I really enjoyed Truman Madsen's new book about the temple. He retells a familiar story about Pres. McKay. A young woman came to him who had recently received her endowment. She told how she had also recently joined a sorority at her college. She was more impressed with the sorority initiation than with the endowment process. She was disappointed. Then Pres. McKay paused, and said, "I was disappointed, too." Of course, everyone was taken aback. Finally, he said, "And you were all disappointed, as well." Up to this point, this could be seen as an acknowledgement that we usually go to the temple with unrealistic expectations. The kind of unreality varies, but it is usually not what we expect. By the way, this took place at a special multistake meeting where Pres. McKay was asking for commitments of funds to build the LA temple. He left the meeting with over $1 million in pledges. This was in the early 50's when that was a lot of money. Anyway, later in his remarks he said the following:
"I believe there are few, even temple workers, who comprehend the full meaning and power of the temple endowment. Seen for what it is, it is the step-by-step ascent into the Eternal Presence. If our young people could but glimpse it, it would be the most powerful spiritual motivation of their lives."
And how about us old people?
When I was in the temple earlier this month (Mom was baby-sitting), the session was full, and there was a young woman present who apparently had cerebral palsy. She was in a wheel chair and had difficulty controlling her arms, or speaking properly. Her mother (I think) was with her and helped her with the clothing. I didn't take much notice until near the end of the session when, to my surprise, she was up and her mother was helping her to the prayer. She could move her legs, not very well, and as she approached, it was clear she was there with other family members, apparently her father and brother (he had a tag on so I suppose he was going on a mission). She stood between them, and her father put his arm around her and held her up. Her brother stood with the mother. As they went through the process, she struggled to force her rebellious body into the proper motions. Love and joy were evident on the faces of all four; there was no awkwardness or embarrassment. At the end of the prayer, her mother helped her return to her seat. Even now, for some reason, this episode touches me deeply. I would love to have the strength to put my arms around each of you and hold you up. I would love to be with you in the temple and in heavenly Father's presence. I know his arms are around us to bear us up, and that his face is alight whenever we turn to him, even if it requires a powerful exercise of our will to do so.
I don't fully comprehend the power of the temple, but it is real. Go. And go and go.
1 comment:
I love going to the live session. To see the ordinance workers, who do not feel naturally inclined (or is some cases able) to act, act. To see the whole session work together to accomplish a single goal. To see all of the understanding smiles when one of the workers misses a line or word or just does not feel comfortable. It is a testimony to me of the unity that the temple can bring to all of us. Joy in service.
An aside, I did notice that at the Draper temple they now have double wide seats in the last row of each room. Kind of comment on the state of health in Utah.
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