A Good Cleaning

This past Friday Brenton and I visited to the Nashville temple to perform sealings. For those unfamiliar with Latter-day Saint temples, they are different from our weekly meetinghouses. Temples are sacred buildings where church members can participate in ordinances designed to unite families forever and draw closer to God. One of these ordinances is known as a sealing, which binds marriages and families on earth for eternity. In 2009, Brenton and I were married in the Washington D.C. temple, and as part of the ceremony were sealed for time and all eternity. Because of this sacred ordinance, I know no matter what happens here on earth Brenton and I will be together forever with our children. It is one of the greatest blessings I've ever received.

The temple is also a place where that same ordinance can be performed for families who did not have the chance to be sealed during their lifetimes. We perform these sealings by proxy, meaning the same ordinance we did for ourselves is performed with both of us taking the place of those deceased. I find great comfort in knowing the Lord loves all His children and provides this opportunity for those who have passed away.

Before going to the temple, I always like to polish and clean my wedding rings. It's not part of any religious ceremony, just my own personal ritual. When I take the time to clean off the dirt and grime that comes from everyday wear, the diamonds glisten like they did the day Brenton slipped them on my finger. Then at the temple, where everything is so clean and bright, I always delight in seeing my newly shined rings sparkle under the lights. They are a symbol of the eternal commitment I made to love my husband forever, and seeing them in the temple as we perform sealings together brings the whole ordinance full circle for me.

Just as I take time to clean my rings, it reminds me to do a routine cleaning of our marriage, too. The everyday wear and tear of life can build up dirt and grime that if we don't take the time to clear away, can dim the love we once shared. On our drive to the temple I thought about ways I could be a better wife, and things I could do to keep our marriage strong. I looked for weaknesses and planned ways to improve. I shared these ideas with Brenton and told him many things I appreciate about him. When we arrived at the temple it was wonderful to sit in the sealing room together knowing I'd taken the time to clean away the problems and struggles keeping our marriage from shining as brightly as it could. As I held his hand, I was reminded of how sacred and special our marriage is, and was grateful to know it is an eternal bond. The glistening diamonds on my left hand sparkled back at me as a shiny reminder, too.