Out of London and Out of the World

When I headed out to London, everyone told me...

"London is great. London is grand. But make sure you get out and go see the LAND!"

(Okay...most people didn't turn it into a rhyme. Lie.)

But countless times I've been told to get out of the city and see the countryside.

Well - I did.

And I'm in love.

And here - between the little towns of Sussex and Surrey - is the London, England Temple.

Despite the gardens being incredible and the old men there all sounding like they belong in Lord of the Rings, the beauty I found there was internal. 

Things I noticed within:

1. you can't help but smile in the temple.

2. there is an instantaneous love for everyone you meet there and everyone with whom you go.

3. Temple Presidents are inspired men.

4. girls take way too long to shower.

5. you just feel more beautiful

6. there are cafeterias inside! Never knew that one!

7. music is ten times more powerful within the walls.

What's the reasoning to number 7, you ask?

I'm not sure. Perhaps it's that I was paying more attention to the lyrics than to the singing, 

but I have this hymn that won't seem to leave me now.

"Guide Me to Thee"

Jesus, my Savior true,
Guide me to thee.
Help me thy will to do.
Guide me to thee.
E’en in the darkest night,
As in the morning bright,
Be thou my beacon light.
Guide me to thee.

Through this dark world of strife,
Guide me to thee.
Teach me a better life.
Guide me to thee.
Let thy redeeming pow’r
Be with me ev’ry hour.
Be thou my safety tow’r.
Guide me to thee.

When strife and sin arise,
Guide me to thee.
When tears bedim my eyes,
Guide me to thee.
When hopes are crushed and dead,
When earthly joys are fled,
Thy glory round me shed.
Guide me to thee.

When silent death draws near,
Guide me to thee.
Calm thou my trembling fear.
Guide me to thee.
Let me thy mercy prove.
Let thy enduring love
Guide me to heav’n above.
Guide me to thee.

 

Being here in London, I've gotten lost several times. In fact, one girl from our group got lost at the train station and was left there since we had no way to find her. I remember how scared I was that I would be the one getting lost and left behind - alone in an intimidatingly new and foreign place. 

 

Before I left, I clung to every word of advice and instruction my dad had to offer. 

 

I read and reread the instructions from our program directors. 

 

I plead with the Lord for guidance, knowing that He could help calm my "trembling fear" and show me the way.

Far from home, He led me. 

Singing this song, I realized this life is its own "study abroad." 

The Lord has given us instructions and sent us here for our "profit and learning" that we may return to Him more enlightened and more like Him. 

But often, it's a daunting place for us. We get lost. We take wrong turns. We miss the train. 

And sometimes we make mistakes.

We fail to prepare. We fail to plan. We fail to remember the things we've been taught.

What a beautiful plea, then to Him:

Through this dark world of strife,
Guide me to thee.
Teach me a better life.
Guide me to thee.
Let thy redeeming pow’r
Be with me ev’ry hour.
Be thou my safety tow’r.
Guide me to thee.

 

 

We met a young French man in the temple that day. Though I didn't get the chance to talk with him, one of the girls from our group shared some of the things he said.

His journey to the temple did not simply consist of an afternoon - he had traveled far and was basking in the glory of the Lord's house for a week. He told us that, by so doing, he really could leave his world behind and return to the Lord for that short space of time. He said that the renewal he gains there grounds him and prepares him to face the challenges of his weeks to come. There, he is taught "a better life."

I'm preparing to go through the temple. In almost exactly 3 months, I will covenant with the Lord to lead that "better life" that He has taught me. I constantly question myself if I'll be ready and prepared to make those covenants - but to that question often comes the reply, well are you doing it now? 

Are you leading that "better life" now? 

 

How grateful I am for His mercy.

Each day is a chance to improve - to be a little more - to be a little better.

It can be intimidating trying to navigate through the challenges of this life, but I know that we each have a loving Father in Heaven who knows us and has promised that He will be with us and guide us along so that, one day, we can return home.

How I long to do so and bring glory to His name.