Unselfish Service for Peace

Today, as I sat in the truck waiting for a parking space in the Ogden Temple parking lot, I watched a woman hobbling along in what looked like a great amount of pain. Her swollen legs were wrapped in pressure bandages and she paused every few steps, grimaced, then gritted her teeth and push on across the expanse of the lot. When she was within hearing range, I rolled my window down and asked if she was heading for her car. She pointed to the last parking space near where I'd stopped to wait. I commented on her dedication in being at the temple when she was in obvious discomfort. She smiled and said, "It is the only place I can go to get peace."

I have often wondered how so many older people, some barely able to walk or move, find the energy to serve in the temple either as workers or patrons. Some have been there as regular as clockwork, serving quietly, hardly noticed by anyone year after year after year. Perhaps their blessing is peace in knowing that there is nothing so great as service to others with no thought of reward. Giving someone the opportunity to accept the gospel is the most lovely and precious of gifts. All it may cost for some folks is inconvenience, discomfort, and pushing through great pain.

Then, there is me--much healthier than they, arguing with myself as to whether I had the time to go to the temple today in the midst of the pressure of the long list of holiday to dos. Obviously, by being so caught up in the hustle and bustle of busyness, I missed the fact that the number one "to do" for Christmastime would be to go to the temple where one can be as close to the Prince of Peace as possible--doing His work. Unfortunately, as I was congratulating myself for giving a great Christmas present to the person for whom I had done the temple work, I failed to realize how much I've been given and how little He asks in return.