Following the Prophet

In General Conference on Sunday President Monson spoke on temples.

He quoted from President Spencer W. Kimball:

“It would be a fine thing if … parents would have in every bedroom in their house a picture of the temple so their children from the time they are infants could look at the picture every day until it becomes a part of their lives. When they reach the age that they need to make the very important decision concerning going to the temple, it will have already been made."

So on Monday, our family home evening was about the temple. We talked about the Salt Lake Temple inparticular and why it was so important to the pioneers to build it.

We love this temple and have a picture of it in our living room. It's where I served my mission, Brandon and I got married there, and the story it tells is remarkable in and of itself.

So we set out on a journey to "follow the prophet" and "build a temple." We got our "handcart" and filled it up with all the necessities; some barbies, some matchbox cars, some food and cookware, blankets and clothes. We traveled long and hard through the living room and into the kitchen where we got really cold. It was then time to rest for "the night." We wrapped up in our blankets and made a "fire" where we cooked our "dinner." Afterwards it was time to keep on our journey. We packed up and headed west, straight to the bedroom. All the while "pioneer children sang as they walked and walked and walked....." (Brandon and I were the children. Brayden was the mom and Kaleb was the dad.)

We at last arrived at the right place.

We got out our tools and immediately began construction, piling on blocks and magnatiles one on top of the other. There was even a time when it completely fell to the ground and we had to start all over.

In time, our "temple" was finally complete.

We talked about why we have temples, how we need to prepare ourselves to go in them, and about the work that is performed inside.

Brayden instantely wanted to get married.

She put on her beatiful white dress and white shoes. She even put a white long sleeved shirt under her dress.

Our "block" temple was obviously a little small so she insisted we pretend our house was the temple so she could get married to Kaleb. She ran and got some "whites" for him.

We're glad she's eager to get married in the temple someday but I'm okay with that "someday" not being until she's at least 25...and definitely not marrying her brother!

For now they can enjoy the new picture of the temple in their room.

San Antonio, Texas Temple