I will preface my experience with sharing a little of my Aunt's story. My aunt was diagnosed with Alzheimers at a young age, about 53. It progressed very rapidly and she was living with my Grandma, who was about 86 years old. It was extremely difficult on my Grandma, not only to be with someone who became upset, and sometimes violent so easily, but was incapable of caring for herself making a messy, dirty, frustrating environment. On top of that, my Aunt is a bigger lady, and my Grandma is quite small. My Grandma finally decided to move to Las Vegas to be closer to my mom and put my Aunt in a care facility.
When my Aunt arrived there, it did not go well. She would yell at the workers, get in big fights, and they were ready to tell my Grandma, I’m sorry, we can not keep her here. After an outburst, security was called, she was taken to the hospital to try and re-diagnose medication. She became very violent with the hospital workers and she laid strapped down for a few days. It sounds awful when I hear my mother recount when she and my grandma would visit her. Tied to a bed, scared, yelling, screaming, trying to get free. I cannot imagine seeing your daughter like that. My aunt died a few days after arriving, so naturally, my grandmother felt a huge weight like she did something wrong and also worried her daughter passed away angry at her own mother, who only wanted to help her.
Back to my story, I now share some of what I wrote in my journal- As I walked into the
temple, gave my recommend and entered past the desk I was filled with emotion.
I was doing something for my aunt, that she could not have done for herself. President Hinckley describes that as the truest form of love. President Monson describes it as us being Saviors on Mount Zion. I
did not know how long she had been waiting, but I knew that she had been waiting.
My eyes began filling with tears as I walked into the women’s dressing rooms
with just intense happiness and excitement for what was about to happen. I
managed to get my emotions under control as I changed and sat to wait. But
there was no denying the joy that was felt, not just from me, but from my Aunt
as well. And there was more waiting. It made me realize that me sitting there
waiting for half an hour, seemed so long. I was anxious. And how my aunt must feel, and everyone waiting for their temple work to be done.
It was finally time to be
able to perform the washing and anointing ordinances. I took her card, which I
had been staring at, her name, her birth date, and the blank space next to
“Initiatory.” I walked into the room, sat, and I don’t know how else to
describe it besides happiness. I read her name and blessings were given. Boyd
K. Packer has stated describing them “promising definite, immediate blessings
as well as future blessings.” I could feel that and know that to be true.
They are amazing
blessings given, especially when you consider the way my Aunt passed away,
suffering from an awful disease that attacks your mind. I had complete, whole gratitude my Aunt was able to receive these blessings I have previously
been promised and be reminded that those blessings also apply to me.
I was grateful for
temples. I was grateful I was worthy to enter to the temple. I was grateful for
the spirit that was felt. I was grateful for the promises given. I was grateful
for the restoration of the gospel, priesthood ordinances, and my Savior Jesus
Christ.
After I got home, my sister was able to do the endowment for my aunt. My sister visited my
Grandma the next day to tell her about her experience. When my sister arrived at
the veil she was overcome and could not speak. When my grandma heard this, she
got excited and asked, “This was yesterday?! … What time?” My grandma had been
feeling very down and depressed about my aunt. BUT
at the same exact time my sister got to the veil (according to my sister and grandma's conversation), my grandma felt a peace. She felt a weight lifted, that everything was okay. She did not need to feel
guilty for anything, and my Aunt was happy.
I think it is wonderful
that temples bless not only the person the work is being done for, but those that perform the work, and other family members (my Grandma and Mother). You don't have to be a member, or even have a real understanding of what is being done (my grandma is not a member either), but she was blessed. Heavenly Father’s plan truly is a plan of happiness and if we follow
commandments, those blessings of happiness are available to all.
