H. Bryan Richards, president of the Bountiful Utah Temple, spoke to Brigham Young University-Idaho students about the blessings and power of temple worship in a devotional address given Tuesday, March 4. 

President Richards opened his remarks by reading from the dedicatory prayer for the Kirtland Temple, found in Doctrine & Covenants 109. Citing verse 22, which discusses the power found in the temple, President Richards said, "As we live worthy to attend the temple, we can obtain those blessings found in this verse. We can be armed with power."

There are certain blessings, President Richards taught, that we can only obtain in the holy temples found on the earth today. "That should cause each of us to ponder in deep thought, and evoke deep feelings," he said. Those who have already received those blessings and have been armed with such power have a duty to live worthy of the gifts given. By living righteously, we will receive greater power and more fully understand our gifts. The help we need, President Richards continued, comes from spiritual "gauges."

To illustrate, President Richards related an experience he had on an airplane that was forced to abort its take-off. A crewman told the passengers that a check of the gauges revealed that one of the engines was receiving too much fuel. The crew's training told them to make a split-second decision to slam on the brakes.

"We must do the same in our life, using our training we receive to make split-second decisions that may ultimately save our lives," President Richards said. The training we receive in this life, especially in the temple, gives us the knowledge and skills necessary to monitor our lives and make decisions that allow us to return to the presence of God, he added.

President Richards then reminded students that everyone is given agency to choose their own path, but they cannot choose the consequences of those actions. Accurately studying the gauges of life will enable us to make right decisions and receive the accompanying blessings.

One of the gauges of life is tithing. "Learning and abiding by the law of tithing prepares saints to receive greater laws and blessings in the temple," he said. "As we pay close attention to this gauge, our faith is strengthened and we receive great blessings." Another gauge, President Richards taught, is following the counsel of the prophet. "Fine tuning this gauge will allow you to carefully navigate a successful life full of joy and happiness," he said.

President Richards closed his address to students with a challenge to align their personal gauges with the teachings of the Church. He promised that as they do, their lives would be filled with blessings from on high and they will be, as the scriptures teach, "armed with power."

Next week's devotional speaker will be Ned Hill, dean of the BYU Marriott School of Management.  Devotionals are held every Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the Hart Auditorium with additional seating in the Hinckley Chapel, Taylor Chapel and Kirkham Auditorium.  Devotionals are broadcast on KBYI-FM 100.5 at 2 p.m. and rebroadcast Tuesday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 5 p.m.