Why We Believe In Temple Worship~

Last Week we were thrilled to go to the L.D.S. Tabernacle to attend the 30th year celebration of the Jordan River Temple. Many years ago, we bought a piece of property right next to where they were building this temple. We looked forward to being able to build a home there in anticipation of living right next door.  Regretfully, that didn't happen. We ended up moving to another area and had to sell the property in order to purchase a home. I still treasure memories of holding a family home evening on that empty property as we bore testimony to our children of our love for the temples.

Due to the present politics going on in the nation and controversy over our beliefs; our temple worship has been under scrutiny.  We ourselves believe that we are true Christians and thus followers of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Our name is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The following is a few thoughts on our beliefs about temples and what we learn by being in the temple.
The L.D.S. Temple for me is my favorite place to be, my favorite date, and my favorite family event. As a temple worker now I love going and helping in the temple. It's like a dream come true that we now live just 2.6 miles from the Jordan River Temple.
 As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints we believe that as spirit children of our Heavenly Father that we lived with him in what we term the pre-existence. There we prepared for our sojourn on earth. We come to earth to gain a body and to prove ourselves through the exercise of our agency to choose good verses evil. One of our main goals while here is to embrace the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The core of our belief is faith in Jesus Christ and his atonement.
We believe all of Heavenly Father's spirit children that have been born on the earth will have an opportunity to except or reject the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is why we do temple work, first for ourselves and then for our ancestors. This is also why we do missionary work; to teach others of our beliefs.The Temple is a sacred place and here we make sacred covenants with our Heavenly Father. In the temple we learn further about the Plan of Salvation. We provide for the dead, ordinances such as baptism and etc. These ordinances will bring each person who has ever lived the blessings of the temple if they accept. After this life; we believe that those who did not have the gospel while on the earth will be taught in the spirit world and have the opportunity to accept or reject these saving ordinances. We believe in being married and sealed not for just earth life; but for eternity. We believe in eternal marriage and families.

Here are a few thoughts that came to my mind while listening to the various speakers for this Temple Devotional. For us the temple is an oasis in the desert of the world. It is a place to learn about the Plan of Salvation and the Atonement of Jesus Christ. There is protection in the Covenants made. Through frequent attendance at the temple we can see more clearly our priorities of life and find answers to our prayers.There is great peace and solace and spiritual healing within the walls of the temple. God does heal the broken heart. The Eternal covenant of Marriage and families become our focused goal. Being in the temple brings us closer to Heaven on Earth.
Here is a video presentation of the inside of some of our temples. Before a temple is dedicated we hold open houses where anyone may come and walk through the temple and learn more about our beliefs.

We believe in preparing spiritually for the Temple~

Here is " A Ten Point Plan "by Joe G. Christensen

 1.Read the scriptures daily

              2.Fervent and sincere daily prayers

 3. Fast meaningfully

 4. Retire Early and Arise Early

 5. Be of good cheer

 6. Work Hard

 7. Overcome pride

 8. Love everyone and express your love often

 9. Become one...(D&C 38: 27)

10. Share your testimony often

Here are other articles on the temple:

 Why we build temples~

Temples are places of Learning ~

Ensign -Special Oct. 2010 Issue on Temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints~