The Brigham City Temple
This past weekend, I went back home to Willard to witness the beginning of something that I hold very dear to my heart... that something was the groundbreaking of a brand new LDS temple. But this isn't just any temple; this temple is being built right in the heart of my dear community. There's something special about witnessing the Lord's house being built in the place you love. Words cannot even begin to describe the joy that I feel (and the rest of Box Elder county, for that matter) at the blessings that this temple will bring to the area. I'd like to talk about the highlights of the groundbreaking and some of the wonderful experiences that I had.
My mother, Roxie; sister, Kaitlyn; younger brother, Zachary; and myself arrived at the Brigham City Tabernacle around 7:45 on Saturday morning; the groundbreaking wasn't scheduled to begin until 9:00 AM, but we had read in the newspaper that 25,000 people were expected to show up (luckily the actual number was much smaller than that) and we weren't going to take any chances. The temple is being built directly across Main Street from the historic tabernacle, so we set up our chairs and rolled out a blanket within the shadow of the tabernacle steeple. Church workers were setting up the big, red chairs that the General Authorities use for General Conference, and we could hear the microphones being tested. Our seats were good, but not the best. The podium was situated in such a way that the speaker's back would be facing us while his/her front would be facing the see of 500 reserved chairs. So we decided to move, coming to the conclusion that it would be better to stand at the back of the reserved chairs and see what was going on than to sit on the Tabernacle lawn and not be witness to this historic event. Our luck changed, however, when we were told that there were 80 reserved chairs that they were opening up to the public; we took advantage of this opportunity and got some pretty good seats.
The ceremony soon started; President Boyd K. Packer (a Brigham City native) presided, with Elder Russel M. Nelson also in attendance. Before the actual groundbreaking ceremony, there were several speakers that gave some short, insightful remarks. However, the speaker that stuck out to me the most was the wife of President Packer, Sister Donna Packer. What a special, special opportunity it was to hear the eternal companion of an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ share her fervent testimony of our Savior. I could literally feel her strength pouring over the congregation as this sweet woman declared to all present that she knows that our Lord and Redeemer lives. There is nothing more beautiful or wonderful than a righteous woman. Nothing. I'm so excited to be sealed to such a woman someday for all of time and eternity.
The closing remarks were given by President Packer who, as I mentioned before, is a Brigham City native. He's getting older and had to sit in a chair when he spoke, but he promised us with confidence that he would be around for the dedication of the temple. He told us stories of his youth: memories he had in the tabernacle and of attending elementary school in the very spot that we were now sitting. To quote him, "I am home... I can see in my mind’s eye a temple sitting here in about two years time. It will be gorgeous; it will be white. You will see in the design of it reflections of previous temples that have been built, particularly the Salt Lake Temple. It will be a beacon from all over the valley." I could have listened to his stories all day, but it was getting hot and it was time to move on.
President Packer then gave the dedicatory prayer, dedicating the ground to the building of the temple. It was such a beautiful prayer, but most of the things that were said are lost to my mortal mind. However there are some words that stick out in my mind like a flash of lightening. President Packer blessed the ground we were sitting on that it would be protected from harm and damage, especially during the construction of the temple. But then he went on to bless the wards, stakes, and the people in the area that they would be protected from harm and danger, and that the building of the temple will bring great blessings to the area. I feel like our community has received many blessings because of obedience to prophets; the owners of Maddox, a pretty well-to-do steak house that is frequented quite often by General Authorities, were promised many years ago by Church leaders that they would be greatly blessed if they would close their restaurant doors on Sunday. The fruit farmers in the area (Brigham is renowned for its fruit... at least, it used to be before Walmart came in) were likewise promised great blessings if they would keep the Sabbath Day holy. What a leap of faith it must have been to head this counsel, especially for a small, struggling restaurant and poor fruit farmers. But we have all been blessed by abundance and happiness because of those faithful Saints. It was extremely comforting to have an Apostle of the Lord bless us all with safety and protection.
After the prayer, a multi-stake choir from the Tremonton area sang "The Spirit of God." Many of you probably know how critical I can be when it comes to musical numbers, and this instance was no exception. The accompanist was choppy, the choir was a little bit shrill and slightly flat, and there was a kid sitting behind me that was crying and screaming. But then something happened that I can't explain. As soon as the fourth verse started, "How blessed the day when the lamb and the lion shall lie down together without an ire, and Ephraim be crowned with his blessings in Zion as Jesus descends with His chariot of fire!" I forgot all of these minor inconveniences.. To be honest, it was almost as if the heavens were opened and an angelic choir had joined in with the earthly choir. It was completely incredible and words will never fully describe it. I felt the Spirit pour over me like a breath of cool air and I hope I am slow to forget the incredible feeling that I felt.
After the choir, the groundbreaking ceremony took place. Some dirt was overturned by President Packer and Elder Nelson (and many other people afterward, including myself) and that was it. My Mother took us out to Maddox on the way home and I spent an enjoyable day with my family. I can't wait to witness the building of this beautiful building, but I especially can't wait for its completion. What a wonderful blessing.
