Covenant Daughters of God (3)

Since I've moved to Utah, I've been able to do a lot more things that I never really had the opportunity to do before. For example, before coming to BYU I had only ever been inside the Raleigh, North Carolina temple. I had walked the grounds of a few other temples, but I'd only ever actually done work inside the Raleigh temple. I didn't grow up with the luxury of various temples within the radius of a short drive, as it appears most Utahans do. But this past weekend, I had the opportunity to add the Provo Temple to my list. A couple of my friends and I walked to the temple Saturday morning and I loved every minute of it. The temple is a beautiful place!

Raleigh, North Carolina Temple

Another opportunity I had was being able to attend a session of General Conference...in the actual Conference Center! My friends and I were lucky enough to get tickets to the General Women's Session. We planned a trip to Salt Lake and I was able to walk around Temple Square for the first time as well. To be honest, the Salt Lake City Temple wasn't quite what I was expecting. I feel like in all the pictures I've seen, the temple was really white. Also, the Raleigh temple is made out of white marble so I guess I was shocked to find that the SLC temple isn't as white as I had originally thought. But still, it's so beautiful! I'm grateful that I got to go to Temple Square and I take every chance I get to go back.

Me with the Salt Lake City Temple

One of the talks that was given at the General Women's Session that I went to, was a talk by Sister Jean A. Stevens, the First Counselor in the Primary General Presidency. The talk that she gave was entitled, "Covenant Daughters of God." She begins her talk by recounting a time she attended a baptism where eight children would be making their first covenant with Heavenly Father. She emphasized that she saw each of them individually, just as God sees us. Sister Stevens explains how amazing it is that Heavenly Father holds a place in His heart for each of us individually and that by making covenants with Him, we can live with Him again. She says, "It is not only in making covenants but also in faithfully keeping these covenants that we are prepared to receive eternal life. That is our hope, our goal, and our joy." I was truly inspired by the story Sister Stevens gave of her parents' wedding. She said that her parents were married in the SLC temple without the usual celebratory flower arrangements, pictures, wedding dress, and reception. Just six days after their sealing, her father left for South Africa to serve his mission because back then, sometimes men were called for missionary service and asked to leave their wives and families. Sister Stevens bore her testimony of how important being sealed and having temple ordinances was for her parents. I admire the amount of faith her parents had and I strive to be able to make all the covenants I can with my Heavenly Father. I continually do everything I can to remain worthy to enter the temple and I am grateful for the blessing of temples. I know that the ordinances that we can perform within the walls of the temple are eternal and that because of the temple, I can live with my family forever.

If you'd like to read or watch Sister Stevens talk, which I highly recommend doing, here is the link to do so. Enjoy! 

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/covenant-daughters-of-god?lang=eng