I am not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints,
But today I had the opportunity to visit the newly renovated temple in Atlanta.
It is only open to the public for these two weeks before a dedicatory prayer is said.
There was much to see(no pictures allowed inside the temple) and there is much to say.
But, for now at least, I want to write about my favorite part while it is still in that brilliant part of memory.
(You know the part before time fades it and you lose all the tiny details?)
I never expected to be moved to tears,
But there’s something about God that is so big and so bright and so brilliant
That, even when you are outside your own religion and beliefs and understandings,
You feel “it” –
That indescribable feeling,
A warmth in the center of your being
That connects with your Creator
And you know, you know that God is Love.
And all the other stuff is icing.
Standing in the Celestial Room, the holy of holies in the Temple, I marveled at the elegance and beauty around me.
The gorgeous multi-tiered chandelier glistening and shooting light around the room.
The over-sized mirrors on either side of the room, facing each other, showing a pathway to infinity.
The details in the carpet echoing the details etched in the glass doors echoing the details in the stained glass.
(Even found on the door plates.)
The white of purity.
The gold of heaven.
The green of new life, renewal.
The symbolism not lost on me.
We were asked to be silent.
And yet a little child no more than 2 babbled on.
Shushed by her mother, her grandmother
She could not be persuaded to be quiet.
She, in the holy of holies, would not be silent.
She, in the holy of holies, spoke unabashedly, giggled even.
And I thought “What better sound to hear than the sound of a child?”
And I got misty-eyed.
Oh, how I pray that in the presence of God, there will be the sound of children.
What would forever be without that sound?
wow. i knew it would be a profound experience.
whenever parents try to shush little ones in church, my dad reminds them (from the puplit…mid sermon even) that jesus said let the little children come. their abandon, their full-on living is what it’s about. so yeah…how completely perfect that the holy space was filled with the giggles of a joyful child.
Giggle, giggle, “Let the children come to me..”
As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I can tell you that there is nothing closer to Heaven than the laughter of a child. That is why ours is such a family oriented Church. Children giggling, talking, singing and parents shushing them is the chorus of our meetings 🙂
I am so glad you were able to go and feel the Spirit of God while there. Our Temples are amazing, that is the truth. Glad you had a great experience 🙂
Beautiful
I’ve been told, in a matter of a few years, Indianapolis will have a temple. I’m excited to do the “public” tour. Sounds beautiful.
This makes me so happy.
For so many reasons.
I’m so happy you know the kind of happy I get to know every time I go to the temple.
Wow, this is so moving… what a fantastic thing to read on Good Friday. I’m Catholic, so I’ve never been inside a temple either, but it sounds like quite an experience.
“Let the children come to me…” They have so much to add in a space like that, don’t they? True reminders of innocence and light.
A member myself, everytime I go, it is a beautiful experience. I’m so glad you took the opportunity to visit.
I’m a former LDS member and have been lucky enough to go through the temple before it was sealed as well, you have brought back memories I had forgotten. You painted a beautiful picture and I felt like I was standin next to you in the temple. Thank you.
Why former member??
I’m so glad you were able to attend the open house! We adopted our son so we were able to have him sealed to us in the temple, so that he can be a part of our family forever. It was such a beautiful experience to have him in the temple with us. The temple we were sealed in (the Oquirrh Mountain Utah temple) is new and it had it’s open house during the time our son’s birth mom was pregnant. She toured the temple before its dedication and said as she sat in the sealing room and felt joy as she thought about how the baby she was carrying would be able to be sealed to me and my husband. The temple is full of love and I’m so glad you were able to experience that.
Oh- and here is a link to all of the other temples that are under construction, and the pending open houses, if anyone is interested:
http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/construction/
I needed this. Thank you.
I am a member and just have to say…you get it. That is the feeling I get everytime I am in the temple. Such a peace that you will be hard pressed to feel anywhere else. What a beautiful description. Thank you.
My thoughts exactly. You got it, and you felt it. Such a precious experience, and you shared it beautifully.
Wow. That was such a beautiful account of your experience… reading your description brought that same “it” feeling to my heart and even made me misty-eyed. I had a similarly sacred moment with a baby in different temple not too long ago. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and perspective! Beautiful!
As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints…..Thank you. 🙂
Bridget, thank you for sharing your beautiful testimony of our living God.
Matt. 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven”
Keep letting your light shine! -Crystal (LDS member)
I WENT TO THE MT. TIMPANGOES and got my endowments and was taken back with the beauy and peace I felt there .My husband passed away almost 6 yrs. and in the fall or early winter IAM GOING TO BE SEALED TO HIM FOR ALL ENTERNITY. i am so happy and greatful that u were able to witness the serenity and the blessngs that u received . there is none greater than that
I am a Latter-day Saint and glad you had a wonderful experience in the temple. For me, there is no place on earth where I feel as close to our Heavenly Father and our Savior as in the temple. I am glad you could feel of that. If you would like to learn more about temples, you can visit ldschurchtemples.com Thank you for sharing!
The heart and mind have to be open and ready to listen. It is wonderful that you were prepared that day. I’m sure that others thought “why can’t that child just be quite, I’m trying to have a spiritual experience”. The spirit speaks when you are ready to listen. Casting pearls to swine is not something The Lord taught us to do. Now my challenge to you and to myself is to REMEMBER those times when the still small voice whispers to our soul. I loved your very eloquent experience. Thanks for sharing.
Clark (LDS member… nursery leader)
What a beautiful way to begin my day. I found this website by accident and now I know it wasn’t by accident. I was at the Logan LDS Temple on Tuesday and felt the very feelings you described. I know my Heavenly Father lives and wants us to be happy. He loves little children and wants us to be like them. Isn’t it such a wonderful thing that he would bless us, that we can have experiences like this to solidify our knowledge of Him.
Beautiful post!!
Jil (An LDS Member)
This was such a great post to read. I am, in fact, a member of the LDS church- but only for about 4 years and counting. None of my family are members, and I wanted for them so badly to be able to make a trip to the Atlanta temple when it was open to the public. It’s so great that even though you are not of our faith, that you were able to see as a Christian that God is amazing, and that his Spirit is everywhere! When I was sealed to my husband in the temple (married) my family couldn’t be there with me, isn’t it the most angelic, peaceful place, I really wanted them to see what beauties I was surrounded by that day! Thanks for sharing your experience! I love your site! Stop by and visit me, too! http://layneslovelylife.blogspot.com
As we read in the Old Testament , we see that Heavenly Father has always caused Temples to be built among the his children. Being a convert to the Church , I testify that the church is true. It will weather every storm that beats up against it . It will out last every critic who rises to mock it. It bares the name of he who stands at the head of it , even Jesus Christ. It is great people like Bridget Ivey who give this so heavely persecuted Church by people who just do not under stand , a good name. Thank you for your beautiful testamony Bridget. And remember , just as the prophet Noah came before the flood, the prophet Joseph Smith has come before the fire. God bless you and your family.
As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I go to the temple every week and I get the same wonderful feeling each time I go. To the author of this article, please know that this “feeling” was the Holy Spirit telling you of a truth that you should investigate and discover and avail yourself of the constant indwelling of the Holy Spirit in your life through membership in the Church. Your home can be a “temple” and indeed, your very person can be a “temple” and carry the spirit that you felt on that lovely Spring day in Atlanta. God bless you!
Hi, I’m a member of the church and could tell you many things and try to convince many other but i can only tell you what you felt in there is no chance and that if you you pray to God asking if you sense it comes from or suggestion is sure you will get an answer , then i leave a challenge.
(Sorry for my english, i am using a google tranlator)
Kisses from Spain
Is it possible that little child was conversing the God and angels in His Holy House? Out of the mouths of babes…
Bridget,
I cried reading about your sweet & tender experience in the temple. Thank you for sharing it with so many! I am very glad that our paths have crossed & we’ve become friends. You are an amazing person, wonderful mother. Keep up the great work.
your friend,
Joy