I love to see the temple

We've been taking monthly temple trips this summer; unfortunately, due to my own inattentiveness we weren't able to this month,  Although that particular day didn't end up a complete disaster, it was nevertheless frustrating because we had been looking forward to it.  Being in the temple is such a positive experience, you can't help but be disappointed when the chance is lost.

Being in the temple is like being enveloped in purpose.  Everything is in its' proper place and context, and in its' proper strength and priority.  In a world where our priorities are increasingly disjointed, where good is called evil and evil good, the temple is a balm and a refuge.

Where else can we be endowed with such power?  Where else can we be so cleansed?  Where else can we commune with God at such a personal level?

So let's take the temple less for granted, and make each trip a pilgrimage, whether that pilgrimage lasts hours or just minutes.  Let's make our homes more similar to the temple, and prepare ourselves to fully receive the blessings of the temple.

They the builders

We American Mormons have a patriotic kick about us, don't we?  Thing is, we see how good we have it.  Yes, other countries are good too (maybe not quite as good, but good).  Other countries are blessed by the Lord and have good people in them.  But this country, specifically, is where the Restoration took place.  Our freedoms, given to us by God, enabled the gospel to come forth (also from God).

So when I look at the freedoms, blessings, and just plain goodness of our country, I have to thank the Good Lord for it.  Sure, we have our faults, our telestial cultures, our eccentricities and our collective sins.  No country doesn't.  But there is goodness and truth in this country, and I love America for it.