Blessings of the Temple

Blessings of the Temple
Sacrament talk July, 26, 2015

There is a timeless question that once led a people to build a tower to the sky. In fact, the Los Lonely Boys wrote a popular song about the same question: "How Far is Heaven?" Well, I have the answer. From St. Kitts, heaven is 478 miles (771 km) away. I know this because our prophet, Thomas S. Monson said so. He said, "How far is heaven? I testify that in the holy temples it is not far at all- for it is in these sacred places that heaven and earth meet and our Heavenly Father gives His children His greatest of blessings."

It is now my privilege to talk about those "greatest of blessings" that come from the temple. 

Temple blessings are blessings for now- in this earth life; for later- our eternal or post-mortal existence; they are for us, for our families, and for others. Most of the blessings of the temple are outlined in Section 109 of the Doctrine and Covenants where the Kirtland Temple was dedicated. If you are like me, you will want or need all the blessings offered. They include:
-Feeling God's power and being armed with God's power
-Being taught words of wisdom
-Receiving a fullness of the Holy Ghost
-Growing up in Christ and Having His name upon you (those who go to the temple)
-Having angels to guide and protect you
-To have no combination of wickedness prevail over you
-To be organized according to the laws of God (in other words, to be organized and sealed as eternal families

If I could put into words the blessings o the temple,they would be: peace, revelation, learning, protection, and the sealing power that unites and binds families. Also, no where on earth is the veil thinner. You can literally feel angels and God within the walls of the temple. 

president Monson said, ":In the temple, the precious plan of God is taught. It is in the temple that eternal covenants are made. The temple lifts us, exalts us, stands as a beacon for all to see, and points us toward celestial glory. It is the house of God. All that occurs within the walls of the temple is uplifting and ennobling.
 As we go to the holy house, as we remember the covenants we make therein, we will be able to bear every trial and overcome each temptation. The temple provides PURPOSE for our lives. It brings PEACE to our souls—not the peace provided by men but the peace promised by the Son of God when He said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Such peace can permeate any heart—hearts that are troubled, hearts that are burdened down with grief, hearts that feel confusion, hearts that plead for help."

With the temple being 478 miles and an ocean away, I realize that not everyone has had, or will get, the opportunity to physically go to the temple. Brothers and sisters, if there is any possible way, please go. You will be most grateful you did. There is no place more beautiful or that will bring you greater happiness. BUT, if indeed you can't, or are waiting for that day, we need to bring the blessings of the temple to YOU instead of you to it. 

James E. Faust said that the temple building alone does not bless. The endowed blessing and divine functions come through obedience and faithfulness to priesthood authority and covenants made." Similarly, President Boyd K. Packer told us that "it is in the ordinances of the temple that we are placed under covenant to Him... I we will enter into our covenants without reservation or apology The Lord will protect us. We will receive inspiration sufficient for the challenges of life."

So we see, it is 1) obedience, 2) faithfulness, and 3) the keeping of our covenants that gives us power. Blessings are not dependent on solely going to the temple. Whether or not you have been to the temple, you can reap some degree of blessings by keeping the covenants you have made and by being worthy of the temple. I would encourage all of is to be worthy of and hold a current temple recommend at ALL times. Be able to declare that you have a testimony of Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith, and the Restored gospel. Be able to say that you are a full tithe payer, you keep the word of wisdom, attend your church meetings, are chaste, wear your garments- or dress modestly as if you had garments to wear, and act in accordance with church beliefs. 

Why? Why have a temple recommend if you are not planning to physically attend the temple? It brings the blessings to you. 

There are other ways to bring the temple to St Kitts. One way is tondo family history work or indexing. The other way is to make your house a temple. Make your house a "house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of glory, and of God."

The last blessing I want to talk about is the blessing to come to know and feel our Savior. Russell M. Nelson said, "the basis for every temple ordinance and covenant is the Atonemtn of Jesus Christ." It is because of this that he says, "Each temple stands as a sign of life after death, and as a sacred step toward eternal glory for us and our families."

I think it is really special they the Chrichnod Jesis Christ of Latter-Day-Saints- His Church- uses the temple instead of a cross as our symbol. To think of the temple is not to forget about Christ, but quite the contrary. In the temple, we worship Him, we learn how to return to Him, learn how to be more like Him. We see pictures of Christ inside the tole and symbols in and on the temple itself which testify and represent Christ. 

Why temples and not the cross? It is because we believe I'm eternal life, not death, and progression with our families all made possible by our Savior through His Atonement and Resurrection. 

Going to the temple is like getting baptized. Just like you are a new person after coming out of the water, you are a new person once you come out of the temple. The temple is one of the vital steps we must take to return to our Father in Heaven. To truly understand the importance of this step, you must truly comprehend the Plan of Salvation. It is as Jar writes in his small book in the Booknof Mormon, "For what could I write more than my fathers have written? For have they not revealed the plan of salvation? I say into you, Yea, and this sufficeth me."

In the temple, you have beauty beyond description awaiting you. It's as if you get a small glimpse of the mansions above that are being prepared for you. One of my favorite things is staring at the chandeliers- maybe because they are shiny, or maybe it's because I feel the blessings of Heavenly Father an all He wants to give me. The other thing I love the most about the Celestial room is the large mural of Chriat that hangs. With His arms stretched out wide, it's as if He is there with me sharing His love. 

As if these blessings weren't enough, we have the awesome opportunity to submit names to the Prayer Roll for those who need ultimate healing and power from on high. Where we cannot go submit the names ourselves, we can call any temple to submit the names of those who need help. 

The temple really is like a castle- it's a place where princes and princesses become kings and queens. It is where happily ever afters are made because that is exactly what Heavenly Father wants for us- to live happily ever after with Him. That is why our Savior Atoned and died for us. It is a place where we can eternally be with our families- I wouldn't want it any other way. Now it is up to us to take hold of the blessings offered by going to the temple. How blessed we are to have the Restored gosple and to live in a age where  temples are again on the earth. For that is where we find heaven. 

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen