Edmonton Miracles
by Godfrey J. Ellis – October 2002
My brother and I shared an emotional time doing work in the Edmonton Temple for our deceased father who, to say the very least, did not accept our Church during his lifetime. Did he later? We believe he did….
Defiling? Is Veil renting? Is Temple quaking? Paper in hand and baited breath, We bring our father through the door! Electrifying! 12 white oxen Calming water Barry, Godfrey step into blueness, The water erupts…in anticipation. Feeling… Tears now flowing Words are choking Two brothers serving vicariously, As Barry buries his brother-father. Beginning… No thunder clap No lightening flash Walls still standing all around! The echo of cleansing is only…peace. Ordaining! Booths of promise Curtained whiteness Astonished, we find our father, an elder! The priesthood passes, one more time. Redeeming! Touched with water Then touched with oil Angry anti becomes priest and king! We marvel in awe at atoning power. Endowing! Gift of knowledge Comes line upon line As Barry, the son, and witness brother Now as father…covenants makes. Revealing! Names and symbols Questions, then answers He passes through the temple veil, Accepted into a celestial realm. Healing… Mirrors reflecting A presence perceiving As Barry explains the shattered links, Patrons and workers share common tears. Sealing! Round altar kneeling Hands now clasping An estranged family seeks altar’s hope The broken chain…becomes re-forged! Pondering… Subdued we exit Light snow is falling Tho’ all now seems a distant dream, We look ahead … toward tomorrow.
