1. Jordan River Utah Temple

2. Background I don’t have a favorite temple. To me, they are all wonderful, sacred houses of God that fulfill the same purpose. The Jordan River temple will always have a special place in my heart, however. It is the temple I did baptisms for the dead for the first time ever. It is the one close to home.

3. Symbolism to me I was once driving home with my family from a road trip in the dark through Utah. When we got to the Bountiful area, I looked out the window and saw nothing but darkness, except for a temple lit up on the side of the mountain. It was so beautiful and literally a light on a hill. Temples do help those find there way in darkness. It is light of God that won’t ever fade. It is the way to get closer to God. There is symbolism even in that when I see a temple on a mountain, closer to the sky’s. This is the root of my testimony of temples.

4. How did I find this love for the temple? My grandmother has a deep love for the temple. When she offers to take me, I can’t say no. It is even more meaningful to me when I do baptisms for my own ancestors. Often, I will be given small pictures of the temple which I love keeping.

5. My parents teachings My parents never really talked about the importance of visiting the temple. I wished they had more. I sometimes felt like I had to gain this testimony on my own. I will admit, I am grateful to that. Occasionally, they would visit the temple together when they could. Those were times I was very proud of them. I believe the biggest testimony they could share with me about the temple is the fact that they chose to be sealed forever in a house of God (Salt Lake Temple).

6. My Future Goals My roommate and I decided to set a goal to attend the temple weekly. This is a goal I would like to continue with my own family. If weekly is too much, than monthly. Like my family has in their home, I want to have a picture of the temple. Like me, I want my family to gain their own testimony of the temple. I will, of course, be doing my best to teach them of the great importance the temple is to our Heavenly Father. “I Love To See The Temple” is a song that I would want to be in my family’s hearts. The greatest way I think I can teach about the importance of the temple is to be an example myself by going regularly.

7. Temple Facts Announced on February 3, 1978 by Spencer W. Kimball. 148,236 total square feet. One of the five temples where the angel Moroni is holding gold plates. Has six ordinance rooms. Seventh temple built in Utah. 20 th operating temple. Dedicated in November 1981 by Marion G. Romney.

8. Sources Temple Facts Source: http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/jordanri ver/ http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/jordanri ver/ (Pictures from Google)