When I Entered the Temple, I Felt Like I Was Home

Photo of Mesa, Arizona temple from LDS.org. Used with permission.

by Erin Feik
As a young single adult after graduating from college I was looking for a job, and I knew I wanted to go where there would be a strong LDS singles group, and where there would be a temple. Eventually through prayer and seeking I took a teaching job in Phoenix, Arizona. I moved there by myself and at first I felt so alone. A few days later I drove to the temple in Mesa. Upon entering the temple a sweet peaceful feeling came over me and I knew that I was home. I was blessed many times with peace, comfort, and revelation in the Mesa Temple, and it still hold a special place in my heart because of the powerful witnesses I received in that particular temple.

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by Sara Barnard
I know the gospel is true. I am so grateful for the temple in my life. I don’t go there as often as I should, but I am very grateful to be sealed to my family. I have a friend and her husband who have been trying to have a baby for three years and couldn’t. They have been trying to adopt for two years and they finally became parents to a beautiful baby girl through adoption, and they were sealed yesterday in the temple. It has made me become very humble and grateful for all of the temples close to me and the opportunity to go and renew covenants and feel the Spirit. My New Year’s resolution is to attend the temple more often.

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I frequently struggle with depression and anxiety. When my life just gets too crazy I know it’s time to worship in the temple. Whenever I go my depression eases, my anxiety decreases, and I am filled with peace and power. I truly feel like my spirit is overcoming the struggles of my physical body. It is such a blessing to go to the temple and feel that peace pervade into all area of my life.

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by Heather Wykstra
I have never really done family history in the past. When my mom passed away suddenly four years ago I knew it was important to teach my children about her and how the temple has made us able to be with her again and forever. My mom had a great passion for family history which has made me want to dive in and learn more about my ancestors so I can in turn learn more about my incredible mother.

Are We Not All Beggars?

Image from LDS.org, used with permission

In Relief Society recently, we studied Elder Jeffrey R. Holland's talk "Are We Not All Beggars?" from October 2014 General Conference. It was a wonderful lesson. Our instructor asked us to think of a time in our lives when we have needed something, whether that was spiritual, temporal, emotional, or physical, and how our needs were met, and then write it down on some cards she provided.

The response was overwhelming, and only a few could be shared in class. Following are twenty-one different responses to that question. They are amazing and show not only how we all are in need, but also how much our Heavenly Father loves us and meets our needs Himself or through those around us. They also show that we hold great power to affect others' lives for good if we will but reach out!

"Are we not all beggars? Don't we all cry out for help and hope and answers to prayers? Don't we all beg for forgiveness for mistakes we have made and troubles we have caused? don't we all implore that grace will compensate for our weaknesses, that mercy will triumph over justice at lease in our case?" --Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

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My family is not close by (we are in four states). Many times I have needed my mom, but I feel terrible asking her to spend the money and time to come help. She has never said no and is always willing to hop on a plane or drive the eleven or twelve hours to be here.

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I appreciate a faithful man who is my son's home teaching companion. He not only ministers to his home teaching families, but he is also the hands of Christ reaching out to rescue a young man who is struggling. He has continued to make the effort to be a friend to my son for many years. My greatest desires for my children are met through the kindness and service of this wonderful man and other caring people in the ward.

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I was slowly growing more ill day by day when I was only two years married. I was substituting at the time at a junior high school, limping into the school each morning. Eventually I couldn't walk, not even get myself to the bathroom. I could only lay on the couch in pain. My mother-in-law came and sat by my side for a couple of days to be there for me and help me.

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When I was about 19 I had made some poor decisions. I knew they weren't the best decisions, and one bad decision led into another. I felt like a horrible person. I started to withdraw from my family and people I loved the most because I felt ashamed and unworthy. My good friend asked me one day how things were going, and I eventually spilled the beans. She reminded me that just because I had made a few bad decisions and mistakes that all was not lost. I was still a good person. Knowing that she believed in me and loved me helped me to love myself again and see that all was not lost.

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I Couldn't Bear to Lose This Baby

by Cindy Child
When Brian and I were first married, we had high hopes to have children. We felt very lucky to have my daughter to raise together, especially since my first husband allowed Brian to adopt her. We still felt our home and hearts were incomplete without more little feet about the house, so we turned to foster care with all the intentions to adopt.

Our first placement was a premature baby girl. We knew she was not our daughter; however, it was a good introduction into fostering children. Our next placement was a two-and-a-half year old boy and an eighteen-month-old girl. With this placement, I knew that these two children were meant to be a part of our eternal family.

But as time went on to make it permanent, a distant relative came forward, and the judge granted these beautiful children to them. Our hearts were broken; nonetheless, we went forward taking on two other similar cases but never felt they were to become an eternal part of our family.

On November 16, 2004, I received a call about a Hispanic three-month-old baby boy. My heart rejoiced, and I immediately called Brian asking him if we should accept this placement. He was excited for he had always wanted a baby boy, especially with curly hair. I then went to ask our daughter, Aleatha, how she would feel, as she was hoping for a sister. She jumped for joy when I told her he was a baby.

Looking for the "Silver Lining"

by Wendy Redford
When I was a young mother with a three-year-old, we struggled to get pregnant again. After many tries with fertility treatments, nothing happened. We earnestly prayed that we could have more children in our home. After much fasting and prayer, we began looking into adoption. Things fell into place so quickly once we started looking into this, that we knew that Heavenly Father was helping us.

Shortly after finding out that a wonderful baby boy would be joining our family, I found out that I was pregnant. Having faith that this is what we were supposed to do, we went forward with both the adoption and the pregnancy. After the adoption went through and child #3 was born, I really struggled with my faith, my sanity, and my testimony.

 The Spirit whispered to me that Heavenly Father would give me nothing I could not handle without His help.

 It was about two months after having a baby and a newborn that the Spirit whispered to me that Heavenly Father would give me nothing I could not handle without His help. From that point forward I have tried to exercise my faith by finding the "silver lining" in even the toughest situations. It is through these seemingly insignificant tender mercies that I increase my faith daily.