Our Jordan River Temple Past and Present~

My dear eternal companion and I are so excited for the Jordan River Utah Temple rededication on May 20th, 2018 which will then open for temple work on May 22nd. We consider this temple to be our temple. We have a history of this temple that I want to share. 

Several years ago in 1979, my husband and I moved back to Utah from Paradise, California and settled in Midvale. It was a hard move. We had loved living in California, especially Paradise city. It will always be one of our favorite places to live. 
While living in Midvale, we sold our home in Paradise and were looking for a home to build or buy in the Salt Lake Area. 
My husband and I have always loved attending the temples in the areas we have lived. While in San Jose and Paradise California we traveled to the Oakland temple, so it was a long drive. We were thrilled to be back in Utah closer to a temple. We were only 20 minutes away from the Salt Lake Temple. 

The Salt Lake Temple~

Oakland California Temple~

On June 9th, 1979, there was a groundbreaking for the new Jordan River Utah Temple. Living in Midvale we would be closer than the Salt Lake Temple.

Orginal Jordan River Temple - Dedicated On November 16th, 1981 By President Marion J. Romeny 

Here are some photos of the open house in 1981

One day we drove out by the Jordan River Temple site and noticed a new development of homes just to the west. The street was named Y worry Lane. 

We found a piece of property and felt strongly that this was where we wanted to live. Through a miracle we were able to buy this property with the proceeds from the home we sold in Paradise. The house faced the South East corner of the new temple. 
For the next year, we visited the property frequently as we made plans to build a home. Through some unforeseen circumstances, we had to leave our dreams and move to Richmond, Utah. 
We were there for about 6 months when we found a home and decided that we should sell our property. We were devastated because we still had the dream of building a house near that temple. While in Richmond, we frequently attended the Logan Utah Temple. 

Logan Utah Temple~

Our lives led us to many additional adventures. We were in Richmond for 3 years and then relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada for 7 years and later on to Spokane, Washington for 15 years. Throughout those years we continued to enjoy opportunities to attend each of the temples that were near us. 
The first few years in Las Vegas, we had to travel to the St. George Utah Temple, which was a 2 1/2 hours away. Later on, we were able to be part of the open house and dedication of the Las Vegas Nevada Temple. We loved attending that beautiful temple and have lovely memories of some of those moments. 

St. George Utah Temple and Las Vegas Nevada Temple~

Our next move took us to Spokane, Washington. For the first several years we were in the Seattle Temple district. Once again we had about a 4-hour drive. It is a beautiful temple, and we have many fond memories of our attendance there. 
Another memorable moment was being part of the open house and then later serving as ordinance workers in the new Spokane Washington Temple. We were only about 10 minutes from this lovely temple. We worked there for about 7 years and had some unique assignments. 

Seattle Washington Temple and Spokane Washington Temple~

Returning to Utah in was hard because we had loved Spokane and had such memorable experiences with our teenage children and a variety of opportunities serving in the church. As we bid farewell to beautiful Spokane, our hearts were troubled to have to move once again. However, we were coming home in a way because most of our younger years were spent in the Salt Lake Valley. It was comforting to return, where we could once again be near to our families.
As we looked for a home, we concentrated our efforts in the South Jordan area. If that home had been for sale on Y Worry Lane, we would have bought it on the spot. We found a lovely home near the temple and soon after began working in the Jordan River Utah Temple where we served for 8 years before it was closed for renovation. We enjoyed many assignments and learned more than we ever imagined we might. 
It was while the temple was closed for renovation that we served our full-time mission for the Utah Salt Lake South Mission.  
The new Draper Utah Temple, dedicated in March of 2009  and the Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple dedicated in August of 2009 were great additions to the area. We have 4 temples now in the Salt Lake Valley.

Jordan River Utah Temple - Draper Utah Temple and Oquirri Mountain Utah Temple~

One day we took a quick drive to the Oquirrah Mountain Temple, and we were precisely 2.6 miles from that temple. We then drove to ou Jordan River Temple and found that we were 2.4 miles from that temple. Our hearts are full of gratitude for being brought back to this area to fulfill a dream we had nearly 30 years ago. We have been very blessed. 
We are presently serving as ushers for the open house for the Jordan River Temple. It's a sweet experience. We had the opportunity to take a tour, just the two of us, and experienced such joy in walking through this newly renovated temple. We are excited to begin working there again when it re-opens. 

Photo of  us as we finished our tour ~

Entry area and various photos of decor~
Temple Chapel~

Bridal Room and Marriage and Sealing Room~

Instruction Rooms~

Baptistry ~
Celestial Room ~

To me, the temple is our Heavenly Father's University. Here we go to learn more about His Plan of Happiness. Here we make covenants with our Father in Heaven. The focus is on our Savior Jesus Christ and His infinite Atonement. We provide temple work for our ancestors. Temples are the most sacred places on our earth. If we come prepared, we can receive revelation and direction for our own lives. It is a place of peace, comfort, and beauty. I love the temples and the exquisite joy that I find within. 

If you are in the area come and take advantage of the open house. It is a spectacular temple.