President of Oakland California Temple speaks about temple worship at BYU-Idaho devotional

Darwin B. Christenson, president of the Oakland California Temple and a former member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, spoke about the importance of temple worship at the Brigham Young University-Idaho devotional on Tuesday, July 18.

President Christenson began by explaining that temples are a means through which God can bless and teach His children.  "God the Father and His Son are omnipotent, have all knowledge and are unchangeable," he said. "They want to bless all their children with all they possess dependent upon the faithfulness of their children. Temples represent in a most positive physical presence the spiritual love of the Father and His Son for their children."

President Christenson gave some historical background on temples, including Moses' portable temple, Solomon's temple, the temples spoken of in The Book of Mormon, and the Kirtland Temple constructed during the early years of the Church.  There are 122 temples currently in operation around the world, with the 123^rd to be dedicated in September. 

President Christenson emphasized these temples are critical to God's plan for His children.  "Because of the love the Savior has for His children, temples have always been in the forefront of the Savior's anxious desires in providing His believers the temple saving ordinances," he said.

He also explained that worshiping in the temple provides a calm and peace that cannot be found anywhere else.  "It feels far different in the temple than it does outside its walls. English is a language rich with two million words in its vocabulary," President Christenson said. "However, no word adequately describes the feeling in the temple, but it does feel different there. There is a certain spiritual ‘fever' to be found therein that beckons us to return, to feel its ever present warmth."

President Christenson concluded with an important challenge for all Latter-day Saints: to qualify for a temple recommend, remain worthy, and go to the temple often.

Next week's devotional speaker will be Brian Schmidt, an advisor in the BYU-Idaho Activities Program.  Devotionals are held every Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the Hart Auditorium with additional seating in the 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.