Escort

There have been two other times that I recall when I have held this title: escort.  Two other times I have had the opportunity to escort a brother who was entering the temple for the first time to receive the endowment blessings for himself.  It is a wonderful privilege.  When a man or woman enters the temple for the first time, he or she can choose a person of the same gender to stand with him or her throughout the endowment experience.  The sacred nature of the temple endowment precludes me from going through the process in a public blog post such as this (or even a private journal entry), suffice it to say that the responsibility of an escort is to answer questions or assist in helping the first time attendee understand what to do next during the temple ordinance if the occasion requires.  Because the escort has already gone through the ordinance for himself or herself, he or she can act as a guide and can assist the first time person in this manner.  I do not believe the other two brethren will take offense at my next statement, but my experience as an escort today was one of the most profound events of my life—today I served as a temple escort for my son Ben.

Having received the Melchizedek Priesthood and his missionary call, he became eligible to partake of the blessings of the endowment ordinance of the temple to give him the "endowment from on high" (D&C 105:33) promised by the Lord to His people and to take upon himself the additional protective covenants offered only through the endowment ceremony.  These covenants will stand as protective spiritual armor (see Ephesians 6:13-18) as he goes out into the mission field (away from family and friends) and teaches the gospel of Jesus Christ to those with whom he comes into contact in the Colorado Denver North Mission.  Also, through the endowment, Ben has come to better understand his relationship with his Savior.  By receiving the temple covenants willingly, with "a broken heart and a contrite spirit" (3 Nephi 9:20), he has placed himself in a greater position to understand how the Atonement of Christ affects him personally and how to receive it in his life: "Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me" (3 Nephi 9:14).

As I sat next to Ben during the endowment ordinance and either helped him or whispered quick statements to him, I was so happy to have him there with me partaking of the blessings of the temple that I have come to love and cherish.  During confirmation blessings (either for my family members or for others), I have felt impressed to state that Father in Heaven is pleased with the person's decision to be baptized.  Today, I felt this same feeling for myself.  I was very pleased to sit next to Ben and watch him out of the corner of my eye take the additional temple covenants upon himself.  My joy was very full as I recognized the blessings that await him as he remains faithful to those covenants.  As Jennifer and I welcomed him into the Celestial Room, I cried tears of joy in his behalf, knowing the tremendous step he had completed.

I was also very thankful to the ward members who were able to come and participate in the temple with us today.  Since seating is limited, not everyone who wanted to come was able to, but I am thankful for everyone who were there either personally or in desire.  As we reunited with Isaac outside the temple (we found out that the group we had set him up to do baptisms and confirmations with had not come to the temple, but that temple workers had rallied to serve Isaac in his desire to participate in those ordinances while he waited for us), I was showered with a feeling of joy to have Jennifer and both my sons with me.  They have done so much to bless my life; they have been so patient and forgiving when I wasn't sure I deserved either patience or forgiveness.  I am blessed; and I thank my Heavenly Father for those blessings and am grateful for His gift of the Savior to me.  Without Jesus and His extended arms of mercy, I would be so lost and my life would be so hopeless—with Him I continue to have hope and know that I can have my rough edges smoothed and polished.

We now have less than a month until Ben leaves us to begin his missionary service.  With the added protection and blessings he has received in the Redlands Temple for himself today (a protection that we want to help him better understand as we plan at least 3 more temple visits before he reports), I know that he will do his best as he embarks on that personal, spiritual adventure.