You are cordially invited
to attend an open house of the Kansas City Missouri Temple
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
from Saturday, April
7, through Saturday, April 21, 2012 (excluding Sundays).
The temple is a beautiful, inspiring, and peaceful place.
As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I love going to the temple. It's a place I can go to find peace in this crazy mixed up world we live in. Heck, even in my chaotic house full of fabulous, rambunctious kids! The temple helps me find my balance, to remind me of who I am: A Daughter of God. And that these angels-in-training who destroy the house faster than I can clean it are children of God, too.
There have been many, many times in my life that I've been reminded that God knows exactly who I am. But most of them have occurred since becoming a mother. It amazes me how often I receive promptings or answers to prayer about one of my munchkins. If I follow those promptings or answers, then I discover they were spot on for what that child needed. Over the years, it's become more clear to me that motherhood is not a single woman job. It takes a team - and mine begins with Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. Without those three in my life, I wouldn't be the partially sane woman I am today. =)
Seriously, the temple is beautiful. If you are not a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and you live within a 2 day drive of a temple open house (the current temple opening is in Kansas City, MO), then I encourage you to go.
What happens on a tour? Well, first you should reserve a ticket. When you arrive, you'll wait to be assigned to a small group. During the wait there may be videos playing, music from the fabulous Mormon Tabernacle Choir, or volunteers to chat with. I'll personally be volunteering a few days during the Kansas City Temple open house. When your group is called, you'll be led through the temple. This is a reverent tour. You're welcome to ask questions, but please talk in soft tones to allow the spirit in the building to be felt. You'll visit our baptismal fonts, ordinance rooms, and marriage rooms. Gorgeous paintings, woodwork, and chandeliers. This is an opportunity for you to learn about your Mormon neighbors and their faith. At the end of the tour, if you'd like to learn more, you're welcome to fill out a missionary card. But I promise, there won't be anyone following you, hounding, heckling, or annoying you. The open house is a two-week window of time for members of my church to share their love for Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ and how we worship them in the temple with our neighbors before it is dedicated in May. After the dedication, the temple is only visited by members of the LDS church.
I hope that you live close enough to attend the Kansas City Temple open house. If not, I hope one day you'll be near another temple open house and take the opportunity to go. Click here for a list of temples being constructed around the world.
