On Sunday, March 20th, the Provo City Temple was dedicated. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints were able to participate by satellite as they gathered in various local churches throughout Utah. We were among that throng here in Magna, Utah.
Several years ago the Provo Tabernacle was destroyed by fire. All that remained was the brick walls that were built with great sacrifice, over 100 years ago by the pioneers. The tragedy was felt deeply by the local saints. Now, fast-forward to today and see the transformation of those walls into a beautiful temple. Those who watched the progress witnessed a marvel in engineering. The outside walls were reinforced from inside. The whole building was placed on stilts as the earth beneath was removed. The entire inside was renewed.
Speakers at the dedication spoke of the Parable of the Provo City Temple. Just as the building itself was renewed, transformed, so we can also be changed, renewed, transformed as we attend temples that are built to open the gates for Heavenly Father’s children to return to Him. It is there that we gain knowledge, increase in wisdom, and receive saving ordinances. This glorious blessing is available to all God’s children.

I found this poem, originally written for our grandchildren, expressing our joy in temple service:

The highest place of learning, of service, and of love,
Is found within our Father’s House. Temples teach us from above.
Like when we climb a mountain, and see earth from on high.
Minds are touched with the splendor of earth, sea and sky.

When we go unto God’s temples, we serve beyond ourselves,
For our ancestors; their joy and eternal wealth.
We seal them as families for all eternity,
Giving all loving souls equal opportunity.

We hear the sacred covenants and we become renewed,
As sacred, holy ordinances are performed and reviewed.
We bask within the spirit that rules time and space,
And find our true connection within this holy place.

We want you to know how much we care for you.
Temples are the highest place to learn what’s pure and true.
Children, please prepare yourselves in worthiness and love,
To serve in sacred temples of our Father up above.

p.s. Temples are earth’s highest universities of our Lord’s eternal love.

Salt Lake City Temple

When trials come, does life seem fair?
Yes, in the dark does someone care?
Are we alone to face the cold?
Or is it true as we grow old
That in Christ’s way we have a friend
To turn to in our darkest end?

When terror fills our troubled souls,
And hatred beams and bullies grow,
And all around seem not to care,
Is it true that Christ is there?

And to each child, a time to search
For inner strength, so in a lurch
When all hell seems to gather ’round
And you feel like you’re going to drown,
Look within in silent prayer,
And ask the question: “Christ, are you there?”

And sweet’s the peace that Stephen knew
As stones caused death, his own light grew
As to our Savior’s love he flew.

Now, child of eternity,
The next time on life’s darkened sea,
Look above; the answer’s clear.
It rings in every life form’s ear.
It’s seen by every living thing,
The universe does have it’s King!

In my search to find myself, I’ve traveled many roads.
The road to fame and fortune sometime can be cold.
For to gain fame and fortune, some men give their souls,
And join a plastic world where truth can never go.
Some lie and cheat to gain success,
And find our when they’re old,
They can’t take money with them.
This thought will leave them cold.

Another road some travel is this road I’m on.
I leave fame and fortune in search of peace of mind.
I look in all directions, sometimes I feel I’m blind.
For of all the roads I’ve traveled, this is the hardest kind.
Step one on this road of mine is the hardest one of all:
Kick out the hate that’s in me and find love for all.
If I can make this first step, the rest will fall in place.
I find you look for good in every single face.
For love breeds love and hate breeds hate,
Or so someone has said,
And every single person has both inside their head.
It would be kind of simple if I could take a knife,
And cut the hate that’s in me and throw it from my life.
Then think no need for guns or bombs, no need to fight a war.
For love’s the key to Heaven. Love opens every door.