It is a wonderful privilege and honor to be invited by President Clark and Dr. Hall to be with you to share a few minutes of your precious time today.
We admire each of you for your youth, vitality, and inquiring minds, but especially for your enthusiastic love for the Lord with purity of body and spirit. Your spiritual vibrance and mentioned attributes are indications of what this royal generation is about.
The purpose of our visit is to spread a fever. We want to speak of its foundation, how to obtain it, and why it should be spread about. We wish huge helicopters would come and disperse a suffocating cloud of Family History and Temple Spiritual fever upon us.
I relate a couple of examples of those who have caught this fever and have enjoyed its wonderful symptoms:
In Sao Paulo, Brazil, the temple president noticed a sister of very modest means who was in the temple almost daily. He asked the sister how she could afford to come to the temple so often. She replied that she had her little pension and if she were very careful she could pay for the three bus rides it took for her to travel from her home to the temple and then back. Then she brightened up and said, “But if someone gives me a ride to the temple and back, I can even afford bread to go with my beans.”
Well, for today would you please consider the actual vehicle of this symbolic fever to be simply the title “Our God (the Father and the Son – used quasi interchangeably), the Prophets of God (past and present), and His Temples (as a core reference).”
Please permit me to begin by bearing my testimony: This is because I believe it has relevance to the message I would like to share.
I know that God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ live. I know their form and that they love each of us individually more than we can comprehend. Prophets receive intelligence and guidance from Deity. Temples represent in a most positive physical presence the spiritual love of the Father and His Son for their children.
God the Father and His Son are omnipotent, have all knowledge and are unchangeable. They want to bless all their children with all they possess dependent upon the faithfulness of their children, irrespective of when the children took their mortal habitation.
To begin, there are important foundational principles we learn from Moroni, Chapter 8:
- The beautiful and one of the most blessed doctrines of the Gospel is that infant baptism is an evil abomination and little children are alive in Christ because of the atonement.
- God is unchangeable.
But little children are alive in Christ, even from the foundation of the world; if not so, God is a partial God, and also a changeable God, and a respecter to persons; for how many little children have died without baptism!
For I know that God is not a partial God, neither a changeable being; but he is unchangeable from all eternity to all eternity.[1]
So blessings provided to God’s children in one dispensation may be expected to be received in following dispensations through His Prophets. God’s will is exercised through His various prophets in different dispensations.
In Exodus we see the Lord’s desire to support Moses as His spokesman:
And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The Lord hath not appeared unto thee.
And the Lord said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod.
And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it.
And the Lord said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail. And he put forth his hand, and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand:
That they may believe that the Lord God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee.
And the Lord said furthermore unto him, Put now thine hand into thy bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous as snow.
And he said, Put thine hand into they bosom again. And he put his hand into his bosom again; and plucked it out of his bosom, and, behold, it was turned again as his other flesh.
And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign.
And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe also these two signs, neither hearken unto thy voice, that thou shalt take of the water of the river, and pour it upon the dry land: and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry land.
And Moses said unto the Lord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.[2]
In any event, we remember Aaron was called to serve as the Lord’s spokesperson in that setting. At a different time and place, Enoch was given a special calling as described in Moses 6 and 7:
And it came to pass that Enoch journeyed in the land, among the people; and as he journeyed, the Spirit of God descended out of heaven, and abode upon him.
And he heard a voice from heaven, saying: Enoch, my son, prophesy unto this people, and say unto them—Repent, for thus saith the Lord: I am angry with this people, and my fierce anger is kindled against them; for their hearts have waxed hard, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes cannot see afar off.;[3]
And when Enoch had heard these words, he bowed himself to the earth, before the Lord, and spake before the Lord, saying: Why is it that I have found favor in thy sight, and am but a lad, and all the people hate me; for I am slow of speech; wherefore am I thy servant?
And the Lord said unto Enoch: Go forth and do as I have commanded thee, and no man shall pierce thee. Open thy mouth, and it shall be filled, and I will give thee utterance, for all flesh is in my hands, and I will do as seemeth me good.
Say unto this people: Choose ye this day, to serve the Lord God who made you.
Behold my Spirit is upon you. Wherefore all thy words will I justify; and the mountains shall flee before you, and the rivers shall turn from their course; and thou shalt abide in me, and I in you; therefore walk with me [perhaps to maintain my spiritual fever].
And the Lord spake unto Enoch, and said unto him: Anoint thine eyes with clay, and wash them, and thou shalt see. And he did so.[4]
Why? – So he could see spiritually!
And Enoch continued his speech, saying: The Lord which spake with me, the same is the God of heaven, and he is my God, and your God,[He is unchangeable] and ye are my brethren, and why counsel ye yourselves, and deny the God of heaven?[5]
And I saw the Lord; and he stood before my face, and he talked with me, even as a man talketh one with another, face to face;
And so great was the faith of Enoch that he led the people of God, and their enemies came to battle against them; [this was a time of war] and he spake the word of the Lord, and the earth trembled, and the mountains fled, even according to his command; and the rivers of water were turned out of their course; so powerful was the word of Enoch, and so great was the power of the language which God had given him.[6]
Could we now look to a favorite scripture—the Gospel of John. John was probably the last of the synoptic Gospels and was written for those who were members of the church. It is said to contain 92% exclusive material.
The 2nd Chapter of John relates the history of the Savior’s first ministerial miracle when he turned water into the best wine for the seven day marriage feast.
Then with reference to John 2:16, Elder Russell M. Nelson describes when Jesus made the first clearing of the temple by driving out the moneychangers and merchants Jesus called it “My Father’s house.” At the second cleansing Jesus called the temple “My House.” [7] Finally as the temple was further desecrated, Jesus called it “your house” . . . left unto you desolate:[8] – a prophecy fulfilled when it was destroyed in A.D. 70.
John 11 contains the well known testimony of Jesus.
I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die . . . (John 11:25-26).
Also, we read of the wonderful episode of Lazarus being brought back to life after being dead four days. Jesus wept as He came to the grave.
Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of god?
Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.[9]
What was the impact of Jesus waiting four days to bring Lazarus back to life? Could it have been that the Pharisees who taught that the spirit of a person that died would remain in the vicinity of the deceased for only three days; so that after three days the decedent could only be brought back to life at the future general resurrection of the dead. So, could it be that when Jesus brought Lazarus back to life the fourth day after death, he was telling the people, “Since I have been blessed to restore Lazarus to life, through the Father, you must either accept me as the living Son, of God the Living Father, or I have committed blasphemy and you must treat me accordingly (perhaps by crucifixtion.)
Returning to Apostles and Prophets
With the callings of Moses, Enoch, and Joseph Smith, do we see a pattern of those called, each possessing willing, humble, Spirits? Joseph Smith, the beloved first prophet of this dispensation enjoyed a close relationship with the Lord and His messengers. We recall Peter Whitmer felt to invite the Prophet Joseph and Emma to move from New York to his Hiram, Ohio, home to alleviate some of the negative pressure of the prophet’s opposition. Peter asked his son David to go to New York and invite the Prophet Joseph to move to Ohio. David indicated he would be pleased to do so, but he had some farm work that had to be completed before he could leave. David went about his work and was amazed he was able to complete three days work in just one day. Then he went to spread some “plaster” on property adjacent to where his sister lived. Upon his arrival he found the plaster had been spread from its pile over the land. David inquired of his sister as to whom had provided all the labor to complete the project. She said she didn’t know who the three men were that had done the work, but that they were amazingly efficient and fast workers.
In going to Ohio the prophet was very anxious about the safety of transporting the plates because of those who wanted to steal them. So it was arranged for an angelic messenger to receive the plates from the prophet in New York. The messenger then delivered the plates later to the prophet after his successful travel to Ohio by the side of Peter Whitmer’s home in Ohio.
On an occasion in Nauvoo when so very many of the saints were ill and suffering, President Smith went about blessing and raising the sick from their beds of affliction. Almost akin to Lazarus, he went to bless a brother, Elijah Fordham: who was supposed to be about breathing his last. When the company entered the room, the Prophet of God walked up to the dying man, and took hold of his right hand and spoke to him; but Brother Fordham was unable to speak, his eyes were set in his head like glass, and he seemed entirely unconscious of all around him. Joseph held his hand and looked into his eyes in silence for a length of time. A change in the countenance of Brother Fordham was soon perceptible to all present. His sight returned, and upon Joseph asking him if he knew him, he, in a slow whisper, answered, “I fear it is too late; if you had come sooner I think I could have been healed.” The Prophet said, “Do you believe in Jesus Christ?” He answered in a feeble voice, “I do.” Joseph then stood erect, still holding his hand in silence several moments, then he spake in a very loud voice, saying, “Brother Fordham, I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to arise from this bed and be made whole.” His voice was like the voice of God, and not of man. It seemed as though the house shook to its very foundation. Brother Fordham arose from his bed and was immediately made whole.[10]
His Temples
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.
The temple is literally the House of the Lord. Again, the Lord has always commanded his people to build temples, holy buildings in which worthy Saints perform sacred ceremonies and ordinances of the gospel for themselves and in later times for the dead.
In this dispensation, Joseph Smith had baptisms for the dead performed, but endowments for the dead were not performed until 1877.
The Lord visits His temples, and they are the most holy of all places in which to worship.
Throughout religious history, the Lord has placed an urgency upon the creation and utilization of temples (Perhaps as a symbolic fever?).
The earliest temple we learn of was when the Lord instructed Moses to prepare a portable temple according to His pattern which was referred to as a tabernacle. This was used as Moses and his people traveled about the desert.
The first permanent temple built was the temple of Solomon. King David wanted to build it, but was not permitted to do so (His fever was denied). Solomon’s Temple was destroyed in 600 B.C. by the Babylonians and was restored by Zerubbabel almost a hundred years later. This restoration of Soloman’s Temple came about after the Prophet Haggai was entreated by the Lord to tell the people, in effect, to “get on the ball” and build my temple. How can you remain so comfortable in your own homes when you have not provided for My Home? (Catch the potential of temple fever!).
After this restoration, part of this temple was burned in 37 B.C., and Herod, the Great, later rebuilt it. This was the temple in use at the time of Jesus’ ministry.
In the Book of Mormon, the righteous followers of God were led to build and worship in temples.[11]
Building and using a temple properly are signs of the true church in any dispensation. Have we ever wondered why other churches are not concerned about temples, even as there are many references about them in the Bible?
After encouragement by the Lord, Joseph Smith was required to begin construction of the first temple of this dispensation in Kirtland, Ohio. This was in 1833, just three years following the organization of the Church.
Wherefore, ye must needs be chastened and stand rebuked before my face;
Yea, verily I say unto you, I gave unto you a commandment that you should build a house, in the which house I design to endow those whom I have chosen with power from on high; [Why have you not caught the temple fever?][12]
Can we imagine what a daunting task this would be? There were few members of the church in Kirtland and they were in great poverty.
How would we react to a call by the Lord if asked to have a Singles ward build a temple? In Kirtland at that time, the number of members present, and their in-pocket funds was probably quite similar to a BYU–Idaho Singles Ward.
In Kirtland, each of the Brethren was asked to spend one day per week working on the temple. There were also those who spent their full time working on the temple and received only food and home spun clothing in return. As always, the sisters provided more than a fair share of support. Not only did they prepare food and make clothing for the workers, but they drove the animals transporting the granite, worked in the quarry, and at the temple alongside the men, made carpets and curtains, and crushed their china to add sparkle to the exterior of the temple.
The dedication of the Kirtland temple in the spring of 1836 was a marvelous pentacostal season. The Lord Jehovah appeared in Glory:
We saw the Lord standing upon the breastwork of the pulpit, before us; and under his feet was a paved work of pure gold, in color like amber.
His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shown above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:
I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father.
Behold, your sins are forgiven you; you are clean before me; therefore, lift up your heads and rejoice.
Let the hearts of your brethren rejoice, and let the hearts of all my people rejoice, who have, with their might, built this house to my name.
For behold, I have accepted this house, and my name shall be here; and I will manifest myself to my people in mercy in this house.
Yea, I will appear unto my servants, and speak unto them with mine own voice, if my people will keep my commandments and do not pollute this holy house.
Yea, the hearts of thousands and tens of thousands shall greatly rejoice in consequence of the blessings which shall be poured out, and the endowment with which my servants have been endowed in this house.[13]
Moses, Elias, and Elijah also appeared, to restore their respective keys and in fulfillment of prophecy.
Presidents Marion G. Romney and Boyd K. Packer explain that Moses had to provide keys for the gathering, so temples could be built.
During this pentacostal time, witnesses saw angelic beings, the sick were healed, children saw angels on the roof of the temple and the temple itself glowed as if on fire.
And so, the great work and worship in temples began in this dispensation.
In 1951, there were eight temples in the church. Today there are 122 temples functioning, with the 123rd to be dedicated in September. This tremendous growth has occurred by the will of the Lord, through the inspiration and leadership of President Gordon B. Hinckley.
President Hinckley holds “temples” very close to himself.
May I share a personal experience, because I believe it may help us understand the particular relationship that exists between Our Lord, President Hinckley, and temples.
When we were called to serve as a Mission President, President N. Eldon Tanner issued the call on the telephone and then he said, “Now, you can go home and tell your wife, but you can’t tell anyone else until or unless you receive a letter confirming this calling.”
When we were called to serve as a member of the Seventy, President Hinckley said, over the phone, and after a few simple pleasantries, “We feel to call you to serve in the Second Quorum of the Seventy. The calling will be for five years and you will be assigned to serve outside of the United States. Others will call and furnish more details. Goodbye.”
However, the calling to serve as Temple President came about much differently. While working in my office in the Church Administration Building, President Hinckley’s personal secretary asked me to come down to President Hinckley’s office.
President Hinckley made me comfortable, then indicated the time for my release from the Quorum of the Seventy had arrived. This I had totally anticipated. But, then he asked if we felt willing to provide a few more years of extended service in some capacity. He looked at me and asked, “How would you feel about serving as President of a Temple?” Then he named a temple that is located in the Midwest. I enthusiastically indicated that would be just fine. The he paused, and his look seemingly moved above my head as he pondered, and he said, “No, that isn’t quite right. His gaze momentarily returned to my homely face, and he said, “Oakland, how would you feel about serving as the President of the California, Oakland Temple?”
There was an immediate confirmatory spirit that the call was just right. I will never know what transpired in the understanding of President Hinckley at that moment, but I do know it was appropriate in his mind and with the Lord. Many further confirmations have come since that special experience some months ago.
I pray that you each may feel a special comfort by knowing the wonderful context of the operations that occur through Our God, His Prophets, His Temples.
I testify that the basis of, the validation, and the accreditation of temples is through the marvelous Atonement of our Lord and Savior.
Our Ordinance workers, with the Presidency and Matrons are blessed to experience marvelous spiritual blessings.
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. 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.
A young mother with cancer recently said in testimony meeting, “I don’t go to the temple because I’m told to; I go because I must, to feel the peace and comfort there and to find strength and courage to cope with my situation.”
A mayor of a small town comes to the temple to seek guidance on a difficult situation developing in his town and feels the inspiration that comes from his supplication to the Lord.
Five little children dressed in white, happy and smiling returning from being sealed to their parents, skipping down the hall knowing now that families really can be together forever as they were taught in Primary, because their dad finally prepared himself to bring them to the temple. We know they felt that feeling of safety that comes from being a forever family.
A young couple who knelt at the alter and radiated pure joy knowing that their love and companionship will continue forever and felt that feeling that confirmed to them that it is really true. The temple fever was present.
We heard about a bishop who was desperately seeking to help the members of his ward with problems of life and instituted a program of regular and frequent temple attendance. The members responded, and after a couple of years he found a shower of unexpected blessings had come to the ward members. He knew that these blessings came because they were willing to attend the temple regularly and frequently.
It does feel different in the temple. The temple IS a wonderful place.
President Hinckley has said:
- Temple work is the crown jewel of church service.
- Temple service is the end product of all our teaching and activity.
From a practical perspective, why should each of us seek temple worship?
- The Lord wants us to go there to receive ordinances and make covenants to qualify forALL the blessings He is making available for His children that desire to be faithful
- The temple is where we learn what we need to do to return to the presence of Heavenly Father, to live with Him and the Savior through all eternity, e.g. to obtain Eternal Life.
- The temple is where we get a glimpse of how Heavenly Father lives.
- The temple is a place where we get a glimpse of the absolute joy and rejoicing we will feel to be together with our loved ones safely in the Celestial Kingdom.
“And that same sociality which exists among us here will exist among us there, only it will be coupled with eternal glory, which glory we do not now enjoy.”[14]
What is our individual challenge?
Catch the fever!
- Qualify for a temple recommend.
- Remain worthy.
- Go to the temple often (with Family File names if possible!)
And it came to pass while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.
And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy;
And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.[15]
May we be so blessed to do likewise!
Notes
[1] Moroni 8:12,18
[2] Exodus 4: 1-10
[3] Moses 6:26-27
[4] Moses 6:31-35, emphasis added
[5] Moses 6:43, emphasis added
[6] Moses 7: 4, 13, emphasis added
[7] Matthew 21:13; Mark 11:17
[8] Luke 13:35
[9] John 11:39-44, emphasis added
[10] Life of Joseph Smith the Prophet, George Q. Cannon, Stratford Books, Arlington, Virginia/Provo, Utah, 2005, pages 339-340
[11] 2 Nephi 5:16
[12] Doctrine and Covenants 95: 2,8
[13] Doctrine and Covenants 110: 2-9, emphasis added
[14] Doctrine and Covenants 130:2
[15] Luke 24: 51-53, emphasis added