Payson Temple Open House Volunteer

Today I had the opportunity and privilege to serve as a volunteer usher inside the newly constructed Payson LDS Temple. For the past 2 years, I have watched as this temple has taken form. I have seen this magnificent building transform from mere steel beams to the gorgeous edifice it is today. We watched with eager excitement to see the 13 foot tall statue of Moroni be hoisted to the top of the temple spire in October 2013. We have admired and enjoyed the illuminated view of the temple from our deck each night...and now it's finally time to enter this sacred building. As I was escorted to where I would serve as an usher, tears filled my eyes at the beauty that surrounded me. I had grown up in the shadow of the Mesa LDS temple in Arizona. I have always considered that to be my temple. My parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents were all married there. I was married there. The Mesa temple is the first temple I ever entered and the one in which I made sacred covenants with my Father in Heaven. It will always be a special, sacred place for me, but as I climbed the grand staircase in the Payson temple and admired the intricate stained glass windows depicting varying stages of apple blossoms, I knew that the Payson temple is now my temple. I felt a connection and a purposeful sense of belonging as I reverently walked those hallowed halls. This was something that was uniquely mine. I don't know how else to explain it. When I married Jeff, I moved from my home state to his. I moved from my house to his...and even though we've done alot to make his house our home, I've still only felt a distant connection to the house (however, that connection is growing as I've put more of myself and my memories and my love into the home). But the temple is new to all of us and I had the privilege of being the first in our family to enter therein. I wish words could describe what that meant to me. It was something new, fresh, and uniquely mine. I was truly walking in my Father's house, and I felt the peace that He gives to all who wish to have it.

In any case, I was stationed on the top floor in the sealing (or marriage) rooms. Today the temple was open to local government officials, church leaders, and other VIP guests. This meant that there wasn't an overabundance of visitors (as will be the case when the public open house starts). There were several moments in which I was simply able to sit, ponder, and admire the beauty and peace that surrounded me. I was only there for a couple hours before being released from my duties. After I was given permission to leave, I was able to wander the temple to see the other rooms and areas I had missed before exiting. The temple theme is apple blossoms. Each temple is decorated to depict the area in which it is built. Because of the many apple (among other fruit) orchards, the apple blossom was chosen as the temple's theme. You can see them everywhere! They are in the stained glass windows, the railing of the staircase, the wooden arms of the sofas and chairs, inlaid in the tables, etc. As one progress from the basement floor to the top, the blossoms bloom. In the baptistry (on the bottom floor), one can only see the leaves. The next floor shows the buds and the top floors show the blossom in full bloom. This subtle distinction represents our own spiritual growth as we make more covenants with our Father in Heaven that allow us to return to live with Him. I was grateful for the opportunity to serve as a volunteer for those few shorts hours. I am excited to be able to visit this temple after it has been dedicated and to serve therein. This temple is not only a blessing to me, but to everyone who lives in its vicinity.

This is a picture of the interior of one of the sealing rooms.