Because of the Temple

By Lucy Stevenson Ewell

A true story from Vanuatu.

The face of a smiling boy in front of a map of Vanuatu

“The missionaries are here!” Graham called. He waved to the missionaries as they walked toward their house.

Mum, Dad, and Graham’s older brother, Nunu, had been baptized last year. Graham and his little brother, Job, were too young to be baptized yet. But they still liked learning from the missionaries.

“Today we want to talk about the temple,” Elder Hale said. “It’s a special building where you can make promises with God and be sealed to your family. That means you can be together forever.”

“The nearest one is in New Zealand.” Elder Singh held up a picture of a beautiful white building. “The journey is far. But the blessings will be worth it.”

“We want to go,” Mum said.

Graham’s parents planned their temple trip with another family from church. They would be the first two families from Vanuatu to go inside the temple!

An airplane flying to a temple with a bus driving toward it

A few months later, the day came to leave for their trip. It was Graham’s first time on an airplane, and it was fun. He looked out at the clouds and the ocean below them. He pictured the tall white building in his mind. He couldn’t wait to see it!

Once they landed, they got on a bus. It was a bumpy ride, and Graham was tired. But they were almost there.

“Look!” Graham pointed out the window. There it was! It was even more beautiful than the pictures.

Inside the temple, it was quiet and peaceful. They dressed all in white. For a while, Graham and his brothers sat in the waiting room and looked at pictures of Jesus Christ.

Then a temple worker led them to the sealing room. Graham’s parents were kneeling by an altar covered in soft fabric. They looked so happy!

Graham and his brothers knelt beside Mum and Dad. They looked at the big, tall mirrors on the walls. Their reflection went on and on.

“The mirrors are to remind you that you can be together forever,” the temple worker said.

Graham felt happy and safe. It was like the Savior was giving him a big hug.

Soon it was time to go home. On the bus and on the plane, Graham kept thinking of the special feeling he had at the temple.

A few days later, a big windstorm came. The palm trees looked like they might snap in half!

Graham was scared. “Will we be OK?”

“Yes,” said Dad. “But these winds are strong. The missionaries said to gather in the church building until the storm is over.”

Family sitting on a bench looking out a window at blowing trees

Graham helped Mum carry some food and blankets to the church. The wind was blowing so hard!

Inside, Graham felt a bit better. All their friends from church were there. But he could still hear the wind howling.

“What about our house?” Graham asked.

“We’ll have to wait until after the storm to see.” Mum hugged him close. “What matters most is that our family is safe. Remember how you felt at the temple?”

Graham nodded. “I felt warm and safe.”

Dad smiled. “And because of Jesus Christ and our temple sealing, we can be together forever.”

Graham thought of the warm, peaceful feeling he felt in the temple. Dad was right. Because of Jesus Christ and temple covenants, they could be a family forever. And because he knew that, everything really would be OK.