“Prepared, Endowed, Transformed,” New Era, July 2015, 12–13
Prepared, Endowed, Transformed
Pang Kou Yang lives in Wisconsin, USA.
Focusing on the temple blessed my life long before I was endowed.
Illustrations by Julene Harrison
Before I entered the temple for the first time, I always felt a special connection to it from reading and learning about it, studying my patriarchal blessing, and hearing the testimonies of others.
I committed myself to prepare so that one day I’d be ready and worthy to enter. Even before receiving my temple endowment, I’d drive three hours just to sit at the temple grounds to pray, ponder, and write in my journal. Each time I left, I felt a greater sense of strength and confidence that I could face the challenges and struggles in my life.
Throughout my youth, I’d do baptisms for the dead. Those experiences contributed to my testimony of temples and the ordinances performed in them. I thought that if just being on the temple grounds and doing baptisms for the dead felt so good, then it must feel even more wonderful to receive my own ordinances in the temple.
On the day I received my endowment, my family and I ran into a few obstacles before we got to the temple. But despite the challenges we had getting there, once I was inside I felt that nothing mattered but the sweet and peaceful feeling of joy that comes as we perform temple ordinances. One of the greatest feelings I had that day was, “I made it! I know this is where I am supposed to be.”
I knew in my heart that I’d done everything I could to be worthy and ready to receive what Heavenly Father had prepared for me. I could feel His love and His gratitude for my desire to follow Him and make and keep covenants so that I can return to live with Him someday.
I’m so grateful for all those who played a role in helping me prepare to enter the temple. I’m grateful for the Book of Mormon, which helped me receive spiritual guidance and nourishment to be prepared to make and keep temple covenants. My experiences in the temple will always hold a special place in my heart. Those experiences gave me strength when I served my mission, and they continue to give me strength to face challenges with the hope and faith I need to endure. I can still look back and remember the wonderful, peaceful feelings I felt in the temple that first time.
I love the temple. I know that it’s the house of the Lord. It’s where we can go to perform ordinances and help others who have passed on receive the blessings of eternal life and exaltation. It’s where I continue to go to receive strength, guidance, and knowledge. It’s where I go to feel close to Heavenly Father and feel of His love.