My heart is full tonight. Today I had the opportunity, along with my husband, to take our two oldest children and attend a session of the dedication of the newest LDS temple.A few weeks ago we were able to take the entire family to tour the inside of the temple during the public open house. During this time, before the temple is dedicated to the Lord, the temple is open to the public for anyone to come walk through and tour the inside. My kids were so excited - they have always asked me what it was like inside the temple. I've tried to explain it to them. There is nothing in this world that can compare to the beauty, the serenity, the absolute peace that can be found within the walls of these holy buildings.
Today as we attended the dedication, I was overcome with emotion as I sat with my husband, and two of my children, sharing with them this special experience. I am so grateful to have had this opportunity.
As I was waiting for the meeting to start, listening to the beautiful music and feeling the sweet spirit that was present - I pondered on a couple of things. Recently, as I have been hopping around different blogs, I have read a couple of things pertaining to my faith, and to the way members of our church are perceived by those not of our faith. I also reflected on some of the words that were spoken when I attended church this morning. The topic was on sharing our faith and beliefs with others, and how it is sometimes difficult because we may be afraid of over stepping our bounds, or perhaps offending someone.
I thought about how there are times when I feel perfectly comfortable with reaching out and sharing what I believe - and it is such a joy. But there are other times when I feel like sharing something with someone, but don't because I am too afraid of what they will think.
It also occured to me that there may be many people who are actually wondering about some aspect of our beliefs, or religious practices but don't know how to ask, either because they are afraid of offending someone, or they maybe just don't know anyone who is a mormon.
So I have a couple of questions. If you are LDS, do you sometimes find it difficult to share your testimony with those who aren't members, because you are afraid of offending them?
And if your aren't LDS, do you, or would you find it offensive if someone who is LDS wants to share what they believe? OR do you have something you have wondered about that you don't know how to ask?
I really want to know what you all have to say. Leave me a comment, or a question. I promise that: 1- I will not be offended no matter what the question or comment, and 2- I will answer each person who asks me a question. You can leave a comment, even anonymously if you prefer, and I will respond through the comments, or you can email me through my profile and I will respond through email.
The Church has a website specifically for learning about the beliefs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, you can visit at http://www.mormon.org/.
To end tonight, I just wanted to share this video about the blessings of the temple. I love this video, and hope you will enjoy it as well.
Comments
I honestly do not have much knowledge of other faiths and although I believe strongly in mine I am interested in knowing what others believe.
I do believe that as long as you believe that Jesus Christ came pure to this earth, lived a flawless and holy life, was crucified for our sins, died, and 3 days later rose for each of us nothing else matters.
Thank you for your boldness and willingness to break the barriers and clear any confusion, it is a true testament of your faith.
I am LDS and I do feel uncomfortable sharing my testimony because I am not sure it is very strong right now. But I am working on it!!!
The other night, my husband asked me if there was anything I would do DIFFERENTLY if I decided the Church wasn't true any more. I couldn't think of a single thing! I would still keep all of the standards I was raised with, for the sake of my kids. (He declared that he would drink Dr. Pepper and Coke...and then, after a moment of thought, decided he'd be doing that anyhow, if he wasn't married to ME! LOL)
Thank you for sharing your beautiful experience! I grew up 10 minutes from the Seattle temple. I am now a good 90 minutes from the Manhattan temple...I do miss seeing Moroni as I drive about doing my errands!
I do have a question for you - how do you keep the Spirit with you when the kids have been crying/begging/shouting/jumping for 6 hours, dinner is burning on the stove, the doorbell is ringing, the phone is too, and you're about three days behind on the ribbons you wanted to work on for your boutique? I'm in Primary, and I MISS hearing the Relief Society sisters answer questions like this!
I have always learned that although the cross is a prominent symbol of Christianity, it is a symbol of the instrument of our Lord's pain and death. Although we are amazed and immensely grateful at His love and willingness to suffer on our behalf, and are humbled and reverent at the thought of His great sacrifice, what is more wonderful is what happened after. He rose for us. He conquered death and made it possible for us all to rise again, to be reunited with our families, and be exalted.
This is why we choose to decorate with pictures of our Savior, celebrating the gift of the Atonement rather than the instrument of His pain and suffering.
Also, the temple is different from most churches, because it is not simply a meetinghouse. We have Church buildings where we meet each week, for sabbath services, as well as weekly activities. You would probably find these more similar in design to most other churches.
The temple serves a different purpose, and therefore is different in design.
Xazmin