The Temple: A Place of Renewal and Connection
Good morning.
(Two weeks ago, I was walking along a dirt road in southern Utah after hiking a slot canyon with Lexi. It was a beautiful hike and I was on my way back to get the car when I somehow got the text, I didn’t even know I could get service in that area. It was from Travis Stolk, and I my first inclination was to ignore it. Although, I like Travis so I felt I should respond. I told him I’m going to school and working full time. I suppose I could half heartedly write a talk using A.I. if you’d like me to. Neither swearing nor mentioning a poor effort got me out of it. I bring this up because… )
A while ago, I was attending the “setting apart” of a close neighbor friend. His sister was holding everyone's phones and in a quiet and reverent moment, one of the phones began to ring. After looking at the phone to silence it, his sister asks, who’s “Travis Stolk, DO NOT ANSWER”? I bring that up for personal reasons. Nothing related to being up here.
I’m studying psychology with a cognitive neuroscience minor. Learning more about how God designed our brains has reinforced my testimony. Going back to school at this time has also blessed me with the opportunity to learn to utilize A.I. for writing. I have learned that it’s great at outlining, getting started and proofreading. But it’s impersonal, so you need to infuse your personal touch into the writing. Plus, it’s not very good at conveying the spirit. It did however do a pretty good job, overall.
(I will point out when it was AI or me that wrote a paragraph.)
I was asked to speak about temples. The temple is a sacred space where we draw closer to our Heavenly Father and receive blessings beyond measure. I find such peace and solace in the temple. It brings me joy and purpose to serve others in the temple by proxy, knowing I’m helping them partake of sacred ordinances that they weren’t able to do themselves, during life.
(Me)
The temple holds a special place in my heart. They are a place of worship, learning, and covenant making. Temples are magnificent structures, architectural wonders that stand as a testament to our faith. The detail that goes into each temple is intentionally impeccable. But their true significance lies far beyond the beauty of their design. Temples are sacred spaces, dedicated to God and the pursuit of holiness. Christ referred to the temple as “His Fathers house”. So, I like to do the same. When choosing temple clothes, and when I was given the choice between slippers and shoes, I chose slippers, because that helps me feel more at home, in my Fathers house. Much like our own homes, they are places where we can experience a profound sense of peace, renewal, and connection.
(Me)
To truly understand the significance of the temple, we must first recognize its role in God's plan, which happens to be one of my favorite gospel topics. The temple endowment outlines the plan of salvation. And explains where we came from, why we’re here, and where we go when we pass from this mortal test. In the temple we make sacred covenants or promises with God. They are in essence, a more detailed extension of our baptismal covenants. Things like always giving our best effort to serve Him in all that we do. In return, He promises to bless our lives and amplify our efforts. I’ve felt this actively in my life. I’ve tested it. It’s not superstition, it’s real!
(Me)
Alma 42:8: says "And now behold, I say unto you that this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors."
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf once said, "The plan of salvation, also known as the great plan of happiness, is a plan that God created for our eternal happiness. Central to this marvelous plan is the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The mission and ministry of Jesus Christ centered on the Atonement, which includes His suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane, His Crucifixion on the cross at Calvary, and His Resurrection from the tomb."
One of my first experiences in the temple was while I was in the MTC. Another Elder and I were leaving the celestial room when we were asked if we’d like to participate in sealings. We happily accepted, and I was especially excited because this would be my first experience with sealings.
Side note:
One of the things I’ve noticed throughout my life is that I feel much more receptive to the spirit when I’m doing everything in my power to stay worthy of the spirit. In so doing, I am able to be more sensitive to its promptings. At this time of my life, I was never more ready to feel the spirit.
During this sealing session, I paid particular attention to the spirit. And as several sealings went by, I didn’t feel anything out of the ordinary, but for one particular set of names, as the sealing words began, the room felt instantly full. Like to the brim, full. Full with loved ones and their love for one another but specifically, for that couple being sealed by proxy. The words spoken by the sealer felt like so much more. They were the same words being spoken as the previous names, but this time, they were actively being accepted and cherished. That feeling warmed my heart and touched my soul! Then the instant the sealing words concluded, the room again felt empty, save for the few of us that were performing the sealings.
President Russell M. Nelson (Oct 2008) once said, “…the virtue of a temple marriage. It is the highest and most enduring type of marriage that our Creator can offer to His children.”
Think about that for a minute. The “...most enduring type of marriage that our Creator can offer…” us.) It’s a three way promise. You are being sealed not just to your sweetheart, but also, to God.
Echoes of the Past
Throughout history, God has commanded his people to build temples as places for sacred ordinances. From the Tabernacle erected by Moses in the wilderness, to the magnificent temple in Jerusalem, and now the nearly hundreds of temples that are scattered throughout the Earth. We are indeed building His kingdom in preparation of His coming.
(A.I. Wrote that section, not bad, eh?)
Every aspect of the temple is infused with symbolism and meaning. The temple itself represents the House of the Lord, a place where His presence can be felt in earnest. The ordinances performed within its walls symbolize and assist us in our journey back to God, from the washing and anointing representing spiritual purification, to the sealing ordinances uniting families for eternity.
(AI)
But the temple is more than just a place of ordinances; it is also a place where we can achieve personal growth and transformation. As we attend the temple regularly, little by little, here a little, there a little, we are changed and refined by the Spirit. Our hearts are softened, our minds enlightened, and our spirits uplifted. The temple becomes a refuge from the storms of life, a place where we can find peace and solace in the midst of trials.
(AI)
“This mortality is a test. It’s a time for us to prepare to meet God.” Unlike a test in school, which we can bomb. Each of us has been given access to a means whereby we are all guaranteed to pass. A ‘cheat sheet’ if you will, that guarantees we pass this mortal test. That cheat sheet is Christ's atonement. Please excuse this analogy’s negative context. But if we use this cheat sheet in the way with which it was intended, we are guaranteed a place at the right hand of God. Maybe a cheat sheet is not the best analogy. We should never misuse the atonement. To better defend this, I’ll bring up a statement once told to me by a friend regarding the attitude of “just repenting” instead of refraining from that sin in the first place. My friend said, “When we sin with the intent to later “just repent”, we are in essence, intentionally adding to Christ's anguish in the garden of gethsemane.” I’ve never been able to look at sin the same way since.
(Me)
Covenants and Ordinances
Within the temple walls, we participate in sacred ordinances that connect us to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. These ordinances, like baptism and eternal marriage, allow us to make sacred covenants – promises with God – that guide our lives and open the door for eternal blessings.
(AI)
Of all the ordinances and blessings we receive from God, one of the sacred ordinances of which I am most fond of is renewing our baptismal covenants when we partake of the sacrament each week. Brother Faerber made some profound points about this in his testimony not long ago. He compared the sheet that covers the sacrament to the sheet that covered Christ in the tomb. While that is a somewhat morbid thought to envision, it’s profound in its symbolism. I can’t look at that sheet the same, thanks Dave. It’s a humbling thought to envision when you look at that table over there, and it lends to the seriousness we should give to that sacred ordinance.
(Me)With that thought in mind, I’ll quote Elder Bednar:
“Please consider that the emblems of the Lord’s body and blood, the bread and the water, are both blessed and sanctified. “O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread [or this water] to the souls of all those who partake [or drink] of it.” …The sacramental emblems are sanctified in remembrance of Christ’s purity, and represent our total dependence upon His Atonement…”
What an honor it is for those in the Aaronic priesthood to have the opportunity to serve with that sacred ordinance.
Brother Faerber also made a good point in his testimony about how holy, chapels are. The chapel in the temple is one of my favorite places in the temple and it also holds a special place in my heart. To me, it’s kind of like the pre-existence, a holy place where evil cannot exist, but where we prepare our hearts for what's coming next. It’s quiet, peaceful, and we can listen to the prelude music. Which helps prepare our minds for the ordinance ahead of us. The same could be said about the prelude music here in sacrament meetings, preparing our hearts and minds for partaking of the sacrament.
(Me)James E. Faust once said,
“Our chapels are dedicated to the Lord as holy places.”
A Place of Renewal
The temple is not just a place for outward ordinances; it's also a place for inward reflection and spiritual renewal. As we participate in these sacred experiences, we are reminded of our divine potential and the Savior's infinite sacrifice. The temple becomes a refuge from the cares of the world, a place where we can feel the Holy Spirit and strengthen our resolve to live the gospel.
(AI)
Connecting Families for Eternity
One of the most beautiful aspects of temple ordinances is the opportunity to connect families for eternity. Through the sealing ordinance, we can be bound together not just for this life, but for all eternity. This knowledge brings immense comfort and strengthens our commitment to building strong and righteous family ties.
(AI)
The temple is a beacon of light and hope in a world filled with darkness and despair. It is a place where heaven and earth meet, and where we can draw closer to our Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ. As we embrace the sacredness of the temple and strive to live worthy of its blessings, we will be filled with peace, joy, and the love of God.
(AI)
I have a deep and abiding testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that He is our Savior and Redeemer, and that through His sacrifice, we are blessed with the opportunity of repentance. That through staying close to Him we can all be forgiven of our sins and shortcomings and return to live with our Heavenly Father. This is His church through which He will establish His kingdom here on Earth.
In the name of Jesus Christ,
- Amen.
(Me)
No comments:
Post a Comment