Revelation - Poem

Revelation

Veiled

Exchange

Words
&
Life

Rearrange

Janice

Apr 11, 2010
Copyright © 2012 Janice Harten.  All rights reserved.

Jordan River Utah Temple - Never Thirst

I believe the Jordan River temple is named for an actual river that flows through the Salt Lake Valley.  And I also believe, that river is named after the Jordan River which flows between the Sea of Galilea and the Dead Sea.

Water is the life blood of the earth.  Just like the blood that courses through our veins, rivers and lakes enable life to exist on this planet.  And as I listen to news accounts about space exploration, it seems scientists are intent on finding evidence that water did or does exist on any one of the planets around or beyond us.  As humans, we are hoping to find evidence that there is life somewhere, in addition to earth.

Christ once sat beside a well in Samaria, and asked for a drink of water.  Responding to his request, a Samaritan woman learned one of his most profound teachings.

"Jesus...said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:

But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."  John 4: 13,14

It is no wonder that Christ uses the metaphor of water to remind and invite us to partake of his gift.


Spiritual revelation flows like water.  One of the privileges I seek by attending the temple, is revelation or knowledge from the Lord.  I go with a prayer in my heart and mind, and am asking to learn.  My husband described his experience in the Jordan River Temple as a flow of ideas, as though a water faucet had turned on in his mind.  I would describe mine as drop by drop or a tiny trickle, but small streams are also beautiful.

It was different stepping back into a large temple, after having visited so many smaller ones. 

The Sacred Grove - Palmyra

With faith, Joseph Smith came to this Sacred Grove near his home, to pray and ask God which church to join.  God the Father and his son Jesus Christ appeared to him, and answered his question.

Newel K Whitney Store -

Newel K Whitney Store

My visit to the Newel K Whitney store, in Kirtland, Ohio, was an emotional experience.  Traveling with my husband on a recent business trip to Erie, Pennsylvania, I discovered Kirtland, was only a little more than an hour away.  I ventured out for the first day of our trip and drove, by myself, over to see some of the most important places of the latter-day restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Janice, Newel K Whitney store

I followed the signs guiding me to the LDS visitor center, and was met by a wonderful couple serving a mission there.  They proceded to give me a personal tour of several restored buildings.  One of the buildings we entered was the Newel K Whitney Store.  Here the Prophet Joseph Smith was led by inspiration, and greeted Mr Whitney, "Newel K Whitney, you are the man.  You have prayed me here, now what do you want of me?"

Bill in the room where the School of the Prophets was held

Within the walls of this modest store, many revelations were received.  The vision of the first latter-day temple was given, and many more sacred events occurred.  This building sustained the lives of those who had dedicated themselves to serving the Lord.  It held the first Bishop's storehouse, where goods were distributed to those in need, and where the Prophet and his family found refuge for a period of time.  The seeds of the kingdom were planted here, and the school of the Prophets was held.  In all reality I was standing in a temple.  A few days later, Bill and I returned to visit together.

What I learned, while sitting in the School of the Prophets, is that a temple can exist anywhere the Lord needs to do his work.  And what makes a place a temple, is not the place itself, but the spirit and the work done within that place.  After all, didn't Moses speak with God on the top of a mountain?    So, I ask myself, what can I do to make my own home a place where the spirit can dwell, and where I, and anyone who enters, can receive revelation from Heaven?

Kirtland Ohio Temple

Kirtland Ohio Temple

The Kirtland temple stands as a monument to the dedication and sacrifice of the early saints.  It is evidence of their willingness and desire to worship the Lord Jesus Christ.  There they obtained power and knowledge from on high, that sustained them through every trial, and continues to sustain their descendants today.  I tried to imagine the heavenly manifestations that were recorded, on the day of dedication.  I thought of how they must have felt.

Window and Original Door of Kirtland Temple

One of the elements I loved about the temple structure, was the large windows, and the natural light that pours through from every side of the room.  One question remained on my mind, however, and that is "Why are the rooms of this temple so different from other temples that were built from that time on?"  Later, in my travels, I discovered part of the answer.

Old Meeting House, Boston MA

When we arrived in Boston, and I toured the Old Meeting House, where seeds of democracy were planted, my jaw dropped open.  The interior of the building is similar in multiple ways to the Kirtland temple.  Large windows let in natural light, and white pews are topped with wood railings.  I realized that this Old Meeting House was also a sacred building, where powerful thoughts of freedom contributed to a society where the gospel of Jesus Christ could be restored, without being wiped off of the earth, like it had throughout other centuries of history.  Similar architecture is also found in the Old North Church, where the lantern was lit to warn of the British troops.

Old North Church, Boston MA

The Kirtland temple is also different from other latter-day temples, because it is not currently owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Therefore, anyone can enter.  Although I appreciate that it is being preserved by it's current owners, it lacked the care and spirit I am accustomed to experiencing, when I enter our buildings.