Kirtland Temple

I already mentioned how much we loved visiting the temple on a day where we were celebrating our freedoms.  We are so grateful for the ability to practice and live our religious beliefs each day because of the sacrifices that so many before us made.  It was perfect to see those sacrifices and to learn more about their stories.  It almost felt like we were paying them tribute.  Doing something for them in return even if it is just learning about their lives and being grateful.  
Now as we read through our church history their stories have so much more meaning to us then ever before.  We now have a mental image and can picture the stories as we read about them.  Not to mention a desire to understand. 
I expected to feel the spirit more on the tour.  It was hard when the tour guide didn't have the spirit in the words that they conveyed to us.  But, after we watched a short film introducing us to the temple, the screen raised and the temple slowly came into view as the hymn The Spirit of God played in the background.  The spirit was present.  It couldn't be denied.  It was pure and peaceful.  Something I wont forget.