Why I Love The Temple

Salt Lake Temple Celestial Room

The temple of the Lord has always been a very sacred and holy place to me. The most important doctrines of the priesthood I have learned in the temple. There are some things I'd like to share with you, to the point they can be shared outside of the temple.

If you only remember one thing that I share with you, it would be that you fully understand that the temple is an experience of symbolism. Everything we do and say in the temple is symbolic in one form or another. 

The moment you walk through the front door of the temple the symbolic journey begins. The greeters (Sentinels, Angels) at the doors, the brethren (Gatekeepers) at the recommend desk, the temple workers (Ministering Angels) throughout the temple who help you along, the chapel (Waiting area), the washing and anointings (Spiritual Cleansing and Spiritual Anointing), the endowment rooms (Our progressive trip through this world and the worlds to come), the Celestial Room (The place where Gods live), the sealing rooms (Kneeing before God, Angels and Witnesses), all play a very important part of our learning and progressive process.

Just as the people in old testament times made animal sacrifices in a symbolic representation of the sacrifice of the Savior, we likewise take and perform many symbolic actions and gestures in the temple, symbolic of our journey through this earth life into the life that Gods live.

Let me share a few important aspects of the temple experience that we should ponder and think about. Before we enter into the Celestial Room, we must past through a symbolic doorway. As with any door, it requires that we knock. We must take the progressive action or initiate the process of knocking. It is a requirement of our agency.

King Knocking

In regards to knocking, I think it is interesting that this process or action is known in other ceremonies. The Egyptians practiced something very similar to our knocking. When the king enters the sanctuary for the first time, at the completion of the temple, he performs an act exactly resembling what is done in our temples, he knocks three times on the door with a white mace, then enters into the sacred area of the temple. 

The Pope of the Catholic Church, on the Jubilee years (every 25 years), carries out a rite when he knocks three times with a golden hammer on the holy door, or holy gate, of St Peter's Basilica in Rome, to symbolicly gain entrance into the Holy of Holies of God's temple.

Interesting how these sacred rites make it down through time, and then become pagan because they have lost the revelatory communication to keep them correct and pure.

In the Doctrine and Covenants section 89, with those that keep the Word of Wisdom, they receive the promise "shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones." This exact phrase is also repeated in the temple. If we ponder about the use of this phrase, both in section 89 and in the temple, we should develop a greater understanding of its significance and meaning. 

Section 89, in addition to being known as the Lord's law of health (Think of it not only as a physical thing, but a spiritual one), is purposely called the "Word of Wisdom." Why is it called the Word of Wisdom? Because it's promises not only give us the promise of good health, but also "wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures." Even a promise that the "destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them."

Now think about why the phrase of referring to naval and marrow are mentioned in the 89th section of the Doctrine and Covenants, and also in the temple. It is because the Lord is giving us some clues into the deep meaning of this phrase as it is used in the temple ceremony. So ponder it over, and think about a deeper meaning of wisdom, knowledge and hidden treasures. The Spirit will help you develop a greater understanding of this important temple key.

As we view the temple film, don't see it as literal, but symbolic. From the creation or organization of this earth, the actions of Adam and Eve, and the expelling them from the presence of God, are all symbolic in nature. We, you and I, are symbolically Adam and Eve. This film is a movie of our Gospel progression from our Pre-mortal existence, to Earth life, into our living the life that God lives.

There is so much more to share. Perhaps, we can talk about some of these things later. So next time you attend the temple, observe everything as a symbol, and ask "how does that symbol pertain to me and God's plan. The Lord wants you to know more, and through His Spirit, you will.

Love,

Dad

Ministering of Angels Revisited

Over this last year, I have shared with you some special experiences I have had with the gift of the ministering of angels. Because of this gift, I have gained greater insight into the work, actions and conditions that exist on this earth on the other side of the veil.  It is a very busy and well organized work. Our kindred spirits are very much a part of our lives every single day. (Please do not share this with anyone outside of our immediate family, and you should follow the spirit when sharing it with family members)

I wanted to revisit this topic and renew some insights from me and some of our Church leadership on the topic.

Who are these ministering angels?

By revelation Joseph Smith learned that "there are no angels who minister to this earth but those who do belong or have belonged to it." (D&C 130:5)

Joseph F. Smith observed that when messengers are sent to minister to the inhabitants of this earth, they are not strangers, but from the ranks of our kindred, friends, and fellow-beings and fellow-servants.

Harold B. Lee said, "Sometimes we think the whole job is up to us, forgetful that there are loved ones beyond our sight who are thinking about us and our children."

Why are they among us?

Joseph F. Smith stated, "I believe we move and have our being in the presence of heavenly messengers and of heavenly beings. We are not separated from them... I claim that we live in their presence, they see us, they are solicitous for our welfare, they love us now more han ever. For now they see the dangers that beset us; they can comprehend better than ever before, the weaknesses that are liable to mislead us into dark and forbidden paths. They see the temptations and the evils that beset us in life, and the proneness of mortal beings to yield to temptation and to wrong doing; hence their solicitude for us and their love for us and their desire four our well being must be greater than that which we feel for ourselves."

Ezra Taft Benson taught, "Visitors, seen and unseen, from the world beyond, are often close to us. This is part of eternity which we are living today--part of God's plan. There is no veil to the Lord."

How do they communicate?

Elder Dallin H. Oaks has taught, "The ministering of angels can also be unseen. Angelic messages can be delivered by a voice or merely by thoughts or feelings communicated to the mind.

The Book of Mormon is filled with examples of ministering angels, including those that visited Nephi (1 Nephi 11:14), King Benjamin (Mosiah 3:2), Alma the younger (Mosiah 27:10-11; Alma 8:14), Amulek (Alma 10:7), Samuel the Lamanite (Helaman 13:7), Nephi the disciple of the Lord (3 Npehi 7:17-18), and others.

Impressions I have received and things I have learned in regards to the conditions and organization of the Spirit World and the ministering of angels:

• They receive callings and assignments, and are changed from time to time.
• They have callings in the temples, our Wards, our home and our work.
• Those assigned to us are related or connected in some way.
• They are under strict rules as to what they can say and do.
• They consistently give the same counsel, to live the commandments, listen to the still small voice, and to obey your thoughts and impressions.
• They sometimes are referred to under different names, like their "new name."
• They immediately leave when we have unclean or impure thoughts.
• There are usually more than one assigned to work with us. Usually many.
• They know us better than we know ourselves. They know our great potential and are constantly encouraging us to grow into that potential.
• They revere us and are highly respectful of our earthly mission.
• Their organization is multi-leveled, all the way to the Father and the Son. They cannot do anything that is not in strict adherence to the Father's will.
• The communication in the Spirit World and with us is through the mind, through thoughts and impressions.
• Their mode of movement and transportation is immediate and in an instant.
• They can see into the future and the past, but are careful on what they communicate to us. They can only communicate those things that are allowed by the Father.
• There is an immense feeling of love and kindness amongst the spirits.
• There are two classes of angels: Those that are with the Father, and those that are with Satan.
• There is a constant war going on from these two classes of spirits for our souls.
• As we live the commandments and listen to the Spirit, Satan's angels withdraw themselves and are bound, and cannot influence us, and we are encircled with more ministering angels. As we don't live the commandments and don't follow the Spirit, Satan's angels are unleashed in greater numbers with us, and ministering angels withdraw themselves.
• When we are involved in family history work or temple work, we have kindred spirits who are assigned to assist us in this work. They will help us when we ask for their help. Hence the scripture that the "hearts of the fathers are turned to their children."
• Our temples are full to capacity of spirits from beyond the veil. There are assigned temple workers and participants who work 24/7 in this work in every single temple in the Church.
• Sometimes they will protect us from harm and sometimes they are not allowed to interfere. They have to follow the will of the Father in this area.
• When we finally die and go to the other side of the veil, we will be amazed how many times our lives were saved from harm but never realized it. 

I can add a lot more, but this gives you some good foundational information about how, why and where ministering angels work.

The Lord wants to bless us with the gifts of the spirit. We should seek them in our lives. As it says in the Doctrine and Covenants 46:8-26:

8 Wherefore, beware lest ye are deceived; and that ye may not be deceived ^aseek ye earnestly the best gifts, always remembering for what they are given;

 9 For verily I say unto you, they are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all my commandments, and him that seeketh so to do; that all may be benefited that seek or that ask of me, that ask and not for a ^asign that they may ^bconsume it upon their lusts.

 10 And again, verily I say unto you, I would that ye should always remember, and always retain in your ^aminds what those ^bgifts are, that are given unto the church.

 11 For all have not every ^agift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God.

 12 To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby.

 13 To some it is given by the ^aHoly Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world.

 14 To others it is given to ^abelieve on their words, that they also might have eternal life if they continue faithful.

 15 And again, to some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know the^adifferences of administration, as it will be pleasing unto the same Lord, according as the Lord will, suiting his ^bmercies according to the conditions of the children of men.

 16 And again, it is given by the Holy Ghost to some to know the diversities of operations, whether they be of God, that the manifestations of the ^aSpirit may be given to every man to profit withal.

 17 And again, verily I say unto you, to some is given, by the Spirit of God, the word of ^awisdom.

 18 To another is given the word of ^aknowledge, that all may be taught to be wise and to have knowledge.

 19 And again, to some it is given to have ^afaith to be healed;

 20 And to others it is given to have faith to ^aheal.

 21 And again, to some is given the working of ^amiracles;

 22 And to others it is given to ^aprophesy;

 23 And to others the ^adiscerning of spirits.

 24 And again, it is given to some to speak with ^atongues;

 25 And to another is given the interpretation of tongues.

 26 And all these ^agifts come from God, for the benefit of the^bchildren of God.

I hope that you will strive to seek for these gifts, that God my bless you. He wants you to have them. You won't have all of them right now, but can receive many.

Love,

Dad

What's our Eternal Goal?

In Moses 1:39 the Lord said to Moses, "For behold, this is my work and my glory--to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."

The Lord has already given us the gift of immortality through his rising from the tomb and his resurrection. The 2nd part of his statement "eternal life of man" will come to us all, conditionally through our obedience. So just what is eternal life? It is the life that God lives. It is the promise we have to become God's and Godess's, to have all that the Father has.

In a sermon that Joseph Smith gave during the funeral of Elder King Follet, he said "God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens!"

To me this is a wonderful doctrine to think of our Heavenly Father having gone through the same experiences we are now going through. He fully understands our challenges and trials because He has been there once before. During another time and on another earth, he was born into a world, was baptized, received His endowments and worked out His salvation, just as we are doing so now. Knowing this should give us great hope and confidence to know, no matter how hard the way, we can achieve all that the Father has achieved. He lead the way and set the example.

In the 84th section of the Doctrine and Covenants, verse 38 indicates that we can have all that the Father has, "...all that my Father hath shall be given unto him." This is according to the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood.

This eternal goal is not a singular one. It requires two, a husband and a wife. There are no single Gods in the heaven. In order to receive all that the Father has means that we receive our exaltation together, as husband and wife.

In D&C 132:19, 20 it says:

And again, verily I say unto you, if a man ^amarry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and ^beverlasting covenant, and it is ^csealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of ^dpromise, by him who is anointed, unto whom I have appointed this power and the^ekeys of this priesthood; and it shall be said unto them—Ye shall come forth in the first resurrection; and if it be after the first resurrection, in the next resurrection; and shall inherit ^fthrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths—then shall it be written in the Lamb’s ^gBook of Life, that he shall commit no ^hmurder whereby to shed innocent ⁱblood, and if ye abide in my covenant, and commit no murder whereby to shed innocent blood, it shall be done unto them in all things whatsoever my servant hath put upon them, in time, and through all eternity; and shall be of full force when they are out of the world; and they shall pass by the angels, and the gods, which are set there, to their ^jexaltation and glory in all things, as hath been sealed upon their heads, which glory shall be a fulness and a continuation of the ^kseeds forever and ever.

 20 Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from ^aeverlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be ^bgods, because they have^call power, and the angels are subject unto them.

A "continuation of the seeds" means that we will produce spirit children, provide a plan of salvation, create an earth, and send our spirit children down to it, just as our Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother did for us. Isn't that a wonderful thing to look forward to?  It seems hard to comprehend. None the less, it is the promise that the Father has given to each of us.

It is important that we work together, as husband and wife, working out our differences, to achieve this wonderful promise. It is not easy. It is a life-long process of growing and enduring, of loving and giving together.

Moroni best explained the personal attributes that we need to achieve the Father's promise when he described charity - it "suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth  all things, endureth all things." (Moroni 7:45)

As we take upon these attributes, together we will receive the promise of the Father, to have all that the Father has, that is, eternal life.

Love,

Dad