The Temple

Being at the Temple was like visiting home; everything was familiar and comfortable. The grounds were immaculate, the workers in white were as kind as angels, the decor beautiful and functional, the artwork symbolizing whose house it is, and the general spirit comforting and peaceful. While there I stepped away from the efforts of adjusting to a new culture, language(s) and house/town, the busy-ness of housekeeping, the relentless demands of motherhood, the physical, emotional, and mental requirements of homeschooling, the limitations of Geoff's condition, and my own personal weaknesses and struggles where sometimes my "eyes cannot see far off" (Moses 6:27). I regained a clear perspective of who I am, what I'm doing and where I'm going. It is no wonder life goes smoother, and is more peaceful, when regularly visiting the House of the Lord.

It had its differences. The Swiss Temple serves many different languages and your preferred language is noted on the small slip of paper carried through the Temple so the workers will know what language to speak to you. Temple sessions are in different languages (determined by the native language of the majority of people in the session), and translation headphones are passed out upon entering the session. There are workers from all countries so that somewhere someone can speak to you in your native tongue. Turns out there was a young gal and her family from St. George, Utah (my home town) who was marrying an Italian! Thanks to our dominant numbers the session was in English.

Because so many people travel long distances to this Temple it has dorms next to it and we spent two nights there. This was a unique and memorable experience. Our room had six bunks, some lockers and a small bathroom. Usually people share the room with others they don't know, but we got a whole room to ourselves. The girls loved the bunk beds (jungle gym), and Geoff and I felt like we were sleeping in a family-style DT room (dorms) at BYU. It was perfectly practical and basic.
In the basement there is a large dining area with three long tables and two round tables. Along the wall there are metal baskets where individuals can keep victuals, and several glass-doored refrigerators to hold perishable items. The kitchen had 10 sinks, stoves and ovens. Each person was responsible to clean up after themselves. The French couples that were there (one of which fed Geoff once on his mission!) always set out a tablecloth and settings. They revere mealtimes!


As a family we are focusing on becoming a "Zion" family during this year together. Our home school is even called Z School. We are studying the people of Enoch, and discussing what it means to have "one heart" and "one mind", and how we can "have no poor among (us)". We're working on sharing and eliminating "mine" from our family vocabulary. We're learning how to be "pure in heart", and we acknowledge and applaud Zion behavior. We have a lifetime to go but it is a focus, and we hope for even a small improvement in our family dynamic.

The temple was an amazing example of the Zion feeling we have been trying to teach the girls. They noticed how everyone helped to keep things tidy, and willingly grabbed the broom to sweep up our messes, or the sponge to wipe off our table so they would keep the spirit of it all. One mealtime the girls were fighting over who got the last of a banana. A nearby Italian father said, "Sister, I have an extra banana", which immediately dispelled the argument. His willingness to share what he had when he saw the need impacted the girls. As a result, we created the "Banana Award" that goes to anyone who gives when there is a need. They all noticed the good feeling there and consider it one of their favorite places. Hearing that, of course, was the best moment of the whole trip!