Seeing the Temple in a Different Light

I had one of those light bulb moments last night during scripture study that made me see the Temple in a slightly different light and I thought I'd pass it on. I was studying in 2 Nephi Chapter 2 where Lehi teaches about Adam and Eve.

2 Nephi 2: 19
And after Adam and Eve had partaken of the forbidden fruit they were driven out of the garden of Eden, to till the earth.

And I read this from Joseph Fielding McConkie, (Gospel Symbolism, p. 258):
"The events associated with the Garden of Eden make it the archetype of our temples. Here Adam received the priesthood, here Adam and Eve walked and talked with God; here our first parents were eternally married by God himself; here they learned of the tree of good and evil and of the tree of life; here they were taught the law of sacrifice and clothed in garments of skin; and from here they ventured into the lone and dreary world that they and their posterity might prove themselves worthy to return again to that divine presence."

Now that its been pointed out to me I'm wondering why I never made the connection before - its so very obvious! But nevertheless, last night, for me, this was an "Ah ha!!!" moment. The Temple is our very own Garden of Eden! Unlike Adam and Eve who were not allowed to return to the Garden, we are able to return to our own Garden of Eden, the temples, whenever we want, according to our worthiness. Its our job then to prove worthy while in the lone and dreary world so that we may enter again. Isn't awesome to think of the temple as our very own Garden of Eden; a place where not only do we make sacred covenants with the Lord, but we can also escape the lone and dreary world with all of its noise and chaos and filth. It is there where we can find answers, inspiration, peace and comfort.

It reminds me of a quote from President Hinkley:
"In this noisy, bustling, competitive world, what a privilege it is to have a sacred house where we may experience the sanctifying influence of the Spirit of the Lord."

I love the temple and the immediate feeling of peace and joy I receive every time I enter. Nate and I are planning to attend the temple next week with the other members of the Elders Quorum Presidency along with their wives. As we enter in and serve there, I'm going to try and view the temple in this new light - as my very own Garden of Eden, and remember what a blessing and privilege it is to be able to enter in.