Kirtland Temple

Pat and I decided to take a short vacation during spring break.  Our initial plan was to go to Kentucky to the Ark Encounter and then possibly to Nashville.  But then I told him that the Rizleys were in Kirtland giving tours of the newly acquired Kirtland Temple.  We decided that we would go there first and then south to the Ark.

Marilyn texted me and asked when we would arrive.  I told her that we would take the tour the following morning and only with them.  She was so cute as she said they volunteered for the first tour of the morning and put our names on the list.  

It was so good to see them and hug them again and just be together.  We didn't have much time to just visit prior to the beginning of the tour but we got a photo or two.

During the tour we were reminded that the temple did not belong to the Community of Christ nor did we now "own" it.  It belongs to the Lord!

This window was an original.

On the third level of the temple only 25 people are allowed at a time due to the age and stability of the building.  I'm sure at some point it will be closed and reinforced.

This is Joseph Smith's desk where he wrote much.  I can only imagine which revelations were written at this desk.  So much revelation was given in Kirtland.  More than any other place.

We have had this tour before.  The last time was in 2018.  Back then it was very historical and not spiritual.  This time was very different.

As the Rizleys spoke of the outpouring of the Spirit on the day of the dedication, they asked us to sing "The Spirit of God".  I was asked to begin and direct the singing.  It was difficult to do it as my voice felt constricted and the tears flowed.

A rainy, drizzly day but it did not damper our spirits.  How I love these people!

In the Visitors' Center are these two portraits of Heavenly visitations on the dedication day.  Moses, Elias and Elijah came to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery and restored priesthood keys.  

Our Savior, Jesus Christ came and appeared to Joseph and Oliver and accepted the temple.  He needed this temple in order to have the keys restored to the earth.  What a sacred site that is now in the hands of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints.  The tours now are just so sacred.