Prepare for the Blessings of the Temple

By Elder Russell M. Nelson ach temple is Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles E symbolic of our faith in God and an As temples are prepared for the ordinances include baptisms, mar- people, the people need to prepare riages, endowments, and sealings. evidence of our faith themselves for the temple Each temple is symbolic of our faith in life after death. The Inscribed on each temple are the words in God and an evidence of our faith in “holiness to the Lord.” 1 That statement temple is the object of life after death. The temple is the object designates both the temple and its every activity, every of every activity, every lesson, every purposes as holy. Those who enter the progressive step in the Church. All of lesson, every progres- temple are also to bear the attribute of our efforts in proclaiming the gospel, sive step in the Church. holiness. 2 As temples are prepared for perfecting the Saints, and redeeming the people, the people need to prepare the dead lead to the holy temple. Ordi- themselves for the temple. nances of the temple are absolutely cru- A temple differs from other houses cial. We cannot return to God’s glory of worship. Unlike chapels, the temple without them. is closed on the Sabbath so that people can attend church and be with their Each temple ordinance is an act of families on that hallowed day. Temples solemn promising are open for sacred work on other days In the temple we receive an endow- of the week. A temple is literally the ment, which is, literally speaking, house of the Lord, reserved for ordi- a gift. We need to understand the nances of eternal significance. Those

◀ Houston Texas Temple. Dedicated Aug. 26, 2000.

41 spiritual significance of it and the of the priesthood also transcend time. importance of keeping the sacred The first revelation given by the angel covenants and obligations we make in Moroni to the Prophet Joseph Smith receiving this gift. Each “temple ordi- referred to this priesthood authority. 7 nance is not just a ritual to go through, In later instructions to the Prophet it is an act of solemn promising.” 3 regarding the temple, the Lord said: The temple endowment was given “Let this house be built unto my by revelation. Thus, it is best under- name, that I may reveal mine ordi- stood by revelation, vigorously sought nances therein unto my people; with a pure heart. President Brigham “For I deign to reveal unto my Young explained that “your endow- church things which have been kept President Brigham Young ment is, to receive all those ordinances hid from before the foundation of the explained that “your en- in the house of the Lord, which are nec- world, things that pertain to the dis- dowment is, to receive all essary for you, after you have departed pensation of the fulness of times.” 8 those ordinances in the this life, to enable you to walk back to We are living in that dispensa- the presence of the Father, passing the tion. Temples, ordinances, covenants, house of the Lord, which angels who stand as sentinels, . . . and endowments, and sealings have been are necessary for you, gain your eternal exaltation.” 4 restored, precisely as prophesied. after you have departed Ordinances of the temple provide for Obedience to the sacred covenants reconciliation with the Lord and seal this life, to enable you to made in temples qualifies us for families together forever. Obedience to eternal life walk back to the pres- the sacred covenants made in temples In each temple the sealing authority of ence of the Father.” qualifies us for eternal life—the great- the priesthood is exercised. President est gift of God to man. 9 Gordon B. Hinckley explained that “no king, no president of a nation, no offi- Anyone who is willing to prepare well cial of any entity in the world of which may enter the temple we are a part has any authority over Because a temple is sacred, the Lord matters beyond the grave. Everyone asks that it be protected from desecra- is helpless before the reach of death, tion. Anyone may enter who is willing but the humblest, good, righteous high to prepare well for that privilege. The priest who has received the sealing concept of preparation prevails in other authority may bind in the heavens that fields of endeavor. I remember when I 5 which is bound on the earth.” was but a young boy, I told my parents Just as priesthood is eternal— I wanted to attend the university. They without beginning or end—so is the said I could, but only if I worked hard 6 authority of that priesthood. Conse- in preliminary schooling and met all quently, the ordinances and covenants

42 the requirements for admission to the interviews are conducted in a spirit of university. Similarly, we must qual- accountability. We must qualify for ify for admission to the temple. We How do you prepare for a temple admission to the temple. prepare physically, intellectually, and recommend? You may consult with We prepare physically, spiritually. Eligibility is determined your bishopric, as well as your par- individually for each person applying ents, family, stake presidency, teacher, intellectually, and for a recommend. or quorum adviser. The requirements spiritually. Those who hold keys of priesthood are simple. Succinctly stated, an indi- authority and responsibility help us vidual is required to keep the com- prepare by conducting temple recom- mandments of Him whose house it mend interviews. These leaders care is. He has set the standards. We enter for us and help us determine if we the temple as His guests. are ready to attend the temple. They The Lord would be pleased if also love the Lord and ensure “that every adult member would be no unclean thing shall be permitted to worthy of—and carry—a current come into [His] house.” 10 Thus, these temple recommend. “Interviews . . . for temple recommends, with

43 44 You prepare physically by dressing properly to go to the temple. It is not a place for casual attire. Respect for our physical bodies should be observed especially by those who enter a holy temple.

[members of your bishopric and All sit side by side and are considered members of your stake presidency are equal in the eyes of the Lord. Through precious experiences. And, in a way, a democracy of dress, temple atten- they could be considered meaningful dance reminds us that “God is no ‘dress rehearsals’ for that grand col- respecter of persons.” 14 loquy when you will stand before the Brides and grooms enter the temple Great Judge.” 11 to be married for time and all eternity. In the temple, brides wear dresses that Prepare physically to go to the temple are white, long sleeved, modest in Now, with a temple recommend in design and fabric, and free of elaborate hand, you are ready for additional ornamentation. Men do not wear tuxe- preparation. You prepare physically dos or formal wear. President Boyd K. by dressing properly to go to the Packer, now President of the Quorum temple. It is not a place for casual attire. of the Twelve Apostles, wrote: “It is Latter-day prophets have emphasized pleasing to the Lord when we bathe self-respect for our physical bodies. our bodies and put on clean clothing, That respect should be observed espe- however inexpensive the clothing may cially by those who would enter a holy be. We should dress in such a way that temple. 12 we might comfortably attend a sac- In the temple, all are dressed in rament meeting or a gathering that is In the temple, all are spotless white. “The symbolic purity of proper and dignified.” 15 dressed in spotless white. white likewise reminds us that God is Speaking of temple attire, mothers to have a pure people.” 13 Age, nation- and grandmothers can exert a great Through a democracy of ality, language—even position in the influence for good among their children dress, temple attendance Church—are of secondary significance. and grandchildren. As their skill and reminds us that “God is I have attended many endowment ses- circumstances permit, they can provide sions when the President of the Church tangible motivation for their family. A no respecter of persons.” participated. Every man in the room mother’s gift of a hand-embroidered was accorded the same high regard handkerchief or other article of temple that was extended to the President.

▲ Johannesburg South Africa Temple. Dedicated Aug. 24, 1985.

45 clothing can be a powerful incentive for “Practices frequently observed Mothers and grand- a loving child or grandchild to cherish. among the members of the Church mothers can exert a suggest that some members do not The temple garment symbolizes fully understand the covenant they great influence for good continuing commitment make in the temple to wear the gar- among their children and The wearing of the temple garment ment in accordance with the spirit of grandchildren regarding bears great symbolic significance and the holy endowment. represents a continuing commitment. proper temple attire. “Church members who have been Just as the Savior gave us an example clothed with the garment in the temple of His ability to endure to the end, have made a covenant to wear it wearing the garment is one way we throughout their lives. This has been demonstrate enduring faith in Him interpreted to mean that it is worn as and in His eternal covenants with us. underclothing both day and night. . . . The First Presidency prepared a The promise of protection and blessings letter to the Church on this subject. is conditioned upon worthiness and They wrote: faithfulness in keeping the covenant.

46 “The fundamental principle ought In this house of learning, we are to be to wear the garment and not taught in the Lord’s way. His ways to find occasions to remove it. Thus, are not our ways. 17 We should not be members should not remove either all surprised if teaching techniques differ or part of the garment to work in the from those employed in educational yard or to lounge around the home in pursuits more familiar to us. Temple swimwear or immodest clothing. Nor ordinances and covenants have been should they remove it to participate in an integral part of the gospel since recreational activities that can reason- the days of Adam and Eve. Anciently, ably be done with the garment worn symbols were used to teach profound properly beneath regular clothing. truths, and this method of instruction When the garment must be removed, is used in the temple today. such as for swimming, it should be It is necessary, therefore, that we restored as soon as possible. ponder the symbols presented in the “The principles of modesty and temple and see the mighty realities keeping the body appropriately for which each symbol stands. 18 “The In this house of learning, covered are implicit in the covenant temple ordinances are so imbued with we are taught in the and should govern the nature of all symbolic meaning as to provide a Lord’s ways. His ways clothing worn. Endowed members lifetime of productive contemplation are not our ways. The of the Church wear the garment as a and learning.” 19 The teachings of the reminder of the sacred covenants they temple are beautifully simple and sim- teachings of the temple have made with the Lord and also as ply beautiful. They are understood by are beautifully simple and a protection against temptation and those who have had little opportunity simply beautiful. evil. How it is worn is an outward for education, yet they can excite the expression of an inward commitment intellect of the highly educated. to follow the Savior.” 16 I recommend that members going to the temple for the first time read entries Prepare mentally and spiritually to go in the Bible Dictionary that are related to the temple to the temple, such as “Anoint,” “Cov- In addition to physical preparation, enant,” “Sacrifices,” and “Temple.” we need to be prepared mentally and One may also wish to read Exodus, spiritually. Because the ordinances and chapters 26–29, and Leviticus, chapter covenants of the temple are sacred, we 8. The Old Testament, as well as the are under absolute obligation not to books of Moses and Abraham in the discuss outside the temple that which Pearl of Great Price, underscores the occurs in the temple. Sacred matters antiquity of temple work and the en- deserve sacred consideration. during nature of its ordinances.

▲ Helsinki Finland Temple. Dedicated Oct. 22, 2006.

47 48 Without the infinite Atonement, all mankind would be irretrievably lost. Temple ordinances and covenants teach of the redeeming power of the Atonement.

Keeping a covenant with God is both Atonement of Jesus Christ is the central protective and enabling act of all human history. It is the core There are two concepts we especially of the plan of salvation. Without the need to keep in mind as we prepare infinite Atonement, all mankind would for the temple. The first is covenant. We be irretrievably lost. Temple ordinances need to remember that a covenant is a and covenants teach of the redeeming promise. A covenant made with God power of the Atonement. should be regarded not as restrictive but as protective. Covenants with Him Eternal life is available to us through our obedience to covenants made in protect us from danger. the temple This concept is not new. If our water Service in the temple brings blessings to Blessed with eternal supply is of questionable quality, for us in this life as well as in eternity. Elder example, we filter the water. Similarly, sealings, we can face Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of divine covenants shield us from harm. death as a necessary the Twelve Apostles said that “temple When we choose to deny ourselves of work is not an escape from the world component of God’s all ungodliness, 20 we lose nothing of but a reinforcing of our need to better great plan of happiness. value and gain glory known only to the world while preparing ourselves those who obtain eternal life. Keeping a for another and far better world. Thus, temple covenant is not constraining but being in the Lord’s house can help us to enabling. It elevates us beyond limits be different from the world in order to of our own perspective and power. It make more difference in the world.” 21 is like the difference between plodding If we are true and faithful in this through a muddy field and soaring life, we may obtain eternal life. Im- through the skies in a supersonic jet. mortality is to live forever. Eternal life Keeping a covenant with God is both means more than simply being immor- protective and enabling. tal. Eternal life is to gain exaltation in The second concept to stress in our the highest heaven and live in the fam- mental preparation is Atonement. The ily unit. God declared that His grand

49 mission statement—“my work and separation is but temporary provides my glory”—is “to bring to pass the peace that passes ordinary under- “Through the power of immortality and eternal life of man.” 22 standing. 23 President Joseph Fielding [the] priesthood . . . , His gift of immortality is uncondi- Smith wrote, “Through the power of husband and wife may tional—a free gift of salvation to all this priesthood which Elijah bestowed, be sealed, or married for humankind. The possibility of eternal husband and wife may be sealed, or life—even exaltation—is available to married for eternity; children may be eternity; children may be us through our obedience to covenants sealed to their parents for eternity; thus sealed to their parents made and ordinances received in holy the family is made eternal, and death for eternity; thus the temples of God. does not separate the members.” 24 The blessings of the temple become Blessed with eternal sealings, we can family is made eternal.” most meaningful when our loved ones face death as a necessary component of —President Joseph are taken in death from our family God’s great plan of happiness. 25 Fielding Smith circles. To know that our period of The eternal perspective we receive in the temple gives us strength to endure the trials of life An eternal perspective helps us main- tain complete fidelity to the covenants we make. President Packer empha- sized that “ordinances and covenants become our credentials for admission into [God’s] presence. To worthily receive them is the quest of a lifetime; to keep them thereafter is the challenge of mortality.” 26 Ordinances of the temple relate not only to our eternal glory but also to that of our departed ancestors. “For their salvation is necessary and essen- tial to our salvation, . . . they without us cannot be made perfect—neither can we without our dead be made per- fect.” 27 Service in their behalf provides an opportunity for our continuing temple worship, selflessly rendered as

50 a vicarious work patterned after that of This perspective gives us strength the Lord as He wrought the Atonement to endure the trials of life. President to bless all who would ever live. Packer stated, “The ultimate purpose of One day we will surely meet our all we teach is to unite parents and chil- Maker and stand before Him at the dren in faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, bar of judgment. Scripture teaches that they are happy at home, sealed in us that “the keeper of the gate is the an eternal marriage, linked to their gen- Holy One of Israel; and he employeth erations, and assured of exaltation in no servant there; and there is none the presence of our Heavenly Father.” 29 other way save it be by the gate; for he Each temple stands as a symbol of cannot be deceived, for the Lord God our membership in the Church, as a is his name.” 28 The Lord Himself will sign of our faith in life after death, and determine whether we have been true as a stepping-stone to eternal glory to the covenants we made with Him in for us and our family. I pray that each the temple and thus merit the glorious member of the Church will prepare for blessings He has promised those who the marvelous blessings of the temple. keep their covenants. Adapted from Ensign­ , Mar. 2002, 17–23 Each temple stands as Notes a symbol of our member- 1. See Exodus 28:36; 39:30; Psalm 93:5. and Prayer for Youth,” New Era, Jan. 2001, 11; ship in the Church, 2. See Exodus 19:5–6; Leviticus 19:1–2; Psalm ­Ensign, Jan. 2001, 7–8. 24:3–5; 1 Thessalonians 4:7; Moroni 10:32–33; 13. Neal A. Maxwell, Not My Will, But Thine (1988), as a sign of our faith in Doctrine and Covenants 20:69; 110:6–9; see also 135; see also Doctrine and Covenants 100:16. Bible Dictionary, “Holiness.” 14. Acts 10:34; see also Moroni 8:12. life after death, and 3. Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley (1997), 638. 15. Boyd K. Packer, The Holy Temple (1980), 73. 4. Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. John A. Widt- 16. First Presidency letter, Oct. 10, 1988. as a stepping-stone to soe (1954), 416. 17. See Isaiah 55:8–9. 5. Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, 639. 18. See John A. Widtsoe, “Temple Worship,” Utah eternal glory for us and 6. See Joseph Smith Translation, Hebrews 7:3, in Genealogical and Historical Magazine, Apr. 1921, Bible appendix; Alma 13:8. 62. our family. 7. See Doctrine and Covenants 2:1 (dated Sept. 21, 19. Richard G. Scott, in Conference Report, Apr. 1823); see also 138:47–48. 1999, 33; or Ensign­ , May 1999, 27. 8. Doctrine and Covenants 124:40–41. 20. See Moroni 10:32; Joseph Smith Translation, 9. See Doctrine and Covenants 14:7. Matthew 16:26, in Matthew 16:24, footnote d. 10. Doctrine and Covenants 109:20. 21. Neal A. Maxwell, Not My Will, But Thine, 135. 11. Russell M. Nelson, in Conference Report, Oct. 22. Moses 1:39. 1990, 96; or Ensign,­ Nov. 1990, 75. 23. See Philippians 4:7. 12. See Gordon B. Hinckley, in Conference Report, 24. Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, Oct. 2000, 70–71; or Ensign,­ Nov. 2000, 52; comp. Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols. (1954–56), “Your Greatest Challenge, Mother,” Ensign,­ 2:118. Nov. 2000, 99. In these addresses, President 25. See Alma 42:8. Hinckley read the statement of the First 26. Boyd K. Packer, in Conference Report, Apr. Presidency and the Twelve that “the Church 1987, 27; or Ensign,­ May 1987, 24. discourages tattoos. It also discourages the 27. Doctrine and Covenants 128:15. piercing of the body for other than medicinal 28. 2 Nephi 9:41. purposes, although it takes no position on the 29. Boyd K. Packer, in Conference Report, Apr. minimal piercing of the ears by women for one 1995, 8; or Ensign,­ May 1995, 8. pair of earrings.” See also “A Prophet’s Counsel

▲ Recife Brazil Temple. Dedicated Dec. 15, 2000.

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