Temples!

As I prepare to make covenants in the temple (covenants between myself and the Lord), I would like to share what temples are and why they mean so much to me.
According to LDS.org, "Temples are literally houses of the Lord. They are holy places of worship where individuals make sacred covenants with God" (click here for a more extensive description). In the LDS Guide to the Scriptures, it states:
"The Lord has always commanded his people to build temples, holy buildings in which worthy Saints perform sacred ceremonies and ordinances of the gospel... The Lord visits his temples, and they are the most holy of all places of worship.
"The tabernacle erected by Moses and the children of Israel was a portable temple. The Israelites used it during their exodus from Egypt.
"The best known temple mentioned in the Bible is the one built by Solomon in Jerusalem (2 Chr. 2-5). It was destroyed in 600 BC by the Babylonians and was restored by Zerubbabel almost a hundred years later (Ezra 1-6). Part of this temple was burned in 37 BC, and Herod the Great later rebuilt it. The Romans destroyed the temple in AD 70."
After the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was established, the first temple to be built was the Kirtland Temple in Ohio, which was dedicated in 1836. Just this Easter, Thomas S. Monson (prophet and president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) announced that there were "144 temples in operation worldwide," with more being renovated, under construction, or announced and being prepared for construction ("Blessings of the Temple," April 2015 General Conference). Another has been rededicated since April, thus now there are 145 temples in operation.
The one nearest me is the Seattle Temple located in Bellevue, WA. I love going to the temple and experiencing the increase of peace and joy therein. I love being able to serve there. I know that the temple is indeed the house of the Lord and that blessings come from attending the temple. Even walking around the temple grounds, increased peace and joy can be felt. I encourage all of you to visit the temple--whether it be to go inside, or even to just walk around and enjoy its beauty and architecture--and drink in of the spirit felt there.

Some Temples I've Visited (and, yes, I took all of these pictures)

  

The Seattle Temple--temples look especially cool at night!

The famous Salt Lake Temple

The Provo Temple (Utah)--my favorite for its gorgeous landscape!

Brigham City Temple (Utah)

Logan Temple (Utah)

Twin Falls Temple (Idaho)

Boise Temple (Idaho)

Portland Temple (Oregon)

...and one more of the Seattle Temple.