This past year has created many unexpected and difficult challenges. In addition to concerns about the Corona virus itself, there is isolation from friends and family, church services interrupted, temples and family history libraries and centers closed. It has also created situations that have brought wonderful blessings into our lives.

I am grateful for the increased level of peace and the presence of the Spirit when, each Sunday, our living room becomes an extension of the chapel as my wife and I hold sacrament meeting and study the Come Follow Me lessons. We find a deeper appreciation for inspired leaders who developed those programs and put them in place before the pandemic began. We have marveled at the technological innovations that make it possible to participate in church services and classes remotely. Even more wonderful to us has been the ability to continue to do family history research, and prepare and submit names for temple work, all from home.

The pandemic has created unusual circumstances for our “missionary grandchildren.” A grandson was called home early from his assignment in Mexico. Granddaughters had assignments changed from foreign countries to domestic locations and a grandson received a call to serve within the United States. Three of them had to forego the Missionary Training Center experience and completed that preparation from home. Because of the temple closures, a granddaughter and grandson were facing the possibility of entering the mission field before having the opportunity of taking out their own endowments.

Fortunately, the First Presidency announced a phased reopening of the temple just before their scheduled departure dates. I can’t even begin to describe what a joy it was to be with each of our grandchildren when they went through the temple for the first time. We were in the habit of going once a week until the pandemic restrictions limited opportunities to attend. That made it an additional joy for us to be invited to go with them after the temples had been closed.

We were concerned for out granddaughter, Heidi. When the temples began to reopen on a limited schedule, the first available date was the week after her scheduled flight to her mission assignment. The family held a fast, praying that somehow, she would be able to have that experience with her family before she departed for her mission. Those prayers were answered when, on Saturday, she received a call from the temple telling her that if family could be at the Mount Timpanogos Temple at six am on Monday, she could complete her endowment session in time for her noon flight. We were able to attend with her.

Each time we attend the temple, we try to learn something new. It is amazing to us that after fifty plus years of participation we are still learning, noticing meanings and symbolisms, and seeing how the lessons apply to us as individuals. I would like to share one of those experiences that happened when we attended the temple with Heidi.

Being chosen as the witness couple gave me the opportunity to be the first to pass through the veil and enter the room representing the Celestial Kingdom. For just a few minutes, I was alone in that beautiful room, at least as far as mortal beings were concerned. The spirit was almost overwhelming, and I felt the presence of many ancestors, including those for whom we were performing ordinances. Then, I watched with joy as members of our family, one at a time, entered the room. It was then that the Spirit very clearly impressed upon my mind that this is what the Celestial Kingdom is like, passing through the veil to be greeted by those who had gone before and in turn, embracing those who will come after. It is very clear why it is called the plan of happiness.

As if to add a second witness, when my wife came into the room, I said something like, “I can feel the presence of our parents.” She responded, “There are a whole lot more here than just our parents.”

We pray daily that the temples will begin again soon to operate at full capacity. –Larry Maloy, Temple and Family History Consultant; Canyon View Stake