Taught From On High

San Diego, California. Built in 1993.

When I was living in California, we would drive on the freeway that passed the San Diego temple quite frequently. You would be flying down the road, and there would be the temple! Apparently, it is so stunning to the drivers going by that there have been several accidents. No wonder! People used to ask us all the time if Disneyland was making an extension, because they thought it was another Disney princess castle. In a way, they were right, except that the temple was built for someone greater than a Disney princess! It was made for you and I.

Nauvoo, Illinois. The original was built in the 1840's.

Temples are built as a House of God here on earth. In biblical times as well as modern, God has commanded His children to build a House for Him on earth so that we can recieve all the blessings that He has to offer us through the proper priesthood authority. In the temple, we make covenants with our Heavenly Father. Jeffery R. Holland has explained,

Salt Lake City, Utah. Dedicated in 1893.

"Covenants are binding, supernal, consummate contracts between God and his children. They are the solemn promises of Deity- a God who always keeps his word- that heaven will pour out unmeasured blessings upon all who are faithful and honor the conditions of their pledge. An individual can swear an oath, but only when God reciprocates in kind is a covenant established."

-Jeffery R. Holland

Without the blessings of the temple, we would be unable to reach all the "unmeasured blessings" that our Father in Heaven has for us. Through covenants, we are able to attain the glory that lies in store for us as children of God.

Suva, Fiji. Dedicated in 2000.

In reading the Book of Mormon, we can learn some very important lessons about the temple. In a city called Zerahemla, King Benjamin called his people together to speak to them. They gathered, as families, at the base of the temple they had built.

"And it came to pass that when they came up to the temple, they pitched their tents round about, every man according to his family...And they pitched their tents round about the temple, every man having his tent with the door thereof towards the temple, that thereby they might remain in their tents and hear the words which king Benjamin should speak unto them..."

-Mosiah 2: 5-6 (Here is the link for the full discourse of King Benjamin. Fantastic read! https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/2?lang=eng)

Bern, Switzerland. Dedicated in 1955 and again in 1992.

I think it is interesting how specific their location is recorded. Every single family that came to listen had their tent facing the temple. Not slightly to the left to keep the sun out of their eyes, or to the side in order to talk to their neighbor about what they hear, but directly facing the temple. It was right there in front of them! As they were being taught by a servant of God, they could be right in the shadow of the House of God. What an amazing reminder of the importance of God in our lives!

That is how it needs to be in our lives today. It needs to be a focus in our lives, despite everything else that is going on around us. The greatest blessings that we can receive here on earth from God are found in the temple. What reason could we find good enough to rationalize not receiving those blessings? Our journey to the temple isn't completed once, but over and over again to continue to learn and grow. 

Quetzaltenango Guatemala. Dedicated in 2011

Rome, Italy. Currently under construction.

Make the time to attend the temple. If you don't make the time, you won't have the time- Satan will make sure of that. If you don't have a recommend, just go out and sit on the grounds. They are just as dedicated as the inside of the building. Bring your scriptures with you! If you can go inside, go inside and do the work for those that have passed on. The blessings of the temple include strength, and I testify that strength will come to those that have often temple attendance. It will help you to feel closer to God and feel more strongly the desire that He has for all His children, including you, to return to live with Him. It will give you strength to overcome the temptations of this world, for in the words of Paul the apostle,

"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

-Romans 8: 31 

Dallas, Texas. Dedicated in 1984.