familiar. And it was like words in my head that said, "This is life. This is your mortal and eternal journey." I understood in that moment that just as the previous six months of not being in the temple just melted away, and I remembered everything from before that time, my earthly life would be the same. All of the cares and worries of this world will melt away, and I will remember my time with Heavenly Father before I was born, and it will be as if I never left. I will be home.
I then opened my scriptures, turned to the topical guide, and looked up every scripture under the heading "Temple" there as well, and I read all of them. I especially loved reading the Kirtland temple dedicatory prayer.
17 That all the incomings of thy people, into this house, may be in the name of the Lord;
18 That all their outgoings from this house may be in theme of the Lord;
21 And we ask thee, Holy Father, that thy servants may go forth from this house armed with thy power, and that thy name may be upon them, and thy glory be round about them, and thine angels have charge over them.
I realized that I need to make sure that what I say and do in regular life reflects my time in the temple, and how blessed I feel to know that angels will be around us when we leave the temple. I had many more feelings and promptings, but I think even they are too sacred to record.
I stayed in there for a good 45 minutes, and then I sadly walked out of the door and returned the scriptures to the office. I spent the next two hours, or so, disinfecting everything. When the patrons moved from room one to room two, I went in and sanitized anything and everything that might have been touched in the room. And when they were done in the celestial room, I disinfected that room as well. And the sealing room. And the patron bathroom. And the individual stalls in the locker room, wiping everything down, including the locker keys! It was a LOT of cleaning, and I went home with a migraine from the cleaning products, but you better believe that I didn't complain about or inform anyone of my sensitivity to cleaning products ;-).
I also had a few minutes in between cleaning to pull out my phone in the front hall and read the Ensign while waiting to clean more.
When I had finally done everything, and everyone was gone, I sadly put away my temple clothes and got dressed. But I felt so much comfort in knowing that we are making progress towards being able to come back to the temple again. And again.
Just last week, I had said a very heartfelt prayer to Heavenly Father to open the temples again. And I got a phone call just days later. So while in the temple this time, I prayed that my family, specifically my children, will be able to enter the temple again soon. Sister Jones told me that it will happen--we just need to be patient. What a day that will be for both us, and for the family members who have been waiting for it as well.
So last Tuesday, I got a call from Sister Holden, one of the shift coordinators, asking if John and I could come work on Saturday for a live endowment and sealing. Of all weekends, John was actually going to be in Pennsylvania working, but I told Sister Holden that I would be happy to help. Not surprisingly, she told me that they were looking more for couples than singles, and single sisters (per the usual) are needed the least. She told me though that she would keep my name on the list.
I didn't hold out much hope, but my heart nearly jumped out of my chest when Sister Holden's name popped up on my phone Thursday night. As she told me, she had called every other person she could, and not one person could help her. Yeah, so glad I'm at the bottom of the list....
Anyway, she had a need for a single sister to be the hostess for the own (live) endowment. A young couple had already been married civilly during COVID and were coming to be sealed, but the bride hadn't received her endowment yet.
Let me tell you, on a normal Saturday, it's a thrill and an honor to be a hostess. I mean really, when I scan my schedule which is handed me at the door, there's nothing better than seeing HO for a certain time slot! So being asked when there are so few live endowments happening? I jumped at the chance! Sister Holden then went on for a good ten minutes more, telling me how things would work, and afterwards she sent me a long, detailed email. With COVID, things have changed at the temple--nothing that is important has changed, but there are so many precautions and a different order of doing things. I wasn't sure I would remember all of the changes, but you better believe I studied that email!
The following day, Friday, I spent the day preparing to go to the temple. Not that I needed to do much different from what I normally do, but I wanted to be really prepared. I decided to go through the hymnbook and sing every song that was listed in the topical guide under "Temple". There are so many hymns that are sermons in themselves, and I knew that I would find some good ones. The one that struck me the most was "Holy Temples on Mount Zion" simply because it described exactly what I have missed the most about the temple for the past six months:
Holy temples on Mount Zion in their lofty splendor shine.
Avenues to exaltation, symbols of a love divine.And their kindly portals beckon to serenity and prayer.
Valiant children of the promise pledged to sacred service there.
When I was walking the dogs on Saturday morning (before I left for my shift), I memorized that verse (and just typed it from memory, thank you very much ;-)). I sang it over and over and over as I got ready that morning.
A beautiful thing about our new home and its location is that it is only 30 minutes from the temple! Aside from Utah, we have never lived this close to a temple, so it was a short drive as the sun was rising. I pulled into the adjoining church's parking lot, and when the temple came into view, I was moved to tears. The sky was cloudy, but there was a sunbeam shining right on the Angel Moroni. Moroni was definitely beckoning!
In the email, it said to wait until 9:00 exactly before walking up to the doors, and everyone would be let in at the same time because the temple doors are being kept locked. There is no person standing at the recommend desk anymore, because everyone now scans their own recommend, so we all entered as a group after having our temperature taken by Sister Jones. The worker locker rooms also aren't being used so that there is less to clean in the end, and the waiting room is being used either, so we all headed back to the patron locker room. We were given magnets to put on the door to our stall, and within the stall, there was only one locker with a key (all the rest were locked). The magnets would let the cleaning person know afterwards what stall and locker they needed to clean.Like I said, there were so many "procedures" for us to follow!
We then went into Endowment Room One for prayer meeting, but honestly, it was an hour of straight-up training! There have been enough changes due to COVID that we were given directions on what to do...and then we asked about a million questions.
As hostess, I had been preparing to take the new sister through the clothing booth and then giving her the new name, but with COVID, there was only one chair in the entire booth (all of the curtains were gone), and I was the ONLY sister doing anything in the booth. In fact, I had to do EVERYTHING for initiatories by myself, even sealing the ordinances. I found this out about ten minutes before the new sister arrived, and I said a silent prayer that I would be able to remember EVERYTHING after six months of not being in the temple. Too, because one of the couples was the witness couple and already seated in the endowment room, and the other couple was the officiator and follower, I had to do all of the name issue for the sisters who were accompanying the new sister. It was like a well-choreographed dance. As Sister Jones told me while we were waiting for everyone to arrive, she was crazy stressed about doing everything correctly while looking like she had everything under control (aka a peaceful smile on her face), and President Jones told us to expect "mistakes AND miracles" ;-). Man, they are such good people.
I first had to give the new name to the bride's escort, her mother. No biggie. But as I was saying the words, she broke down crying. I threw COVID to the wind, and just bear-hugged her. She wouldn't let go of me either. We're told not to talk in the name issue booth, so I didn't say much, but she looked at me, weeping, and said, "We've prayed for this day for so long." Well then I started crying, and we just held each other.
I love working in the initiatory booth. I've definitely worked more hours there than anywhere else, and I know the words backwards and forwards, but there were a few little changes, and I certainly have never done the entire ceremony by myself. But with Sister Jones acting as the second witness (around the corner and out of sight to ensure that I said everything correctly), I began.
Because I was coming straight from being with her mom, I still had tears in my eyes, and I had to take a deep breath to not be overcome with emotion. I mean, when I've done one of the booths before with a new endowment, it's always emotionally overwhelming, and the spirit is strong, but with this small group of loving family, and the mom breaking down, and me breaking down, and then going in to do it all?
I tell you now--I don't even remember it. I would say the words came back to me, but honestly, it was like I had never lost them. I said them slowly and clearly, and there was such a feeling of love in that booth. I don't know if things will stay the same after COVID subsides, so I will always be eternally grateful that I had that solo experience. It was unique and astounding and beautiful.
I then gave her back to Sister Jones for instruction and took the sisters, one by one, from the endowment room, to give them the new name. Another family member broke down as well, and she told me that the new name had great significance for their family. I love the tender mercies of the Lord <3
After that, I was off the hook for at least an hour. While there aren't any scriptures or church magazines laying out anymore, Sister Jones told me that I could go in the office and take scriptures into the celestial room if I wanted. Man, it was good just to walk in the office again. As much as that was my least favorite place to work, I sure know the ins and outs of it, and it felt like an old friend. So I grabbed a white triple combination, and walked back to the celestial room.
Even thinking of the moment now, tears come to my eyes. I walked in the room and there was no stopping my emotion. I took off my mask, grabbed some Kleenex, and sat down and just cried. Tears of joy, for sure.
I wish I could publicly express what happened to me, but it will have to remain on this blog for the value of those who read it. It was like the windows of heaven opened to me. Thoughts and ideas and revelation just poured into my mind. Things I hadn't been thinking about or even wondered about came to me, and suggestions of how I need to change my life and things I need to do came as well.
The biggest thought though came right after I sat down. I looked around the room, and it felt as if I had just been there yesterday. It all seemed so familiar. And it was like words in my head that said, "This is life. This is your mortal and eternal journey." I understood in that moment that just as the previous six months of not being in the temple just melted away, and I remembered everything from before that time, my earthly life would be the same. All of the cares and worries of this world will melt away, and I will remember my time with Heavenly Father before I was born, and it will be as if I never left. I will be home.
I then opened my scriptures, turned to the topical guide, and looked up every scripture under the heading "Temple" there as well, and I read all of them. I especially loved reading the Kirtland temple dedicatory prayer.
17 That all the incomings of thy people, into this house, may be in the name of the Lord;
18 That all their outgoings from this house may be in theme of the Lord;
21 And we ask thee, Holy Father, that thy servants may go forth from this house armed with thy power, and that thy name may be upon them, and thy glory be round about them, and thine angels have charge over them.
I realized that I need to make sure that what I say and do in regular life reflects my time in the temple, and how blessed I feel to know that angels will be around us when we leave the temple. I had many more feelings and promptings, but I think even they are too sacred to record.
 |
| In the front hall |
I also had a few minutes in between cleaning to pull out my phone in the front hall and read the Ensign while waiting to clean more.
 |
| Waiting in the stall to finish cleaning |
When I had finally done everything, and everyone was gone, I sadly put away my temple clothes and got dressed. But I felt so much comfort in knowing that we are making progress towards being able to come back to the temple again. And again.
Just last week, I had said a very heartfelt prayer to Heavenly Father to open the temples again. And I got a phone call just days later. So while in the temple this time, I prayed that my family, specifically my children, will be able to enter the temple again soon. Sister Jones told me that it will happen--we just need to be patient. What a day that will be for both us, and for the family members who have been waiting for it as well.
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