Recently I had the idea of starting a thread on the blessings of Temple Worship but I delayed doing it. But I just heard two great speakers mention the tribulations that would be poured out in the last days (referring specifically to D&C 45 and 87) and that the way to have protection from these trials would be through the temple blessings. So I am going to go ahead to start the thread. I will do several posts over the next few days hopefully and I invite your comments, quotes, testimonies and appropriate experiences. I am going to start out with the quote from Elder Orson Pratt that I initially put on here a week or two ago. Even though this quote refers specifically to the New Jerusalem temple, I feel that we can have much of this kind of protection from the temples we have now. I feel that we all need to have these blessings for ourselves and our families in a tremendous way.
When the Temple [in New Jerusalem] is built the sons of the two Priesthoods…will enter into that Temple…and all of them who are pure in heart will behold the face of the Lord and that too before he comes in his glory in the clouds of heaven, for he will suddenly come to his Temple, and he will purify the sons of Moses and of Aaron, until they shall be prepared to offer in that Temple an offering that shall be acceptable in the sight of the Lord. In doing this, he will purify not only the minds of the Priesthood in that Temple, but he will purify their bodies until they shall be quickened, renewed and strengthened, and they will be partially changed, not to immortality, but changed in part that they can be filled with the power of God, and they can stand in the presence of Jesus, and behold his face in the midst of that Temple.
This will prepare them for further ministrations among the nations of the earth, it will prepare them to go forth in the days of tribulation and vengeance upon the nations of the wicked, when God will smite them with pestilence, plague and earthquake, such as former generations never knew. Then the servants of God will need to be armed with the power of God, they will need to have that sealing blessing pronounced upon their foreheads that they can stand forth in the midst of these desolations and plagues and not be overcome by them. When John the Revelator describes this scene he says he saw four angels sent forth, ready to hold the four winds that should blow from the four quarters of heaven. Another angel ascended from the east and cried to the four angels, and said, "Smite not the earth now, but wait a little while." "How long?" "Until the servants of our God are sealed in their foreheads." What for? To prepare them to stand forth in the midst of these desolations and plagues, and not be overcome. When they are prepared, when they have received a renewal of their bodies in the Lord's Temple, and have been filled with the Holy Ghost and purified as gold and silver in a furnace of fire, then they will be prepared to stand before the nations of the earth and preach glad tidings of salvation in the midst of judgments that are to come like a whirlwind upon the wicked.
Orson Pratt, Journal of Discourses, 15:365-66.
The Blessings of Temple Worship
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zion or bust
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Re: The Blessings of Temple Worship
This next quotation is from S. Michael Wilcox who is an Institute teacher at the University of Utah. It is from his book (which I highly recommend) entitled "House of Glory." Again, we see the protection that comes from temple worship.
In the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord explains to the Saints the condition of the world as the final days commence: “All flesh is corrupted before me; and the powers of darkness prevail upon the earth…and all eternity is pained, and the angels are waiting the great command to reap down the earth…and, behold, the enemy is combined.” (D&C 38:11-12; emphasis added.) How do we as Saints and parents stand against a prevailing and combined (or organized) enemy? How can we keep our children and grandchildren from being overcome by such forces?
The Lord never describes a problem in the scriptures without also giving a solution. Notice how the words in Joseph Smith’s dedicatory prayer of the Kirtland Temple match the words from section 38: “We ask thee, Holy Father, to establish the people that shall worship, and honorably hold a name and standing in this thy house, to all generations and for eternity; that no weapon formed against them shall prosper;…that no combination of wickedness shall have power to rise up and prevail over thy people upon whom thy name shall be put in this house.” (D&C 109:24-26; emphasis added.) Those who have the name of the Father placed upon them need not fear the “prevailing, combined” forces of evil.
Echoes of this doctrine are heard resounding from the Old and the New Testaments. In Revelation, John sees four angels holding back the winds of destruction previous to the Second Coming. A fifth angels appears with “the seal of the living God” and instructs the four angels not to unleash the winds until he has “sealed the servants of God in their foreheads.” (Revelation 7:1-9.) Later we learn that the seal written in the forehead is the “Father’s name.” (Revelation 14:1.) “And they shall see his face and his name shall be in their foreheads.” (Revelation 22:4.) A quick look in a thesaurus gives us four interesting words interchangeable with seal. They are mark, sign, symbol, and token. In using this imagery, John is alluding to two similar events recorded in the Old Testament: the Passover at the time of Moses, and a vision given to Ezekiel prior to the Babylonian captivity.
In the book of Exodus, the children of Israel are protected from the “destroyer” (Exodus 12:23) by having their doors marked with the blood of a lamb: “When he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the Lord will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.” (Exodus 12:23.) In Hebrew the words “pass over” carry the connotation of “warding off a blow or opposing the threatened entrance of an enemy.” (See Wilson’s Old Testament Word Studies, pp. 303-4.) This episode in Israel’s history was to teach them that the atoning blood of Christ protects those who have faith in him from the power of Satan, who is a “destroying angel.” The Savior’s atonement will oppose Satan’s entry and ward off his blows.
A similar pattern is found in the book of Ezekiel. Ezekiel sees in vision six men come to Jerusalemlace. Five of them come with “a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them [the sixth] was clothed with linen, with a writer’s inkhorn by his side.” The man clothed with linen is a priesthood bearer. In this story the priesthood places the mark, sign, or seal upon the foreheads of the righteous. The Lord calls to the “man clothed with linen, which had the writer’s inkhorn by his side; and the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city…and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite…and begin at my sanctuary.” (Ezekiel 9:2-6.) The city is then destroyed, all but those who have the mark upon their foreheads.
It is interesting that in the last days, the final cleansing of the earth also begins at the Lord’s house: “Upon my house shall it begin, and from my house shall it go forth, saith the Lord; first among those among you, saith the Lord, who have professed to know my name and have not known me, and have blasphemed against me in the midst of my house, saith the Lord.” (D&C 112:25-26.)
In all three examples, Revelation, Exodus, and Ezekiel, a mark or seal of some sort was placed upon those who were to be protected from the forces of destruction. We learn from the book of Revelation that in our day that mark or seal will be the “name of the Father.” We learn from the dedicatory prayer of the lace Kirtland Temple that the name of the Father is placed upon those who “worship, and honorably hold a name and standing in” the Lord’s house. In the dedicatory prayer Joseph Smith also prays that the Lord’s “servants may go forth from this house armed with thy power, and that thy name may be upon them, and thy glory be round about them, and thine angels have charge over them.” (D&C 109:22; emphasis added.) The threatened entry of the enemy will be opposed for those who have received the Father’s name. “Unseen angels” will “have charge over them.” Worshiping in the temple will be as important in our day as it was for the children of Israel to mark their doorways with lamb’s blood when the destroying angel passed through Egypt.
When we make and strive to keep our covenants, his name is upon us. Then we need not fear the powers of the destroyer. The destroyer will pass over us. He cannot prevail, even though his forces are combined. His threatened entry into our homes and lives will be opposed.
S. Michael Wilcox, House of Glory, pp. 50-53.
In the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord explains to the Saints the condition of the world as the final days commence: “All flesh is corrupted before me; and the powers of darkness prevail upon the earth…and all eternity is pained, and the angels are waiting the great command to reap down the earth…and, behold, the enemy is combined.” (D&C 38:11-12; emphasis added.) How do we as Saints and parents stand against a prevailing and combined (or organized) enemy? How can we keep our children and grandchildren from being overcome by such forces?
The Lord never describes a problem in the scriptures without also giving a solution. Notice how the words in Joseph Smith’s dedicatory prayer of the Kirtland Temple match the words from section 38: “We ask thee, Holy Father, to establish the people that shall worship, and honorably hold a name and standing in this thy house, to all generations and for eternity; that no weapon formed against them shall prosper;…that no combination of wickedness shall have power to rise up and prevail over thy people upon whom thy name shall be put in this house.” (D&C 109:24-26; emphasis added.) Those who have the name of the Father placed upon them need not fear the “prevailing, combined” forces of evil.
Echoes of this doctrine are heard resounding from the Old and the New Testaments. In Revelation, John sees four angels holding back the winds of destruction previous to the Second Coming. A fifth angels appears with “the seal of the living God” and instructs the four angels not to unleash the winds until he has “sealed the servants of God in their foreheads.” (Revelation 7:1-9.) Later we learn that the seal written in the forehead is the “Father’s name.” (Revelation 14:1.) “And they shall see his face and his name shall be in their foreheads.” (Revelation 22:4.) A quick look in a thesaurus gives us four interesting words interchangeable with seal. They are mark, sign, symbol, and token. In using this imagery, John is alluding to two similar events recorded in the Old Testament: the Passover at the time of Moses, and a vision given to Ezekiel prior to the Babylonian captivity.
In the book of Exodus, the children of Israel are protected from the “destroyer” (Exodus 12:23) by having their doors marked with the blood of a lamb: “When he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the Lord will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.” (Exodus 12:23.) In Hebrew the words “pass over” carry the connotation of “warding off a blow or opposing the threatened entrance of an enemy.” (See Wilson’s Old Testament Word Studies, pp. 303-4.) This episode in Israel’s history was to teach them that the atoning blood of Christ protects those who have faith in him from the power of Satan, who is a “destroying angel.” The Savior’s atonement will oppose Satan’s entry and ward off his blows.
A similar pattern is found in the book of Ezekiel. Ezekiel sees in vision six men come to Jerusalemlace. Five of them come with “a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them [the sixth] was clothed with linen, with a writer’s inkhorn by his side.” The man clothed with linen is a priesthood bearer. In this story the priesthood places the mark, sign, or seal upon the foreheads of the righteous. The Lord calls to the “man clothed with linen, which had the writer’s inkhorn by his side; and the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city…and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite…and begin at my sanctuary.” (Ezekiel 9:2-6.) The city is then destroyed, all but those who have the mark upon their foreheads.
It is interesting that in the last days, the final cleansing of the earth also begins at the Lord’s house: “Upon my house shall it begin, and from my house shall it go forth, saith the Lord; first among those among you, saith the Lord, who have professed to know my name and have not known me, and have blasphemed against me in the midst of my house, saith the Lord.” (D&C 112:25-26.)
In all three examples, Revelation, Exodus, and Ezekiel, a mark or seal of some sort was placed upon those who were to be protected from the forces of destruction. We learn from the book of Revelation that in our day that mark or seal will be the “name of the Father.” We learn from the dedicatory prayer of the lace Kirtland Temple that the name of the Father is placed upon those who “worship, and honorably hold a name and standing in” the Lord’s house. In the dedicatory prayer Joseph Smith also prays that the Lord’s “servants may go forth from this house armed with thy power, and that thy name may be upon them, and thy glory be round about them, and thine angels have charge over them.” (D&C 109:22; emphasis added.) The threatened entry of the enemy will be opposed for those who have received the Father’s name. “Unseen angels” will “have charge over them.” Worshiping in the temple will be as important in our day as it was for the children of Israel to mark their doorways with lamb’s blood when the destroying angel passed through Egypt.
When we make and strive to keep our covenants, his name is upon us. Then we need not fear the powers of the destroyer. The destroyer will pass over us. He cannot prevail, even though his forces are combined. His threatened entry into our homes and lives will be opposed.
S. Michael Wilcox, House of Glory, pp. 50-53.
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oneClimbs
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Re: The Blessings of Temple Worship
Great idea for a post. One of the things I love about the temple is the exactness of it. It's scripture you live. There are no interpretations by men or people giving their opinions. When you expose the temple out into the world, (ala Big Love) all the meaning is lost. Man always likes to stick his fingers into things to try and offer his own 'perspective' and 'wisdom' on why things are. I love that the Temple makes that impossible. Sure there's a pattern in the temple and you can spend your whole live drawing doctrines and truths from it. But then there's something else that is untouchable that can only be experienced personally. Think of the Celestial room. I've heard critics or former members say that, "it's just a room" or "If heaven is like some boring room, then that doesn't sound good to me." You know what this sounds like to me?
It's the perfect place to get revelation because it's only with the Spirit that you can truly be edified by what takes place there. It's pure brilliance how it works. There is much that we can learn from the temple and many resources (templestudy.com is really cool.) that are available, but how wonderful it is that we can understand revelation and use these amazing structures to help orient ourselves on a higher level, or rather in a different way than we can from scripture.
In ancient Israel, the temple is the place the people set aside as holy where the Lord could come to visit his people. The temple was an invitation from his people to come and be among them. The temple is a mountain, but not a literal mountain. We have a hefty spiritual climb to make in order to get to the top of this mountain and it's all worth it to commune with the Lord there. People always ask, "why these temples?" Well, the Lord is coming soon and he's telling us what we need to be to prepare for him. The temple is the bar that has been raised and it's up to us to step up to it. In the flood of evil that is encompassing us, the Temple is spiritually higher ground that we can seek peace and safety in. We all need to be endowed with that power from on high. To try and make it on our own without this blessing the Lord has placed before us is futile and foolish, it's wandering in strange roads. We all must rally around the standard and send out the cry of warning continually.
My institute teacher's mother once had a cool saying: "The temple is a great mold, the more you pour yourself into it, the more you become like it."
"You mean I worked so hard to get to this tree and all I get is this fruit? Are you kidding me?" Why was the fruit the greatest reward to some and worthless to others? Why do some people continually desire to be in the Celestial room of the temple and others get nothing from it. It has to do with what it represents. The Celestial room IS just a room, but that's not the point, it's what you become in your journey to get there! Heaven IS just a place, but a place that contains amazing beings. That's what I think is so powerful about the temple, it's a look in the mirror, a very clear mirror. It's designed to be like nothing in the world so that you are compelled to rely on the Spirit instead of your own wisdom. Anyway, I could go on and on.1 Nephi 8:28 And after they had tasted of the fruit they were ashamed, because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost.
It's the perfect place to get revelation because it's only with the Spirit that you can truly be edified by what takes place there. It's pure brilliance how it works. There is much that we can learn from the temple and many resources (templestudy.com is really cool.) that are available, but how wonderful it is that we can understand revelation and use these amazing structures to help orient ourselves on a higher level, or rather in a different way than we can from scripture.
In ancient Israel, the temple is the place the people set aside as holy where the Lord could come to visit his people. The temple was an invitation from his people to come and be among them. The temple is a mountain, but not a literal mountain. We have a hefty spiritual climb to make in order to get to the top of this mountain and it's all worth it to commune with the Lord there. People always ask, "why these temples?" Well, the Lord is coming soon and he's telling us what we need to be to prepare for him. The temple is the bar that has been raised and it's up to us to step up to it. In the flood of evil that is encompassing us, the Temple is spiritually higher ground that we can seek peace and safety in. We all need to be endowed with that power from on high. To try and make it on our own without this blessing the Lord has placed before us is futile and foolish, it's wandering in strange roads. We all must rally around the standard and send out the cry of warning continually.
My institute teacher's mother once had a cool saying: "The temple is a great mold, the more you pour yourself into it, the more you become like it."
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pjbrownie
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Re: The Blessings of Temple Worship
Good post! This is the kind of stuff we need more of.
I am thinking more and more that there isn't any sort of callout. Temple worship is the callout.
I am thinking more and more that there isn't any sort of callout. Temple worship is the callout.
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oneClimbs
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Re: The Blessings of Temple Worship
Ooooohhhh snap! Amen! You know, the one thing that always sits in the back of my mind is how often the Lord fulfills something in a way that we just don't see coming. Hey I'm as guilty as the next for digging around and seeing if I can find some story, some information, some little known quote from an apostle at some fireside that says "it's coming in two weeks", but it's the Spirit, people, it's the Spirit that matters most. There still may be a call-out, but as we sit, fully psyched up to "do some great thing" like Naaman, let's make sure that we don't let the things we HAVE been asked to do gather dust. The Lord's clock is the actions of the people, and the hands stand as still as we are.I am thinking more and more that there isn't any sort of callout. Temple worship is the callout.
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ithink
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Re: The Blessings of Temple Worship
What does "upon my house shall it begin" really mean? I believe the house spoken of refers to America, the bearers of the Constitution, the stone cut out of the mountain without hands, and not just so narrowly the church itself. It could say, "Upon America shall it begin, and from America shall it go forth." Is it not the opposite of "And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. "zion or bust wrote:...It is interesting that in the last days, the final cleansing of the earth also begins at the Lord’s house: “Upon my house shall it begin, and from my house shall it go forth, saith the Lord; first among those among you, saith the Lord, who have professed to know my name and have not known me, and have blasphemed against me in the midst of my house, saith the Lord.” (D&C 112:25-26.)
Could it be that a failure to bear to do your duty collectively to bear the Constitution (the stone cut out without hands, ie. the laying on of hands) off in safety will cause a collapse and a cleansing to usher forth from the very place it originated from in the first place? America is and is going to continue to be the center of attention from here on in, and as America goes, so goes the whole planet.
Anyone else thinking along these lines?
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zion or bust
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Re: The Blessings of Temple Worship
I like what Hugh Nibley said, "[The temple] is a scale model of the universe…for the purpose of taking our bearings on the universe and in the eternities." (Temple and Cosmos, p. 14.)5tev3 wrote:Great idea for a post. One of the things I love about the temple is the exactness of it. It's scripture you live. There are no interpretations by men or people giving their opinions. When you expose the temple out into the world, (ala Big Love) all the meaning is lost. Man always likes to stick his fingers into things to try and offer his own 'perspective' and 'wisdom' on why things are. I love that the Temple makes that impossible. Sure there's a pattern in the temple and you can spend your whole live drawing doctrines and truths from it. But then there's something else that is untouchable that can only be experienced personally. Think of the Celestial room. I've heard critics or former members say that, "it's just a room" or "If heaven is like some boring room, then that doesn't sound good to me." You know what this sounds like to me?
"You mean I worked so hard to get to this tree and all I get is this fruit? Are you kidding me?" Why was the fruit the greatest reward to some and worthless to others? Why do some people continually desire to be in the Celestial room of the temple and others get nothing from it. It has to do with what it represents. The Celestial room IS just a room, but that's not the point, it's what you become in your journey to get there! Heaven IS just a place, but a place that contains amazing beings. That's what I think is so powerful about the temple, it's a look in the mirror, a very clear mirror. It's designed to be like nothing in the world so that you are compelled to rely on the Spirit instead of your own wisdom. Anyway, I could go on and on.1 Nephi 8:28 And after they had tasted of the fruit they were ashamed, because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost.
It's the perfect place to get revelation because it's only with the Spirit that you can truly be edified by what takes place there. It's pure brilliance how it works. There is much that we can learn from the temple and many resources (templestudy.com is really cool.) that are available, but how wonderful it is that we can understand revelation and use these amazing structures to help orient ourselves on a higher level, or rather in a different way than we can from scripture.
In ancient Israel, the temple is the place the people set aside as holy where the Lord could come to visit his people. The temple was an invitation from his people to come and be among them. The temple is a mountain, but not a literal mountain. We have a hefty spiritual climb to make in order to get to the top of this mountain and it's all worth it to commune with the Lord there. People always ask, "why these temples?" Well, the Lord is coming soon and he's telling us what we need to be to prepare for him. The temple is the bar that has been raised and it's up to us to step up to it. In the flood of evil that is encompassing us, the Temple is spiritually higher ground that we can seek peace and safety in. We all need to be endowed with that power from on high. To try and make it on our own without this blessing the Lord has placed before us is futile and foolish, it's wandering in strange roads. We all must rally around the standard and send out the cry of warning continually.
My institute teacher's mother once had a cool saying: "The temple is a great mold, the more you pour yourself into it, the more you become like it."
Also, check out this blog where it shows that the plan is built into the universe. If all people see is just a room, they don't understand the symbolism behind things (see Moses 6:63).
http://rjnorman.blogspot.com/2009/03/pl ... sites.html
I agree, the temple is a mold to conform us to the image of Christ. (see Romans 8:39 I think.)
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zion or bust
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Re: The Blessings of Temple Worship
I don't totally have the answer for this. However, this is what the scriptures seem to imply to me. When he refers to my house, the Lord is referring to those who have been to the temple and made covenants (as was discussed in Ezekiel 9). Also, when the Lord refers to those who profess to know my name, he also seems to be referring to members of the church (see Hel. 3:33; 4:11; Alma 5:37.)ithink wrote:What does "upon my house shall it begin" really mean? I believe the house spoken of refers to America, the bearers of the Constitution, the stone cut out of the mountain without hands, and not just so narrowly the church itself. It could say, "Upon America shall it begin, and from America shall it go forth." Is it not the opposite of "And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. "zion or bust wrote:...It is interesting that in the last days, the final cleansing of the earth also begins at the Lord’s house: “Upon my house shall it begin, and from my house shall it go forth, saith the Lord; first among those among you, saith the Lord, who have professed to know my name and have not known me, and have blasphemed against me in the midst of my house, saith the Lord.” (D&C 112:25-26.)
Could it be that a failure to bear to do your duty collectively to bear the Constitution (the stone cut out without hands, ie. the laying on of hands) off in safety will cause a collapse and a cleansing to usher forth from the very place it originated from in the first place? America is and is going to continue to be the center of attention from here on in, and as America goes, so goes the whole planet.
Anyone else thinking along these lines?
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zion or bust
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Re: The Blessings of Temple Worship
I have to concur that I don't think a callout is anytime imminent. We will have to go through more trials and persecution, I believe, before it does. But it is good to know of the protection that comes from the temple.pjbrownie wrote:Good post! This is the kind of stuff we need more of.
I am thinking more and more that there isn't any sort of callout. Temple worship is the callout.
Joseph Smith said, "We need the Temple more than anything else." (Journal History, May 4, 1844.)
President Howard W. Hunter said:
I invite the members of the Church to establish the temple of the Lord as the great symbol of their membership and the supernal setting for their most sacred covenants. It would be the deepest desire of my heart to have every member of the Church temple worthy. I would hope that every adult member would be worthy of—and carry—a current temple recommend, even if proximity to a temple does not allow immediate or frequent use of it.
Let us be a temple-attending and temple-loving people. Let us hasten to the temple as frequently as time and means and personal circumstances allow. Let us go not only for our kindred dead, but let us go for the personal blessing of temple worship, for the sanctity and safety which is provided within those hallowed and consecrated walls. The temple is a place of beauty, it is a place of revelation, it is a place of peace. It is the house of the Lord. It is holy unto the Lord. It should be holy unto us. (Ensign, July 1994, p. 5.)
Here is also a wonderful quote from Pres. Benson:
Let us make the temple a sacred home away from our eternal home. This temple will be a standing witness that the power of God can stay the powers of evil in our midst. Many parents, in and out of the Church, are concerned about protection against a cascading avalanche of wickedness which threatens to engulf Christian principles….
There is a power associated with the ordinances of heaven—even the power of godliness—which can and will thwart the forces of evil if we will be worthy of those sacred blessings. This community will be protected, our families will be protected, our children will be safeguarded as we live the gospel, visit the temple, and live close to the Lord. (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 256. Atlanta Georgia Temple Cornerstone Laying, 1 June 1983.)
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zion or bust
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Re: The Blessings of Temple Worship
Here is an interesting statement by Wilford Woodruff when he was President of the Church. Even though it doesn't specifically mention temples it does mention the priesthood. We learn from the scriptures that the powers of Godliness are manifest through priesthood ordinances (see D&C 84:19-21). Of course, the highest priesthood ordinances are available in the temple. I think it is important to note that while women don't hold the priesthood per se, they have access to the ordinances (baptism, Holy Ghost, sacrament, temple) the same as the men and have the same spiritual blessings and gifts of the spirit that the men do. For some context on this statement, it was given to temple workers so it does apply to temples. Notice also that it mentions that in 20 years there would be great changes among the nations of the earth. In 20 years and one month from this statement, World War 1 broke out. With reference to the angels of destruction, it may be helpful to read D&C 38:11-12; 86:1-7 before reading this quotation:
When I have the vision of night opened continually before my eyes, and can see the mighty judgments that are about to be poured out upon this world, when I know these things are true, and are at the door of Jew and Gentile; while I know they are true, and while I am holding this position before God, and this world, can I withhold my voice from lifting up a warning to this people, and to the nations of the earth. Over the millions of people on this earth, there hands a cloud of darkness almost entirely upon their shoulders. Can you tell me where the people are who will be shielded and protected from these great calamities and judgments which are even now at our doors? I’ll tell you. The Priesthood of God, who honor their Priesthood, and who are worthy of their blessings, are the only ones who shall have their safety and protection. They are the only mortal beings. No other people have a right to be shielded from these judgments. They are at our very doors; not even this people will escape them entirely. They will come down like the judgments of Sodom and Gomorrah. And none but the Priesthood will be safe from their fury.
God had held the angels for many years lest they should reap down the wheat with the tares. But I want to tell you now, those angels have left the portals of heaven, and they stand over this people and this nation now, and are hovering over the earth waiting to pour out the judgments. And from this very day they shall be poured out. Calamities and troubles are increasing in the earth, and there is a meaning to these things. Remember this, and reflect upon these matters. If you do your duty, and I do my duty, we shall have protection, and shall pass through the afflictions in peace and safety. Read the Scriptures and Revelations. They will tell you about these things. Great changes are at our doors. The next twenty years will see mighty changes among the nations of the earth. You will live to see these things whether I do or not. I have felt oppressed with the weight of these matters, and I felt I must speak of them here. It is by the power of the Gospel we shall escape. (The Signs of the Times, pp. 97-99.) Meeting with temple workers, June 1894. World War I broke out in July 1914.
When I have the vision of night opened continually before my eyes, and can see the mighty judgments that are about to be poured out upon this world, when I know these things are true, and are at the door of Jew and Gentile; while I know they are true, and while I am holding this position before God, and this world, can I withhold my voice from lifting up a warning to this people, and to the nations of the earth. Over the millions of people on this earth, there hands a cloud of darkness almost entirely upon their shoulders. Can you tell me where the people are who will be shielded and protected from these great calamities and judgments which are even now at our doors? I’ll tell you. The Priesthood of God, who honor their Priesthood, and who are worthy of their blessings, are the only ones who shall have their safety and protection. They are the only mortal beings. No other people have a right to be shielded from these judgments. They are at our very doors; not even this people will escape them entirely. They will come down like the judgments of Sodom and Gomorrah. And none but the Priesthood will be safe from their fury.
God had held the angels for many years lest they should reap down the wheat with the tares. But I want to tell you now, those angels have left the portals of heaven, and they stand over this people and this nation now, and are hovering over the earth waiting to pour out the judgments. And from this very day they shall be poured out. Calamities and troubles are increasing in the earth, and there is a meaning to these things. Remember this, and reflect upon these matters. If you do your duty, and I do my duty, we shall have protection, and shall pass through the afflictions in peace and safety. Read the Scriptures and Revelations. They will tell you about these things. Great changes are at our doors. The next twenty years will see mighty changes among the nations of the earth. You will live to see these things whether I do or not. I have felt oppressed with the weight of these matters, and I felt I must speak of them here. It is by the power of the Gospel we shall escape. (The Signs of the Times, pp. 97-99.) Meeting with temple workers, June 1894. World War I broke out in July 1914.
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