On February 12th, 2024, the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced the closure and renovation of the Orlando Florida Temple. Dedicated in 1994 by President Howard W. Hunter, the Orlando temple has offered a spiritual refuge and sanctuary for countless Latter-day Saints for the past 30 years. In his recent stake conference address, President Jonathan Gooch, stake president of the St. Cloud Florida Stake, stated: “I don’t know how long our beloved Orlando Temple will be closed for renovations. But I see this as a test from the Lord, one where He will prove us to see if we will do all things whatsoever He shall command us” (see Abraham 3:25).
Sister Holly Lockard, who is currently serving as the Primary President in the St. Cloud Ward, has long made attending and worshiping in the temple a priority. “Years ago,” she recounted, “I had an overwhelming desire to attend the temple weekly for my spiritual growth, as well as for my family.” With limited resources and several young children, the ability to act on the prompting seemed beyond her capacity; however, she moved forward in faith and committed to the Lord to follow through on the direction she had received. She knew the Lord could empower her and prepare a way for her to accomplish what He was guiding her to do (1 Nephi 3:7). “As I acted in faith,” she testified, “everything fell into perfect place.”
For the past ten years, Sister Lockard has consistently attended the temple each week. “Every week, I look forward to the day that I walk through those temple doors and feel the love the Lord has for me and the blessings my family has been blessed with,” she said. Blessings that have come to her by following through on her commitment have included: being able to focus on the end goal of this earthly life, her challenges have been made easier to bare, and her children have gained a similar desire to attend the temple and make it a priority.
With the temple closing soon, Sister Lockard commented: “I am so sad that the temple will be closing . . . I have been thinking of ways to fill that spiritual void that I may soon experience.” Even with the temple closure, Sister Lockard will seek to continue her weekly commitment to temple work by focusing on family history. In addition, she and her family want to attend the nearest temple as much as possible, preferably once a month. “What are we going to do when our temple is closed?” asked President Gooch during stake conference. “Will we take a break from temple work? Will we allow [temple blessings] to fade out of our lives? Will we settle for a terrestrial existence?” Sister Lockard, through word and deed, has shown the Lord she values the celestial experience of attending the temple.
President Russell M. Nelson boldly taught: “Nothing will help you more to hold fast to the iron rod than worshiping in the temple as regularly as your circumstances permit. Nothing will protect you more as you encounter the world’s mists of darkness. Nothing will bolster your testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Atonement or help you understand God’s magnificent plan more. Nothing will soothe your spirit more during times of pain. Nothing will open the heavens more. Nothing!” With the imminent closure of the Orlando Florida Temple, Sister Lockard, and all Latter-day Saints throughout the St. Cloud Florida Stake, can recommit to the Lord and show through their actions the importance they place on the House of the Lord.
Read the Orlando Florida Temple Dedicatory Prayer offered by President Howard W. Hunter on October 9th, 1994: Click Here
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