Youth Voices: Attending the Temple

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girl and Nauvoo Illinois Temple

Last year while visiting family in Wisconsin, my cousin and I went on a youth temple trip to the Nauvoo Illinois Temple and performed baptisms for the dead. We had a bunch of family names that we took to the temple. My grandma told us about one of our deceased ancestors. Grandma had a close relationship with her. I got to be baptized for this family member and other ancestors, and it was a really cool experience, because I could feel their presence and know they will have a chance to accept the work done for them. When I go to the temple, I know I’m doing a great thing.

Seeing pictures of the temple makes me think that even though temples are all over the world, you do the same ordinances in each one and receive the same Spirit. I don’t think of any bad things there; only uplifting thoughts fill my mind in the temple. It is an amazing feeling to think of things you can do to help others.

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girl and Mesa Arizona Temple

The temple closest to me is the Mesa Arizona Temple. Every month, my school has early-release days. Last year, my friends and I started a new tradition on early-release days where we would wear our Sunday clothes to school, go out for lunch, and then attend the temple to do baptisms for the dead. It’s definitely helped me gain a deeper understanding of the temple, of what it means, and of how important it is. Regularly visiting the temple has helped me feel the Spirit more often. It’s definitely brought my friends closer to one another. Also, a lot of our classmates ask about our temple trips because they notice that at least 10 of us always dress up for early-release days. This attention encourages other youth to go to the temple too.

Another blessing has been attending the temple with a friend whose family is very against the Church. She was able to get her first limited-use recommend, and it has been neat to see the positive effect this has had on her life.

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boy and San Diego California Temple

My favorite temple experience was when I was first able to go to the temple. I went to the San Diego California Temple. Just being able to walk in, I felt that all of the troubles I was having at school and elsewhere were just gone. I felt at peace being in the temple. I was overcome with feelings of happiness. Being in the temple helped me focus on what I needed to do at church and in other duties. It was just so incredible to be able to go and get away from all the troubles I had.

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boy and Memphis Tennessee Temple

Every time I go to the Memphis Tennessee Temple, I like to get into a spiritual mood. I like to imagine the people whom the ordinances are performed for. Sometimes there will be people who have been waiting for hundreds of years. Sometimes I think I take my own baptism for granted; some people never had that chance to learn about the gospel and be baptized while they were on earth. I think it’s great to be a part of that work for them. I can help people who didn’t have a chance to be baptized on earth, and it is awesome that I’m able to help them.