Brigham City Temple Open House

We got to attend the new Brigham City Temple open house a few weeks ago.  It was beautiful!  Click on the link if you're interested in finding out more about why our church has temples and what they are used for.  

Everything about the temple was gorgeous!  Brigham City, and the surrounding area, is known for its peaches.  So there were peach blossoms everywhere in the decorations: the rugs, upholstery, paintings, carved into the walls, ceilings, and even carved into the outside of the temple.     

It was quite tricky to keep these two monkey's quiet and reverent throughout the tour, so they were pretty excited when they could run around a little outside.  

Some of the highlights from the tour:

• Dan's grandfather was leading us through the temple.  When we were in the baptistry, McKenna saw the 12 oxen and said her primary teacher, Mary, had shown her a picture of that.  Grandfather pointed out a picture of John the Baptist baptizing Jesus and then asked who baptized Jesus.  I whispered the answer in McKenna's ear and she kind of shouted out, "John the Baptism!"  She also recalled a cousin of hers who recently got baptized.  Cute girl!
• McKenna twirled and posed in front of the huge full length mirrors in the Bride's room.  I totally got choked up thinking about my little girl getting married in the temple someday.  
• McKenna thought every bench, chair, and kneeling part of the alters looked so comfortable she just had to lay down on them.  Not the most reverent thing to do...     
• We had a very special experience when we entered the Celestial Room, which is meant to represent Heaven and is the most beautiful room in the temple.  McKenna came up to me and touched her chest and said, "I feel the Spirit."  I teared up and gave her a hug and said, "That's wonderful.  I'm so happy for you."  Dan then asked her, "What does feeling the Spirit feel like?"  She responded, "It feels like Jesus is going to come again." When we told Grandfather this story, he said, "You have been well taught." :)  Later at home, we asked her the same thing and she said, "I want to be with Jesus."  This was such a pay day for me and Dan to know that our three and half year old could already recognize the good feelings the temple and the Spirit can bring to her life!  In the end, she didn't want to leave and she frequently asks if we can go back to the temple.  
• Because Dan's parent's place in Mantua is only 10 minutes from this new temple,  I think this particular House of the Lord will hold a special place in our hearts.  
• While in one of the sealing rooms, Grandfather told a story about a beautiful pearl what was kept in a most beautiful box and asked which item represents the temple.  The beautiful box is the temple and the pearl represents the covenants and promises we make in the temple that help us to be eternal families.  This is what's most important in life!   

A great experience for all of us which we'll always remember!