Going to the Temple and we're...

Doing the work for the dead. That's what I did today. I went to the Temple and was baptized many times for the people who have gone before me. I always feel a special spirit when I go into the temple but it is even more prominent when I start to do the work. I love that when we walk into the Temple everyone's tone suddenly gets lower and more solemn. They are reverent the moment they cross the thresh-hold. The conversations change and you can feel the spirit. Then you show your recommend and they read your name. They smile at you, like you are some very special guest that has been invited to some very special ceremony. (which, in a way, you have been) You change into white clothes and start getting excited about what is going to happen, whether you know or not.

I did conformations first this time. I remember when Sister Smith was teaching us about going to the Temple. She said that we should think about the names that are spoken and remember that they are people who have passed on before us and they are thankful for the work we do in the Temple for them. When the priesthood holders lay their hands on my head and say the name of who I am being the Proxy for I repeat their name and I ask them to accept what we do for them. After I say that, sometimes once the entire ordinance is finished, I get this warm shiver through my whole body. Like a ghost or something just passed through me and was saying thank you. It makes me thankful that I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints. I know without a doubt that the people I do the work for are happy that I do it. They know the truthfulness of this gospel even if they had never heard of it before they passed on they know it now. I am so thankful.

I do have to admit that I was thinking strange thoughts when I was in the temple, for one the paintings on the wall seemed to be different to me, like they had changed or something but I discovered later that I just wasn't as observant as I thought I was the last time I was in the Temple. Then there were the oxen. I kept counting them. I could only ever see 8 oxen, I assume the others were behind the font but I couldn't seem to make them all fit in that space in my mind. It just didn't seem possible. There should be 12 apparently but I just don't see them all, maybe my depth perception is a little off.

I know one thing I dislike about the Temple. You are required to remove all of your jewelry when you put on your white clothes to do baptisms. That means I have to remove my engagement ring. When I take it off I feel naked and freak out thinking I have lost or misplaced it. It is hard to focus sometimes when you are afraid you have lost something very close to you.

Oh yes, I cannot forget I want to do the Temple work for my Grandmother. Lynette Fay Brian. She is the only relative I know that has passed away and I think it is fitting that I do her Temple work for her. She is the one who told me, as she lay in a hospital bed in Oklahoma, that she wanted me to go to church and look at me now, that is exactly what I am doing. I owe it to her to make sure she gets into Heavenly Fathers kingdom and that we see each other again on the other side. I love her so much I have to do this for her.

Well today has been a long one, tomorrow I am going to try and donate blood. I pray I will be successful. Goodnight.