Hong Kong Temple

Temple #66

December 21, 2016

Hong Kong Temple

     It was hard saying goodbye to Taiwan, but as we flew into Hong Kong at night the massive amount of city lights excited us. It looked like a beautiful island, and we couldn't wait to explore it. 

     It was crazy getting to our hotel at first. We took a random bus from the airport and was dropped off a few blocks away with all of our luggage near midnight. We walked down the dark street both dragging two suitcases that had been our only possessions for four months, We got to our hotel and settled in and were happy to sleep. 

     The next day we headed off to the temple in the morning. The subway took us fairly close and we only had to walk for a few minutes. We met another couple headed there as well and we walked together down the street. It was slightly raining, but nothing too bad. 

     It's always exciting walking or driving up to a city and seeing the Angel Moroni standing above other buildings or trees. We could see this Angel Moroni a block away which excited us more. Ivy and I always try to see who can see the temple first and it's a fun game we always play. 

     The Hong Kong Temple sure is different than most. It's small, but still tall. It fits in with a lot of the multi-stories buildings around it. It isn't near down town at all which is nice, yet it's still busy near the area. 

     The Temple was square in shape, with a fountain in front. It sure was beautiful looking up at it from the street. The windows shone like heaven and we couldn't wait to go inside. 

      We went straight into the Temple, escaping the rain. We were warmly welcomed, and then guided to the elevator. It's a five story building with sealing rooms in the fifth floor, ordinance rooms and baptistery on other floors, and offices and other things on another floor.   

     The ordinance room was small, but still nice. There were Chinese and Thai people there, along with other English speakers. It's definitely one of the more multi-cultural temples with people coming from all around Asia to come to the temple. 

     After the session we met in the Celestial room where we did our tradition of a hug and kiss. It was wonderfully gorgeous, peaceful and quiet. We sat inside for a while and enjoyed the peace from the commotion of the big city. 

     We often try to see as much of the temple as we can, and so we asked if we could go to the sealing rooms. Of course they said yes and we went and checked them out. They were similar to the celestial room and just as beautiful. In the center of the hallways that connect the rooms were open ceilings where we looked up and could see high into the spire of the temple. It was extremely pretty, with a magnificent glass chandelier hanging in the middle of it. 

     Ivy and I then went down stairs, changed, and then went to the baptistery. There we watched some baptisms, and sat in for some confirmations. It's always fun to see the baptistery and to help out wherever we can in the temples. 

     As we watched the baptisms be performed it was neat to see and hear them do it in Mandarin. They were so quick at it and it was amazing. It somewhat strengthened my testimony watching the ordinances in the past two days being performed and done in a different language. 

     We left the Temple feeling enlightened. The rest of the trip was still fairly fun. We went to a neat night market, climbed some cool mountains, and even swam at a breathtaking, picturesque beach. None of it compares to the spiritual beauty of the Temple though.

      We love how the Church is worldwide and in so many languages, and no matter where we go it's the same, the feeling is the same, and the members are genuine and kind. We love the temples!