August 23rd 2014, Calgary Alberta Temple

August 23rd 2014, Calgary Alberta Temple
Photos by Sam at Memories 2 Memory

No kumbaya for you!

This last weekend we went down to the Ridge Reservoir camp ground south of Raymond Alberta for a family reunion. It was a great camping trip spent with A LOT of family. I'm talking at least 50-60 people there on a daily basis.

So Sunday rolls around and most of the family went into Raymond for church while Mark & I went into Lethbridge to visit the Kiss family. When we got back we enjoyed the sunshine and visited and when supper time rolls around we all went over to have a big weenie roast on the camp-fire. Smores included!

When we had all finished our meal, My mother in law Sheila pulled out her keyboard and announced that Grandpa Max (The head of the Reunion) had wanted to have a family sing along around the camp-fire. They came up with the sweet idea of going around the circle and telling everyone what their favourite Hymn was and why. As we went around the group explaining and singing the spirit was there, It was a very cool experience. Next thing we know the Manager of the camp ground comes over and says that there is no singing allowed at that camp ground... Whaaaa??

Firstly, Just the night before we had to listen to our neighbours playing their music at an obnoxious volume ( we were pretty positive it was them who complained by the way)

and Secondly.. what?! singing around the camp-fire is a very normal and socially acceptable thing to do.

I may be over reacting slightly but I have a big problem with people who are not tolerant to others. 

To those of you who can't stand to listen to some LDS hymns for 30 minutes this is what I have to say.

Even though it was cut short... It was still a beautiful experience. Sharing testimonies and having the spirit work through music. 

Rant over! 

Temple Marriage

Not every girl gets to have two weddings!

Around this time last year we were married for our mortal lives in the presence of all our family & friends. 

But TODAY... We were married for all of eternity, Forever and ever! 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints teaches that families are eternal, meaning they go beyond this lifetime and into the afterlife.

The following are direct quotations from 'The Family: A Proclamation to the World

THE FIRST COMMANDMENT that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.

WE DECLARE the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.

HUSBAND AND WIFE have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.

This is the very sweet man who said this, Gordon B Hinckley the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints from 1995-2008

The Family is such a central part of the Lords plan for us, It is a place for us to learn, to experience joy and grow as a unit. 

"Individual progression is fostered in the family, which is‘central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children." Salvation and Exaltation; Russell M. Nelson

I would like to repeat something that our sealer said during our ceremony. He said that a civil marriage is a contract that binds husband and wife legally for their lives. A temple marriage is an ordinance that binds husband and wife with not only God, but also with all our ancestors from the past and those who have yet to be born in a very large chain of eternity.

  Can I just say, How cool is that!? how cool is it that Mark and I who are now married for eternity and now sealed so that all children that are born to us will also be sealed to us for FOR-EVER. 

For more information on eternal marriage and its necessity, head to 

http://www.mormon.org.uk/beliefs/plan-of-salvation