Embracing the Temple: A Journey of Love and Conversion
I ask Chat GPT to convert my lesson notes into a blog post.
Note: It is hard for me to write what is in my head. I Type on a computer that tracks my eyes. It is really slow. But I have a lot of lesson notes in my past files. So, I asked Chat GPT to take my bullet points and turn it into a Coherent blog post. It is not exactly what I would write… But it’s a lot faster and easier.
What do you think?
"I love to see the Temple."
This simple yet profound statement is a cornerstone of our faith, especially as we strive to instill a love for the temple in our children. But beyond teaching, it's essential that our children see our commitment and sacrifices to be there ourselves.
In 2008, my perspective on the temple was transformed. At the time, I was single, living with my parents in Park City, and had a steady job. Every Saturday morning, my parents would wake up at 3:30 AM to work in the Salt Lake Temple. They loved their service, though I initially thought they were a bit crazy. They frequently invited me to join them, and whether it was due to a spiritual nudge or peer pressure, I eventually volunteered to be an ordinance worker alongside them.
This decision profoundly changed my life. Beyond meeting my wife—a story for another time—serving as an ordinance worker blessed my life and strengthened my testimony in countless ways. The role required memorizing and presenting the entire endowment, allowing me to deeply study and ponder the temple ordinances. This experience opened my mind to the beauty and significance of the temple, leading to numerous insights and a deep love for its sacred practices.
My goal is simple but significant: to encourage more frequent temple attendance.
Take a moment to reflect: When was the last time you visited the temple? When did you last have a memorable spiritual experience there? These reflections serve as important reference points for our discussion.
Overcoming Barriers to Temple Attendance
Despite our love for the temple, many of us struggle to attend regularly. Common reasons include lack of time, responsibilities with children, or simply forgetting. However, these reasons often mask a broader issue: we are not fully converted to the blessings of the temple in our lives. This isn't a criticism, but a reality.
Elder David A. Bednar once said:
"Testimony is what we know to be true by the witness of the Spirit, but conversion is consistently being true to what we know" .
There's often a gap between what we know and what we do, sometimes referred to as "sins of omission," but perhaps more accurately described as missed opportunities. The Gospel of Jesus Christ promises greater blessings as we draw closer to God and become more like Christ. Knowing the temple is wonderful is one thing, but being consistently true to that knowledge requires conversion.
Steps to True Conversion
Conversion involves several steps:
1. **Faith**: If you don't currently have a testimony of the temple, listen to those who do and step forward with faith.
2. **Testing/Study**: Repent and decide to change.
3. **Testimony**: Accept the truth of what you've learned.
4. **Habit**: Consistently attend the temple and reflect on the experiences.
5. **Conversion**: Stay consistently true to what you know and continue to build faith in new aspects of the gospel.
Elder Richard G. Scott advised creating a habit of temple attendance. He shared:
"When a temple is conveniently nearby, small things may interrupt your plans. Set specific goals for attending the temple and do not allow anything to interfere. This pattern will ensure consistent blessings" .
He recounted his own commitment to attend the temple weekly, a resolve that has profoundly changed his life.
Supporting Each Other in the Quorum
How can we, as brethren in the Quorum, support each other in making temple attendance a habit? Here are some suggestions:
- **Reduce Obstacles**: Organize babysitting trades within the quorum so everyone can attend with their spouses.
- **Create Opportunities**: Plan regular "Boys Temple Night Out" events to attend together.
The Eternal Perspective of the Temple
What do we gain from temple attendance? The temple offers a perspective of immortal principles. Elder Neal A. Maxwell explained:
"When striving disciples reflect deeply upon this mortal experience, certain realities become even more clear. This includes a clarifying and particular reality...: We are immortal individuals whose constant challenge is to apply immortal principles to life's constantly changing situations. Seen in this way, life's varied situations are more sharply defined. With this perspective we can improve our daily performances because we have fixed our gaze on eternity and its great realities" .
Repetition is also crucial. "Preparing to Enter the Holy Temple" teaches:
"The temple ceremony will not be fully understood at first experience. It will be only partly understood. Return again and again and again. Return to learn. Things that have troubled you or things that have been puzzling or things that have been mysterious will become known to you" .
Each visit builds our knowledge and aligns our lives with God's purposes.
As striving disciples, focusing on the interaction of immortal principles with our daily lives helps us see reality clearly. Elder Maxwell emphasized:
"It is vital, therefore, for you and for me, in the words of Jacob, to see things 'as they really are' and things 'as they really will be.' It's interesting that those who have eyes single to the glory of God are those who see the most of reality" .
In conclusion, let us commit to deepening our conversion to the blessings of the temple. Through faith, habit, and mutual support, we can experience the profound spiritual growth and eternal perspective the temple offers. Together, we can ensure that our love for the temple is evident to our children and ingrained in our daily lives.
