{temples}

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Haven't had a chance to go through the pictures from our trip yet so I thought I'd share some pictures of our church's temples.

This one is in Stockholm Sweden. The first temple I ever went to. There's finally a temple in Finland too, in Espoo. It's been there for two years now. Temples dot the world. More and more are being built. We have one here in Edmonton and another will be built in Calgary soon. The Cardston temple is one of the oldest temples.

As usual, click on the pictures to see them better.
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Nauvoo Illinois temple. Nauvoo is a very special place to lds people. This temple was originally destroyed by church enemies. It has been rebuilt. People fear and hate the unknown. Many early church members were massacred and they were forced to leave their homes and farms (built with their own sweat). There was lots of persecution. That's why the early pioneers left the eastern states and went to the Salt Lake valley in Utah (to many people it was unlivable land, that's why no one lived there, but the lds people made it flourish). To try to live in peace without persecution. Many pioneers experienced unbelievable hardships when they trecked to Utah. Hundreds died from weather exposure or starvation. Sad moments in the American history. One of the reasons why early church members were hated was because they didn't support slavery. Then there's always the fact that people hate what they don't understand. Sad. I'm so glad that things have changed and we can practise our religion in peace. For the most part, I should say. Sometimes even now our church members are killed. Mainly our missionaries. When I was a missionary in Ireland, one of our own was stabbed to death by a 18-year-old Irish guy. This elder was the awesomest person. Always happy, cheering everyone up. So sad. So needless. That's why it's so important to have knowledge. When people know about something, the fear and hate disappear.
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Madrid Spain.
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Las Vegas Nevada.
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Chicago Illinois.
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Preston England.
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Idaho.
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Hawaii.
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San Diego California.
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Logan Utah.
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Washington D.C.

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Salt Lake City, Utah. The most known temple. It's BEAUTIFUL at Christmas time with all the lights in the trees. These pictures don't do justice. There's a life-sized nativity scene that you can admire. Definately a worth while place to visit if you happen to be in the area. I think some of the other temples decorate for Christmas too (Washington DC for sure). But the SLC one is amazing! Jay and I went there one Christmas on our way to our Las Vegas holiday. Magical place at Christmas. When we went there, there were tons of paper lanterns that had been decorated with pin prick holes. They had sayings from all over the world. Christmas wishes. I so want to go there again one of these Christmases.

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And just so you all know - temples aren't SECRET places. They are SACRED. There's a big difference.

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And - finished reading the Host yesterday. I'm trying to decide if it's my favorite book now. It was so beautiful in many ways. All about love. I cried for about an hour as I was finishing the book. You all have got to read this book!

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