My Path to the Temple - Part 2

When I first moved to Toronto I was a little scared; I didn't know anyone and had to figure everything out on my own. So I decided to go to the temple as soon as I had a day off. I kid you not, as soon as I got off the bus and saw the temple, I began balling my eyes out. I knew that even though I was in a new province, I was back home. And I could feel the spirit testifying that to me, which is Lesson #3 Learned: No matter where I go, if I'm keeping my covenants, the temple is always my home because it is the House of the Lord. It was such an amazing feeling! The Toronto temple might actually be my favourite Canadian temple.

So, I took temple prep in Toronto. Then my bishop there interviewed me. I told him as much as I was worthy and took all the classes, that I didn't want to receive my recommend just yet, especially because I wouldn't be getting endowed for a while with my dad living at the other end of the world and all. I was also working a lot with my internship; my mind was so career-driven, I hadn't really given it room for the gospel. I just didn't feel like my heart was in the right place at the time.

He asked, "Well, how do you feel about your membership in the church?"

I had never given thought to it, so after thinking about it, I said, "It means the world to me. It defines me. It's my most sacred gift from God." and I realized how much I loved this gospel and how grateful I felt to have it in my life.

Then he asked, "Do you have faith in, and a testimony of God the Eternal Father, His son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost?"

Without thinking twice I said absolutely.

He asked me some more questions, to which I answered yes to without thinking twice. I realized I have a strong testimony and how much I love God and this gospel and that I was indeed ready to make covenants with Him.

Then before I know it, he asks if I'm keeping the law of chastity. THAT was when I finally realized he tricked me into getting interviewed and recommended! "Oh well, might as well keep answering the questions" I thought to myself. I was found worthy to obtain a recommend, which I already knew I was. But more than that, I found myself ready and willing to make those covenants -- which I didn't believe I was until I answered those questions truthfully from the heart. He gave me a run-down of the endowment, and I felt an incredible spirit during that interview; it was amazing. Towards the end of it I had tears in my eyes and said, "That sounds beautiful. Can you please sign my recommend now? I want to do this ASAP!"

Then I met with the stake president and, though I didn't know anything about him (not even his name) until I actually met him, the spirit was SO strong during that interview! It was kind of a sacred experience, so I'd rather not share it here. But let's just say it was another confirmation from God that He accepted me enough to welcome me into His holy house and that I was ready to make serious covenants.

Lesson #4 Learned: We underestimate ourselves so much sometimes. The Lord sees in us what we cannot see for ourselves, which is our divine potential and how much closer we've come to it.

Lesson #5 Learned: The 3 most important things a member can do for him/herself are to develop 1) a strong testimony, 2) love and gratitude for the gospel, and 3) a strong relationship with God. Everything else will fall into place. 

In December, I moved back to Kelowna. But it was decided my dad wouldn't be back until May, but I was so excited I booked the Calgary temple.

On late February we had a temple trip to the Vancouver temple. I figured since I didn't know when I'd be back in the temple before my endowment with a crazy semester ahead of me, that I'd get my temple packet then just to be safe. I was overwhelmed at the many items I had to choose from (especially because I wasn't able to actually try them on or even see them), but luckily my mom had given me some tips on what to buy.

After that stress, I left the distribution centre with the biggest smile on my face. I was SO happy and so thrilled! I felt the spirit testify to me that I was exactly where God wanted me to be in my life: preparing to make sacred covenants with Him. That was when it finally started to sink in, and I wasn't nervous or scared at all like I was in the summer... I was just excited to come back in a couple months and progress by making those covenants.

As we were leaving the temple, we accidentally saw someone dressed in their full ceremonial clothing. I was shocked (and somewhat guilty) that it happened, so I looked away. But I didn't freak out like most people say they did when they saw it for the first time. It was different from what I imagined it to look like when I read the book of Exodus, but it didn't weird me out. I mean, the church did publish that video, which might have helped me kind of know what to expectbecause I took it so seriously when I committed myself to prepare for those covenants, that my mind and my heart were open to anything.

On the drive back to Kelowna, my friend and I were talking about that incident and he admitted to me he freaked out in his first session because he wasn't fully prepared. We talked about some things people need to keep in mind and as we did, I felt the spirit testify to me that I was prepared and that I would enjoy the experience.

Lesson #6 Learned: Sometimes, the Spirit will testify to us of the trust and confidence God has in us, because in many cases it's what it takes for us to take that leap of faith.

From that point, I not only knew it was God's will that I went to the temple, but it also became my will.

To be continued...

My Path to the Temple - Part 1

I think this is pretty much common knowledge, but: I'M GETTING ENDOWED!
Answer to the FAQ's:

1. Are you engaged? No.
2. Are you going on a mission? No.
3. Are you 25 or over? No.

So, if I am in none of those situations, why and how did I get myself in this situation where for the rest of my life and eternity, I will be under sacred covenants with God? In this blog post, I hope to answer that question, not just because I love telling stories, but also because hopefully this will help others who are either preparing for or considering going through the temple.

My dad loves the temple and last summer (2014 in Calgary) he said I should prepare to receive my endowment. I thought he was just looking for someone to make him company in the temple. I mean, I did remember when I was considering serving a mission and my brother-in-law taught me temple prep that I really felt the spirit and the desire to go, and also when I attended the Calgary temple open house and how much I wanted to receive my endowment there, but I didn't feel qualified. I was worthy and all, but I just wasn't ready. I had so many friends "scare me off" from going there saying how much they freaked out and that it was cultish and weird (some even said funny), or that their testimonies were shaken. 

I didn't want that to happen to me; I wanted my first endowment session to be special, and to feel the spirit and close to God. Endowed people patronize me a lot saying you'll never get it the first time, which I know. But I want to at least feel the spirit instead of fear... that's NOT too much to ask for. So as much as I was worthy to attend the temple, I didn't think I was ready and didn't want to risk freaking out. As much as I've never really broken any of my baptismal covenants, I was scared to make bigger covenants. Because, you're judged based on your knowledge -- so the less knowledge and covenants under my belt, the less I'd be judged against. I did want to do it someday eventually, just not for a while. So I studied and prepared for it, but with no set date in mind.

Lesson #1 learned: When confronted by a fear, don't hide from it or avoid it -- face it. Prepare yourself to fight it off. See it as a challenge for spiritual development!

Then I was renewing my temple recommend with my branch President. Have you ever had that moment where the spirit hacks your mouth? Well, that happened to me. I randomly blurted out, "President, do you think I'm ready to receive my endowment?" In my head I was like "the heck did I just ask?"

With no hesitation or thinking for a split-second he answered, "Absolutely."

My confusion was passed from my question to his answer, "You don't think I'll freak out or the covenants are too big for 22-year old single me, not going on a mission?"

He said he watched me grow spiritually and believed I was ready and that I'd enjoy the session, and explained some things about the temple.

We agreed that I'd take temple prep classes first. Since I was moving to Toronto, I figured I'd take it there, get my recommend here, then get endowed whenever my dad was able to come back to Canada from Saudi Arabia, which I was hoping wouldn't be til February.

I got home and told my dad everything, but I was still not feeling ready for those covenants. He told me I can't progress without covenants, and that I should see those sacred promises as a blessing and opportunity to grow closer to my potential. 

Then the next Sunday I was like "Meh, I don't wanna wear garments or have the extra responsibility if I can just wait until I get sealed (which let's face it, won't be for a WHILE)!"

That evening the YSA had a fireside with the Calgary Temple President. Guess what the topic was? Hesitation to make covenants! It answered every single one of my questions and doubts, and the spirit was incredibly strong. I knew it was because the Lord really needed me in the temple. My hesitation instantly turned into an urge.

After the fireside I had to drive someone home, and she lived right by the temple. After I dropped her off, I drove by the temple. I was breathtaken by its beauty and its glory. I pulled over just to stare at it for a good five minutes and the spirit was incredibly strong and I began tearing up and I just KNEW I had to be in the temple as soon as I could. More importantly, I wanted to go so badly.

Upon leaving for Toronto, my dad gave me a blessing where he confirmed that it was the Lord's desire and plan that I prepared to receive my endowment.

Lesson #2 Learned: Note how I made the decision before having the confirmation? Had I not opened my heart to the spirit, I would've never had the prompting and consequently made that decision. God doesn't move parked cars! I had to study and prepare first, then ask my Branch President that question, I had to attend the fireside, I had to stop by the temple. THEN God acted.

To be continued....