Happy Sunday
Today we went to the temple dedication for the Provo Temple. We went to the open house with the kids a few weeks ago and were in amazement, as we walked the halls, at how beautiful it was. Everything was done in beautiful wood work and domed arches as you enter into each room. Originally a tabernacle, it caught fire and was mostly destroyed. Then, it was restored and reborn as a temple of God.
Elder Holland referred to it as the Phoenix ( this image brought up the scene in Harry Potter where at the end of its life, the bird goes up in flames, and in the ashes turns into a baby bird-reborn-new life)
We got to take Tavin with us to the dedication at our stake center-as all who are 8 years old and older could go. He asked questions through out and I was happy to know he was listening:) One talk in particular that touched my heart was about Temple recommends and being worthy at all times to have one. He told a number of short stories to make his point clear that Temple recommends are essential and of the greatest value:
A woman diagnosed with cancer and only given a few weeks to live-she could not leave her hospital bed-but pleaded with her LDS doctor to please bring the bishop of her ward to her bedside to renew her temple recommend as it had expired during her stay at the hospital and she did not want to be without one. The doctor, bishop, and woman all knew that she would never attend the temple again in this life but fulfilled her righteous desire to interview and give her one. She new how important the temple and being worthy was.
Another story related the account of Elder Tom Perry as a young man-he and his family moved to a new area and he and his father were assigned to Home teach an inactive sister in their ward. They were told that she did not open the door for anyone she did not know or who she did not recognize their voice. They new it would probably be a challenge but they went anyway. After they knocked on the door, they heard her say, "who is it?" He promptly replied "Tom Perry and my father-we are new to your area and have been assigned as your new home teachers." She paused for a moment and then said, "slip your temple recommend under the door then so I know you are telling the truth."
The speaker related this to our death and passing, standing outside the gates to heaven and knocking, the person on the other side of the door says "who is it?" We answer with out name and the angel states, "please slip your temple recommend under the door for me to see." If we are unprepared and unworthy-not holding a recommend- we will not be able to enter the kingdom of Heaven. If we are unworthy here on earth to hold a temple recommend and enter the house of the Lord, what makes us think we can enter the house of the Lord in Heaven?
He mentioned that a temple recommend is real estate insurance or our Mansion in Heaven:) And he reminded us that we will be unable to take with us any earthly possession but that we will be able to take with us: knowledge that we obtain on this earth, our eternal families, and our worthiness to enter the Lords house-our temple recommend.
He closed by saying that we do not want to be caught unprepared for the final exam! Many of us have had that nightmare in our sleep of some test or other in our learning years. The fear of not studying as we should and not passing. We don't want to make that dream a reality in preparation for eternity. Death bed repentance is an attempt at cramming for the final exam. Look at a temple recommend as a A+ you earned on earth for being prepared and worthy for the kingdom of God or a diploma with high honors you work hard for. Do not wait- like the saying states "It is already too late to fatten the Hog on the day of the state fair."
Consider the well known CTR-choose the right- and also think of it in this way: Currently Worthy of a Temple Recommend.
I want to always be worthy to hold a place in Gods kingdom and his House-the Temple. I am drawn to it and yearn to be there. I feel his peace and love like I never have before. It once was something I was uncomfortable with and hesitant about, but now I find joy in the time I get to spend there and the service I render in others behalf. I have found answers there and know of the truths talked about.
