A Sure Foundation, Part 5

Our chief corner stone gave some of His authority and power to us to help us be able to return home. "Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest. And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh; For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live" (D&C 84:20-22). Without the ordinances of the priesthood, we cannot return and remain in the presence of God. The priesthood ordinances culminate in the temple, which buildings have sure foundations and strong corner stones. Temples are houses of the Lord and symbolic of Him. They are the places where we can firmly anchor ourselves to the Savior. Temples are places where we can learn of the Savior's great care for us; we who are His fruit in the vineyard.

Temples provide a foundation for us, connecting earth and heaven. They are places of holiness where we can suspend our worries, concerns, and cares of this life and focus on eternal things. Pres. Ezra Taft Benson asked these questions about temple worship: "Do we periodically participate in all of the temple ordinances and thus receive the full blessings of vicarious work for our ancestors? Do we return to the temple often to receive the personal blessings that come from regular temple worship? Prayers are answered, revelation occurs, and instruction by the Spirit takes place in the holy temples of the Lord" (May 1988 Ensign). Temples and temple worship should be a foundation in our lives.

In April 1993, Pres. Thomas S. Monson spoke in General Conference about the temple and its importance in our lives:

"On another occasion, President Benson instructed us: 'Sometimes in the peace of lovely temples, the serious problems of life find their solutions. [At times] pure knowledge flows to us there under the influence of the Spirit.' Said he: 'I am grateful to the Lord for temples. The blessings of the House of the Lord are eternal. They are of the highest importance to us because it is in the temples that we obtain God’s greatest blessings pertaining to eternal life. Temples really are the gateways to heaven.' He said: 'May we remember always, as we [visit and work in these glorious temples], that the veil may become very thin between this world and the spirit world. I know this is true.' He declared, 'It is well also that we keep in mind that it is all one great program on both sides of the veil and it is not too important whether we serve here or over there, as long as we serve with all our heart, might, mind, and strength.'"

Link to part 4 of this essay.