The early Latter-day Saints were chased from their homes on more than one occasion and many times were commanded to build a temple. Now temples dot the Earth, with over 140 either operating or under construction. What is it about the temple that makes it important? Why would the early Saints risk their lives, and their worldly wealth to build them?
In revelation as early as section 88 we begin to learn about the importance of the temple, “Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God.” The Saints were greatly blessed as they labored on, and finished this house. The Lord himself came to accept the offering of the Saints, “For behold, I have accepted this house, and my name shall be here; and I will manifest myself to my people in mercy in this house.” (D&C 110:7) The Saints were not able to enjoy this house for long; soon after they left Kirtland in hope of finding Zion elsewhere. They were commanded and attempted to build other temples, but with each attempt came mobs and heartache.
In section 124 of the Doctrine and Covenants the Lords commands another temple to be built in Nauvoo. In verse 28 the Lord says, “For there is not a place found on earth that [I] may come to and restore again that which was lost unto you.” The Saints are commanded to bring the best of what they had to build this temple. What did they think as they learned of this new command? They did not grow despondent as one might expect given their past. Instead, they rallied around their leaders and did their best to contribute. All of the trials that the Saints experienced seemed only to intensify their desires to receive the blessings of the temple.
What are these blessings? Section 124 marks the beginning of the Saints understanding of the temple in terms that we are familiar with. Looking in verse 38, “For, for this cause I commanded Moses that he should build a tabernacle… that those ordinances might be revealed which had been hid from before the world was.” One of those ordinances was baptism for the dead. Through this ordinance, those who had died without knowledge of the gospel might be able to accept it in the afterlife. The revelation specifies that this and other ordinances for the dead should be completed in the temple. We begin to see the temple go from a meetinghouse, to a more sacred kind of building.
In our own time, the prophet has spoken about the importance of temples. In conference, April 2011, President Thomas Monson said, “Those who understand the eternal blessings which come from the temple know that no sacrifice is too great, no price too heavy.” He also states, “The all-important and crowning blessings of membership in the Church are those blessings which we receive in the temples of God.” At a personal level, there is no difference between choosing not to attend the temple, and not having a temple to attend. Truly, we have been blessed by the sacrifices of those who came before us.
The blessing we are able to receive through temple ordinances are so incredible and makes me extremely grateful for temples. Temples allow us to draw nearer to the Lord and feel at peace. President Hinckley said, "The temple is concerned with things of immortality. It is a bridge between this life and the next. All of the ordinances that take place in the house of the Lord are expressions of our belief in the immortality of the human soul."
ReplyDeleteI liked your commentary about the Saints sacrificing their livers to build a temple. It reminds me of something I have often thought about the early saints: That to me the biggest evidence of their testimony was their willingness to risk their children's lives as well. They were driven out of many places in terrible conditions, which meant the loss of some children. While I think it is incredible when someone is willing to give their own life for a cause, I think it adds a new level of devotion when their children's lives are in danger. Applying this to building temples makes me reconsider my own feelings about the temple and how I can do better to show my devotion to God.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing for us as latter-day saints living in the 21st century to see early saints exert so much faith in tangible ways. They sacrificed time and money to build temples, they crossed the plains, they suffered intense persecution, and yet were willing and eager to obey whatever command came next from the Lord. It seems like in our day we are faced with more spiritual trials--balancing worldly distractions with strengthening testimony, pornography and other addictions, self doubt, etc. But that doesn't mean we can't have the same unwavering faith that these early saints did. It seems more difficult because with intellectual/spiritual trials we are left to weigh pros and cons, research opinions on the internet, etc. And it's good that we are able to gain our own testimonies of revelation, but with all the information available to us it's important to remember faith and strive to receive personal revelation so that we can be strong like the early saints.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the Temple is the most unique and personal form of worship we are able to participate in as Latter-day Saints. We are able to keep it close to our hearts always, and to remember it daily as it gives us strength in our lives. When I first went to the temple, I didn't know exactly what I was to expect. But several hours later, as I was leaving, it became very clear to me that the temple is where God reveals and we are able to enter in to sacred covenants. Just as we consider our closest friends on earth to be obedient through love, even so the Lord expects the same from us. In the temple, we make the covenants and receive the strength to be the most obedient possible, and that gives me personally great comfort.
ReplyDeleteI’m glad that you shared the quote from Pres. Monson that said, “Those who understand the eternal blessings which come from the temple know that no sacrifice is too great, no price too heavy.” This caused me to reflect on how much I sometimes am reluctant to sacrifice in order to go to the temple. While thinking about what I should be willing to sacrifice to go to the temple, I thought about why we sacrifice to go to the temple. We do so in order to make and keep the sacred eternal covenants with God that are only made in the temple. I think sometimes we can become complacent after making the sacrifices to go to the temple the first time. What dawned on me, is that not only is the sacrifice never too great and the price never too heavy to go to the temple, but the same applies when keeping the temple covenants. The sacrifices required to be a disciple of Christ throughout our daily lives are also never too great. If the price is never too heavy to make the temple covenants, then it is also never too heavy to keep them.
ReplyDeleteI have to differ on one point. I think that there can be a difference between not going to the temple and not having a temple to go to. I see what you mean, though, because neither is able to partake of the ordinances of the temple and miss out on those blessings. However, some people would go if they had the opportunity, and for them it is counted the same as if they went when it comes to blessings for righteousness. Those who save up all their life to go to the temple and die before they get the chance might just be counted more worthy than some of us who have a temple right near by and don't go. So in that case, it can be even worse for those who can go to the temple but choose not to.
ReplyDeleteI think I actually agree with you Devon. When I was writing that, my thought was that if one person chooses not to go to the temple, what difference does it make if there are temples all around them, they could live in the middle of the original city of zion temple block, and by choosing not to go they are depriving themselves of blessings. I see what you mean though and agree that God will bless those who live faithfully despite their circumstances.
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