Write at the Heart

A couple years ago I witnessed the sweetest elderly couple be sealed to their deceased parents, he to his parents, and she to hers. I’ll never forget it! As I sat there, the thought occurred to me: nobody could ever pay me any amount of money to say that nothing was happening in that room. I couldn’t do it. Something happened in there, something incredible. Something that reached beyond this earthly experience & sent me reeling at the power of it all, reminding me that temples are SO much more than beautiful buildings. We read in Mormon 8:14, “The plates thereof are of no worth... but the record thereof is of great worth” Joseph Smith’s life was in danger many times as his enemies tried to steal the plates. What they saw was RICHES. Gold! Definitely worth something! But if only they knew!! If only they knew the gold was nothing compared to what was written on it! If only they knew “the truths of the Book of Mormon have the power to heal, comfort, restore, succor, strengthen, consol...

A few years ago while visiting San Antonio we went to see the temple. As we drove into the parking lot, we gave the kids a simple little talk about the importance of the temple. Suddenly I felt a distinct rush of emotion, of reassurance, of comfort, of peace, of truth. I couldn't hold back the tears. This is often the way the spirit confirms truth to me, and I've learned to recognize it. When I am in the right state of mind, I get these flashes of complete light and understanding. Everything makes sense. It is a powerful manifestation to me saying this is true. It is these moments that I try to write down. And I did. It's so easy to forget. It's so easy to look back and rationalize our feelings and think maybe we made them up, that maybe the spirit was just our own brain, a psychological fabrication to make us feel better. But gosh, those moments when I feel the witness of the Holy Ghost... it is as real as my hand in front of my face. I can't deny it. It's hard...

Well, it was back to church today after many months! I’ve actually loved home church. But being at church again, gathered with just a few members, was beautiful, and I found myself getting emotional during the sacrament, listening to the words of the prayer, renewing my covenant to take upon myself His name, keep the commandments, and remember Him. My cute 13-year-old boy passed the sacrament, and then he gave a great talk on what he learned from the scriptures this week. The meeting was short and sweet, and I have to say, all the kids behaved stupendously. We have come a long way from Cheerios thrown across benches and threatening children out in the foyer. At times I’ve wondered why so many things in the church seem so repetitive. The sacrament, the temple, the talks... we hear the same things again and again. The word “remember” is used hundreds of times in the scriptures, and if there’s a “remember, remember” ooohhh you know you better pay attention. But you know what? It’s cause w...