Dallas Texas Temple - Shadows and Service

Dallas, Texas is a study of contrasts: big vs small, loud vs quiet, fast vs slow, light vs dark.  The Dallas Ft Worth Airport is a city within a city, with interactive giant, touchpad screens, gourmet restaurants, and where jumbo jets are seen taxiing across bridges that intersect with the freeway.

When we arrived, we navigated our way to the temple.  Nighttime lighting and shadows highlighted the walls and architecture.  They brought movement and life to the textured granite.  Even the leaves of the trees, cast shadows across our faces.  It was magical.



It was late and, fortunately, I had read that this temple had a small cafeteria.  We waited for a few moments, before someone noticed we were there.  Then a sister quickly filled our plates with turkey, stuffing, and all the fixings of an early Thanksgiving meal.  It was delicious and I must have been hungry, because I finished before Bill!

While we were eating, the sister who served us came out to visit.  I was surprised to discover that she was a volunteer, who fed about 400 people that day, by herself.  Occasionally she has help, but this evening she cooked, served and cleaned up, alone.  Although the temple had only a few patrons that evening, she described the challenge of trying to feed those who occasionally come in groups by bus.  I felt appreciation for her and the unseen service she provides.  I know there are many who volunteer and help in numerous ways, at every temple.  Some tend and play with the children, who are waiting to be united with their parents. Others wash and fold white temple clothing, and some arrive late in the evening to dust, vacuum and clean.  It is all sacred work, and I believe is written down and recorded by the angels in heaven.

Holding to Texas tradition, the chandelier in the Celestial Room of this temple is HUGE!  I think it should be labeled the 8th wonder of the world!