Primary Manti Temple Trip

Back in May, our primary decided to take a temple trip to our temple, the Manti temple. It was so wonderful and I am so glad that we did it. It was a lot of planning and a bit of stress, but I think it was worth the effort.  When we got there, we sang some songs while waiting for President and Sister Pinegar to come and speak to us.  The Pinegar's are the temple President and his wife.  So, here we are listening attentively.  It really is amazing how much kids pick up while you think they are not listening.  In fact, Joshua came home and immediately gave me a hug and kiss and asked what he could do for me.  It was so wonderful, very endearing to me, he is such a sweetheart with a gentle spirit (the following story will make this more clear).   (Thanks to Cami for this picture). 

Both Pres. and Sister Pinegar had such a great way with children and our kids were so good to sit and listen.  Sister Pinegar spoke about being somewhere where there was all sidewalks, cement, roads, I can't remember where it was, but how she was walking along and she looked down and there was a sunflower growing right in a crack in the cement.  As she looked at it, she realized it was looking up at the sun.  Then, she went on to say how sunflowers follow the sun and we should follow the example of the sunflower.  But, we follow a different sun, we follow the Son of God.  We should always be looking for him and trying to please him. Pres. Pinegar spoke next and first had us sing his favorite primary song, "I Belong to the Church of Jesus Christ" followed by his talk.  His father passed away when he was very young and so he had to help his mother a lot.  He told the kids how lucky they were to have wonderful parents.  He went on to encourage the children to go home and give their mother a hug and a kiss and ask them, "Mother, what can I do for you today?"  Then, do what she asks you to do.  He told them how busy mothers were and that each child should take a bit of time out of their day to find out what they could do to help.  He then moved it further to having them ask our Heavenly Father what we can do for Him each day.  And, then do what he tells us to do.  

Both Pres. and Sister Pinegar are awesome and I will be forever grateful and impressed that they took the time out of their busy schedules to come and talk to our children.

This is most of our group, save a few who are taking the pictures.  Thanks to all who helped us drive and arrange things.  

All the kids gave the Pinegar's hugs afterward.  

Sister Kunzler took us on a tour around the temple telling us about unique things about it.  We walked up here toward it.  There used to be a set of stairs that would go up this direction.  It is pretty interesting, if you walk up this way and stop to look at the temple, it almost looks like it is going to fall on you!  Not a bad way to go, I would say?

I love this picture of Jainie and her friend, Harper walking around the temple.

There is a little cabin built into the side of the mountain where the pioneers lived who worked on the temple.  They let us open it and Brother Blake told us stories about it and how it was built and about snakes coming out of the walls one winter.  (I am forever grateful I am not a pioneer.)  He did a great job and I learned a lot more about the building of the temple.

Now, as you can see, this is us rolling down the hill.  I used to do this quite a bit when I was young, but my kids have never done it.  From what I have heard, they (the temple workers) don't like you to do this, never heard firsthand but through the grapevine.  However, I was not present when this happened, the kids did ask one of the leaders and they didn't know we weren't supposed to do it, so everyone went ahead and rolled.  I about had a heart attack when I saw it, but it was too late by then.  Another good memory, however, I would not suggest you do this, besides the fact we don't know if it is allowed, we went home with very dirty pants and shirts and some ripped dresses.  It does make a lovely picture though, doesn't it.  (Jaxon got to go with us, because when everyone else in your family is going, even though you are 12, I figure you should tag along. :))

Hopefully our purpose was achieved, and that was to remind the children of how special the temple is and the wonderful spirit that is there.  We really had a pretty good turn out and some non-active children.  Quite a few hadn't been before so I say is was a success.

So thanks to the Pinegar's and the wonderful pioneers who built this beautiful building that we are able to attend and enjoy with our children.  We love it!