Temples and the Plan of Salvation

So last night, I went through the Gilbert Arizona temple for the first time and received my endowments. It was such a special experience, to make promises to Heavenly Father and to have Him make promises to me. My favorite part was listening to the blessings bestowed upon me. So long as I am obedient and clean, I will always have those blessings. Our temples are sacred places and that is why we don't speak of what goes on inside outside the walls of the temple. But I can say this. The covenants that I made last night are the same covenants that I have heard and kept my whole life. I am so thankful that this church is consistent with its teachings. Because my parents raised me in the gospel, I find that it is going to be easy to keep my covenants and be true to Heavenly Father.
Here are some pictures of me and my parents in front of the gorgeous Gilbert Arizona temple.

 I am definitely a Momma's girl. She is my best friend and I will miss her terribly when I leave for Alabama, but because she was sealed to my Dad in the Mesa, Arizona temple, I know I will be with her for eternity, so this short separation of 18 months will fly by.

My parents are amazing examples for how I want to live my life. They have taught me to serve with love and how to center my life on Christ and His gospel. I would not be where I am today without them.








I have such a strong testimony of temples and their part in the Plan of Salvation. When I was 9 years old, we learned that my mother was expecting another child, a baby girl. Being the only girl with three brothers, I was so excited and happy to be getting a little sister. Months went by and the baby grew. Mom went to regular check ups and little Marissa was as healthy as could be and quite active. Then, Mom went to a check up and the baby wasn't moving. I was quite young, so I might not have all the details, but what I remember being told is that the umbilical cord was wrapped around Marissa's neck and she passed away. Our family grieved for the loss of this precious soul that we never even had the chance to hold, but we also rejoiced. Our little Marissa was so perfect and was needed back in heaven. She had some greater work to do beyond the veil. We all need to come to Earth to receive a body, but we don't all need to stay. I miss my little sister dearly, but I know that I will see her again someday. Because our parents were sealed in the temple and my siblings and I were born in the covenant, our family will be together forever.  When I go to the temple to perform baptisms for the dead so that they may have the opportunity to accept the joy of the gospel, I imagine that Marissa's spirit is in the room with those that she has taught.