I Love to See the Temple

One of my missionary companions, Steve Crandall, and I set a goal some 30 years ago. We both wanted to travel the world to visit every temple. We thought it was remarkable that there were so many temples, so the work could go forward throughout the world. We knew it may take our whole lifetime to travel that much. At that time there were 17 operating temples. By 1983, when we were college roommates, there were 20. It seemed ambitious, but we could do it!

That was then. Now there are 134 in operation, with 10 more under construction, and 13 announced. I don't think I have the time and money to keep up and visit them all! But that doesn't mean I don't have to give up, does it? It's not that I want to be a "temple tourist." But I really do love going to the temple. In fact, when I go to visit a new place, I tend to want to go to the temple (or at least go see it), as much as any other attraction. I'm just amazed at this work, and the speed with which it's increasing.

The most recent temple I visited for the first time was The Gila Valley Temple, in Thatcher, Arizona, yesterday. Officially, the temple for our ward and stake, is Mesa, Arizona. If I went to the Nogales, Mexico branch where we live, our temple would be in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. But there are travel restrictions for us to go to Hermosillo, for security reasons. Either temple is about 3 hours away. It turns out that Thatcher is also about 3 hours away. And, since my mother was born and raised there and I haven't been for a long time, we decided to go there this weekend. It was a very nice trip, and a beautiful temple.

It occurred to me, with that visit, I've been to 26 temples now. In some cases, I just visited the grounds (the ones with asterisks below), but I've done work in 21 -- more than existed when I set that goal! That's not exactly the goal I had set, but it does feel like a milestone. So, here's the list... so far... in alphabetical order rather than chronological order:

1. Boise, Idaho
2. Columbia River, Washington
3. Gila Valley (Thatcher), Arizona
4. Guatemala City, Guatemala
5. Idaho Falls, Idaho
6. Jordan River, Utah
7. Logan, Utah*
8. Los Angeles, California
9. Manhattan, New York*
10. Manti, Utah
11. Medford, Oregon
12. Mesa, Arizona
13. Mexico City, Mexico
14. Mount Timpanogos, Utah
15. Nauvoo, Illinois
16. Oakland, California
17. Palmyra, New York*
18. Portland, Oregon
19. Provo, Utah
20. Rexburg, Idaho
21. Salt Lake City, Utah
22. San Diego, California
23. San Jose, Costa Rica
24. St George, Utah*
25. Washington, D.C.
26. Winter Quarters, Nebraska*

One temple I wish would have been completed sooner is the one in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. It was announced just before we went to work at the embassy there. But there were numerous delays, including negotiating a different location after considerable opposition. We had a chance to visit the new location and see the preliminary construction just before we left the country. I would love to be able to go to the dedication, if my work and financial circumstances allow.

Mexico has the most temples outside the United States. But even though I live here, I don't think I'm going to get to many of them. Sadly, there are just too many security issues and travel restrictions.

Because I love the the peace and beauty in the temple, and serving those who need ordinances, I look forward to visiting many more temples throughout my travels and Foreign Service career.