Gila Valley Temple Dedication

May 23, 2010

Today Ammon and I attended the dedication of the Gila Valley Temple broadcasted in our stake center. We learned that Ammon’s Great-Grandpa, John W. Taylor, had prophesied that there would be a temple in the Gila Valley.
I felt a strong desire to attend the temple more, to immerse myself in the Book of Mormon and the words of the prophets, and to be clean. I also thought of Grandma Bernice as I imagined making our house like the temple.
While I was on my mission, Elder Jensen of the seventy came. He said when he was called to be a General Authority, the man interviewing him asked if his testimony burned within him as it did on his mission. I have thought of that phrase several times since then and wondered if my testimony is burning as it has in the moments it burned brightest in my life. Today it does.
I am so grateful for the truths of the gospel! Dad always said enthusiasm means God within us. What a beautiful time to be alive, with so much to be enthusiastic about.
As I held tight to Ammon’s hand, I was so grateful for the temple and the sealing power so that I can be with him and with our future children forever.
I am grateful for living prophets like President Monson and President Eyring to inspired, lead, warn, and remind us of the things the Lord. I am grateful for the opportunity that I have to pray and to talk with my Heavenly Father and to feel Him near. He listens, He cares, and He knows me.
I am grateful for my family and my new family, a job I love, a place to live, a healthy body, the opportunity to learn and grow continually, and mostly the opportunity to change and improve thanks to the atonement of our dear Savior.

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