Last weekend while I was in San Antonio taking pictures of Mrs. Lemonade getting her make up done (see a peek of her gorgeous face here), I noticed I had a missed call from a number I didn’t recognize. Since Jenna Cole Photography became official with the tax man these calls have become a daily occurrence, and I grumbled and thought about putting it off. But this wasn’t a call from a sales person, no no no, quite the opposite. It was a call from my favorite place in the whole, wide world. The temple!

I dialed in to my voicemail and heard a warm voice on the other end. “Hello Sister* B_________** this is Sister _______ from the temple. We ask that you call us back to schedule a meeting with the temple president.”

I immediately called That Husband and told him about the phone call. My heart was pounding, and it was a really strange and unique moment for us as husband and wife. We both knew that the other knew what this call was likely about, but it’s as though we didn’t want to say it out loud. Did we even dare to hope?

When we arrived at the temple on Saturday morning we were dressed in our Sunday best, and still hadn’t openly discussed what we both suspected was about to happen. It was just too special, too great an honor to expect. (The other day, I cried in the shower thinking about it; it just means that much to me.) We waited patiently for the temple President to get out of his meeting, distracting ourselves by taking about my sisters upcoming wedding.

Meeting with the temple President is a very special privilege. There are 129 operating temples around the world, and the Church has something like 13 million members worldwide. Being one of the 129 called up*** out of millions is an honor reserved for the most faithful of men. Temple Presidents are humble, spiritual servants of the Lord volunteering their time to do what we as members consider to be a very great work. I wish I had a picture of the temple President to show you, for he is the epitome of a man who could put anyone at ease. He is jolly and warm like your favorite grandpa, and I loved him from the moment I shook his hand.

He ushered us into his office, and asked if we had already been told by our bishop why we were meeting with him. We indicated that we knew nothing, and he smiled and said the words we had been expecting (of course, only expecting deep within our heart of hearts, never daring to breathe the thought out loud, even to one another). “Brother and Sister B, would you be willing to serve as ordinance workers at the temple?”

I’ll discuss exactly what his words mean in a moment, but I wanted to spend a few sentences trying to convey what an honor this calling is. In the LDS Church, the temple is considered to be literally the House of the Lord. I felt privileged, grateful, and humbled when I was extended a recommend just to enter and participate in the ordinances. Now I will be entering each week to assist others as they come to participate in the ordinances found therein. It is a very special thing indeed, and I am humbled at the thought that I would be considered worthy to participate in such a manner.

We will begin training for our new calling on May 30th (we wanted to start sooner, but I’m having surgery on the 12th), and we will serve every Saturday from 11:30-5:00 pm. Those of you reading who aren’t members of the Church are probably wondering what we will do when we are there. As you may know, we don’t discuss in detail what goes on in the temple outside of the temple, but you can read my previous posts about baptism, endowment, and sealing, all of which are ordinances which occur inside. Our service will not only include assisting others as they participate in these ordinances, but also leading and guiding participants around the temple as they move from one place to another.****

We won’t be paid for our time. We serve because we believe in this work. I believe that this is not just a church, it is the Church of Jesus Christ. Visiting the temple, and returning again and again provides us with the information we need to live in the presence of God once again, and I love the opportunity to spend time in His House.

Most of all, I am grateful for this calling because it feels like a big warm hug from my Father in Heaven. Because I believe that these callings come from men inspired by God, it’s as if the Lord himself drew me near and said “Jenna, I approve of the way you are living your life. Come serve in my House, drink in my Spirit, and enjoy the opportunity to deepen your appreciation for and understanding of the Temple. I know you are working hard to live a life that will enable to live with me in my Kingdom once again someday and this is the way you should be living.”

I want to remain worthy of this opportunity to serve in the temple for the rest of my life. I love this Gospel, and I know it is the truth. I hope I never forget the way I feel right now.

*In the Church we call each other Sister, and Brother. Sister Andersen, Brother Smith, Sister Jones, Brother Callahan.

**the Church calls me by my husbands name, even though technically my name is still Andersen

*** We don’t aim for positions in the Church by studying, going to school, or even asking for them. We use the term “called” to describe how the process works, since you are asked by a Church leader who has been inspired by the Holy Ghost to ask you to serve in that position.

****The temple is not like a great cathedral inside, it is made up of many different rooms. You can see some video of what it looks like inside here.

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