The Draper Temple - A Glimpse of Eternity by Michele Ashman Bell

I haven't been getting much writing done lately. First, it was the holidays. I kept thinking after Christmas I'd get back on track and get some writing done. Right! I have children. Busy children. So I've been involved in getting them back into a routine and school. My oldest and his darling wife and adorable baby are staying with us this semester (he goes to BYU - getting an accounting masters). He is doing an internship. How can I even think of writing when the cutest baby in the world is staying at my house??? My oldest daughter is in the pre-stages of getting engaged to be married. This is not without its challenges and complications. So many things to figure out, mainly, how does one get married without any money? Hmm, good question. Any answers . . . please? Anyone? My next daughter, 15 years old, just got accepted into the ballet program at the University of Utah. She will now leave Jordan High at 11:00 every morning and go up to the U to dance. She gets college credit. It is so exciting! She lives to dance. I will post pictures sometime of her. My youngest keeps me sane. Her life is still manageable. All she wants to do is play. She's a lot like her mother.

So I finally get everyone back on a schedule and I find out that because of my husband's calling in the Stake we are blessed with the opportunity to be tour guides for VIP's at the Draper Temple. After being briefly trained, we have spent time at the new temple, taking wonderful people who have worked on the temple or live next to the temple, on tours. Of course, occasionally, one of the general authorities come with their families to go on personal tours. It's thrilling to be in their midst.

This temple is exquisite, in both structure, decor, and spirit. There is a tangible reverance and spirit that can't be described. One experience that stands out is a group I helped escort that was taking their ailing father on a tour. He suffered from bone cancer and wasn't well. In fact, he looked as though he was in a great deal of pain. It was difficult watching him, yet I knew this was where he wanted to be with his family. When we got to the Celestial Room, everyone was silent. The family's bishop, who was pushing this gentleman's wheelchair, bent down next to him and said, "do you know which room this is?" The man opened his eyes and looked up and said in a whisper, "the Celestial Room." His wife and daughters watched, with tears in their eyes, as they saw the patriarch of this family, glimpsing into eternity. The meaning of the room had much more significance through the eyes of this dear brother.

Is there anything more meaningful or precious than time we spend with our families? Sometimes the busy-ness of life causes us to forget that serving and spending time with our families is the most important thing we can do in life.

After my experience in the Draper Temple I have a new perspective on my priorities. Playing with my granddaughter, watching movies together as a family, seeing a child develop talents or receive a church calling, are my glimpses into eternity.

So, even though my house could use a good dusting, and the floors need to be vacuumed, I have laundry and dishes piled high, I think I'll go snuggle with Halle instead. We won't do housework in heaven, right?