Windows and Doors of the Temple (FL Part 3)

I didn't get a memory-card-full of photos of the Fort Lauderdale Temple as I planned. We have looked forward to the open house of this new temple. Prior to being dedicated in two weeks, it is open to the public for full tours of the interior. I have been eager for my kids to have this opportunity.

Remember, the motif of this trip was "Unplanned Florida". Originally we were schedule for a 5 pm tour time, and I had planned for a 4 pm arrival, but a few extra bathroom breaks and one quick detour threw off our timing. We got to the temple with time only to exit our vehicle and go into the very last tour. Late. In our travel clothes. Without even a moment to regroup after being on the road for hours. We made the decision to take the tour under-dressed, exchanging only two sentences to come to that conclusion. There wasn't time for discussion.

The alternative was to miss the chance to take our kids through a temple, and we weren't going to do that. That was the right choice. D and I didn't fuss over changing our original plan to have them change into church clothes and so I don't think self-consciousness got in the way of what we wanted them to learn. The twenty-minute tour was perfect. Our kids saw and heard so much.

Though I couldn't take photos inside, I snapped a few as we exited the grounds. What I will remember most are the windows and doors of this temple. The palm frond motif is everywhere along with the beautiful flowers in these windows. The words I will remember when I think of the interior of this temple are undoubtedly "botanical" and "refuge."

As we walked the hallways from the lobby to the baptistry, the bride's room, the chapel, the instruction rooms, and finally the celestial room, I was amazed by the illumination of the space, how windows seemed to funnel light into each room. The doors seemed a little larger proportionally than standard doors. The original paintings in the baptistry are my new favorites. 

I remembered words from Genesis and Exodus about making covenants and God's promises that are extended in that process. I thought of how making covenants with God has always empowered his children to complete their responsibilities on this Earth. I thought of the description in Exodus of the Israelites' tabernacle in the wilderness, how beautiful materials were used, and how the tabernacle was full of symbols that pointed the children of Israel to the Savior's atonement.

I remembered these words of scripture from the Old and New Testaments that I will teach my children: 

"Let them make me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them." Exodus 25:8.

In the baptistry: 

"Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?" Those are Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 15:29.

"And I saw another angel in the midst of heaven having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people." 

Revelation 14:6

"Every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God."

Romans 14:11

"Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands and a pure heart." 

Psalms 24:3-4

"And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it like the engravings of a signet, Holiness to the Lord." Exodus 28:36.

I thought of many other scriptures and temple memories that made me smile and feel such calm contentment. I was happy for Davie, Florida that it will have this heavenly place. I was happy for my kids that they are able to better picture where D and I go on our regular temple trips. I am happy that our temple nearby just outside of Washington DC can continue to be a place of so much instruction.