Temple Cans
by Kathy Carbonneau / ga08272006
 

Temple cans are temple time capsules.  We told the girls they could open them when they got engaged.  We came up with a letter for the girls to send out to their relatives, asking for a note or letter with marriage advice, a trinket or keepsake to put in the tin, their own wedding picture...whatever they felt like doing. I made up postcards and signed them with my phone number and address telling the girls when they married in the temple to send it to me and I would buy them temple slippers. One of the other young women leaders made small satin recommend holders for the cans. I think we also included a picture of President Hinckley, and a quote- I think it was the one about marrying the right person in the right place..., and a picture of our temple with the dedicatory prayer on the back.

We spray painted the cans white, and made a stencil of the temple spires and did that on the front of the can in gold.  The girls brought their stuff to young women's one night, we watched a short video on temples, the leaders bore their testimonies on temple marriage and we sealed the cans (we did put the oxygen packets in them).

My daughter was a beehive (she is 19 now) and since we did the cans both of her great grandmothers have passed away, both of whom sent letters, one a trinket and the other sent a pair of embroidered pillow cases, to put in the can.  When I see it , I cant help but think of how wonderful it will be when she opens it and reads those letters from her great grandmothers.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: You can also add a white lace hanky to dry her "happy" tears! I was given one when I was a Beehive by the Primary President who was thanking me for helping her at a major Primary activity for part of my Personal Progress goals. I used it 18 years ago and have put it in my temple dress pocket every time I go as I always have to wipe "happy" tears when I'm there. (by Jen Endsley)