The Temple

I have to admit I got lazy, no Monday message last week or the week before. Sometimes when I get a lot on my mind it is hard to focus on anything other than negativity. I have been having a hard time focusing on my daily scripture reading and listening to various talks. So any way this is my attempt at getting back on track.
    
     Last weekend my wife and I attended the Temple over in Langley with some of the dearest people in our hearts. For me it was an absolutely incredible experience, I'm not sure I can properly describe it. I found myself at complete peace, I fully expected to be nervous and a little bit weirded out but I made up my mind at the door to check all my hesitations and to let the Spirit guide me.
     I will say that the temple worker assigned to me was a super big help and of course my escort was simply amazing. Both of these individuals made my experience inside the temple really unforgettable. I just loved that the Spirit was so strong inside and how beautiful and peaceful
It was.
    Leading up to our Temple trip we went through prep classes, these were to ensure we were on the right track to understand the significant meaning and that all of the ordinances performed inside were of a sacred and symbolic nature. These classes do not go into great detail on the temple ordinances but they are explained as very symbolic and that these are the same "rituals" from ancient times. Some of the ordinances performed inside include washing and anointing and special instructions. There are also baptisms, but not for us, more for our ancestors, there is also what we call an endowment ceremony. The endowment ceremony really was something special, if you go through the Temple for the first time it may seem confusing but if you really let the spirit take over and guide you it is easy to understand the symbolism. Again I will not give details about these sacred ordinances, I could not do it justice anyway. Endowed members wear what we call garments, these are worn next to our skin, some call it Mormon  underwear, but garments is what we prefer. Look at it like this, monks wear their robes at all times, there are prayer caps and robes in various other religions, priests in many Christian faiths wear a white collar. All of these are symbolic in nature and also sacred, they are reminders of the covenants we make both before we enter the temple and new ones we make inside the Temple. It is impossible to learn everything all at once, it is therefore recommended to attend the Temple often, as often as circumstances permit. The Temple is a place of learning and we must attend regularly in order to learn as much as we possibly can.

     Perhaps my favorite part of my first Temple trip was the sealing ordinance. Although I have been married to my wife for 17 years we were sealed in the Temple, this is a very significant ordinance and seals us together for all of time and eternity, how cool is that. No longer are we only married until death do us part, we are married for all time and eternity.

When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (Matthew 16:13–19.)
I love that the sealing power has been restored to us on earth, it really  truly gives us that assurance that families are forever.
     I could go on and on about the Temple but I really believe everyone needs to witness it first hand. It is my testimony that if you leave all of your inhibitions at the door and truly let the Spirit envelope you, go with the amazing peacefulness in the Temple and enjoy the time there you will be blessed immensely.  If you will accept the revelation concerning temple ordinance work and if you will enter into our covenants with whole heartfelt truth the Lord will protect us. We will receive inspiration sufficient for the challenges of life.
The work relating to the temples is true. It was revealed from beyond the veil and revelation continues.
Revelation may come to each of us individually if we so desire with wholehearted faith and accepting the most sacred covenants with our Father in Heaven
I know this is true and I leave these thoughts with you in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ. amen.