Dear Friends,
I was filled with gratitude today as I stood viewing the fire damage to our St. Paul Temple. Gratitude, because at 3am Wednesday morning a passerby saw the fire engulfing the entry of the temple-- and called the fire department or 911 for help.
I was told today that when the fire department arrived, the fire was already out pretty much on it's own. Or was there Heavenly intervention? We'll never know. Though it blackened the entry and especially the left part of the doorway where the incendiary device landed--it had no real fuel to keep it going. If the device had been thrown on the rooftop, it would have been a disaster I was told.
I looked at the stained-glass panels to the left of the doors, the storm coverings had been removed. White caulking filled in the small gaps where the glass had broken. The smoke had entered the building through those beautifully crafted, broken panes and filled up the entry way between the outside and inside doors. The smoke had also gone into the waiting room and coat closet there to the right.
The temple worker said that the firemen knew of the sacredness of our temple and had not entered through the second set of doors out of respect. I again felt the same swelling of gratitude flow through me as I realized the double blessing that had occurred this week. Respect of our community has been hard earned and now a blessing. We were able to have the temple doors open right after this incident and now we continue to be blessed by the work that is being done. What a way to show the world our strong belief in Temple work and our testimony as members of the LDS Church.
The marble around the Temple doors may be blackened, a terrible person wanted to do it harm. But even the marble will be good as new soon, as it's sanded and polished this week. The stain-glass replaced as well....As I thought hard about all that transpired this week while in the celestial room, I did see the silver lining in this situation.... The temple was full to overflowing today. They had to bring in three rows of extra chairs!
Perhaps, this was a wake up call for all of us here in MN, to renew our dedication to do the sacred work our Father in Heaven has asked us to do. Our hopes were renewed today as our gratitude and thanksgiving filled the temple rooms and filled my heart and the hearts of so many there. It was a palpable feeling for many of us who attended. The prayer today was a reflection of much of the same as I sat in this Holy place.
I am truly glad to be a member of this church! The temple is the closest place to heaven on earth and I am so happy we have the privilege of having a house of the Lord here in Minnesota.
I was filled with gratitude today as I stood viewing the fire damage to our St. Paul Temple. Gratitude, because at 3am Wednesday morning a passerby saw the fire engulfing the entry of the temple-- and called the fire department or 911 for help.
I was told today that when the fire department arrived, the fire was already out pretty much on it's own. Or was there Heavenly intervention? We'll never know. Though it blackened the entry and especially the left part of the doorway where the incendiary device landed--it had no real fuel to keep it going. If the device had been thrown on the rooftop, it would have been a disaster I was told.
I looked at the stained-glass panels to the left of the doors, the storm coverings had been removed. White caulking filled in the small gaps where the glass had broken. The smoke had entered the building through those beautifully crafted, broken panes and filled up the entry way between the outside and inside doors. The smoke had also gone into the waiting room and coat closet there to the right.
The temple worker said that the firemen knew of the sacredness of our temple and had not entered through the second set of doors out of respect. I again felt the same swelling of gratitude flow through me as I realized the double blessing that had occurred this week. Respect of our community has been hard earned and now a blessing. We were able to have the temple doors open right after this incident and now we continue to be blessed by the work that is being done. What a way to show the world our strong belief in Temple work and our testimony as members of the LDS Church.
The marble around the Temple doors may be blackened, a terrible person wanted to do it harm. But even the marble will be good as new soon, as it's sanded and polished this week. The stain-glass replaced as well....As I thought hard about all that transpired this week while in the celestial room, I did see the silver lining in this situation.... The temple was full to overflowing today. They had to bring in three rows of extra chairs!
Perhaps, this was a wake up call for all of us here in MN, to renew our dedication to do the sacred work our Father in Heaven has asked us to do. Our hopes were renewed today as our gratitude and thanksgiving filled the temple rooms and filled my heart and the hearts of so many there. It was a palpable feeling for many of us who attended. The prayer today was a reflection of much of the same as I sat in this Holy place.
I am truly glad to be a member of this church! The temple is the closest place to heaven on earth and I am so happy we have the privilege of having a house of the Lord here in Minnesota.
I am thankful no more damage was done and that the four people who were endowed today in our session, were able to do so and be surrounded by so many loved ones. Every time I do the work for our kindred dead, I think of the reunion we'll have one day and there aren't words to describe the joy I feel. How they must feel it even more than I.
1 comment:
What an extraordinary tale. I'm so grateful for your words in this experience.
You're right. Having the temple full to overflowing is truly the silver lining.
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