Below are entries that some of our Stake Members submitted during our Summer of Temples initiative

We were able to go and do baptisms for our ancestors in the Nauvoo and Winter Quarters Temples while on vacation. While we were there, we could feel the dedication of those early saints and glimpse the sacrifices they made to build temples and stay valiant in their testimonies of Jesus Christ. The best way that we can honor our ancestors is to dedicate our time and make small sacrifices to attend the temple and liberate our captive ancestors. 

Today we had the opportunity of attending our grandson's endowment at the Bountiful Temple. This is the fourth grandchild that we have seen have their endowments taken out and we rejoice is seeing this young man accept his covenants and prepare to serve a mission in South Africa. An amazing memory is seeing this little family of a mother and father sitting on a large couch in the Bountiful Temple Celestial room, knowing that this family is completely sealed together and endowed in the cause of Christ for Eternity. This will always be a mind's eye memory for us to reflect upon and hopefully working towards each of our children and grandchildren completing this work for themselves as well. 

We had a large temple baptism activity for the youth and even the temple workers were impressed with the turnout. I always feel the spirit so strong watching the youth gather Israel. 

I had a wonderful opportunity of participating in a sealing in which five brothers were sealed to their parents all at that same time. Thanks go to the extra men who came into the sealing session to participate in such a large sealing. The spirit was very evident as many in the sealing session viewed the activity. Many tears were shed in excitement of what was happening. My ancestors must have felt thankful that all five brothers were sealed at the same time! 

Our family (the Willises) along with the Smith family from our ward had the pleasure of attending the open house for the Saratoga Springs Temple on June 10th. It was a wonderful opportunity to give our children a glimpse of what happens inside our holy temples. They were in awe of the beauty throughout the temple and they could especially feel the reverence found in the Celestial room. The usher at the main doors told us about a miracle that occurred in the construction of the temple. The team in charge of deciding on the finishes inside the temple really wanted a line of blue tile to go down both sides of the big main staircase to represent the Saratoga Springs. A specific tile was selected but they weren't able to find a supplier. They had all but given up hope on getting the tile they wanted until one day they received a call from a man who had retired from tile-laying as a profession some years before. He had heard they were looking for blue tile and he just so happened to have quite a few boxes that he had held onto for many years. He had really loved the tile pattern and just couldn't get rid of it. Of course it was the exact tile they had been looking for, not to mention the precise amount needed to complete the staircase. What a beautiful reminder that the temple truly is the House of God. I testify that we have a loving Heavenly Father who magnifies our efforts when we seek to worship and glorify Him by making the temple a focal point in our lives. 

It’s always amazing to see the youth gathering Israel. It reminds me of this Elder Holland quote about loving God and as we do his work I feel the veritable explosion of spiritual power “the first great commandment given to the human family—to love God wholeheartedly, without reservation or compromise, that is, with all our heart, might, mind, and strength. This love of God is the first great commandment in the universe. But the first great truth in the universe is that God loves us exactly that way—wholeheartedly, without reservation or compromise, with all of His heart, might, mind, and strength. And when those majestic forces from His heart and ours meet without restraint, there is a veritable explosion of spiritual, moral power. Then, as Teilhard de Chardin wrote, “for [the] second time in the history of the world, man will have discovered fire."

My husband and I went to the temple for his cousin and wife to receive their endowments and to be sealed as a family with their son. My husband was my cousin's escort so we had to be there early which gave me the opportunity to do some initiatories while waiting. I had some time to open the Scriptures and receive some revelation to help me with a life struggle.

Then being able to be in the endowment with them was wonderful! We haven't been through since the updates to the session and it was like going through again for the first time. I was able to reflect on my own experience the first time I went through and I loved all of the updates and how the endowment explicitly focuses on Christ and the atonement. Then right after the session, we were able to watch as they became an eternal family with their cute little toddler! 

We spent most of the day at the temple and it gave us such a wonderful rejuvenation to continue being faithful and true to our covenants! 

Brother Wheeler's Maples Third Ward Primary Class had a special lesson on Temples. They then had fun illustrating with chalk their favorite Temple. 

The Stake Primary had an activity where the kids built temples out of paper cups!

We've had a great time going to the temple this summer. We've been able to take the kids and their friends to do baptisms in May, June, July and August! We've gone to the Oquirrh Mountain, Jordan River and Brigham City Temples with them. As a couple, we were able to go to the Bountiful Temple to do sealings and have plans to do Initiatories later this month at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. Going to the temple is something that we really love to do - as a family or as a couple! 

The 4th ward had this up on the Bishop's door to record whenever they did ordinances!