August 1, 2015

There are a couple of scriptures that have touched me so much that I think about them a lot.  1 Corinthians 2:9 says, "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."

A similar scripture is found in 3 Nephi 17:16-17.  It reads, "And after this manner do they bear record: The eye hath never seen, neither hath the ear heard, before, so great and marvelous things as we saw and heard Jesus speak unto the Father;

 And no tongue can speak, neither can there be written by any man, neither can the hearts of men conceive so great and marvelous things as we both saw and heard Jesus speak; and no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard him pray for us unto the Father.'

I've always wanted to know what it was that was so special and marvelous that there were no words to describe it.  I wished I could have been there to experience it.  I really wanted to know what it was like.

This morning I was pondering the Temple and the blessings we receive when we frequently attend to do work for our kindred dead.  I have the wonderful opportunity to work in the Temple each week.  I love being there helping the patrons that come to serve.  I especially love it when I have the opportunity to help individuals who come for the first time to receive their own Temple blessings.  

I remember the first time I went and how overwhelmed I felt and not really understanding everything that took place in the Temple.  I was told to return often so understanding would come "line upon line and precept upon precept."  I have attended faithfully over the years as often as I could.  Sometimes it was monthly, other times when we lived close to a Temple we went weekly.  And other times when we were farther away we could only go a couple time a year.  But we always went as often as we could.

Understanding has come, not all at once; but, gradually as I was prepared to receive it.  I know there were may times I just went through the motions of being there and didn't really gain a lot of understanding; but, I was still obedient and received blessings for my obedience.  Other times I went prepared to be spiritually fed and feasted upon the Spirit that I felt and even received personal insight and understanding.  It was personal revelation.  Over the years I have tried to make a point of going prepared.  Some answers I have received are not necessarily "spiritual" in nature; but since all things are spiritual unto God they are still appropriate answers to receive in the Temple.  For example, I am a computer programmer and have received the answer to many programming problems I have been faced with while in the Temple.  The Lord truly hears and answers our prayers when we pray in faith.

Anyway, while pondering the Temple this morning and remembering the many blessings I have received I realized that I was experiencing what Paul and Nephi spoke about.  There are no words that can adequately describe the full impact of the Temple.  "...No tongue can speak, neither can there be written by any man, neither can the hearts of men conceive so great and marvelous things..." as I have experienced by faithful and continued attendance at the Temple.  By obeying the commandments and keeping our covenants with the Lord we are protected against the temptations of Satan.  It doesn't mean we won't be tempted, but it does mean we will have the strength to overcome those temptations to the point that Satan can have no power over us.

I am so grateful for Temples that now dot the earth.  They are a refuge from the storms around us.  They are a place to gather together to strengthen and fortify one another that we may be found worthy at the last day to be on the Lord's side.

I love to see the Temple!