Blessings and Revelation in the Temple

[Zowieink]

I recently came across the dedicatory prayers for the Mesa AZ Temple, both the 1927 and the 1975 dedications.

Oct. 23-26, 1927 (Heber J. Grant)

"Bless those, O Father, who have been called to preside and labor in this temple and also in other temples that have been erected to Thy Holy Name. We thank
Thee for all of the temples that have been erected in this last dispensation, and we pray Thy choice blessing to be and abide with all those who minister there-in. We pray that the same sweet spirit which is present in all of the temples that have been erected may abide with all those who shall labor in this holy house."

"We thank Thee for restoring again to the earth the ordinances of the gospel of Thy Son Jesus Christ, whereby men and women can be, in very deed, Saviors on Mount Zion, and where they cabn enter into Thy holy temples and perform the ordinances necessary for the salvation of those who died without a knowledge of the gospel."

"We thank Thee, that through the visitation of Elijah, [that] the prophecy of thy servant Malachi - that the hearts of the fathers whould be turned to the children, and the hearts of the children to the fathers, lest the earth be smitten with a curse-has been fulfilled in our da, and that our hearts in very deed go out to our fathers, and we rejoice beyond our ability to express that we can, through the ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ, become saviors to our ancestors."

"May Thy peace ever abide in this holy building, that all who come here may partake of the spirit of peace, and of the sweet and heavenly influence that Thy Saints have experienced in other temples, may all who come upon the grounds which surround this temple, whether members of the Church of Christ or not, feel the sweet and peaceful influence of this blessed and hallowed spot. And may this building be sacred unto Thee and protected from the elments of destruction."

April 15-16, 1975 (Spencer W. Kimball)

"Bless, we pray Thee, the presidency of this temple and the matron and all the officiators therein. Endow them with wisdom; help them create a holy atmosphere in this place so that all ordinances may be done with a sweet, spiritual tone that will cause the people to greatly desire to be here.

"Wilt thou deign to make this temple Thy house and let holy angels visit it to deliver Thy messages, as the rushing of might winds with power and glory."

How many of us in this on-line forum have receive blessings from going to the temple. After all the arguments, show-downs, misunderstanding, traps, etc. that are present in many of the threads, is it possible to have one dedicated to blessings we have received, either as a patron or as one who officiates in the temples (because I know there are a few in here!) The last line of the quotes I found to be most interesting...I have pondered it and I believe this is revelation given to patrons as they perform work in the temples.

Or are we all just kickers against the pricks?

[wolfman]

Thank you. We were promised great blessings by our Stake President and Temple President in Stake conference if we would attend the temple faithfully. We would have a greater desire and ability to withstand temptation, and a promise that "those who sacrifice their time in order to go to the temple to bless those on the other side of the veil, would have the help and blessings in their own personal lives from those on the other side." This came at a time after I read "The Message" by Lance Richardson (his near death experience) and strengthened my testimony of how intimately involved other spiritual beings are in our day to day lives.

[davedan]

I've felt a deference when I submit names to the temple of people I home teach, children, or friends for specific reasons.

[buffalo_girl]

I've been working in the Bismarck, ND Temple for over ten years. We are working with the fourth Temple Presidency since it was dedicated.

I have noticed something over these years about how 'behaviors' modify and soften in those who are called to work in the temple. Often, when first starting out as new ordinance workers people are extremely 'stiff' and even overly anxious about every detail. Their rigidness sometimes tends to put others on edge making the work more stressful than I know the Lord wishes it to be.

With time and being in that peaceful environment, people relax and begin to enjoy the work and the process. I've observed that a transformation occurs in the personalities and behaviors of those who are dedicated temple workers. They become a finer, more human version of who they really are. They are kindly, happy, quick to put others at ease, have confidence that 'things will work out' when they are understaffed (they always do work out), actually express a sense of humor in a temple appropriate manner when something unexpected crops up, are more concerned about the comfort of others than about their 'assignments', and truly love those who come to the temple as patrons.

Even those of us who might not have 'socialized' with one another outside the temple before we became 'regulars' find we have gifts and interests in common we had not known about because of our differences in 'worldly' status or 'callings' in the Church. I guess I could go on with lots of examples of the changes I observe in those who work in the temple.

Ours is a small temple so we are called upon to participate in every ordinance as workers, as well as patrons. I know the larger temples have so many workers, each person 'specializes' in one area. If you have the opportunity to do so, please consider being a temple worker. It's a wonderful way of becoming who the Lord intends for you to be.

Being a regular patron will bless you and your family in ways you can't imagine. I know it's hard to find time when raising a family and having to work to keep things together. Set a goal for at least once a month and get there regardless what comes up!

[HeirofNumenor]

Thank you all for your comments....I love the peace of the Temple....even being on the grounds or walking around the fence outside, during times I have not been able to go inside...

Thank you for this thread....it brings a much needed change of Spirit from the rest of this forum... O:-) :YMPRAY:

[kathedralegs]

I've been working in the Bismarck, ND Temple for over ten years. We are working with the fourth Temple Presidency since it was dedicated.

I have noticed something over these years about how 'behaviors' modify and soften in those who are called to work in the temple. Often, when first starting out as new ordinance workers people are extremely 'stiff' and even overly anxious about every detail. Their rigidness sometimes tends to put others on edge making the work more stressful than I know the Lord wishes it to be.

With time and being in that peaceful environment, people relax and begin to enjoy the work and the process. I've observed that a transformation occurs in the personalities and behaviors of those who are dedicated temple workers. They become a finer, more human version of who they really are. They are kindly, happy, quick to put others at ease, have confidence that 'things will work out' when they are understaffed (they always do work out), actually express a sense of humor in a temple appropriate manner when something unexpected crops up, are more concerned about the comfort of others than about their 'assignments', and truly love those who come to the temple as patrons.

Even those of us who might not have 'socialized' with one another outside the temple before we became 'regulars' find we have gifts and interests in common we had not known about because of our differences in 'worldly' status or 'callings' in the Church. I guess I could go on with lots of examples of the changes I observe in those who work in the temple.

Ours is a small temple so we are called upon to participate in every ordinance as workers, as well as patrons. I know the larger temples have so many workers, each person 'specializes' in one area. If you have the opportunity to do so, please consider being a temple worker. It's a wonderful way of becoming who the Lord intends for you to be.

Being a regular patron will bless you and your family in ways you can't imagine. I know it's hard to find time when raising a family and having to work to keep things together. Set a goal for at least once a month and get there regardless what comes up!

Thank you Buffalo_girl....I agree wholeheartedly! I have worked in the Mesa Temple as an ordinance worker for almost 5 years. The blessings that come from that experience are incredible. I have been uplifted by watching young and old, strong and feeble, make regular attendance a priority in their lives. Temple attendance made all the difference in my life after a long time of inactivity as a young adult. I learned that Heavenly Father knew and loved me. I watched people that I admired go through horrific experiences and trials and still have the peace and humility to see things to be grateful for in their lives. I have learned much from my attendance and service. I have tried to do all I can to help those that come have the best possible experience they are prepared to have. I never want to get casual in my service there. If it is the "time and season" for anyone here I would strongly encourage them to consider serving in the temple.

The Mesa temple is one of the larger temples and we change our duties every 3 months. They give us a "line" which involves a variety of duties for that quarter. We are fortunate to be able to serve in many different areas of the temple on any given quarter. Not long ago, I finished 6 months of working at the veil as assistant and then veil coordinator. Though I enjoyed that assignment, I am glad to be moving around with more varied assignments.

[Zowieink]

I have also seen and felt the same feelings. When my wife died, just 2 weeks after we were called as temple workers, going to the temple and working there was the only thing that kept me going.

I remember once i was asked to "receive" two new endowments, a husband and wife. Well, I didn't know at the time that they were mid 50's until I brought the husband through and then helped him bring his wife through the veil. It was so touching to see the two of them, fairly recent converts, staring into each others eyes. I remember him whispering "I love you" and then the tears started falling from both of them. I told them that this was the only time and that their commitment to each other should be sealed with a kiss, which they quietly did. Oh, it was touching. Another example, the brother who had came faithfully to be a veil worker. One night, just before the last veil, I heard that he had to put his wife into hospice, got her settled, and then came to the temple. The next week I talked with him, having been through the very same thing, and asked how she was doing. He related through tears as he held my hand that she had died during the time he was here for the one last veil the week before. He said that he had missed her passing through the veil to the Spirit World, but had felt her presence with him as he brought a sister patron through that last veil. He said, It was the most spiritual moment and knew that her family was there to greet her. He is 89 years old and just became a regular ordinance worker and he hopes to see her there in temple before its time for him to go to the Spirit World.

I'm sure we could all tell stories of marvelous events in the temple. How I am grateful to be able to work there.

[wolfman]

A while ago in Sunday School a brother related the following experience that happened to his friend that was a worker in the Logan Temple several years ago. Prior to the workers starting their shift they had a quick meeting all together with the temple president. Someone was asked to give the opening prayer and when they spoke the words of the prayer it was in a completely foreign tongue. After the prayer the temple president stood and said "Brothers and sisters we have just witnessed the Gift of Tongues, the Lord never reveals the Gift of Tongues without the interpretation of Tongues so will the person please arise that understood the words of that prayer. A sister then stood and said " I don't know why I was chosen, but these are the words of the prayer..." She then spoke the words of the Prayer in English for the others to hear.

I believe miraculous things like this can happen if everyone present has their heart and mind in the right place. When I attend the temple I really try to focus on the words of the prayers even if I'm not in the prayer circle and use as much faith as I can muster for those names who lie upon the alters.