Oquirrh Mt. Temple Cornerstone Ceremony

When President Monson performed the cornerstone ceremony at the temple during the first dedication, the Cornerston Choir, of which I was a part, sang "How Great Thou Art" and "Song of Praise". As I sang the words, "when through the woods and forest glades i wander, when I look down from lofty mountain grandeur, and hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze...then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee--How great thou art" I related how I felt this summer as I spend a lot of time in the woods and on top of mountains. I looked down over the valleys and was so grateful that I knew who created this glory.

I gained a solid testimony that President Monson is a true prophet of God. I supported him before, of course, but seeing his interaction with sacred things and children, I realized he truly has been called of God. I've prayed since President Hinckley passed away, to know for myself if Thomas Monson was a prophet. I know now.

I was so grateful my grandchildren could see for themselves he is a prophet. They watched him closely on the front row of people. They felt his aura and the surrounding power he wields holding the priesthood. Seeing him as close as they did will be a treasured memory for the rest of their lives. When things get tough for them, I pray they can remember this and retrieve strength they need. The gospel is not relief from pain, it is resource in event of pain and hard times.

Larry, Kristen, and I attended the dedication Friday at 3:00. We sat in one of the sealing rooms with the beautiful mirrors and chandelier. I was honored to sit with Kristen. She really is a special spirit. During Pres. Monson's talk before the dedicatory prayer, he thanked all of the choirs, and blessed that they (we) all might receive blessings for singing. I was touched by the Spirit several times, and that alone was worth the sacrifice to come home every weekend from Island Park. I am blessed ten-fold because of the choir and the domino effect on family. Life is no easier, but my ability to deal with things seems to be better for now. I can feel the Spirit more quickly, I feel calmer, and my family has been blessed.

Dedication

The scriptures say that the throne of God
is like a rainbow.
As I gazed out the window at this scene
I could believe that the Lord has His hand in temple work in our generation.

We received a letter asking if we would try out for a choir that will sing
for the Oquirrh Mountain Temple this August.
Quite an honor to even be asked
although I don't feel my voice is good enough
to compete with all of those who will be trying out.
But I will try.

If we do make it, a sacrifice will be required.
My summer in Island Park will not happen as planned.
No quiet days and cool nights.
No hiking in the mountains every Thursday with the hiking ladies.
No biking on mountain roads around the lake,
No hanging out in West Yellowstone working at the diner.
No voracious reading of books with no interruptions,
No finishing my counted-cross stitch.
No moose, eagles, fish, deer, wild canaries...
Peace...

Odd, but I have made my own peace with it.
If we make it
I'm OK with doing what I have to do
to serve the Lord.

Dedications have already touched my life.

When the Nauvoo Temple was dedicated
I sat in the congregation at the Stake Center
without a voice.
I lost it during parathyroid surgery 3 months earlier.
Not easy,
teaching wood shop without a voice
or answering phones
or sharing feelings or thoughts.
During the closing hymn
The Spirit of God Like a Fire is Burning,
I decided I'd whisper the words out and the Lord would know that
I honored Him by trying.
During the 3rd verse, a real voice started coming out.
The tears rolled down my face as I finished singing the words;
knowing the Lord had given me a powerful gift.

The next dedication was a new building we met in as a ward.
As the stake president dedicated the building,
I listened to a nice dedicatory prayer.
Typical of many others.
Suddenly, I was not alone.
As if a wind tore through the chapel,
I felt the power of the Lords love.
I was not alone in a grief that was tearing me apart.
He wanted me to know
That He Knows.
And Loves.
And Understands.

If I can feel a fraction of those feelings again,
the sacrifice
of a single summer

is worth it.

Re: We didn't make it.
But what a glorious experience to sing with 20 people
who knew how to sing.
The judges were touched
and claimed they wanted everybody.
But names were drawn out of a hat...
We sang with a heavenly choir;
whether everyone will sing together in the Celestial Room
or not...
We have been blessed.