Wednesday, August 10, 2011

The House of the Lord

 “[The temple]…is a creation of beauty— A symbol of strength A haven of peace A sanctuary of service A school of instruction A place of revelation A fountain of truth A house of covenants A temple of God.

“Inside the temple a… sense of peace is experienced. The world is left behind with its clamor and rush. In the house of the Lord there is tranquility. Those who serve here know that they are dealing with matters of eternity. All are dressed in white. Speech is subdued. Thoughts are elevated.

“This is a sanctuary of service….

“[The temple is] a school of instruction in the sweet and sacred things of God. Here we have outlined the plan of a loving Father in behalf of His sons and daughters of all generations. Here we have sketched before us the odyssey of man’s eternal journey from premortal existence 

“The temple is… a place of personal inspiration and revelation. Legion are those who in times of stress, when difficult decisions must be made and perplexing problems must be handled, have come to the temple in a spirit of fasting and prayer to seek divine direction. Many have testified that while voices of revelation were not heard, impressions concerning a course to follow were experienced at that time or later which became answers to their prayers.

“[The] temple is a fountain of eternal truth…Here are taught those truths which are divine in their substance and eternal in their implications.

“For those who enter these walls, this house becomes a house of covenants. Here we promise, solemnly and sacredly, to live the gospel of Jesus Christ in its finest expression. We covenant with God our Eternal Father to live those principles which are the bedrock of all true religion.

“This is a temple of God. The entablature on its face declares “Holiness to the Lord—The House of the Lord.” The first phrase of this statement is a declared recognition of the Almighty and a pledge of holiness and reverence before Him. The second is a statement of ownership. This is His house….

“And here I have entered to do that for which this house was designed, always leaving a better man than I was when I entered.

“So it has been with countless thousands of those who have come to…[the] temple where is felt the divine love of the Redeemer of the world." (Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Salt Lake Temple” Ensign, March 1993)

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