The last training day

     Today is the middle of April but it sure hasn't looked like it here in Utah. Fortunately for us (unlike the missionary couple headed to Hawaii) we are prepared for winter so we had coats and, thanks to friends in Sun City, a nice big umbrella. Russ and I were actually delighted to see and walk in snow! We haven't done that very much in the past 4+ years we have lived in Sun City, Arizona! We much prefer snow to 120 degrees. My only disappointment was that I didn't have my gloves with me because I really had the urge to build a snowman- or something akin to it.

Early this morning, we trudged on over to the Salt Lake temple from our hotel and had a heavenly day.
     Have you ever lingered someplace when you didn't want "the moment" to end? That happened for 16 temple missionaries today. This was our 3rd and final day of training before we all go our separate ways. We are all headed to temples, which will certainly be wonderful, but the sweet, peaceful feeling we had in the Salt Lake temple was about to fade with each step out into the world. I mentioned yesterday that there were temple missionaries in about half of the LDS temples in the world. Today the significance of that deepened for me. I guess the ultimate goal for the Church is for each temple (about 144 so far) to be fully supported by "local" people, staff and patrons. But for now there are areas where the population is insufficient (like Palmyra NY and Nauvoo IL- both historical site temples in sparsely populated towns), or the Church membership is small and lacking experience (Kiev Ukraine) or poor (Cebu Phillipines) enough that the Church sends older couples for support to keep the temples available. We were all dressed in nearly identical white clothing. There was no way to determine where people were from or how much money they make or what they do for a living or how big their families are. We were just a quiet, humble army preparing to serve. Our trainers were formerly president and matron of this temple and have served there for many years as well as serving as mission president and matron in England. Among our group there were two children of President Hinckley, the prophet who died not long ago and is/was beloved by millions of people, including Russ and me. Aside from the family physical resemblance of the son, you would not have known who they are. They are both humble, simple people who don't expect any special treatment or act superior in any way. They are every bit as likable as their father. Our little group of missionaries was treated like we are important. We were taught, counseled, given a tour of the temple from top to bottom (Russ's eyes lit up when we went down to the basement to see the real workings of the building- all spotlessly clean) and loved like family by everyone around us. I imagine it will be similar when we enter the presence of our Savior and His Father, whenever that happens.