Inspirational Quotes
Temple Worship
Personal Temple Worship
Elder David B. Haight
April 1993
1. Many moving accounts have come to our attention as a result of this open
house; countless hearts have been touched. Over eight thousand individuals with special needs came in wheelchairs, each bringing relatives or friends to assist them. One young son paused at the entrance to the temple to carefully clean and polish the wheelchair his father was in before entering the sacred interior of the temple. A devoted father lifted his frail fifteen-year-old daughter in his arms as he carried her from her wheelchair into the bride’s dressing room. She looked around and said, “Oh, this is so beautiful.” With a smile on her lips and with tears in her eyes, she gently laid her head on her father’s shoulder and said, “This is where I want to come to be married someday.” This young girl had come to the temple from the hospital, where she has spent most of thepast five years—her wish to see the temple fulfilled.
**Note: Why oh why do I whine about the hour long
drive through traffic to get to the Temple?
Cut it out, Kelle!
2. But even more majestic than the temple itself is the vision of the purpose of temples which guided the builders. That purpose is to redeem all mankind who are obedient to the laws and commandments of God.
3. A great responsibility is associated with the supernal work of the redemption of the dead. In a funeral sermon for his close friend, King Follett, Joseph the Prophet said: “The greatest responsibility God has laid upon us is to seek after our dead.” (History of theChurch, 6:313.)
4. All that we have to do for a given ancestor is hope his or her records exist—and then find them.
Yes,it isn’t always easy. But as you pursue your search, keep these three principles in mind:
First: The Lord never asks the impossible. Often the difficult, but never the impossible.
Second: Begin where you are. Take one step at a time. You know keyinformation about the lives of your parents. Record their information andthen move backward, a generation at a time, watching for unbaptized,unendowed, and unsealed ancestors.
Third: Don’t try to do everything at once. King Benjamin taught: “And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisitethat a man should run faster than he has strength.” (Mosiah 4:27.)
Temple Worship: The
Source of Strength and Power in Times of Need
Elder Richard G. Scott
April 2009
5. Because I love you, I am going to speak to you heart to heart, without
mincing words. I have seen that many times individuals have made great
sacrifices to go to a distant temple. But when a temple is built close by,within a short time, many do not visit it regularly. I have a suggestion:
When a temple is conveniently nearby, small things may interrupt your
plans to go to the temple. Set specific goals, considering your
circumstances, of when you can and will participate in temple ordinances.Then do not allow anything to interfere with that plan. This pattern will
guarantee that those who live in the shadow of a temple will be as blessed
as are those who plan far ahead and make a long trip to the temple.
6. I encourage you to establish your own goal of how frequently you willavail yourself of the ordinances offered in our operating temples. What isthere that is more important than attending and participating in theordinances of the temple? What activity could have a greater impact andprovide more joy and profound happiness for a couple than worshippingtogether in the temple?
7. Now I share
some additional suggestions of how to gain more benefit from temple attendance.
· •
Understand
the doctrine related to temple ordinances, especially the significance of the Atonement
of Jesus Christ. 1
· •
While participating in temple ordinances,
consider your relationship to Jesus Christ and His relationship to our Heavenly
Father. This simple act will lead to greater understanding of the supernal
nature of the temple ordinances.
· •
Always
prayerfully express gratitude for the incomparable blessings
that flow from temple ordinances. Live each day so as to give evidence to
Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son of how very much those blessings mean to
you.
· •
Schedule regular visits to the temple.
· •
Leave sufficient time to be unhurried within the
temple walls.
· •
Rotate activities so that you can participate in
all of the ordinances of the temple.
· •
Remove your watch when you enter a house of the
Lord.
· •
Listen carefully to the presentation of each
element of the ordinance with an open mind and heart.
· •
Be mindful of the individual for whom you are
performing the vicarious ordinance. At times pray that he or she will recognize
the vital importance of the ordinances and be worthy or prepare to be worthy to
benefit from them.
· •
Recognize that much of the majesty of the
sealing ordinance cannot be understood and remembered with one live experience.
Substantial subsequent vicarious work permits one to understand much more of
what is communicated in the live ordinances.
· •
Realize that a sealing ordinance is not enduring
until after it is sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise. Both individuals must
be worthy and want the sealing to be eternal.
8.
Fourteen years ago the Lord decided it was not necessary for my wife tolive any longer on the earth, and He took her to the other side of the veil.I confess that there are times when it is difficult not to be able to turn andtalk to her, but I do not complain. The Lord has allowed me, at importantmoments in my life, to feel her influence through the veil.
Personal Preparation For Temple Blessings
Russell M. Nelson
April 2001
9. Under President Gordon B. Hinckley’s inspired direction, temples are nowmore accessible than ever. Inscribed on each temple are the words“Holiness to the Lord.” 1 That statement designates both the temple and its purposes as holy. Those who enter the temple are also to bear theattribute of holiness. 2 It may be easier to ascribe holiness to a buildingthan it is to a people. We can acquire holiness only by enduring and persistent personal effort. Through the ages, servants of the Lord havewarned against unholiness. Jacob, brother of Nephi, wrote: “I would speak unto you of holiness; but as ye are not holy, and ye look upon me as ateacher, [I] must … teach you the consequences of sin.” 3
10. As temples are prepared for our members, our members need to prepare for the temple.
11. The temple is the house of the Lord. The basis for every temple ordinanceand covenant—the heart of the plan of salvation—is the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Every activity, every lesson, all we do in the Church, point tothe Lord and His holy house. Our efforts to proclaim the gospel, perfect the Saints, and redeem the dead all lead to the temple. Each holy templestands as a symbol of our membership in the Church, 4 as a sign of our faith in life after death, and as a sacred step toward eternal glory for usand our families.
12.
In the temple we receive an endowment, which is, literally speaking, a gift. In receiving this gift, we should understand its significance and theimportance of keeping sacred covenants. Each temple ordinance “is not just a ritual to go through, it is an act of solemn promising.” 6
The temple endowment was given by revelation. Thus, it is best understood by revelation, prayerfully sought with a sincere heart. 7 President Brigham Young said, “Your endowment is, to receive all those ordinances in the house of the Lord, which are necessary for you, after you have departed this life, to enable you to walk back to the presence ofthe Father, … and gain your eternal exaltation.” 8
13. Temple ordinances, covenants, endowments, and sealings enable individuals to be reconciled with the Lord and families to be sealed beyond the veil of death. Obedience to temple covenants qualifies us for eternal life, the greatest gift of God to man. 10 Eternal life is more than immortality. Eternal life is exaltation in the highest heaven—the kind of life that God lives.
14. Why are these issues (Tithing, Word of
Wisdom,sustaining the Prophet)
so crucial? Because they are spiritual separators. They help to determine if we truly live as children of the covenant, 13 able to resist temptation from servants of sin. 14 These interviews help to discern if we are willing to live in accord with the will of the true and living God or if our hearts are still set “upon riches and … vain things ofthe world.” 15
15. Wearing the temple garment has deep symbolic significance. It represents a continuing commitment. 20 Just as the Savior exemplified the need to endure to the end, we wear the garment faithfully as part of the enduringarmor of God. 21 Thus we demonstrate our faith in Him and in His eternalcovenants with us. 22
16.
Spiritual preparation is enhanced by study. I like to recommend that members going to the temple for the first time read short explanatory paragraphs in the Bible Dictionary, listed under seven topics: 26 “Anoint,” 27 “Atonement,” 28 “Christ,” 29 “Covenant,” 30 “Fall of Adam,” 31 “Sacrifices,” 32 and “Temple.” 33 Doing so will provide a firm foundation.
17. I have learned that temple blessings are most meaningful when death takes a loved one away from the family circle. To know that the pain of separation is only temporary provides peace that passes ordinary understanding. 38 Death cannot sever families sealed in the temple. They understand death as a necessary part of God’s great plan of happiness. 39
18. Meanwhile, in this world smitten with spiritual decay, can individuals prepared for temple blessings make a difference? Yes! Those Saints are“the covenant people of the Lord, … armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory.” 44 Their example can lift the lives of all humankind. I so testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
