Talk Given in Sacrament Meeting – Oct 2019
Brothers and Sisters. I am thankful for this opportunity. I don’t particularly like to speak in sacrament meeting but preparing always helps me and so has it been this time.
During our last stake conference and in General Conference this time and in the recent past we have been asked to do several things in a Higher and Holier way, minister to each other, teach our families, study the scriptures and other things..
As a continuation of that theme we have been asked to talk about how our Temple service and worship can be done in a Higher and Holier way.
That phrase “Higher and Holier” has come to mean to me that whatever I do for the Lord or in the name of the Lord or in my personal life as a disciple of Christ needs to be:
- less casual and more dedicated.
- Less rote and more searching for the Lord’s will,
- less check off the box and more concerned for the needs of others around me and how the Lord would have me serve them.
Sister Hall (wife of President Gordon Hall the new Gilbert Temple president) talked to us in our last Stake Conference about what we could, and could not, say about things of the Temple, outside of the Temple.
Her first recommendation was that the things of the Temple are learned best in the Temple, through personal revelation. She indicated that the more we go, the more we understand and the more the Lord can reveal to us what we need to do in our individual lives.
Her second recommendation was that if we wanted to be better prepared as we went to the temple that we should go to the “Temple” section of the Church website and learn about the Temple from there.
That is were my remarks this morning are being taken from. Word for word in most cases. Included there is the April 2001 Conference talk by President Russell M Nelson. A very good starting point for learning more about the Temple. Quote: “ Inscribed on each temple are the words “Holiness to the Lord”. That statement designates both the temple and its purposes as holy. Those who enter the temple are also to bear the attribute of holiness. It may be easier to ascribe holiness to a building than it is to a people. We can acquire holiness only by enduring and persistent personal effort.” End Quote.
As (we) prepare for these sacred experiences in the Temple (either for the 1st time or for the 1000th time), there is much (we) can do to make sure (we) are ready, and not just casually, or check-box like, entering into the House of the Lord.
The foundation of (our) preparation for the temple will be to faithfully honor the sacred covenants (we) have already made, however far along the covenant path we are.
Baptism is the first ordinance of the gospel and a necessary step along that path back to God.
After baptism, other essential gospel ordinances that will mark (our) way include receiving the Holy Ghost, being ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood (for men), receiving the temple endowment, and being sealed in the temple. These sacred priesthood ordinances lead to the greatest blessings our Heavenly Father offers to His children: the opportunity to live again with Him and our families after this earthly life. “For this is my work and my Glory, to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of Man” Moses 1:39
Before going to the temple for the .. first visit, it is natural to wonder what the temple ceremonies will be like
And after you have gone, even after you have gone several times, it is natural to wonder if you are really understanding what you need to.
…Though there are some things that will be new the first time, (and there some things that are presented symbolically that may be difficult to understand completely), —– most of what happens in the temple should feel …familiar because all of it is centered in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
You will not be required to know or remember everything when you visit the temple even if this is not your first or second or 50th visit. There will always be temple workers to assist you all along the way. These workers are loving and kind. They are there to help you feel welcome and comfortable in the house of the Lord.
Think now of … your own baptism, (those of you who are younger may remember better), you have already learned some things about ordinances and covenants through your Baptism. For example, (we) know that (our) baptism included a symbolic ceremony with spiritual meanings:(we) dressed in white and entered the water, a priesthood holder raised his arm and spoke the words of the ordinance, and then (we) were “buried” in the water and arose as a “new” person—clean and pure and ready to continue (our) life as a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. There are several symbols in this ordinance and we understand them more as we think about them and ask Heavenly Father about them. After baptism (we) received the gift of the Holy Ghost as hands were laid upon (our) head. Another ordinance.
When (we) were baptized, (we) entered into a covenant with God—(we) promised that (we) were willing to take upon (ourselves) the name of Jesus Christ, always remember Him, keep His commandments, and serve Him to the end. As a member of His Church, (we) symbolically renew (our) baptismal covenant and all other covenants through the ordinance of the sacrament. Another symbolic ordinance that we understand better as we grow, and pray and learn more about it.
Temple ordinances are also simple, sacred, and symbolic. (We) dress in white, and are taught about God’s plan, and (we) participate in sacred ceremonies in which (we) …are promised blessings as we commit to follow the teachings and example of Jesus Christ.
Remember …everything in the temple points to the Savior and draws us closer to Him and our Heavenly Father. (As you go through the temple again and again, to do Baptisms or to take out your own endowments or be sealed, or to go through those ordinances for those who have passed on, think about drawing closer to the Savior and ask Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ to help you understand and you will begin to see and understand more and more. This process is part of the Higher and Holier way..)
A covenant is often defined as a sacred promise between God and His children. While this definition is accurate, it is not complete. A covenant is more than just a promise or even a contract; it is a personal commitment that defines and deepens our relationship with God. Covenants form a sacred bond between God and each one of us individually. They renew our spirits, change our hearts, and help us become united with Him. As (we) remain faithful to (our) covenants, (our) devotion to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will increase. (Our) feelings of gratitude will increase. (Our) capacity to love and serve others will grow. In other words we will become more holy in and through the atonement of Jesus Christ. The words “Holiness to the Lord” over the door of the Temple with begin to define us. And the blessings promised in the temple will flow into (our) everyday life more abundantly. I know this happens. I am not perfect but as I seek to feel more deeply the covenants that I have made and work at doing all I can, I feel the power of God in my life. I feel the changes that God is bringing about in me..(To have this happen, the covenants we make must be something more to (us) than the throw away promises that are made and then broken without much thought.)
Throughout (our) lives, (we) will face choices that require (our) time, energy, and resources—and many good choices will compete with other worthwhile ones. How do you choose?
President Dallin H. Oaks counseled: “Just because something is good is not a sufficient reason for doing it. … Some things are better than good, and these are the things that should command priority attention in our lives … Some uses of individual and family time are better, and others are best. We have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen our families” (“Good, Better, Best,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2007, 104, 107).
Through covenants, God helps us understand principles, practices, and promises that He deems are best for us. We can certainly gain a more inspired perspective on priorities and make wiser choices when we focus first on those sacred commitments we have made with God.
When (we) joined the Church (each one of us), we received two ordinances—baptism and confirmation. Likewise, in the temple the endowment is also received in parts:
In the first part, (we) privately and individually receive preliminary ordinances called the initiatory ordinances. The initiatory ordinances include special blessings regarding (our) divine heritage and potential, and promises made to us for faithful obedience.
In the second part, (we) receive the remainder of (the) endowment in a group setting along with others who are attending the temple. During this part, the plan of salvation is presented, including the Creation of the world, the Fall of Adam and Eve, the Atonement of Jesus Christ, the Apostasy, and the Restoration, as well as instruction on the way all people can return to the presence of the Lord. Some of the endowment is presented through (audio/visual media) and some by temple officiators.
In conjunction with these ordinances, (we are) invited to make specific covenants with God. Which, if we are going through for those who have died, can and should be a reminder to us of what we have committed to, as well as a service to them.
These covenants include:
- Law of Obedience
- Law of Sacrifice
- Law of the Gospel
- Law of Chastity
- Law of Consecration
In return, God promises wonderful blessings in this life and the opportunity to return to live with Him forever.
At the conclusion of the endowment, participants symbolically return to the Lord’s presence as (we) enter the celestial room. There (we) can spend time to ponder, pray, read the scriptures, or quietly discuss (our) experiences with family and friends. It is a place of peace, and we, by our behavior, should help make it a quiet place where (we and others can) find comfort and divine direction.
Everyone participating in an endowment session is encouraged to carefully pay attention to what is being taught. (Our) experience will be more personal and meaningful when (we) go with the intent to be taught by the Holy Ghost. Don’t worry about remembering or understanding everything the first time. Temple workers will always be there to help and assist you. It isn’t a test, but an opportunity to feel closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. And to Focus on the joy of being in the house of the Lord and the spiritual impressions you individually receive. With time you will remember more of the words of the ordinances. As you do you can ponder them quietly in your mind and heart. This is best done in the temple. But as you study the scriptures or think privately about your experiences you may receive additional impressions.
Through… temple experiences, (We) will notice more ways the endowment relates to the plan of salvation and blesses (our) life. What is learned and felt will become clearer and more precious over time. As (we) visit the temple, (we) will feel God’s love and be reminded of what matters most.
A husband and wife who are sealed in the temple also make sacred covenants with the Lord and with each other. These covenants assure them that their relationship will continue after this life if they remain true to their commitments.
Temple marriages are performed in a sealing room where a bride and groom kneel and join hands across an altar to be sealed. There they promise to honor and love one another completely and commit to follow the teachings and example of Jesus. In turn they are promised that their marriage and their family will endure into the next life.
The sacredness of the temple is best experienced in the temple. The Lord and his servants are calling us to be in the temple more consistently and in a higher and holier way.
President Boyd K. Packer explained that the temple is the ultimate earthly destination in our gospel journey: “All roads lead to the temple, for it is there that we are prepared in all things to qualify us to enter the presence of the Lord” (Remember Me: Relief Society Personal Study Guide 1, p. 84).
The ordinances and covenants of the temple are not merely important to our exaltation—they are essential. President Packer further explained, “Ordinances and covenants become our credentials for admission into [God’s] presence. (Boyd K. Packer, “Covenants,” Ensign, May 1987). Faithfully obeying covenants made with God is the most important goal we can pursue in this life. In the words of President Russell M. Nelson, “The greatest compliment that can be earned here in this life is to be known as a covenant keeper. The rewards for a covenant keeper will be realized both here and hereafter” (Russell M. Nelson, “Covenants,” Ensign, Nov. 2011).
Come to the Temple. This is the Lord’s call to us now, this very moment, through his prophets and through the Holy Ghost. Heed that call. Do everything you need to do to be in the temple regularly, with your family where possible.
In the Name of Jesus Christ