TEMPLE ATTENDANCE
"And again, verily thus saith the Lord: Let the work of my temple, and all the works which I have appointed unto you, be continued on and not cease; and let your diligence, and your perseverance, and patience, and your works be redoubled, and you shall in nowise lose your reward, saith the Lord of Hosts."
Doctrine & Covenants 127:4
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There is a reason
why there are so many temples on the earth in these latter days. As members of
the church, we are commanded to attend the temple, to perform ordinances for
our family members, and to develop a stronger testimony of our Father in Heaven
and Savior Jesus Christ. The blessings that await us as we enter the temple and
perform the sacred work inside are immeasurable. There has never been a time
when I have left the temple feeling like I would have been better off spending
my time elsewhere. What happens inside the temple is eternally significant for
those beyond the veil and for us who have been called to do the work here on
earth as well. And there is more work to be done! Opportunities and blessings
alike will always be in store us as we attend the holy house of the Lord.
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"Why are so many
willing to give so much in order to receive the blessings of the temple? Those
who understand the eternal blessings which come from the temple know that no
sacrifice is too great, no price too heavy, no struggle too difficult in order
to receive those blessings. There are never too many miles to travel, too many
obstacles to overcome, or too much discomfort to endure. They understand that
the saving ordinances received in the temple that permit us to someday return
to our Heavenly Father in an eternal family relationship and to be endowed with
blessings and power from on high are worth every sacrifice and every effort."
President Thomas S Monson / The Holy Temple - a Beacon to the World / April 2011 General Conference
"If you have been to
the temple for yourselves and if you live within relatively close proximity to
a temple, your sacrifice could be setting aside the time in your busy lives to
visit the temple regularly. There is much to be done in our temples in behalf
of those who wait beyond the veil. As we do the work for them, we will know
that we have accomplished what they cannot do for themselves."
President Thomas S Monson / The Holy Temple - a Beacon to the World / April 2011 General Conference
“The
temple is the house of the Lord. The basis for every temple ordinance and
covenant—the heart of the plan of salvation—is the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
Every activity, every lesson, all we do in the Church, point to the Lord and
His holy house. Our efforts to proclaim the gospel, perfect the Saints, and
redeem the dead all lead to the temple. Each holy temple stands as a symbol of
our membership in the Church, as a sign of our faith in life after death, and
as a sacred step toward eternal glory for us and our families.”
Russell M Nelson / Personal Preparation for Temple Blessings / April 2001 General Conference
“Any
work you do in the temple is time well spent, but receiving ordinances
vicariously for one of your own ancestors will make the time in the temple more
sacred, and even greater blessings will be received.”
Richard G Scott / The Joy of Redeeming the Dead / October 2012 General Conference
“All the
righteous men and women who ever lived look to us! We are their only hope for
salvation. We hold the key to their prison doors. We must set them free! How
can we any longer ignore their right to salvation?”
A Theodore Tuttle / Eternal Links that Bind / April 1980 General Conference
"There is a
difference in just attending the temple and
having a rich spiritual experience. The real blessings of the temple come as we
enhance our temple experience. To do so, we must feel a spirit of reverence for
the temple and a spirit of worship."
L Lionel Kendrick / Enhancing Our Temple Experience / April 2001 General Conference
"When we enter the
temple, we should leave the world behind. We should feel what it would be like
when we enter the presence of the Lord."
L Lionel Kendrick / Enhancing Our Temple Experience / April 2001 General Conference
"As we
do temple work, we develop a spiritual kinship with our Heavenly Father and our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that brings us peace, happiness, and eternal joy."
Franklin D Richards / Happiness and Joy in Temple Work / October 1986 General Conference
"In the
temple there is an influence and spirit that touches the minds, hearts, and
souls of those present. Yes, it is truly the House of the Lord."
Franklin D Richards / Happiness and Joy in Temple Work / October 1986 General Conference
"The temple is a
great school. It is a house of learning. In the temples the atmosphere is
maintained so that it is ideal for instruction on matters that are deeply
spiritual.[…]
If you will go to
the temple and remember that the teaching is symbolic, you will never go in the
proper spirit without coming away with your vision extended, feeling a little
more exalted, with your knowledge increased as to things that are spiritual."
Boyd K Packer / The Holy Temple / Ensign February 1995