Temple Trips

Today I was privileged to go to the temple with my ward. It's the first time I've been in the Provo temple, and it's really wonderful to me to see how different and how similar it is to the Denver temple. It is so amazing how they can all be the same when looking at the big picture, and yet, in the details, they are so unique, each a different work of art. The Provo temple is very green, for example, where Denver is more white, and (in my head) blue. The New Mexico temple that my family once went to was very red and cream. The Ogden is gold. And the setup is always very slightly different, as well as the furniture and the artwork. It's amazing.

But that's not what I want to focus on. Tonight I was privileged to witness a small number of baptisms for the dead performed in sign language. Now, to some that may seem completely normal, and it's probably weird that I think it's so amazing (I do know that I'm not the only one who thinks that it was awesome though). I've kind of lived in a bubble, and have never really seen an ordinance performed in another language, much less sign language. It was fascinating to observe how they had modified the original procedure used for baptisms to accommodate the use of the hands. It was way cool to watch them say the prayer, to spell out the names of the deceased.

Isn't it wonderful, that the Lord works across languages, cultures, and differences in ability?

It brings to mind the Catholic Church, in a thoughtful way. Many of their prayers and ceremonies are held in Latin. I'd imagine many other religions do the same- use a specific language in their ceremonies. But not us, not the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Ceremonies are taken across languages and cultures. In our most recent General Conference, speakers were allowed to give their talks in their native language! We are a religion of the world, in the truest sense.

It is so amazing to me that the meaning is not lost across languages, that we can speak in any tongue and still be heard by Him, our divine Father. He understands us no matter what. God does not speak a single human tongue. He is not confined by any way we attempt to define Him. And He has asked us to call Him Father, in our own tongues. In every language of the world, His name is heard. And it is understood. That is the most wonderful thing of all.

God truly is no respecter of persons.

And that's the most amazing thing.