Monthly Archives: January 2009

This is where we went today …

“Through the earth’s long history, temple worship has been a significant part of the Saints’ worship, by which they show their desire to come closer to their Creator. The temple was a place of learning for the Savior when He was on the earth; it was very much a part of His life. Temple blessings are available once again in our day. A unique feature of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is its teaching concerning temples and the eternal significance of all that occurs within them. Our majestic and beautiful temples now dot much of the earth. In them the most sacred work is done. President Gordon B. Hinckley has stated of these temples, ‘There are only a few places on earth where man’s questions about life receive the answers of eternity.’ The solemn mysteries of where we came from, why we are here, and where we are going are answered more fully in the temples. We came from God’s presence and are here on earth to prepare to return to His presence.

Of transcendent significance is that within the sacred walls of the temple, husbands and wives make eternal covenants. These covenants are sealed by priesthood authority. Children of that union, if they are worthy, may enjoy an eternal relationship as part of a family and as children of God.” (President James E Faust, Second Counselor in the First Presidency)

Of the 128 temples (in operation) that dot the earth today, we are blessed to live a short hour and a half from one of these magnificent buildings.  Each of these temples are individually ornate, meticulous, and awe inspiring.  The only difference between the other 127 and the San Antonio temple is – the San Antonio temple is our temple!  Aaron and I were sealed together for time and all eternity within this temple’s beautiful walls 3 1/2 years ago.  This is where we started our eternal family.  And we are blessed to be reminded of this each time we visit. 

There’s nothing that can replace the peaceful spirit that is felt inside a temple.  Do I wish I could live closer and experience this more often?  Absolutely.  But, until then, I will be perfectly content for living as close as I do now.

“To be offended is a choice we make; it is not a condition inflicted or imposed upon us by someone or something else”  (Elder David A. Bednar, Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, October 2008 General Conference Address)

People are funny things.  If you sit down and think about it, most of us depend on daily interactions with people – our spouse, children, friends, family members, co-workers, customers, gas station attendents, grocery store clerks, local radio show hosts who occupy our time when we’re stuck in traffic!  Familiar or unfamiliar, interactions with people consume our every day.

People can make us laugh so hard our stomach hurts.  They can keep us company when we don’t feel like being alone.  They can share a really good story over a cup of steaming, caramel apple cider (mmmm … the only good thing that comes from Starbucks … besides their over-priced, yet oh so yummy lemon bread! ha).  They can offer us a shoulder to cry on – or snuggle up to – when nothing seems to be going right (it’s amazing how much credit a shoulder gets regardless of how boney and uncomfortable it can be!!).

But, we can’t forget – that very same shoulder can turn cold.  People can speak harsh words that cause tears to be shed.  They can push just enough buttons to ‘set us over the edge’.  And people can often misunderstand and be misunderstood.

If you notice, however, there is a common denominator – ourselves.  We are the ones that control our hysterical laughing and our never-ending flow of tears.  The one thing we have complete control over in life – is ourselves!

This very concept has been on my mind a lot over the last little while.  Don’t know why.  Just has.  My thoughts about this have been coupled with the words Elder Bednar shared during his October 2008 General Conference address. I remember listening to him speak and immediately making the decision to take better control over myself and the way I react to people’s comments and/or actions.  It worked.  It really did.  It’s amazing how much better I felt when I simply chose to not take offense or to not get frustrated (or stay frustrated) – and the more I did it, the easier it became.  Perhaps these recent thoughts I’ve had are to serve as a reminder of the efforts I should still be making …

“When we believe or say we have been offended, we usually mean we feel insulted, mistreated, snubbed, or disrespected. And certainly clumsy, embarrassing, unprincipled, and mean-spirited things do occur in our interactions with other people that would allow us to take offense. However, it ultimately is impossible for another person to offend you or to offend me. Indeed, believing that another person offended us is fundamentally false. To be offended is a choice we make; it is not a condition inflicted or imposed upon us by someone or something else.”

We are the ones who choose to be offended, frustrated, hurt, and mad.  And we also have the complete control to be happy, let things go, be quick to forgive, and always smile.  As I’m sure you can all sympathize, this is not always the easiest thing to do.  It is much easier to take offense, sometimes, then it is to not.  Elder Bednar made another very good point …

“In the grand division of all of God’s creations, there are things to act and things to be acted upon (see 2 Nephi 2:13-14). As sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father, we have been blessed with the gift of moral agency, the capacity for independent action and choice. Endowed with agency, you and I are agents, and we primarily are to act and not just be acted upon. To believe that someone or something can make us feel offended, angry, hurt, or bitter diminishes our moral agency and transforms us into objects to be acted upon. As agents, however, you and I have the power to act and to choose how we will respond to an offensive or hurtful situation.”

These are definitely thoughts worth putting into action.  So, here’s to increasing my efforts.

Cheers!