I Love to See the Temple ...

This temple is more than the iconic symbol of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, although it certainly is shown in more documentaries about the Church than any other. It's more than a beautiful building. More than a place where tourists stop to take pictures. More than an image for people to hang on their walls.

This is the place where, sixteen years ago, I put on a beautiful white dress and married Matt Pinkston. This is the place where I began to catch a glimpse of eternity, where I started to understand what marriage really means. Sixteen years later, I now understand that this is the place where I not only was started on a life-long journey, but it's the place to go to carry me through the tough parts of that journey.

The temple is a constant source of renewal and strength. It's a place of holiness, of reverence, of worship, a place where we can sit and ponder and think about Heavenly Father's will in our lives.

And it's the place where my beautiful niece will get married soon and start on her journey. I hope she knows how proud I am of her for the choices she's making and for her decision to start out her marriage in these sacred walls. I hope she knows that I have a testimony of this gospel and that I not only believe in Heavenly Father and in Jesus Christ, but that I deeply love them, and I hope that as she prepares for her special day, she will feel the Spirit and know how very much she is loved as well.

And it was very cool of her to pick my temple. Yes, I'll share it.