“And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new
and everlasting covenant, and it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him who is
anointed, unto whom I have appointed this power and the keys of this priesthood… glory shall be a
fullness and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever.” D & C 132:19

I am from the Washington, DC area. When I was growing up, the closest temple was Salt Lake City, over 2000 miles away. I remember my parents packing the family up and driving across the country for my oldest sister’s wedding. Shortly thereafter, the Washington DC temple was announced. Back then, the local community had to help pay for the temple. I remember pulling weeds, babysitting, and doing any odd jobs I could find to help pay for the temple. I was 14 at the time. This is the temple where I was married so it is very special to me. I love how the temple rises above the trees and so I chose this view. I also chose to paint it with spring colors to reference new growth and a new beginning. Robert D Hales has said, “The temples saving ordinances are essential to and even the central focus of the eternal plan of happiness.” This is where my eternal family started.