Idaho Falls Idaho Temple - Sacred Trust and Impressions

For a couple of months, each summer, Bill's mother would travel from their home in Idaho Falls, to a town in Pennsylvania, where her ancestors were from.  She studied maps and gathered books containing records, so she could identify her relatives and submit their names for temple work.  Her desire was to unite and link her family together.  My husband has inherited her research books and the family history records she gathered.  It is a sacred trust, and we are quite overwhelmed with the task of how to preserve and add to the work she began.

I can only imagine the greeting she received, when she passed away, from the relatives she found and grew to love over her many years of research and sacrifice.

While looking for someone to take our picture before entering the front door of the temple, Bill approached a young father who was there with his wife and two children.  It took me a moment to see that there were two missionaries with them.  He graciously took our picture, and then we observed his smiling family gather in front of a small water feature, while one of the missionaries took their picture.  I wish now, we had taken more time to visit with them.  I could see evidence of multiple tattoos along his arms and around his neck.  I'm sure he has an interesting story to tell.

While sitting in the Celestial Room, at the end of the session, Bill recognized and greeted a childhood friend.  Later he mentioned how much it meant to him to see a friend who has come to this time of their lives, who continues to serve and have a strong testimony of the gospel.  So many of his friends have had very difficult and troubling lives, and he was glad to have discovered someone who was also happy, like hmself.

Soon Bill's brother-in-law entered to greet us.  He is serving as the men's coordinator in the temple.  I took a moment to ask if he would explain one of the murals on the wall.  He simply referred to the opportunity each person has of receiving personal revelation each time they come.  And we might receive different impressions about each of these things during subsequent visits. I could tell he had been asked to not offer an interpretation, but to allow each temple visitor, myself included, to ponder and receive personal thoughts and impressions.

Waterfalls cascade along the river running in front of the Idaho Falls Temple.  It reminded me of a recent talk by Elder Packer and a scripture he quoted from D&C 121.

Regardless of opposition or “wars, rumors of wars, and earthquakes in divers places,”²⁰ no power or influence can stop this work. Every one of us can be guided by the spirit of revelation and the gift of the Holy Ghost. “As well might man stretch forth his puny arm to stop the Missouri river in its decreed course, or to turn it up stream, as to hinder the Almighty from pouring down knowledge from heaven upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints.”²¹

Twin Falls Idaho Temple - No Respecter of Persons

Even the smallest spot with flowers, lifts my spirits.  Spring! Yeah!  A symbol of hope for the future.

While attending the temple in Twin Falls, I noticed the lovely white dresses the women wore.  They were modest and without fancy adornment, yet were lovely and attractive.  The men were similarly dressed in clean white shirts and slacks, demonstrating quiet reverence, with the intent of focusing on the message and service they were performing.  I could not tell who was rich, poor, well known or little known.  No one attempted to draw attention to themselves.  No one was acknowledged or pointed out.  Everyone performed the same service and did the same work.  There was no special seating or chairs set aside to designate someone of importance.  We entered the room one by one and listened to the same instruction.

The Lord, at the last supper, performed the sacred ordinance of washing the apostles feet.  Quietly, he demonstrated how they were to serve one another, without seeking attention and reward.

John 13: 14-17
If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.  For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.  Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.  If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

Shoshone Falls - Surprise!

We were surprised and delighted to discover the dramatic Shoshone Falls, just a few minutes outside Twin Falls.  They are considered the Niagara Falls of the west, with a drop several feet further than the falls in New York.

Woodchuck or Marmot?

Bill was especially taken by the stream of water traveling from the top of the falls to the bottom along the large rock to the right of the picture.

White Linen - Poem

White Linen

Twisted olive tree steadies a writhing soul

As red blood-drops, moisten the ground below

Sleeping friends unknowingly abandon one

Who is suffering beyond what mortal has done

Scourging and thorns punish innocent flesh

Cobbled stones carry their creator’s final step

Crucifix sign declares, ‘King of the Jews’

Permanent mark of nails, pierce hands and feet through

“Father, forgive them,” is perfect love’s reply

As the tormentors, his brothers, mock nearby

Finally, he calls, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani”

My God, my God, Why hast thou forsaken me?

Alone, he submits, choosing mortal death

To his Father in Heaven he commends his spirit

Earth shudders and mourns for its Lord of creation

As humanity, as foretold, their Savior they’ve forsaken

Body lays, carefully wrapped, in a borrowed tomb

Stone rolled, and guards the sacred Garden room

“In three days this temple, again, I will raise”

All who heard had not understood the prophetic phrase

White linen found lying in the sepulcher

The Savior’s bruised tabernacle no longer there

Women humbly ask where his body has been taken

Angels solemnly declare, “He is not here, for He is risen”

Having overcome the sins of the world

Making possible humankind’s wounds to be healed

Suffering all things from the beginning

That for the repentant, eternal life may be given

Having drunk out of the most bitter cup

That all mankind might be lifted up

Perfectly submitting to his Father’s will

Broken bread and clear water remind us still

By Janice Harten

Jan. 22, 2001

Copyright © 2012 Janice Harten.  All rights reserved.

Basin - Poem

Basin

Basin of stone

On upper room floor

Purpose unknown

Water poured

Hand dips, rag drips

Against the edge droplets lick

Dust and sleep

Wiped from tired feet

Of twelve repeat

Hidden symbol

Quiet lesson

Of servant vessel

Janice Harten

May 20, 2011

Copyright © 2012 Janice Harten.  All rights reserved.

Aloha - Sunset

What is blue...?

What is blue, twirls and can turn on a dime?  The answer is the helicopter we flew in over the island of Kaua'i.  We danced in and around canyons displaying waterfalls falling hundreds of feet.  We followed colorful coastline with caves, where many memorable movies have been made, such as "South Pacific".  And we dipped into the Kaua'i grand canyon.  Fortunately we elected to ride in a helicopter with doors, but for those who are more adventurous and not afraid of getting a little wet, there are rides without doors.  It was a glorious ride into some of God's most beautiful creations.

On Oahu, we experienced the PCC (Polynesian Cultural Center), where we ate a delicious Luau and saw an awesome program called "Ha", meaning "The Breath of Life".  It is the story of birth and death and life's purpose, depicted through the native dances of the polynesian islands and cultures.

A Katamaran ride, snorkeling with fish and green sea turtles, and an evening sunset cruise were other highlights.

And then, of course, there were the beaches.  Everywhere we turned was a picture postcard.  Between my sister and I we took over a thousand pictures.  Now, as I pour over them, I'm enjoying reliving the experiences we had together.  These are memories for a lifetime.