Brightening My Light

lds.org This was the part I wrote for my role in the pageant for our stake women's conference on women from the scriptures and Church history.  I am Hannah, mother of the prophet Samuel, from the Old Testament. I was in a polygamous marriage, and as if that wasn’t hard enough, my husband’s other wife, Peninnah, could have children, but I could not. Peninnah would tease me for being infertile because she was jealous that our husband loved me more than he loved her. Every year we went to the temple. One year, Peninnah was so cruel, I wept bitterly and couldn't eat. My husband tried consoling me by asking, “Am I not better to thee than ten sons?” Of course he was a good husband to me, but the love a woman has for her husband and the love she has for her children are not quite the same, and I wanted to experience that motherly love more than anything. I finally couldn’t take it anymore. I went to the temple alone and poured out my soul in prayer and tears. I vowed ...

Last week at stake conference, I had the privilege to sing alto in a special women's choir for the a cappella number "Lift Thine Eyes" from Mendelssohn's  Elijah . I had never heard it before, and I immediately fell in love with it the first time I listened to it. The message of the song is just as beautiful as the music: Lift thine eyes to the mountains, w hence cometh help. Thy help cometh from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. He hath said thy foot shall not be moved. Thy keeper will never slumber. Lift thine eyes to the mountains, w hence cometh help.  To me, the words mean we can get help from the Savior at His temple, the mountain of the Lord. I also love the line, "Thy keeper will never slumber," a reminder that Christ is always there waiting for us to seek Him and rely on His strength and righteousness. We may fall asleep while praying, reading our scriptures, sitting in Church, or even attending the temple, but He is always aware ...

As the time approached for me to enter the temple before I got married, I was terrified. I had no idea what to expect and I don't like feeling clueless. I had read The Holy Temple by President Boyd K. Packer the year before, but didn't find it particularly helpful. I took a temple prep class while engaged and learned some of the covenants I would make. I knew some other things from what people had said here and there under various circumstances. The night before my endowment, my mom showed me her ceremonial clothing so I would know what each piece was. I didn't even know they existed. (The Church has since made the clothing public, as shown in this official video .) Despite all this and being raised in an active, gospel-study-focused family, my first time going through the temple was somewhat strange. It did not feel wrong, but it did feel unusual at times. Besides baptisms, the activities in the temple are only done there, so there is no way to prepare for them...

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has released a short video on the sacredness of temple garments and clothing and has included shots of what they look like. As you can see, the garments are similar to regular underwear for men and bodyshaping wear for women. The fabric shown is only one of many options we can choose from. There are some variances in design for the women's tops as well and longer bottoms available for colder areas. For more information on temple garments, click here . The temple clothing is worn over a modest white dress for women and a white dress shirt and dress pants for men. The clothing understandably may look strange or funny to you, but please be respectful of them and to us. Thank you. Discussion: Do you have any other questions regarding temple garments or temple clothing?

One Sunday, my husband was teaching the young men a lesson on preparing for their missions. One young man replied, "I don't need to learn that yet. I have a few years before I go on a mission." Too many youth have that terribly wrong perception. Preparation for a mission--most essentially, the temple--is a lifelong pursuit. It starts at childhood, not the year (or month for most women) before entering the temple. Two Primary songs emphasize this point: While I am in my early years, I'll prepare most carefully, So I can marry in God's temple for eternity. ("Families Can Be Together Forever," Children's Songbook , p. 188) I love to see the temple. I'm going there someday . . . I'll prepare myself while I am young; This is my sacred duty. ("I Love to See the Temple," Children's Songbook , p. 95) "Someday" comes sooner than you think. And it's hard to break years of bad habits and repent of years ...

Challenge: Go to the temple--no excuses.

If by Carma Salvesen From the November 2010 New Era If I could go to Galilee And walk where Jesus walked And sit in tender grasses On the hillside where He taught.   If I could sit and ponder On a rock that knew His hand, Or walk along the seashore Where His feet had touched the sand.   My spirit yearns within me, But it doesn’t seem my fate. I’ll never walk where Jesus walked. I’ll never see … but wait.   I worship in His temple Where I know He’s walked before. Have His feet been down this hallway? Have His fingers touched this door?   Has He stood here in this very room And looked at what I see? In the beauty of His temple I can feel His love for me.   I close my eyes and picture Him, My worries melt away. I don’t need to go to Galilee Or travel far away.   For my tender heart is filled With what He wants me to be taught And my testimony burns within— I’ve walked where Jesus walked!   Sharing Time: H...

Oakland CA Temple More analysis on my stat counter has prompted me to write yet another post on temple garments, this time for Church members. Some information is repeated from the last FAQ to clarify common questions. What age to wear garments Officially you can attend the temple and begin to wear garments at age 18 if you are worthy. Most leaders discourage doing so unless you are preparing for a mission or marriage to ensure readiness, necessity, and maturity. However, all worthy members may attend the temple and wear garments regardless of mission service or marital status. Newly baptized members must wait one year so they can learn and grow spiritually. Keeping temple covenants is serious, and leaders want to make sure you are prepared and willing to take on that responsibility, no matter what your age. How to order garments To order garments, go to your local distribution center, which is usually next to the nearest temple. If there isn't one close by, then you can ...

Washington D.C. Temple Thanks to my stat counter account, I have discovered that a popular search item is the temple garment. That is understandable since it is such a symbolic and sacred item in our Church and inspires much curiosity in the outside community. Therefore, I am going to address some frequently asked questions about temple garments. What are temple garments? Garments are white undershirts and underpants that many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wear. Who wears temple garments? Members of the Church who have attended the temple wear garments. In order to attend the temple, they must be at least 18 years old and have received a temple recommend (card), which is given after two interviews with local Church leaders to establish personal worthiness to enter the temple. Most men receive their garments before going on their mission [at age 18 as of 2013]. Most women receive theirs before getting married or going on a mission [at age 19 as of ...

Friday evening I went to the temple with a friend. I had not gone in a long while, and I forgot the incredible peace I always feel there. I want to return soon to feel it again. But I don't have to wait until I attend the temple to feel that joy. There is another place where I can feel it every day: my home. "Temples are literally houses of the Lord. They are holy places of worship where the Lord may visit. Only the home can compare with temples in sacredness" ( True to the Faith , 170). "There exists a righteous unity between the temple and the home," Elder Stevenson reminded us in General Conference April 2009 . "Understanding the eternal nature of the temple will draw you to your family; understanding the eternal nature of the family will draw you to the temple." The purpose of the temple is to provide saving ordinances, all of which lead to the ultimate ordinance of uniting families. The home, the place of family growing and gathering, should be...

After my endowment in San Diego In General Conference 1997, Elder Carlos E. Asay shared the following story: “A few years ago, in a seminar for new temple presidents and matrons, Elder James E. Faust, then of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, told about his being called to serve as a General Authority. He was asked only one question by President Harold B. Lee: ‘Do you wear the garments properly?’ to which he answered in the affirmative. He then asked if President Lee wasn’t going to ask him about his worthiness. President Lee replied that he didn’t need to, for he had learned from experience that how one wears the garment is the expression of how the individual feels about the Church and everything that relates to it. It is a measure of one’s worthiness and devotion to the gospel.” Can you imagine a temple recommend interview based on that one question? I can, for the proper wearing of garments shows modesty, obedience, and respect for, understanding of, and dedication to temple ...