Nephi, the brother of Jared, and Moses all climbed mountains to speak with God. Joseph Smith entered a grove of trees for the same purpose. We build temples to give us similar spaces, where our prayers may be more easily answered and where we can draw closer to God and be changed by Him.
The Endowment
An endowment is a special gift intended to sustain someone or something in perpetuity. In 1834, the Lord promised church members that they would be able to accomplish more after receiving an endowment of knowledge and power in His temple. This blessing is available to all of us in temples today.
Making and Keeping Appointments with God
Joseph Smith's annual visits with the angel enabled him to demonstrate his commitment to God. The anticipation of these visits surely blessed him throughout the year. We can also set and keep appointments to do things which bring us closer to God.
Sacred Spaces
After Nephi arrived in the promised land, he and his people built a temple. I imagine him being inspired by King David's deep desire to build a house of the Lord as expressed in some of his psalms. Sacred spaces can help us grow closer to God.
The Zeal of Thine House
Jesus felt strongly about treating the temple with reverence. When He drove out the moneychangers, His apostles remembered the words of David, "The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up." Our reverence for the temple reflects our reverence for God.
Return Unto Me | Malachi 3:7
In my previous role as a bishop, as each year ended, I was blessed to meet with families to discuss tithing. In those meetings I would share a brief thought, which typically included a reference to Malachi 3:8-12. One year, I focused my remarks on Malachi 3:10 wherein the Lord invites His people to “prove... Continue Reading →
The Mountain of the Lord’s House
Moses ascended a mountain to talk with the Lord. (See Exodus 19:20, Exodus 24:12, Exodus 34:4.) Elijah followed a similar pattern (1 Kings 19:8-9), as did Nephi (1 Nephi 11:1, 1 Nephi 17:7, 1 Nephi 18:3, 2 Nephi 4:25) and the brother of Jared (Ether 3:1). Jesus also "went up into a mountain apart to pray"... Continue Reading →
How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling-place
Based on: Psalm 84 Core message: Holy places on earth can prepare us to return to God's presence. Related Book of Mormon passage: Mosiah 2:41
We Love Thy House
Based on: Psalm 26 Core message: We long to be in sacred spaces because we look forward to being in God's presence. Related Book of Mormon passages: 2 Nephi 12, 2 Nephi 19:2-3
Josiah and Benjamin
Today I've been thinking about the parallels between two kings: Josiah, who reigned over Judah just before the Babylonian captivity (640-609 BCE), and Benjamin, who reigned over the Nephites about 500 years later. Both kings led their people in a spiritual reawakening. Here are some of their common experiences: ExperienceJosiahBenjaminInspired by the scripturesWas horrified when... Continue Reading →