Mesa Arizona Open House

The morning of my first day in the field, before we got assigned our trainers or areas, we decided on a whim to go to the Mesa Temple open house. We shifted the schedule, President and Sister Goaslind put us in a couple of big vans, and off we went. Two van-loads of greenies walked through the tour with President, and it was amazing. One worker began to cry as we walked in the room, then told one of the last missionaries in line that she could feel the power of the Spirit we bring with us. Then as we proceeded through the tour, a man who I assume is the Temple President pulled us all into a sealing room, rerouting the tour to close the doors. We got to sit in that room as greenies with our president, pondering and talking about the role of temples in God's plan and in missionary work. It was such a powerfully reverent moment, and the Spirit was so strong. They then took us to a couple parts of the temple that aren't usually included in the tour, including the basement, where we saw part of an original mural from before the renovations. The baptismal font in that temple is also gorgeous. The whole experience was guided by God.

I also had the chance to attend the Mexico City Temple twice while in person at the CCM. The temple opened up a week or so before I got there, so the timing was impeccable. It was amazing. The architecture is really cool, and I loved doing Spanish sessions.

The temple has played an essential part in my conversion and my knowledge of God's Plan. I'm beyond grateful to live in a time of abundant temples.