Mountain of the Lord

This picture is of the Jordan River Temple early this morning.

I remember going to the open house with my grandmother after it was built in 1981.

I’m always amazed at the faithful elderly at the temple as workers and patrons who are there in the early hours of the morning and late into the evening.

One thing I miss in Port Angeles, is having temples close by like there are here in Utah. We are about 3 hours away from the Seattle temple.

The scriptures speak of going to the mountains to communicate with God. It’s a place of spiritual elevation. In modern times we refer to the temple as the mountain of the Lord.

For me it’s a place of reflection, solitude, learning, and prayer as well as a place to turn my thoughts from the cares of the world to holier things. This hymn was going through my mind today while I was there.

“More holiness give me,

More strivings within,

More patience in suff’ring,

More sorrow for sin,

More faith in my Savior,

More sense of his care,

More joy in his service,

More purpose in prayer.

More gratitude give me,

More trust in the Lord,

More pride in his glory,

More hope in his word,

More tears for his sorrows,

More pain at his grief,

More meekness in trial,

More praise for relief.

More purity give me,

More strength to o’ercome,

More freedom from earth-stains,

More longing for home.

More fit for the kingdom,

More used would I be,

More blessed and holy—

More, Savior, like thee.”