By President Gordon B. Hinckley
Has there perhaps any human being who, in moments of quiet introspection, has not reflected on the awesome mysteries of this existence?
there anyone that has not been asked: "Where I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going? What ties bind me to my Maker? Do I rob the death of kinship, friendship, etc.., So precious that I have done in this life? What about the relationship I have with my family? Is there another life after this? And if so, do we recognize there? ".
The answer to these questions is not in the wisdom human response is found only in the word of God by the developer. The temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are sacred places where there are answers to these and other questions about eternity. Each building is dedicated to be a house of God, a place of holiness and peace from the world completely. They teach truths and ordinances are performed that give us, as participants, knowledge of the eternal and motivate us to live with an understanding of the divine heritage we have as children of God, and with the knowledge of our potential as eternal beings.
These buildings, unlike the thousands of regular worship centers has the Church throughout the world, are unique and different in purpose and function of any other religious building. What distinguishes them is their size and architectural beauty, but the work is carried out within them.
The designation of certain buildings for special ordinances, other than those made in places of worship regularly, there is a new custom, as practiced at the time of ancient Israel, when the people worshiped regularly in the synagogues. For Israel, the holiest place was, first, the tent they had in the desert, the Holy of Holies, which subsequently followed a series of temples where special ordinances were made where only those who met the requirements could participate.
The same is true today. Before dedicating a temple, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints invites the public to visit the building and take a tour inside. But once engaged, it becomes the house of God, invested with a character so sacred that only the worthy and faithful members of the Church are allowed to enter. This is not a secret, but sacred.
The work takes place within the temples present the eternal purposes of God to man, which is his progeny and creation. For the most part, the temple work concerned with the family, each of us as members of God's eternal family and as members of an earthly family. In addition, concerns the holy and eternal nature of the covenant of marriage and family relations.
This book testifies that every human being born into this world is a child of God and is partly invested with the divine nature of the Father. The repetition of these basic and fundamental teachings takes a beneficial effect on those who receive them, because, the doctrine enunciated in a beautiful and solemn speech, the participant comes to understand that, since all Heavenly Father's children, other people are Family members also divine and therefore, all are his brothers.
When the scribe asked Jesus: "What is the first commandment of all?", the Savior said, "... Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength . This is the first commandment.
"And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself" (Mark 12:28 , 30 to 31 ).
In the courses taught in the temples of today emphasizes the fundamental concept of the duty we owe to our Creator and to our neighbor. Sacred ordinances deepen ennobling concept of the family of God and teach that the spirit within each of us is eternal, compared with the body, which is deadly. These ordinances are not only better understand these great truths, but also motivate the participant to love God and show greater kindness to other children of our Father.
Accepting the notion that man is the son of God makes us see that there is a divine purpose in this mortal life, this revealed truth is also taught in the Lord's house. Earthly life is part of an eternal journey, we live as spirit children before coming to earth, and the Scriptures give testimony. The word of the Lord to Jeremiah testifies: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you before you were born I ordained you a prophet to the nations "(Jeremiah 1:5 ).
We come into this life as children of fatal and family members. Parents are partners with God in the work of carrying out His eternal purposes concerning His children. Consequently, the family is a divine institution, the most important in both mortality and eternity.
Much of the work being done in the temples concerned with the family. To understand its meaning, it is essential to recognize the fact that we exist as children of God before birth in this world and also continue to live after of death, that kinship, friendship, etc.., so precious and happy in this land, of which the most beautiful and meaningful are in the family, continue in the next world.
Couples who attend the House of the Lord and partake of the blessings that are there are held together not only for the duration of his earthly life, but also for all eternity. Are linked not only by the authority of the law of the land that binds to death, but also for the eternal priesthood of God, which binds in heaven what is bound on earth. The spouses who have married in this way have the assurance of divine revelation that the bond between each other and their children will not be dissolved by death, but will continue for eternity always live worthy of the blessing.
Is there a man who truly loves a woman or a woman who truly loves a man who does not wish with all their hearts that their relationship will continue beyond the grave? Have there been parents to bury a child does not have longed for some assurance that it would again belong to them in the afterlife? Can anyone who believes in eternal life, doubt that God would not give his children the most precious attribute of this life, which is the love that finds its most vivid expression in family relationships? No. The reason requires that such family relationships continue after death. The human heart longs for and the God of heaven has revealed the way to go. Sacred ordinances of the Lord's House provide that environment.
However, all this seems very unfair if the blessings of those ordinances were only available to those who are now members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The truth is that the opportunity to attend the temple and partake of its blessings is available to all who accept the gospel and be baptized in the Church. For this reason, the Church carries out a vast missionary program in much of the world and will continue expanding as much as possible, because it has responsibility, delegated by divine revelation, to teach the Gospel to every nation, tribe, language and people. "
But there are countless millions of people who have lived on this earth without having had the opportunity to hear the Gospel. Have they perhaps would deny the blessings offered in the temples of the Lord?
These same ordinances are available for those who have departed this life, through living representatives who receive on behalf of the dead. In the world of spirits, those people who have died are free to accept or reject the ordinances that have been made by them on earth, including which include baptism, marriage and the sealing of the family relationships. In the Lord's work there is no compulsion, but the opportunity. Vicarious
This work is a labor of love record by living for the benefit of those who died. To carry out the work of this vicarious work is needed extensive family history research, to find the name and address of those who lived before us. To assist in this investigation, the Church is coordinating a program of family history and deals with the upkeep of family history research that are unparalleled in the world. Their genealogical records are open the public, and many people who are not members of the Church have used to find data on their ancestors. This program has been praised by genealogists from all over the world and many nations have used it to safeguard their own records. But its main purpose is to provide members of the Church of reference sources necessary to find the name and details of their ancestors and to bring them the blessings they themselves enjoy. In fact, many think, "If I want both my spouse and my children I want them with me forever, maybe my grandparents, great grandparents and other ancestors have the same desire. So why not take them the opportunity receive the same eternal blessings? ".
And so these holy buildings are the scene of tremendous activity that is done quietly and reverently. They remind us of the vision of John the Revelator that is registered in a particular question and answer: "¿... these which are arrayed in white robes, who are they and where did they come? . . .
"... These are they which came out of great tribulation and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
"Therefore are they before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple ..." (Revelation 7:13 - 15 ).
Those who attend these holy houses in white dress to participate in the ordinances. Van only with the advice of his local church authorities who certify their dignity. Is expected to enter the Temple of God, go with pure thoughts, pure in body and in clean clothes. As we crossed the threshold, it is necessary to leave the world behind and focus on things divine.
Doing so carries its own reward, because in these times of many tensions, who would receive them with open arms the opportunity to get away from the world and enter the house of God, to meditate there calmly on eternal things God? These enclosures sacred offer the opportunity not found anywhere else, to learn about the really important concepts of life and meditating on them, our relationship with Deity and our eternal journey from a state premortal to this life and then to a future state in which we recognize each other and be together, even with our loved ones and our ancestors who have preceded us and those we have inherited all things pertaining to body, mind and spirit.
Certainly, these temples stand out as unique among all the buildings. These houses of instruction. They are houses of education, more agreements and promises. In their altars we kneel before God, our Creator, and received the promise of His everlasting blessings. In the sanctity of the halls we communicate with Him and reflect on His Son, our Savior and Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ, who served as a representative of each of us in the vicarious sacrifice conducted on our behalf. There, we put aside selfishness and serve those who can not participate themselves. In those precincts, the real power of the priesthood of God, bind us in the most sacred of all human relationships: husband and wife, as parents and children, like family, with a sealing that time can not destroy and death can not be truncated.
These sacred buildings have been built even in times difficult when the Saints suffered a relentless pursuit. Have been built and maintained both in times of poverty and in prosperity. Have emerged from the vital faith of a large number of people who are continually increasing and witness the living God, the risen Lord, the prophets and divine revelation, as well as peace and security of the eternal blessings that only are in the house of the Lord.
Has there perhaps any human being who, in moments of quiet introspection, has not reflected on the awesome mysteries of this existence?
there anyone that has not been asked: "Where I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going? What ties bind me to my Maker? Do I rob the death of kinship, friendship, etc.., So precious that I have done in this life? What about the relationship I have with my family? Is there another life after this? And if so, do we recognize there? ".
The answer to these questions is not in the wisdom human response is found only in the word of God by the developer. The temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are sacred places where there are answers to these and other questions about eternity. Each building is dedicated to be a house of God, a place of holiness and peace from the world completely. They teach truths and ordinances are performed that give us, as participants, knowledge of the eternal and motivate us to live with an understanding of the divine heritage we have as children of God, and with the knowledge of our potential as eternal beings.
These buildings, unlike the thousands of regular worship centers has the Church throughout the world, are unique and different in purpose and function of any other religious building. What distinguishes them is their size and architectural beauty, but the work is carried out within them.
The designation of certain buildings for special ordinances, other than those made in places of worship regularly, there is a new custom, as practiced at the time of ancient Israel, when the people worshiped regularly in the synagogues. For Israel, the holiest place was, first, the tent they had in the desert, the Holy of Holies, which subsequently followed a series of temples where special ordinances were made where only those who met the requirements could participate.
The same is true today. Before dedicating a temple, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints invites the public to visit the building and take a tour inside. But once engaged, it becomes the house of God, invested with a character so sacred that only the worthy and faithful members of the Church are allowed to enter. This is not a secret, but sacred.
The work takes place within the temples present the eternal purposes of God to man, which is his progeny and creation. For the most part, the temple work concerned with the family, each of us as members of God's eternal family and as members of an earthly family. In addition, concerns the holy and eternal nature of the covenant of marriage and family relations.
This book testifies that every human being born into this world is a child of God and is partly invested with the divine nature of the Father. The repetition of these basic and fundamental teachings takes a beneficial effect on those who receive them, because, the doctrine enunciated in a beautiful and solemn speech, the participant comes to understand that, since all Heavenly Father's children, other people are Family members also divine and therefore, all are his brothers.
When the scribe asked Jesus: "What is the first commandment of all?", the Savior said, "... Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength . This is the first commandment.
"And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself" (Mark 12:28 , 30 to 31 ).
In the courses taught in the temples of today emphasizes the fundamental concept of the duty we owe to our Creator and to our neighbor. Sacred ordinances deepen ennobling concept of the family of God and teach that the spirit within each of us is eternal, compared with the body, which is deadly. These ordinances are not only better understand these great truths, but also motivate the participant to love God and show greater kindness to other children of our Father.
Accepting the notion that man is the son of God makes us see that there is a divine purpose in this mortal life, this revealed truth is also taught in the Lord's house. Earthly life is part of an eternal journey, we live as spirit children before coming to earth, and the Scriptures give testimony. The word of the Lord to Jeremiah testifies: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you before you were born I ordained you a prophet to the nations "(Jeremiah 1:5 ).
We come into this life as children of fatal and family members. Parents are partners with God in the work of carrying out His eternal purposes concerning His children. Consequently, the family is a divine institution, the most important in both mortality and eternity.
Much of the work being done in the temples concerned with the family. To understand its meaning, it is essential to recognize the fact that we exist as children of God before birth in this world and also continue to live after of death, that kinship, friendship, etc.., so precious and happy in this land, of which the most beautiful and meaningful are in the family, continue in the next world.
Couples who attend the House of the Lord and partake of the blessings that are there are held together not only for the duration of his earthly life, but also for all eternity. Are linked not only by the authority of the law of the land that binds to death, but also for the eternal priesthood of God, which binds in heaven what is bound on earth. The spouses who have married in this way have the assurance of divine revelation that the bond between each other and their children will not be dissolved by death, but will continue for eternity always live worthy of the blessing.
Is there a man who truly loves a woman or a woman who truly loves a man who does not wish with all their hearts that their relationship will continue beyond the grave? Have there been parents to bury a child does not have longed for some assurance that it would again belong to them in the afterlife? Can anyone who believes in eternal life, doubt that God would not give his children the most precious attribute of this life, which is the love that finds its most vivid expression in family relationships? No. The reason requires that such family relationships continue after death. The human heart longs for and the God of heaven has revealed the way to go. Sacred ordinances of the Lord's House provide that environment.
However, all this seems very unfair if the blessings of those ordinances were only available to those who are now members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The truth is that the opportunity to attend the temple and partake of its blessings is available to all who accept the gospel and be baptized in the Church. For this reason, the Church carries out a vast missionary program in much of the world and will continue expanding as much as possible, because it has responsibility, delegated by divine revelation, to teach the Gospel to every nation, tribe, language and people. "
But there are countless millions of people who have lived on this earth without having had the opportunity to hear the Gospel. Have they perhaps would deny the blessings offered in the temples of the Lord?
These same ordinances are available for those who have departed this life, through living representatives who receive on behalf of the dead. In the world of spirits, those people who have died are free to accept or reject the ordinances that have been made by them on earth, including which include baptism, marriage and the sealing of the family relationships. In the Lord's work there is no compulsion, but the opportunity. Vicarious
This work is a labor of love record by living for the benefit of those who died. To carry out the work of this vicarious work is needed extensive family history research, to find the name and address of those who lived before us. To assist in this investigation, the Church is coordinating a program of family history and deals with the upkeep of family history research that are unparalleled in the world. Their genealogical records are open the public, and many people who are not members of the Church have used to find data on their ancestors. This program has been praised by genealogists from all over the world and many nations have used it to safeguard their own records. But its main purpose is to provide members of the Church of reference sources necessary to find the name and details of their ancestors and to bring them the blessings they themselves enjoy. In fact, many think, "If I want both my spouse and my children I want them with me forever, maybe my grandparents, great grandparents and other ancestors have the same desire. So why not take them the opportunity receive the same eternal blessings? ".
And so these holy buildings are the scene of tremendous activity that is done quietly and reverently. They remind us of the vision of John the Revelator that is registered in a particular question and answer: "¿... these which are arrayed in white robes, who are they and where did they come? . . .
"... These are they which came out of great tribulation and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
"Therefore are they before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple ..." (Revelation 7:13 - 15 ).
Those who attend these holy houses in white dress to participate in the ordinances. Van only with the advice of his local church authorities who certify their dignity. Is expected to enter the Temple of God, go with pure thoughts, pure in body and in clean clothes. As we crossed the threshold, it is necessary to leave the world behind and focus on things divine.
Doing so carries its own reward, because in these times of many tensions, who would receive them with open arms the opportunity to get away from the world and enter the house of God, to meditate there calmly on eternal things God? These enclosures sacred offer the opportunity not found anywhere else, to learn about the really important concepts of life and meditating on them, our relationship with Deity and our eternal journey from a state premortal to this life and then to a future state in which we recognize each other and be together, even with our loved ones and our ancestors who have preceded us and those we have inherited all things pertaining to body, mind and spirit.
Certainly, these temples stand out as unique among all the buildings. These houses of instruction. They are houses of education, more agreements and promises. In their altars we kneel before God, our Creator, and received the promise of His everlasting blessings. In the sanctity of the halls we communicate with Him and reflect on His Son, our Savior and Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ, who served as a representative of each of us in the vicarious sacrifice conducted on our behalf. There, we put aside selfishness and serve those who can not participate themselves. In those precincts, the real power of the priesthood of God, bind us in the most sacred of all human relationships: husband and wife, as parents and children, like family, with a sealing that time can not destroy and death can not be truncated.
These sacred buildings have been built even in times difficult when the Saints suffered a relentless pursuit. Have been built and maintained both in times of poverty and in prosperity. Have emerged from the vital faith of a large number of people who are continually increasing and witness the living God, the risen Lord, the prophets and divine revelation, as well as peace and security of the eternal blessings that only are in the house of the Lord.
