The LDS Daily WOOL Home Page
8/9/97
Frequent temple attendance, as our circumstances allow, is another way to
keep our spiritual windows clean. Worship in the house of the Lord will
keep our view of what matters most clear and sharp, focused crisply, and
free from the dust of the world. — Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, General
Conference, October 1995
8/10/97
We again emphasize the personal blessings of temple worship and the
sanctity and safety that are provided within those hallowed walls. It is
the house of the Lord, a place of revelation and of peace. As we attend
the temple, we learn more richly and deeply the purpose of life and the
significance of the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us
make the temple, with temple worship and temple covenants and temple
marriage, our ultimate earthly goal and the supreme mortal experience. —
Pres. Howard W. Hunter, General Conference, October 1994
8/11/97
John A. Widtsoe wrote: "I believe that the busy person on the farm, in the
shop, in the office, or in the household, who has his worries and
troubles, can solve his problems better and more quickly in the house of
the Lord than anywhere else. If he will ... [do] the temple work for
himself and for his dead, he will confer a mighty blessing upon those who
have gone before, and ... a blessing will come to him, for at the most
unexpected moments, in or out of the temple will come to him, as a
revelation, the solution of the problems that vex his life. That is the
gift that comes to those who enter the temple properly" ("Temple Worship,"
The-Utah Genealogical and Historical Magazine, Apr. 1921, pp. 63-64). —
Elder David B. Haight, General Conference, October 1990
8/12/97
When we go to the temple because we want to go and not because it is an
obligation; when we go with an attitude of worship and a reverence for God
and for His son Jesus Christ, and with gratitude for the Savior's
sacrifice; when we spend sufficient time to leave the cares of the world
outside, wonderful things happen which cannot be described. The Spirit of
the Lord distills upon one's soul in these holy houses, truly the most
sacred places on earth. A new perception comes into focus of who we are,
of what this life is really about, of the opportunities of eternal life,
and of our relationship with the Savior. — Bishop Victor L. Brown, General
Conference, October 1989
8/13/97
Elder John A. Widtsoe made this remarkable statement: "When the history of
human thought shall be written from the point of view of temple worship,
it may well be found that temples and the work done in them have been the
dominating influence in shaping human thought from the beginning of the
race. Even today," he continued, "political controversies are as nothing
in determining the temper of a people, as compared with religious
sentiments and convictions, especially as practiced in the temples of the
people." ("Temple Worship," p. 52.) The salvation of our Heavenly Father's
children from Adam and Eve to the present generation is the most important
work in time and eternity. Our joy--or our disappointment in the
eternities may hinge on our willing participation in this great latter-day
work. — Elder David B. Haight, General Conference, April 1993
8/14/97
Do we return to the temple often to receive the personal blessings that
come from regular temple worship? Prayers are answered, revelation occurs,
and instruction by the Spirit takes place in the holy temples of the Lord.
— President Ezra Taft Benson, General Conference, April 1988
8/15/97
The holy endowment is deeply symbolic. "Going through the temple" is not a
very good phrase; for temple worship implies a great effort of mind and
concentration if we are to understand the mighty symbols that pass in
review before us. Everything must be arranged to attune our hearts, our
minds, and our souls to the work. Everything about us must contribute to
the peace of mind that enables us to study and to understand the
mysteries, if you choose, that are unfolded before us... — John A.
Widstoe, Symbolism in the Temples
8/16/97
Our people cannot partake of all of the blessings of the gospel unless
they can receive their own temple ordinances and then make these
ordinances available to those of their kindred dead and others. If this is
to happen, temples must be available to them. I feel very strongly about
this.… I have a burning desire that a temple be located within reasonable
access to Latter-day Saints throughout the world. — Pres. Gordon B.
Hinckley, General Conference, October 1995
12/27/00
Now let me say something else to all who can worthily go to the House of
the Lord. When you attend the temple and perform the ordinances that
pertain to the House of the Lord, certain blessings will come to you:
You will receive the spirit of Elijah, which will turn your hearts to your spouse, to your children, and to your forebears.
You will love your family with a deeper love than you have loved before.
Your hearts will be turned to your fathers and theirs to you.
You will be endowed with power from on high as the Lord has promised.
You will receive the key of the knowledge of God. (See D&C 84:19.) You will learn how you can be like Him. Even the power of godliness will be manifest to you. (See D&C 84:20.)
You will be doing a great service to those who have passed to the other side of the veil in order that they might be 'judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.' (D&C 138:34.) — Ezra Taft Benson, "What I Hope You Will Teach Your Children about the Temple," Ensign, Aug. 1985, p. 10
12/28/00
Work toward being temple worthy, and obtain a temple recommend even if the
temple is too far away to attend very often. Great blessings will come to
you and your children because of your personal righteousness. If you now
have a temple recommend, study and pray and attend the temple often to
increase your understanding of the covenants you have made. — Patricia P.
Pinegar, "Caring for the Souls of Children," Ensign, May 1997, p. 14
12/30/00
Maintain an eternal perspective. Let there be a temple marriage in your
future. There is no scene so sweet, no time so sacred as that very special
day of your marriage. Then and there you glimpse celestial joy. Be alert;
do not permit temptation to rob you of this blessing. — Thomas S. Monson,
"The Lighthouse of the Lord," New Era, July 1980, p. 19
12/31/00
Let us truly be a temple-attending and a temple-loving people. We should
hasten to the temple as frequently, yet prudently, as our personal
circumstances allow. We should go not only for our kindred dead but also
for the personal blessing of temple worship, for the sanctity and safety
that are within those hallowed and consecrated walls. As we attend the
temple, we learn more richly and deeply the purpose of life and the
significance of the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us
make the temple, with temple worship and temple covenants and temple
marriage, our ultimate earthly goal and the supreme mortal experience. —
Howard W. Hunter, "A Temple-Motivated People," Ensign, Feb. 1995, p. 5
10/16/01
I hope that everyone gets to the temple on a regular basis. I hope your
children over 12 years of age have the opportunity of going to the temple
to be baptized for the dead. If we are a temple-going people, we will be a
better people, we will be better fathers and husbands, we will be better
wives and mothers. I know your lives are busy. I know that you have much
to do. But I make you a promise that if you will go to the house of the
Lord, you will be blessed, life will be better for you. Now, please,
please, my beloved brethren and sisters, avail yourselves of the great
opportunity to go to the Lord’s house and thereby partake of all of the
marvelous blessings that are yours to be received there (fireside, Lima,
Peru, 9 Nov. 1996). — Excerpts from Recent Addresses of President Gordon
B. Hinckley, "Ensign," July 1997, p. 73
10/17/01
In addition to the blessings we receive from doing work for the dead, we
receive personal blessings as we attend the temple. Commenting on how our
lives are blessed by temple attendance Elder John A. Widtsoe stated:
'Temple work … gives a wonderful opportunity for keeping alive our
spiritual knowledge and strength. … The mighty perspective of eternity is
unraveled before us in the holy temples; we see time from its infinite
beginning to its endless end; and the drama of eternal life is unfolded
before us. Then I see more clearly my place amidst the things of the
universe, my place among the purposes of God; I am better able to place
myself where I belong, and I am better able to value and to weigh, to
separate and to organize the common, ordinary duties of my life so that
the little things shall not oppress me or take away my vision of the
greater things that God has given us' (in Conference Report, Apr. 1922,
pp. 97–98). — Howard W. Hunter, "We Have a Work to Do," "Ensign,"
Mar. 1995, p. 65
10/18/01
Frequent temple attendance, as our circumstances allow, is another way to
keep our spiritual windows clean. Worship in the house of the Lord will
keep our view of what matters most clear and sharp, focused crisply, and
free from the dust of the world. — Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Windows of Light
and Truth," "Ensign," Nov. 1995, p. 77–78
10/19/01
So often we relate the temples to the vicarious ordinances that are
performed there for those who are deceased. Certainly this is a vital part
of temple work. But there is another aspect of temple activity that has
great importance for living members. I refer not only to the ordinances
performed for the living but as well to the spiritually uplifting,
strengthening influence in individual lives that results from regular
temple attendance. — Dean L. Larsen, "The Importance of the Temple for
Living Members," "Ensign," Apr. 1993, p. 10, 12
10/20/01
The requirements for temple attendance do not change from place to place.
Where a temple is available, priesthood authority gives no greater or
lesser blessings in one place than another. Temple worship is a perfect
example of our unity as Church members. All of us answer the same
questions of worthiness to enter the temple. All the men dress alike. All
the women dress alike. We leave the cares of the world behind us as we
enter the temple. Everyone receives the same blessings. All make the same
covenants. All are equal before the Lord. — James E. Faust, "Heirs to the
Kingdom of God," "Ensign," May 1995, p. 62–63
4/7/04
While some may not understand or agree, I testify that it is not
sufficient to be baptized and then live an acceptable life, avoiding major
transgressions. The Lord has decreed that the additional ordinances and
covenants that I have mentioned must be received for exaltation and
eternal life. Being worthy of temple ordinances means that you will choose
to do what many in the world are not willing to do. You will keep the
Sabbath day holy, exercise faith through the payment of tithing and fast
offerings, consistently participate in Church worship, give service, and
show love and appreciation for your family by helping each member of it.
After you have received all of the temple ordinances, you will continue to
grow by keeping the covenants made and faithfully 'endur[ing] to the end.'
(Omni 1:26) — Richard
G. Scott, "Jesus
Christ,
Our Redeemer," Ensign, May 1997, p. 54
5/22/04
Some people want to keep one hand on the wall of the temple while touching
the world's 'unclean things' (Alma
5:57) with the other hand. We must put both hands on the temple and
hold on for dear life. One hand is not even almost enough. — Bruce C.
Hafen, "The
Atonement: All for All," General Conference, April 2004
10/18/04
The temple is a house of instruction-yes, even divine instruction-about
God's eternal plan for his children. In the temple one gains a superior
perspective about his personal relationship with his Maker and with the
Savior-yes, special knowledge about God and Jesus Christ, which is
essential to the obtaining of life eternal. 'And this is life eternal,
that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou
hast sent' (John 17:3).
— Robert L. Simpson, "The
House
of the Lord," Ensign, November 1980, p. 10
11/22/04
As we contemplate the challenge of living faithful, happy, fulfilling
lives in the “perilous times” spoken of by the Apostle Paul (see 2
Tim. 3:1), we must draw upon all of the spiritual powers available
to us. The temple is a principal source for the renewal of these powers.
Heavenly Father will not fail in his promises to us if we do all that we
can do to keep open the conduit of spiritual strength that is available to
us. The temple will play an increasingly important role in this regard. —
Dean L. Larsen, “The Importance of the Temple for Living Members,” Ensign,
Apr. 1993, p. 12
2/2/05
'Brother Kimball, have you ever been to heaven?'...
'Yes. Just an hour ago. It was in the holy temple across the way. The
sealing room was shut off from the noisy world by its thick, white-painted
walls; the drapes, light and warm; the furniture, neat and dignified; the
mirrors on two opposite walls seeming to take one in continuous likenesses
on and on into infinity; and the beautiful stained-glass window in front
of me giving such a peaceful glow. All the people in the room were dressed
in white. Here were peace and harmony and eager anticipation. A
well-groomed young man and an exquisitely gowned young woman, lovely
beyond description, knelt across the altar. Authoritatively, I pronounced
the heavenly ceremony which married and sealed them for eternity on earth
and in the celestial worlds. The pure in heart were there. Heaven was
there.' — Spencer W. Kimball, "Glimpses
of
Heaven," Ensign, Dec. 1971, p. 36
5/19/05
When we go to the temple because we want to go and not because it is an
obligation; when we go with an attitude of worship and a reverence for God
and for His son Jesus Christ, and with gratitude for the Savior's
sacrifice, when we spend sufficient time to leave the cares of the world
outside, wonderful things happen which cannot be described. The Spirit of
the Lord distills upon one's soul in these holy houses, truly the most
sacred places on earth. A new perception comes into focus of who we are,
of what this life is really about, of the opportunities of eternal life,
and of our relationship with the Savior. — Victor L. Brown, "A
Lifetime of Learning," Ensign, Nov. 1989, 77
8/18/05
The season of opportunity that awaits us today, in temple service, is
different from that of the past. We are not expected to pound nails, carve
stone, mill lumber, pour concrete, or physically participate in the
construction of temples. We are, however, extended a marvelous opportunity
to faithfully pay our tithes so temple construction and the work of the
Lord may go forward. We are also challenged to be worthy to offer
ourselves in the service of providing sacred saving ordinances for those
who have preceded us. Very simply stated, the great opportunity of
Latter-day Saint families is to see that the lights of our temples burn
early and late in the day. Perhaps we could create the need for them to
burn all night as they do presently on weekends in several temples. — H.
David Burton, "A
Season of Opportunity," Ensign, Nov. 1998, 11
9/8/05
A temple is a house of the Lord, literally and in the full sense of the
word. He owns it. It is sacred and clean and pure—a fit abode for the Holy
One. Where else would he come except to the purest and most sacred places
on earth? When he has no houses on earth, he comes to his servants on
mountaintops, in groves of trees, or in desert places. But when there is a
holy house fit for his presence, such is the place where his servants see
his face—all of which is a type of what shall be when he comes to rule and
reign on earth. He will appear in many places, chief among which will be
the holy houses built and dedicated to him. — Bruce R. McConkie, "The
Millennial Messiah: The Second Coming of the Son of Man" [Salt Lake City:
Deseret Book Co., 1982], 272
10/20/05
In our day, the steadying arm of the Lord reaches us through the
ordinances of His holy temples. Said the Prophet Joseph to the early
Saints in Nauvoo, 'You need an endowment, brethren, in order that you may
be prepared and able to overcome all things.' How right he was! Being
blessed with the temple covenants and endowed with power made it possible
for the Latter-day Saints to endure tribulation with faith. At the end of
her own pioneer journey, Sarah Rich recorded, 'If it had not been for the
faith and knowledge that was bestowed upon us in that temple... our
journey would have been like... taking a leap in the dark.' — Robert D.
Hales, "Faith through Tribulation Brings Peace and Joy," Ensign (CR), May
2003, p.15
11/2/05
We are required to build Temples in which to attend to the ordinances of
the house of the Lord, that the prison doors may be opened, and the
prisoners go free. The world say—'We do not believe in such stuff.' We
know that perfectly well; it was so in the days of Noah and Lot, but the
unbelief of the people did not stop the flood and the fire, neither will
the unbelief of this generation stay the hand of God one moment. The
angels of God have been waiting in the Temple in heaven for [a long time]
to go forth to reap down the earth. The wheat and the tares must grow
together until harvest; the people must be warned, the Saints gathered
out, Zion built up, Temples reared, the living warned, the dead redeemed,
that the skirts of the Elders of Israel may be clean before all men. —
Wilford Woodruff, "Journal of Discourses," 26 vols., 18:115
1/8/07
Elder John A. Widtsoe made this remarkable statement: 'When the
history of human thought shall be written from the point of view of temple
worship, it may well be found that temples and the work done in them have
been the dominating influence in shaping human thought from the beginning
of the race. Even today,' he continued, 'political controversies are as
nothing in determining the temper of a people, as compared with religious
sentiments and convictions, especially as practiced in the temples of the
people.' ("Temple Worship," p. 52.)
The salvation of our Heavenly Fathers children from Adam and Eve to the
present generation is the most important work in time and eternity. Our
joy—or our disappointment—in the eternities may hinge on our willing
participation in this great latter-day work. — David B. Haight, "Personal
Temple Worship," Ensign (CR), May 1993, p.23
3/5/07
On those days when I feel off center, out of focus, or off balance,
when I feel that I don't have enough time, insight, or strength to solve
my problems, I know that comfort is as close as the temple. Before I go to
the temple, I retreat to a private room in my home, one where, from
frequent prayer, I feel I have come closest to my Father in heaven. There
I kneel and express my deepest feelings of love and gratitude. I also pour
out my troubles to him one by one by one, laying every burden and placing
every decision at the Lord's feet. Thus prepared, I then take myself out
of this world of fashion, frenzy, and occasional phoniness and go to the
House of the Lord. There, dressed like my neighbor, and with no windows
and no clocks to distract me, I am able to see this world objectively.
There I remember that the whole of this life is a journey of the spirit to
a higher and holier sphere. I remember that the success of my journey
depends on my adherence to the sequential steps God has put on my
individual road map. — Jeffrey R. Holland and Patricia T. Holland, "On
Earth As It Is in Heaven," p.78
3/25/07
A temple is a retreat from the vicissitudes of life, a place of
prayer and meditation providing an opportunity to receive inner peace,
inspiration, guidance, and, frequently, solutions to the problems that vex
our daily lives.
A temple is a place where the divine spark in man, or the infinite in man,
can seek the infinite in God. — Franklin D. Richards, "Happiness
and Joy in Temple Work," Ensign (CR), November 1986, p.70
8/24/07
In Doctrine and Covenants 109,
that section which teaches us of the holiness of the temple, verse
22 reads: 'We ask thee, Holy Father, that thy servants may go forth
from this house armed with thy power, and that thy name may be upon them,
and thy glory be round about them, and thine angels have charge over
them.'
That is a powerful promise to those who feel overwhelmed with the
pressures and stresses of daily living, a power and promise I first
encountered at twelve years of age. Now, with the many experiences I have
had since that age, I can declare that this is true. The temple provides
protection and it provides patterns and promises that can settle and
strengthen and stabilize us, however anxious our times. If we master the
principles taught there, we will receive the promise the Lord gave us
through Isaiah: 'I will fasten him [or her] as a nail in a sure place.' (Isaiah
23:23.) — Jeffrey R. Holland and Patricia T. Holland, "On Earth As
It Is in Heaven," p.64
1/17/08
As we contemplate this work, my brethren, we can begin to understand
why it is the greatest work. When we think of the mission of the Savior—to
bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man—we can understand
why Joseph Smith said that this is the greatest responsibility that God
has laid upon us in the world; that we neglect this temple work at the
peril of losing our own salvation; that our dead can't be made perfect
without us, nor we without them. Temple work transcends more space, more
time and more people than any other work in the Church. The other
organizations—particularly the auxiliaries—have to do with here and now.
Temple work has to do with eternity. Through genealogical research we
reach back into the dark ages of the past to get our records. Through
temple work we enjoy the endowments today for ourselves and our families.
Through temple work we project our hopes and our dreams into the future.
We have sealed upon ourselves the promise that we will enjoy glory,
immortality, an eternal life. And since the Savior's work is to save all
mankind—not only those who live now but all who have lived and will
live—surely he needs the help that we can give. He needs our aid and our
support in this great and important mission. — Edward L.
Clissold, "Conference Report," April 1959, General Priesthood
Meeting, p.43
11/3/09
Notwithstanding all that may be said in relation to the work in the
temple, you know, my brethren and sisters, that when you go to the house
Of the Lord and receive the ordinances there administered, they are all
calculated to make you better men and women, better fathers and mothers;
and everything that is done in those houses is for salvation. The
testimony of all who go there is that it makes them feel better prepared
to battle with life. They become better fathers and mothers, and better
citizens of the United States or of any other country. I can testify to
this, and thousands that are before me, who have been through the house of
the Lord could bear me out in this testimony, if called upon. There is
nothing done there in any manner that has a tendency in the least to harm
any individual, but everything that is done is for the best good and
salvation of the people. — John R. Winder, "Conference Report," October
1904, First Day–Morning Session, p. 97
6/10/10
Occasionally I have been asked if I can recommend a good book or
article to help people understand the temple ordinances. I have always
answered, 'Yes! There is a wonderful manual written to explain even the
most subtle meanings of the endowment, and it is readily available to
you.' Excitedly the person takes out pencil and paper to write down the
title. 'The manual is the holy scriptures,' I say. Disappointed, the
person puts down the pencil and says, 'No, really. Is there any other book
you would recommend?' — S. Michael Wilcox, "House of Glory: Finding
Personal Meaning in the Temple," p. 19
1/16/11
We should not be surprised by Satan’s efforts to thwart or discredit
temple worship and work. The devil despises the purity in and the power of
the Lord’s house. And the protection available to each of us in and
through temple ordinances and covenants stands as a great obstacle to the
evil designs of Lucifer. — David A. Bednar, "Honorably Hold a Name and
Standing," Ensign (CR) April 2009
7/20/11
Everything that occurs in the temple is eternal in its consequences.
We there deal with matters of immortality, with things of eternity, with
things of man and his relationship to his Divine Parent and his Redeemer.
Hands must be clean and hearts must be pure and thoughts concerned with
the solemnities of eternity when in these sacred premises. — Gordon
B. Hinckley, "Keeping
the Temple Holy," Ensign (CR) April 1990
7/19/12
There is a difference in just attending the temple and having a rich
spiritual experience. The real blessings of the temple come as we
enhance our temple experience. To do so, we must feel a spirit of
reverence for the temple and a spirit of worship. - L. Lionel
Kendrick, "Enhancing
Our Temple Experience," Ensign (CR) May 2001
10/2/12
I urge all who
have not yet received these greatest of all blessings within the walls
of the temple to do whatever may be necessary to qualify to receive
them. To those who have received these blessings, I invite you to
prepare yourselves to savor again the experience of being within the
sacred premises of the holy temples of God and have the visions of
life eternal open again to your hearts, minds, and souls. - James
E. Faust, "Eternity
Lies Before Us," Ensign (CR) May 1997
10/8/12
As
I have indicated previously, no Church-built facility is more
important than a temple, and we are pleased to have 139 temples in
operation throughout the world, with 27 more announced or under
construction. We are grateful for these sacred edifices and the
blessings they bring into our lives. - Thomas S. Monson, "Welcome
to Conference," Ensign (CR) November 2012
6/13/14
What
a great time to be alive. This is the last dispensation, and we
can feel the hastening of the work of salvation in every area
where a saving ordinance is involved. We now have temples across
much of the world to provide these saving ordinances. Attending
the temple for spiritual renewal, peace, safety, and direction
in our lives is also a great blessing. - Quentin
L. Cook, “Roots
and Branches,” Ensign (CR) May 2014
10/1/14
This
past year I have needed and wanted to feel the love of
the Lord more deeply, to receive personal revelation,
to better understand my temple covenants, and to have
my burdens lightened. As I have prayed specifically
for these blessings, I have felt the Spirit directing
me to go to the temple and listen more closely to each
word of the blessings pronounced upon me. I testify
that as I have listened more intently and tried to
exercise my faith, the Lord has been merciful to me
and has helped make my burdens light. He has helped me
to feel great peace about prayers that have not yet
been answered. We bind the Lord to keep His promises
when we keep our covenants and exercise our faith. - Linda
S. Reeves, “Claim
the Blessings of Your Covenants,”
November 2013
4/25/15
As I think of temples, my thoughts turn to the
many blessings we receive therein. As we enter
through the doors of the temple, we leave behind
us the distractions and confusion of the world.
Inside this sacred sanctuary, we find beauty and
order. There is rest for our souls and a respite
from the cares of our lives. - Thomas
S. Monson, “Blessings
of the Temple,” Ensign (CR)
April 2015
6/2/15
The temple is a marvelous environment to seek
personal revelation. When we attend as often
as we can and listen thoughtfully, pondering
the glorious promises and expectations
pertaining to eternity, we depart with
heightened understanding of our Heavenly
Father's plan for us. The Holy Ghost extends
our vision and allows that eternal perspective
to influence the decisions we make in our
daily lives. - Keith
K. Hilbig, "Quench
Not the Spirit Which Quickens
the Inner Man,” Ensign (CR)
October 2007
3/3/16
Each temple is symbolic of our faith in
God and an evidence of our faith in life
after death. The temple is the object of
every activity, every lesson, every
progressive step in the Church. All of
our efforts in proclaiming the gospel,
perfecting the Saints, and redeeming the
dead lead to the holy temple. President
Hinckley declared that “these unique and
wonderful buildings, and the ordinances
administered therein, represent the
ultimate in our worship. These
ordinances become the most profound
expressions of our theology.” Ordinances
of the temple are absolutely crucial. We
cannot return to God’s glory without
them. - Russell
M. Nelson, “Prepare
for the Blessings of the
Temple,” Ensign,
March 2002
4/28/16
The Lord has prospered our people
and provided the resources and
prophetic guidance so we can be
valiant in attending to our temple
responsibilities for both the
living and the dead. - Quentin
L. Cook, "See
Yourself in the
Temple,”
Ensign (CR) May
2016