My Mormon Third Eye: I See... Seeking the Protection of the Temple

Sunday, September 25, 2011

I See... Seeking the Protection of the Temple

It was going to be the most perfect day. Nothing would go wrong. A beautiful, worthy young relief society sister and a handsome young priesthood holder glowed in the reflective light of the sealing room chandeliers. They had been married for time and all eternity. They were then whisked outside to meet the rest of wedding party waiting excitedly at the foot of the impressive, sturdy granite walls of the Salt Lake Temple. The photographer began ordering family members and treasured friends around into perfect poses capturing picture after picture, seeking to memorialize this magic moment for eons and beyond, with the symbolism of massive temple doors as a fitting backdrop. The young groom and bride and their supporters struggled to contain their joy as they smiled and laughed and hugged and kissed together in celebration.

Then it happened. Thunder and lightning suddenly filled the terrible afternoon sky and a thorough rain fell, soaking all unsuspecting revelers below. The wedding party panicked and instantly scattered, running for safety from the storm. Where would they go? They sought the protection of the temple.

We crowded around the lower window alcoves and pressed up against the huge wooden doors at the top of the massive stairs. We were able to avoid the stain of rain by hugging the cold granite walls in our best Sunday dress. After the storm past we ventured back out and enjoyed making the rest of the day's memories.

I've since thought deeply and often about the protection the temple provided me that day. I learned that rainy, happy Saturday afternoon, just like Moses did thousands of years ago (see Moses 6:63), that everything God has created, including a rainy day on sacred temple grounds, testifies of Christ. The sheer symbolism of the House of the Lord protecting us from those worldly evils that would stain our souls and keep us from our eternal families was not lost on a dad watching his son form an eternal family of his own.

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The Mormon Third Eye Quote of the Week

"As men of the priesthood, we have an essential role to play in society, at home, and in the Church. But we must be men that women can trust, that children can trust, and that God can trust. In the Church and kingdom of God in these latter days, we cannot afford to have boys and men who are drifting. We cannot afford young men who lack self-discipline and live only to be entertained. We cannot afford young adult men who are going nowhere in life, who are not serious about forming families and making a real contribution in this world. We cannot afford husbands and fathers who fail to provide spiritual leadership in the home."

Elder D. Todd Christofferson
Priesthood Session Conference, October 2012

Why My Mormon Third Eye?

When I politely excused myself in the middle of dinner to make a bathroom stop, how did Mom know that I had uneaten peas in my pocket to flush down the toilet? When I came home late from a youth dance and slid quietly into bed to avoid waking parental units, how did Dad know, without looking at the car, that I smashed in the front bumper? When I watch my daughter play a video game, how do I know that she's not ready for her Geometry final?

Its the Third Eye. The notorious eye in the back of the head, the extra view of life that God blesses parents striving to do the right thing so they can see more of life than the children they chase after.

Our third eye also permits us to see things and feel emotions that are too refined, too far on the edge of our standard two-eyed peripheral vision to enjoy in its fullness. I've learned that I have a Mormon Third Eye; that is, as a life-long, fully-dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I have unique perspective on how the doctrines of the gospel and the demands of my faith in them intersect every other part of my mortal existence to create the entertaining, self-deprecating kaleidoscope of my life.

So... for those of you bold and bored enough to read this far, every so often I'll be sharing here what my Mormon third eye sees. Third eyes are relatively huge; they see the humorous, the entertaining, the embarrassing, the beautiful, the inspirational, and even the moral and political; however, they tend to ignore the evil, depressing and destructive: there is enough of that in world already!

The Four Secrets to Successful Living

Always Go Where There is Free Food - This includes ward and work parties, wedding receptions and missionary open houses; the money you spend to buy the ingredients for the world-famous triple chocolate cake you bring doesn’t count.
Never Pay Full Price for Anything – See my posts on Black Friday escapades for more information on this.
Never, Ever Press the Red Button - Usually, if you are faced with a red button somewhere, don’t press it – it usually means trouble. For example, the red button launches the missiles. Do yourself a favor and don’t press it.
Any Problem You Face Can Be Solved With Bungee Cords and Duct Tape - Bungee cord and duct tape technology has saved many marriages and ward parties. I’m not just talking about problems with plumbing or keeping groceries from bouncing around the trunk; I know of relationship and family issues that have been solved with creative applications of these two substances.