Sunday, June 22, 2008

As the Dew From Heaven Distilling

Today we went to "Temple Square" in Salt Lake City. I was especially anxious for my youngest son to see the Christus statue that is on display there. We had just listened to the "Music and the Spoken Word" broadcast by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, so we were really happy and enjoying the spirit of the occasion. As we neared the gates of temple square, we noticed a man standing outside the gates protesting against our church. He had a large sign and was standing right next to where visitors enter. I could hear him talking to people as they passed, saying horrible things about our church. It really angered me that he was destroying the peace that we had felt, and that we looked forward to enjoying inside the gates. We went past without talking to him. I was thinking about how rude it is to demean or try to desecrate someone else's religion. But as I stepped inside the gates of temple square, I quickly forgot all about him. As I thought about this experience I realized that I didn't need to worry about the kind of impression he was making on passersby. Once they stepped through the gates, they too would feel the spirit and the peace that presides there. To me, the feeling there is almost tangible. I kept thinking of a hymn, which really isn't about this subject, but the words seem so fitting. The words are,"As the dew from heaven distilling...". The hymn talks about how the blessings of God come to us like the dew in the morning. In the same way, I felt that the peace that permeated temple square was distilling upon all who entered there. There are many "charismatic" churches that use music and drums and dance in their services. I almost wonder if it is because they are trying to feel something. But the spirit that permeates the grounds of the temple is still, quiet and gentle. It is very tangible,but comes in a quiet form. I know that others who pass by that man will feel his ill intent, his passionate hatred, and his contentious spirit. As they pass through the gates of temple square, the spirit of God will wash away those ill feelings and he will be forgotten.

3 comments:

Livingsword said...

Hi D;

Sometimes words can make us feel uncomfortable…. Jesus is perfect at making “religious” people uncomfortable…

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.
- - Matthew 23:13-14

Max Coutinho said...

Hey D!

There is nothing more awful & disrespectful than people trying to desecrate other people's religion *nodding*!

I don't know what goes through this kind of people's minds!

But I am glad that you focused on God and on the calm inside the gates; if everybody would do the same there would be less confusion, hatred and violence in the world...

God bless you!

Cheers

Keira said...

You know, I think you hit the nail on the head when you said the "charismatic" churches use dance and loud music in their services because they are trying to feel something. I'd never thought about it before but I think you're right. I love Temple Square. I wish I could take J there.