Today we went to THE city . . . New York City.
It was our first time to visit the Manhattan Temple.
I don't ever want to hear one of my friends or family members who live in Utah or Arizona ever complaining about how hard it is to get to the temple!
I have never fully realized the sacrifice that many make.
We left our apartment before 7 a.m. and returned home after 9 p.m. It was a full day.
We drove to Albany where we met up with our friend from the branch. From her house we took a city bus to the bus station on Central, changed to the NYC bus, rode for 3 hours, walked, took the subway, walked some more, grabbed a bite to eat from a sidewalk vendor, and arrived at the temple in time for the 12:30 session.
After an endowment session, we did a sealing session followed by an initiatory session. We wanted to make the most of our $40 per person temple trip.
One might wonder why we don't just go to the Boston or Palmyra Temple to avoid the complexity of this trip. While it is true that these temples are about the same distance, and the cost is relatively the same because of the cost of fuel and the tolls to drive on the thruway, the reason for choosing to attend the Manhattan Temple for some, as I was taught yesterday, is because if you are single and have no transportation, this is the only way you can attend regularly. Our friend does this monthly and on her own (a frightening thought for me having done it once with help). Many in our inner-city branch do not own a vehicle. They rely on city buses and public transportation.
One might wonder why we don't just go to the Boston or Palmyra Temple to avoid the complexity of this trip. While it is true that these temples are about the same distance, and the cost is relatively the same because of the cost of fuel and the tolls to drive on the thruway, the reason for choosing to attend the Manhattan Temple for some, as I was taught yesterday, is because if you are single and have no transportation, this is the only way you can attend regularly. Our friend does this monthly and on her own (a frightening thought for me having done it once with help). Many in our inner-city branch do not own a vehicle. They rely on city buses and public transportation.
When we left the temple, we walked some more, took the subway, walked again, bought dinner at a pizzeria near our bus station, crowded (like sardines) onto the returning bus, rode for 3 hours, walked to another bus that took us to our car, and then drove home.
Highlights other than the temple, which was beautiful and peaceful beyond words, included seeing Macy's windows decked out for the holidays, seeing the Christmas lights on the streets (it was dark soon after we left the temple), and recognizing landmarks like the Empire State Building, Lincoln Center, Madison Square Garden, and Harold Square.
We enjoyed the adventure, but we aren't in a hurry to repeat it real soon. Whether the members here go to Boston or Palmyra or Manhattan, it is a great sacrifice (time and money) to get to the temple.
Still, President Monson has taught that no sacrifice is too great. Have you attended the temple recently?
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