One of the plusses of living in Utah is having general authorities or other high(ish) ranking church leaders come to our stake conferences. (For notes from last stake conference with Elder Glen L. Pace, click here.) This session, President {I-didn't-catch-his-first-name} Danes of the Provo Temple presidency and his wife, Jana, came to speak to us. You can probably guess what they talked about: the temple.
Sister Danes shared some thoughts from the prophets about the temple. President Benson said that there is a power associated with the temple. Our families will be protected if we attend. Our children will be safeguarded.
Who doesn't want that kind of protection for their families and children? Why isn't the temple more of a priority for me?
President Hickley promised, "Come to the temple and life will be better for you."
My life could use some bettering!
Then President Danes spoke. As he spoke, I thought (and wrote in my notebook), I need to go to the temple. Others (living) need me to go to the temple. Others (dead) need me to go to the temple.
Why isn't the temple more of a priority for me?!?
We become holier by worshipping in a holy place.
Joseph Smith taught that spiritual rebirth requires the Spirit of God through the ordinances. (Of the temple and otherwise.) Pres. Danes elaborated that this rebirthing process is accelerated every time we go to the temple.
Why would I want to slow the process?!?
Pres. Danes then shared numerous sacred experiences. I don't think this is right forum for me to repeat those happenings, even though they weren't his own, but recorded experiences of prophets. I just don't think a public access blog is the right place to repeat the experiences. Suffice it to say, the temples truly are the house of God, and His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. And when the prophets and apostles testify of Christ, theirs truly is a special witness.
Other thoughts and impressions from his talk:
I need the blessings of the temple!
Do I really want to serve? Go to the temple. Every time I go, I leave a better person. (Pres. Hinkley, I think.)
There is a difference between members who infrequently rush to the temple, and those who consistently serve and worship there.
p.s. thanks to Michaela and Gigi. I needed a kick in the pants! I promise to try extra hard to post regularly!
5 comments:
Thank you for sharing this. Its the inspiration I need to get my butt into gear and make it to the temple.
"Why isn't the temple more of a priority for me?!?"
Don't beat yourself up about this. Satan would love for you to beat yourself up about it and think you are a bad person.
What is your usual frequency of going to the temple? Is it haphazard? If it is, make it a goal to go at a certain specific frequency. Choose a frequency that is just a leeeetle more often than you usually go. Do you usually go about once every year? Decide to go twice a year. Put the dates on your calendar and plan for it and don't let anything get in your way. Budget for the babysitter.
My husband and I made a goal back in 2003 to go to the temple at least once a month. (The temple was a two hour drive away, so this was a sacrifice for us.)
We worked hard to try to keep this goal.
When we moved to the Phoenix area, after about a year we realized we could go more often, so we started going once a week.
Now, please don't compare yourself with us, because your sacrifice will be different from ours. You have children, and we don't. Just know that Heavenly Father takes into account the size of the sacrifice according to life circumstances and blesses accordingly. He also pours out blessings for working towards a higher level of activity and faithfulness.
Going to the temple often is what might be called "a spiritually acquired taste". It is a peculiar taste for a peculiar people. It takes time to begin to love going more often than previously. Fortunately that change of heart happens... from going to the temple! Also, you can pray for a greater desire and determination to go. Have faith that Heavenly Father will make the experience more sweet and satisfying than the natural woman thinks it is.
I'm so excited for this fall when all of my kids are in school all day. My brother and I have plans to attend the temple at least once a month. So exited.
I have to tell you that I personally have a testimony of temple attendance. Hmm.. I think that would be a good blog post...Maybe...
Anyway. I attended the temple every week for a full year. 3 years ago. I've...fallen off the wagon a bit. But I am getting back on because I need the spiritual strength right now (see my blog for explanation and details). I certainly need the protection over my family and the promise of safeguarding of my children. I'm in a battle against Satan for my life and my husband and my family right now and this post was just a good reminder for me of why going back every week will only do good for me.
Thank you for your post.
This is EXCELLENT!! The temple has been on my mind a lot too. I have great excuses, like how busy I am, kids, school, piano lessons, THE 405 FREEWAY (in CA that says enough), but the truth is, I'm depriving myself of betterness and blessings and protection, just like you said.
Great post.
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