ENG 315 Dr.

Sherman Han
My first visit to the Temple
I cant and will never forget the twenty-fifth day of June. It is the day
when I first went to the temple and participated in the saving ordinances that
are held inside, the baptism for the dead. On this day, all of my fellow youth
in our small branch are excited in preparing for the interview to get a
recommend in order to get inside. I was thirteen years old that time and its
really a good view looking those youths who are anxiously visiting other
youth to come to church and be prepared so they too can participate. A week
before the 25th of June was a Sunday. Each of the young men and the young
women in our ward has different gestures while they are in line waiting to be
interviewed by the bishop. Some of them who are not prepared became
nervous as they draw near to be interviewed. Hands are growing colder,
hearts that are pounding louder. I remember the feeling of excitement in my
heart as I went inside my bishops office and was asked some questions. I
really enjoyed my bishops smile and warm encouragement to stay worthy
for the Spirit of the Lord.
When the twenty-fifth day of June approached, I enjoyed the chilling
wind of that early morning day of June. The young pretty girls got the eyes of
the good-looking young boys as they enter the bus. The young women
sisters are also excited in helping the young men put on their ties on their
pure white polo shirts. How excited we are as the bus started to travel from
our small town after the prayer was said. The five hour bus ride seems

minutes when we saw angel Moroni blowing his trumpet on top of the
highest spire of the temple as we approached the temple gates. We are all
excited to step out of the bus and walk around the sacred place. We were like
in heaven. The calm spirit, the clean grassy ground, colorful flowers of
different variety, the friendly and warm smiles of other people who went
there all made it like we were in paradise. When we went inside, I also saw
other youth who came from other regions in the country, walking dressed in
pure white clothing. Sooner that day we were also given a white clothing to
put on for the baptism. It was the clothing they are using when there is a
convert baptized to the church, all white which signifies purity. I am so
blessed to feel that I am like in heaven, all wearing white, and the phrases
all are equal in the sight of God came to my mind.
The water in the baptismal font dances like crystal ripples. I thought
that the water was cold but as soon as the tip of my foot reached the water,
it was warm and feels good. My eyes were closed as the prayer was uttered,
and I know that the other youths inside that room in the temple were so
excited to do their baptism for the dead, some of them is like me, going for
the first time. It was the first time of my life to hear different kind of names
from different countries who lived in the middle ages, who were baptized
vicariously. As I heard those names, amazement came to my young mind
how the Lord remembers each of His children. First, second, third until the
fifth was I immersed and I cant forget the feeling of helping the dead receive
those saving ordinances.