“Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” – Isaiah 1:18

Snow, temples and the atonement.

Yesterday we had a nice surprise with a storm blowing in! The day before it was in the 60s, we were out working in jeans and t-shirts. The next day I was deep in heaps of snow! I truly love the snow! It was very appropriate that it snowed the morning of the Hartford temple dedication! It was a beautiful meeting that lifted my view to a more eternal perspective! It brought me an immense amount of peace and joy! How I long to return to the temple! It is truly the house of the Lord! It is a place where we can feel closer to Savior and better understand and partake in His atonement.

I am grateful for the snow. Memories of fun times spent with my family are brought back- skiing, sledding, building snowmen, snowshoeing, going up to our cabins, Christmas morning etc. It also reminds me of my cousin Terik who adored the snow! I can’t help but feel of his love as the snow falls around me. Here in Manchester, I feel that I am in a snow globe! I may be trapped here until the Lord calls me elsewhere haha but I am very grateful to be trapped here! It is a lovely place to be trapped with good company. As snowflakes fall around me, I imagine tiny civilizations of people on each snowflake, like in The Grinch. I think of how I am surrounded by people who pass by. I see them and they are a part of the atmosphere, just like the snowflakes, and just like the snowflakes, they each have their own worlds and thoughts and they are each so unique and beautiful in their own way. But unlike the snowflakes, I can communicate with them!

I am grateful for temples. Temples are places of “thanksgiving and instruction” and are such a blessing to the saints! They are given to us so that we can become perfected in our ministry in following our Lord and Savior. In temples we should be “no more a stranger nor a guest, but a child at home.” The great eternal perspective I gained while attending the dedication of the Hartford temple brought me strength to endure through the doubts, stresses and fears I can face on a daily basis. It re-centered me on my purpose as a disciple of Christ. To invite all to partake of eternal life! I got a small taste of that eternal joy as I waved that white handkerchief, singing and praising God with my brothers and sisters- tears streaming down my face. How wonderful it is to see another house of Christ built to further the work in the lives of both the living and the dead! I have many fond memories of attending the temple with my father. We would often hop on his motorcycle and go worship in the Oakland temple! How I miss those days, but look forward with excitement for more to come! There is nothing like sitting in the celestial room with your family and loved ones, feeling closer to truth and God!

I am eternally grateful for the atonement of Jesus Christ. I know that it is only through Him that we can find peace in this life and joy in the life to come. He want’s us to be happy. That is why He has given us commandments! It is hard to follow the commandments. Let me tell ya! I have struggled through a lot out here! It is not easy. It never will be easy to follow Christ! But let me tell you, it is MORE than worth it. As we utilize the atonement, He makes weak things strong, hard things easy, fears faith, pain joy, insecurities confidence, and trials joys, It is my testimony that He live and loves us! He can work in our lives now. Today. No matter where you’re at. Turn to Him!

I challenge you to go to the House of the Lord. This could include literally going to the temple, exploring the outdoors, or making yourself a temple through prayer and repentance. Whatever you choose, I promise you that you will find STRENGTH for the hard times in life. I love you all!