There are a total of 143 LDS temples in operation around the world. There are 15 under construction (including one in Japan!). There are 12 more that have been announced and will be under construction in the near future. With so many temples, the question arises, "What's so special? What do you do there?" The temple is seen as a building of secrecy. A place just for members. Without paying your dues, you can't get in. Here's the truth: we want EVERYONE to come! Yes, you need to be an outstanding member of the church, but there isn't anything in the temple we aren't willing to share with everyone.
Multiple times-in the Bible, Book of Mormon, and other scripture-we are told that we learn and progress "line upon line; and precept upon precept." The idea behind the temple's restrictive attendance is based completely on this concept. We need to believe, and then we will develop faith. After we have faith, we see our wrongs and repent, then qualifying us for baptism. As we progress and learn, our faith strengthens and we find ourselves in a state where we are ready to learn what is taught in the temple. We learn about our potential and make more promises with God. I've mentioned the sealing ordinance in previous posts which results in the eternal unity of the subjected family. A promise is a two-party agreement, and God does not hold back.
When I go to the temple, I often learn new things about God's plan for our salvation and his expectations for me. I spend time pondering about the gospel, and take my questions with me to the temple, and more than once I've received rather specific answers. Last week I addressed the Holy Ghosts methods, and I've experienced each while in the temple. I've had a thought come to my head, I've heard something, and I've been led to the answer.
In ancient time, the prophets would commute to the temple, but on several occasions, when they wanted to talk to God, they went up to a mountain. Moses talked with God on the top of Mt. Sinai. Christ went with Peter, James, and John to the Mount of Transfiguration. Nephi received revelation on how to build his boat after a journey up a mountain to pray. The Brother of Jared saw the yet unborn Savior after praying on a high mountain. With this correlation in mind, Isaiah becomes a little easier to understand when he says, "Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths..." (Isaiah 2:3) The temple is the mountain of the Lord. First, it's usually built on top of hills or mountains. The Las Vegas temple is built right at the East edge of the valley with the mountains in its backyard. The Provo temple is built right next to mountains. The Tokyo temple is built around mountainous buildings. The mountain of the Lord is so important to me. The things I've learned have changed my outlook on the world and myself. The ordinances performed have benefited myself, and my family. Should we all follow the commandments given to us, we can live together forever, and I want nothing more than to live forever with my parents, siblings, children, grandchildren, etc.
If you ever get curious, remember we aren't trying to keep you out. We're trying harder to get you in.
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