What a blessing it was to be able to participate in the groundbreaking for the new Saratoga Springs temple! It was a chilly, but beautiful Fall morning. I enjoyed seeing all the detail that went into making this a special day for our community. I was surprised to see that trees were brought to the temple grounds for the ceremony, they didn't get to stay of course, but they were a beautiful addition to the day. They helped to bring the peace of the temple grounds to the grounds of this new temple, as I know the many trees, bushes and flowers that will someday be planted here will help to make the temple grounds a special place when the temple is completed.
As I looked around I noticed so much care and planning that went into the preparations for the groundbreaking: Founders Boulevard was paved, a tent was set up, musicians practiced and prepared to participate, chairs were set up, shovels were made in beautiful detail for the occasion, good dirt was brought in for the shovels to turn, a painting of the new temple was printed, speakers prepared. I am sure there are many other things that went into the preparation, but these were just the visible things that I noticed that day.
Utah Area President Craig C. Christensen. “For some of you, for the next several months, life will be marked by the progress made in this magnificent building being built at this site.”
President Christensen said he walked the temple site in preparation for the groundbreaking. “After I had absorbed the prominence of this particular setting, I started to picture in my mind’s eye the construction of the temple over the coming months.
I started to think about what will take place within the walls of the temple once it is completed and dedicated, the sacred ordinances and covenants that will be administered here. I realized, in a more profound way, how this particular temple will bless many individuals and families, including your children, your marriages, your families, and, especially, many of your ancestors.
This is the place where your children and families will be protected from the evils that are ever present in the world today, and to make sacred covenants with the Lord.”
Sister Christensen said: “We are thrilled with this blessing of the temple in Saratoga Springs. Let us prepare our hearts spiritually first that when it physically is here, we will be ready to enter his holy house in this part of the vineyard.”
Elder Gonzalez talked about the surrounding mountains and said "Let the mountains shout for joy! This is a wonderful day for those on both sides of the veil." He challeged members to have a groundbreaking in our own hearts, building our lives panel upon panel, and brick upon brick to become better covenant keepers and better disciples of Jesus Christ in preparation of the temple.
Following the speakers and the beautiful music, the temple site was dedicated by Elder Christensen. Those who were in attendance were then invited to turn a shovel full of dirt with the shovels that were prepared just for this day.
