182nd

Well the 182nd Semiannual General Conference was the most memorable general conference ever! Before my twin took off to Scotland (yes Scotland) she and her kiddos came to visit. My nephew Preston declared that this would be the general conference where they announced that Tucson was getting a temple, he said it with such conviction that I found myself believing him.

Side note for my friends of other faiths: Our church holds a general meeting twice a year where we get to hear from the Prophet as well as the 12 apostles (think of the organization that the Savior had on the earth when he lived upon it). It is a time that LDS people look forward to, just as much as any Holiday. It is a two day conference where we get to hear from various leaders, women and men included. Many times if there is big news they announce it at these conferences. They broadcast it on cable, the internet and at most of the meeting houses.

When the Prophet first stood up to welcome everyone, I turned to my kids and said "remember Preston said this is the time we get a temple" and I really believed it. The Prophet said that there would be two new temples and said one will be built in Tucson, we couldn't stop screaming and dancing!!!! It was true we would get our very own temple in the Old Pueblo. Tears started to flow and didn't stop; it was incredible.

Our church has 139 temples throughout the world, with 27 under construction (plus 2 more now!). With a world wide church I have always loved hearing plans of new temples to be built. I never thought that we needed to have a temple in Tucson, want/would love to have absolutely, but needed no. I have loved hearing the stories of sacrifice that people are willing to make in order to make it to one of these holy temples. When my sister Hillary lived in Moldova the saints there couldn't wait to make the journey out of their country to visit one of these Holy temples. Traveling to Mesa required no passport  or special permission it is a rather boring drive through the desert, but not costly and required no real sacrifice. When Arizona got its second temple in Snowflake I thought well it takes them twice as long to get to Mesa, they should get it over us. I must admit when Gilbert and North Phoenix got temples I was envious, so close to Mesa already! When Gila Valley got their temple, I was overjoyed for the surrounding communities, they prayed so hard to get one and they did. Benjamin and I got to give tours through that temple and we absolutely loved it. So with  5 Temples in Arizona I thought a Tucson temple was not in the near future, with Tucson being the second largest city,  I felt a little forgotten. When they announced Tucson I felt ........remembered

A temple is so sacred to LDS people, we believe that the family is the most sacred thing here on earth. In Mathew chapter 16 verse 19 it says, "And i will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." We believe that the keys of the kingdom are held by the priesthood, men in the church who are truly converted to the teachings of Jesus Christ and the gospel, that they have the power to bind on earth (a marriage ceremony)  and it shall be bound in heaven ( family relationships created here live on for eternity). 

This is a great link to learn more, if you want to learn more about something you go to the source and this is a great article from our church. 
http://www.lds.org/church/temples/frequently-asked-questions?lang=eng