Individually

 

Erik Gray's journals
#journalgems
written by Elder Gray (Erik)
Feb 2015

There are so many things you can learn from the temple. 

I read, well skimmed, through a book that a couple who used to be a temple president and matron of the Salt Lake Temple wrote. 

In that book, they gave one example: Heavenly Father loves us each individually. 

In doing baptisms, it would really be much more efficient to name 50 or even 100 names, and then be immersed for those people, but no, each person for whom we are being baptized for is baptized individually. 

That is true of all the ordinances of the temple! Each ordinance is done separately. 

How cool is that? 

It really shows that we are all unique and loved individually to our Heavenly Father; he loves each and EVERY one of us!

Waiting

 

Erik Gray's journals
#journalgems
written by Elder Gray (Erik)
March 2015

I've learned a lot about waiting, too. There are lots of gospel articles I've read lately about waiting. 

Yes, it sucks waiting for the time to be healed, waiting for a mission call, waiting to get married... ya know. 

All that stuff. 

But Heavenly Father KNOWS me and knows exactly the best time for the waiting to be over. And I seriously think that the hardest times, during that waiting period, are when we grow the most spiritually. 

So waiting? It's okay. 

It's a part of life and we're all going to be okay. 

We don't have to do this on our own.

"Wow, this feels like home"

Erik Gray's journals
#journalgems
written by Elder Gray (Erik)
April 2015

I'm feeling great this week, just tired. I can't wait to be done with this crap chemo. Haha. 

But seriously. When Mom and I went to our Huntsman appointments last week, we had a chance to go to the Bountiful temple.

I didn't have any big spiritual experience, but I distinctly remember the feeling of walking in the temple and thinking, "Wow, this feels like home." 

And really, what should the temple be??? 

More like, whose home should it feel like? 

Just that small thought increased my testimony that it is the Lord's house, it is the most peaceful place on earth, and that we are God's children. 

So go to the temple OFTEN!

(And if you can't go inside, then go read your scriptures or write in your journal on the temple grounds!!)