Snowflake Arizona Temple - Ezekiel's Prophecy

With the name "Snowflake", I visualized the town and it's temple located in a mountainous area. And although we traveled north from Phoenix through some beautiful mountains to get there, the landscape changed to a barren desert. Later, I read this place was named after it's Mormon pioneer founders Lorenzo Snow and William Jordan Flake. When we first spotted the temple I wondered, "Where's the city?" But, we soon discovered it hiding over the ridge east of the temple.

Because of the dry desert surroundings, I immediately noticed a beautiful waterfall which began near the temple door and flowed over rocks below.  I thought of the scriptures about the prophesies of the temple in Jerusalem described in Ezekiel 47, "Afterward he brought me again unto the ^adoor of the house; and, behold, ^bwaters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward." This prophesy proclaims that water will flow from the temple toward the Dead Sea, and ultimately heal that stagnant, salty water, located in the desert.

When visiting Israel several years ago, I was taught some of the symbolism of living water to the Jews. Their ceremonial washings are done only in flowing or moving water, which is not under pressure. This represents pure and living water. For instance, when washing their hands before approaching the wailing wall at the temple in Jerusalem, they first run water from a faucet into a pitcher. Then they pour the water from the pitcher gently over their hands.

The Snowflake Temple serves four surrounding stakes of Native Americans.  Several beautiful native rugs, paintings and decorations appear throughout the temple.  One of the temple workers commented they can always tell when someone is visiting the area, because they take more time to look at the walls and furnishings.

I was especially touched by the warm welcome I felt from everyone attending the temple that day.    One sister was celebrating 55 years of marriage with her husband.  She mentioned some of the trials they had experienced at the death of two of their children when they were young.  I noticed the sweet face of another sister as soon as she entered the endowment room.  I thought to myself, "I would like to be like her."  As I prepared to leave the temple I saw her again, and I told her about my feelings.  She just seemed to glow with a peaceful serenity.  She told me it must be because she is there doing work for her ancestors, and she prays for them continuously from the moment she enters the temple.

Listen - Poem

Listen -

Old and living Prophets

     whisper

     from dusty pages

     and shining pulpits

Servants call all

     but faithful few

     choose to partake

     of Christ's banquet

Peculiar people

     reclaim covenant

     accumulate on Peter's

     Gentile blanket

Trumpet beacon

     signals earth to heaven

     Idumea trained

     for final confrontation

Earthquake thunders

     oceans roar

     war threatens

     faithless tremble

Powers clash

     in royal battle

     The Word, emblazed

     ends Zion's struggle

Who will rise

     to welcome Him

     who will hear

     who will listen?

Janice Harten

Sept 10, 2010

Copyright © 2012 Janice Harten.  All rights reserved.

Salt Lake Utah Temple - Love

There is one word that entered my mind when we attended the Salt Lake Temple, love.  When the pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley in 1842, there was nothing but sage brush and harsh desert.  The saints had been driven from their homes in beautiful Nauvoo, Illinois, and made the long difficult trek to the mountains.  When they arrived, Brigham Young declared, "This is the right place", meaning this was the place the Lord had shown him in a vision, they would live and build again.  Only this time, they would not leave.  The saints were destitute, bringing with them a few seeds and items they could carry in wagons or handcarts.  So, they began anew, building a city with their bare hands, and faith.

The Salt Lake Temple was a labor of love.  The first foundation laid, which took nine years, was filled in when the army of the United States once again threatened to enter the valley and persecute the saints.  When it was uncovered, there was a serious flaw discovered and the decision was made to begin again.  For 40 years, the people devoted resources, time and talents, to build a temple to God, like the ancient temple in Jerusalem.

When I look at the beautiful details in every inch of the walls, doorways, ceilings, floors and more, I feel the labor of their love, and their testimonies.  They were building a place for the Lord to visit and give instruction to his prophets and saints.  Several rooms have floor to ceiling murals depicting the creation of the world.  Intricate carvings and colorful moldings decorate the ceilings.  Doorknobs made of brass, are works of art with symbols of beehives or other meaningful items.  They used their best artistry and yet their humility is evident.  Their work was not to be seen of men and praised by the world.  It was to furnish a house unto the creator of heaven and earth.

For a long time, Bill and I sat, gazing at the beautiful furnishing, and feeling the spirit of the Lord.  We watched as many others quietly entered.  I noticed people from many other nations, brought together in worship.  One young sister from the polynesian islands, entered.  She was soon greeted by family members and friends, with long hugs and tears.  Again and again, they came to hug and congratulate her on receiving her endowments.  Her tears flowed.  This was a place for family and friends to greet and show their love for one another.

This is a place to feel the love of the Lord and receive his blessings.

More interesting information about the Salt Lake Temple can be found at :
http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/saltlake/
http://saltlakemormontemple.com/162/a-history-of-the-salt-lake-mormon-temple


This information mentions, the Salt Lake Temple is a fulfillment of the prophesy found in Isaiah 2:2

"And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it."