Lesson 3: Temple Work Brings Blessing into our Lives Now and Forever

 Lesson 3: Temple Work Brings Blessing into our Lives Now and Forever 

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/endowed-from-on-high/lesson-3?lang=eng

What temples do we know about in ancient times?

Moses’ tabernacle: Exodus 40:1–2, 34–38

Solomon’s temple: 2 Chronicles 3:1–2; 2 Chronicles 5:1

Herod’s temple: Matthew 21:12–15

Nephite temples: 2 Nephi 5:16; Mosiah 1:18; 3 Nephi 11:1

Elder Bruce R. McConkie said: “The inspired erection and proper use of temples is one of the great evidences of the divinity of the Lord’s work. … Where there are temples, with the spirit of revelation resting upon those who administer therein, there the Lord’s people will be found; where these are not, the Church and kingdom and the truth of heaven are not” (Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. [1966], 781).

Through making and keeping temple covenants, we will receive many blessings from the Lord.

Many blessings the Lord wants us receive are mentioned in Doctrine and Covenants 109, which was a dedicatory prayer of the Kirtland temple. The words of this prayer were given to Joseph Smith by revelation.

President Howard W. Hunter said that this prayer “continues to be answered upon us individually, upon us as families, and upon us as a people because of the priesthood power the Lord has given us to use in His holy temples” (“The Great Symbol of Our Membership,” Ensign, Oct. 1994, 4).

Look for the promises made by the Lord to us in the following  verses: 

Doctrine and Covenants 109:10–12, 22–23, 59, 67, 72, 75.

Here is a list of some of the blessings that are names in the above verses:

1. The Lord’s glory will be upon His people.
2. The Lord’s servants will leave the temple with the Lord’s power, name, and glory, and angels will have charge over them.
3. The Lord’s servants will take the truth of the gospel from the temple to the ends of the earth.
4. Stakes will be organized so that the Lord’s people may be gathered.
5. All of scattered Israel will learn the truth and rejoice.
6. The families of the Saints and all of their sick and afflicted will be remembered before the Lord.
7. The Lord’s kingdom will fill the whole earth.
8. The Lord’s servants will someday be caught up to meet the Lord and will be with Him forever.

Joseph Smith, the prophet of the restoration, was giving much responsibility in setting up the Lord’s Church again on the earth. That included the building of temples, where covenants are made, endowments are received and sealings are performed.

President Howard W. Hunter also said: “Has there ever been a people with such stirring and wonderful promises! No wonder the Lord desires that His followers point themselves toward His example and toward His temples” (Ensign, Oct. 1994, 5).

More promises from the Lord concerning temples are found in Doctrine and Covenants 97.

Doctrine and Covenants 97:15–21 teach us what we should do to qualify for the Lord’s blessings given in His temples. (We should enter the temples cleansed from sin and with pure hearts.)

Verses 15–21 teach us of the blessings that are promised to us as we attend the temple, becoming pure in heart, and helping to build Zion?

The Prophet Enoch and his people repented and became so pure that their city became known as the city of Zion. They were so pure, that their whole city was taken up to heaven because of their faith and personal righteousness (see D&C 38:4; Moses 7:18–21, 69).

We are in the process of building Zion now. In these last days, Israel is being gathered to lands of their inheritance and to the stakes of Zion as they become members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In the Lord’s time in the Latter-days, a city named Zion will be built upon the American continent (see  D&C 103:11–13).

The 10^th Article of Faith (see Articles of Faith) states:

We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.

The latter-day missionary work that invites all to come to Jesus Christ, have faith in Him, repent, be baptized, and receive the Holy Ghost is essential to the gathering of Israel and the building up of Zion. Temple building and worship, along with the saving ordinances and binding covenants made for both the living and the dead are also essential components of the gathering of Israel, building up Zion, and preparing the world for the Second Coming of our Savior Jesus Christ.

If we are among those who make and keep temple covenants and try to become pure in heart and do the Lord’s will, He will give us so many opportunities to help to build Zion.

We make sacred covenants in the temple, and then we need to work on keeping them in our homes and everywhere we may be. So how can we work on making our own homes more like the temple? How can we make them places of purity, love, and revelation? How can we help those around us in Christ-like ways?

The Lord is ready to give us more blessings as we go to the temple to make covenants with Him, and as we go back again to help others make those same covenants and join in worship. As we live our covenants and are active in His Church, the Lord will help to purify our desires and our hearts; and we will be helping to build up Zion and preparing the world for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.