"We are not bound by tradition, nor are we limited to our own understanding or to the wisdom of men. In short, this is a very unusual university."
- President Kim B. Clark
Rexburg Temple President speaks at
BYU-Idaho Devotional
Rexburg Temple President Val R. Christensen taught BYU-Idaho students about the blessings of the temple in a devotional October 7.
President Christensen spoke specifically of the Rexburg Temple, and the blessing it is to the community.
"We are grateful to the Lord that he has placed beside this campus a beautiful temple as an aid to your spiritual development," Christensen said.
President Christensen also spoke of the process that has taken place to staff the Rexburg Temple.
"The process of opening the temple in Rexburg has been a humbling experience, President Christensen said."Over the past few months, at least 1,500 members have been interviewed, called and many have been set apart to serve as temple workers. Everyone accepted the invitation to serve with faith and devotion."
President Christensen encouraged those who have yet to attend the temple to prepare themselves to do so. Quoting President Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve, President Christensen stressed the importance of spiritual preparation.
"The ordinances and ceremonies of the temple are simple." President Christensen said. "They are beautiful. They are sacred. They are kept confidential lest they be given to those who are unprepared. Curiosity is not a preparation. Deep interest is not a preparation.
Preparation for the ordinances includes preliminary steps: faith, repentance, baptism, confirmation, worthiness, maturity and dignity worthy of one who comes invited as a guest into the House of the Lord."
President Christensen gave an invitation to come to the temple.
"I invite everyone to come to the temple," he said."Its beauty draws attention to the spiritual influence it will have in this valley. The words of the lord to the saints at the dedication of the Kirtland Temple have application here: ‘And the fame of this house shall spread to foreign lands; and this is the beginning of the blessings which shall be poured out upon the heads of my people.' (D&C 110:10) This is especially true for the saints who live in the upper Snake River Valley."
President Christensen closed with his testimony of temple work.
"May the Lord open the way for you to visit His Holy House often," President Christensen said. "I offer my testimony that temple work is uplifting and divine. May the Lord bless you to obtain your own witness of this inspired work, I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."
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Brigham Young University-Idaho is a four-year private university located in Rexburg, Idaho. The university, which is affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, offers both baccalaureate and associate degrees; integrated degrees and internships that are tailored to fit students' interests; a year-round track system allowing more students to attend; and an extensive Student Activities Program that provides leadership and growth experiences. It is the largest private university in Idaho, with more than 13,000 students enrolled for Winter Semester 2008.
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