Oquirrh Mountain Temple Dedication

Wow! I've been blessed to be able to participate in a number of temple dedications, but I was absolutely amazed at this one. It was neat that the church tried to make the dedication available to anyone who had the desire to go. They held 9 dedication sessions, cancelled ALL meetings in the Wasatch area, and broadcast it all over! I have to admit that I almost didn't want to go though. It's been a tough week, and I've been to 5 dedications and a couple of open houses. I felt like I'd had my share. Then we got to the Stake Center. It was really neat because our bishop met us after having our ticket checked at the door. He talked to us in a whisper which really reminded me that the Stake House was acting as an extension to the temple at the moment. The talks were all wonderful, but I don't think I'll ever forget seeing Pres. Monson. We've seen him talk several times and you can predict the layout and tenor of his talks usually. This time... about half of the way through it you could see a physical change. He hesitated, then he proceeded to tell part of the story of how the temple was built in the 80's on the other side of the Iron Curtain. Just watching him marvel at the absolute miracle that it was that they had given permission to build and operate a temple! I feel that this is where his true testimony lies! He saw first hand how the faith of many people and how his own actions were answered with a blessing. I could see that he is still reminded of the power of God on this earth in day to day actions that result in marvellous outcomes. He also said that we people that live with so many rooms... a room for eating, a room for sitting, and a room for TV and entertainment need to make sure that we are making room for Christ. A thing that also struck me was that he said that during the dedication that we needed to touch the temple... and to let it touch us. That was neat for me because the Mount Timp temple dedication. My dad was a bishop at the time so we were able to sit in the Celestial room with President Hinckley while it was dedicated. I sat right next to the wall and he said that the young children needed to touch the walls of the temple and remember and return. I did return. I returned to receive my endowments before my mission, I returned to be sealed to my wonderful husband, I returned to serve others in their covenants, and I returned to hear Pres. Monson bare testimony of the same thing. I don't know if he planned that or not, but it is important to me. The spirit felt so strong during the dedicatory prayer and the Hosanna Shout. I'm blessed that we could attend such a great occasion.