The LDS Daily WOOL Home Page
8/9/97
Frequent temple attendance, as our circumstances allow, is another
way to keep our spiritual windows clean. Worship in the house of
the Lord will keep our view of what matters most clear and sharp,
focused crisply, and free from the dust of the world. — Elder
Joseph B. Wirthlin, General Conference, October 1995
8/10/97
We again emphasize the personal blessings of temple worship and
the sanctity and safety that are provided within those hallowed
walls. It is the house of the Lord, a place of revelation and of
peace. As we attend the temple, we learn more richly and deeply
the purpose of life and the significance of the atoning sacrifice
of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us make the temple, with temple
worship and temple covenants and temple marriage, our ultimate
earthly goal and the supreme mortal experience. — Pres. Howard W.
Hunter, General Conference, October 1994
8/11/97
John A. Widtsoe wrote: "I believe that the busy person on the
farm, in the shop, in the office, or in the household, who has his
worries and troubles, can solve his problems better and more
quickly in the house of the Lord than anywhere else. If he will
... [do] the temple work for himself and for his dead, he will
confer a mighty blessing upon those who have gone before, and ...
a blessing will come to him, for at the most unexpected moments,
in or out of the temple will come to him, as a revelation, the
solution of the problems that vex his life. That is the gift that
comes to those who enter the temple properly" ("Temple Worship,"
The-Utah Genealogical and Historical Magazine, Apr. 1921, pp.
63-64). — Elder David B. Haight, General Conference, October 1990
8/12/97
When we go to the temple because we want to go and not because it
is an obligation; when we go with an attitude of worship and a
reverence for God and for His son Jesus Christ, and with gratitude
for the Savior's sacrifice; when we spend sufficient time to leave
the cares of the world outside, wonderful things happen which
cannot be described. The Spirit of the Lord distills upon one's
soul in these holy houses, truly the most sacred places on earth.
A new perception comes into focus of who we are, of what this life
is really about, of the opportunities of eternal life, and of our
relationship with the Savior. — Bishop Victor L. Brown, General
Conference, October 1989
8/13/97
Elder John A. Widtsoe made this remarkable statement: "When the
history of human thought shall be written from the point of view
of temple worship, it may well be found that temples and the work
done in them have been the dominating influence in shaping human
thought from the beginning of the race. Even today," he continued,
"political controversies are as nothing in determining the temper
of a people, as compared with religious sentiments and
convictions, especially as practiced in the temples of the
people." ("Temple Worship," p. 52.) The salvation of our Heavenly
Father's children from Adam and Eve to the present generation is
the most important work in time and eternity. Our joy--or our
disappointment in the eternities may hinge on our willing
participation in this great latter-day work. — Elder David B.
Haight, General Conference, April 1993
8/14/97
Do we return to the temple often to receive the personal blessings
that come from regular temple worship? Prayers are answered,
revelation occurs, and instruction by the Spirit takes place in
the holy temples of the Lord. — President Ezra Taft Benson,
General Conference, April 1988
8/15/97
The holy endowment is deeply symbolic. "Going through the temple"
is not a very good phrase; for temple worship implies a great
effort of mind and concentration if we are to understand the
mighty symbols that pass in review before us. Everything must be
arranged to attune our hearts, our minds, and our souls to the
work. Everything about us must contribute to the peace of mind
that enables us to study and to understand the mysteries, if you
choose, that are unfolded before us... — John A. Widstoe,
Symbolism in the Temples
8/16/97
Our people cannot partake of all of the blessings of the gospel
unless they can receive their own temple ordinances and then make
these ordinances available to those of their kindred dead and
others. If this is to happen, temples must be available to them. I
feel very strongly about this.… I have a burning desire that a
temple be located within reasonable access to Latter-day Saints
throughout the world. — Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley, General
Conference, October 1995
12/27/00
Now let me say something else to all who can worthily go to the
House of the Lord. When you attend the temple and perform the
ordinances that pertain to the House of the Lord, certain
blessings will come to you:
You will receive the spirit of Elijah, which will turn your hearts to your spouse, to your children, and to your forebears.
You will love your family with a deeper love than you have loved before.
Your hearts will be turned to your fathers and theirs to you.
You will be endowed with power from on high as the Lord has promised.
You will receive the key of the knowledge of God. (See D&C 84:19.) You will learn how you can be like Him. Even the power of godliness will be manifest to you. (See D&C 84:20.)
You will be doing a great service to those who have passed to the other side of the veil in order that they might be 'judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.' (D&C 138:34.) — Ezra Taft Benson, "What I Hope You Will Teach Your Children about the Temple," Ensign, Aug. 1985, p. 10
12/28/00
Work toward being temple worthy, and obtain a temple recommend
even if the temple is too far away to attend very often. Great
blessings will come to you and your children because of your
personal righteousness. If you now have a temple recommend, study
and pray and attend the temple often to increase your
understanding of the covenants you have made. — Patricia P.
Pinegar, "Caring for the Souls of Children," Ensign, May 1997, p.
14
12/30/00
Maintain an eternal perspective. Let there be a temple marriage in
your future. There is no scene so sweet, no time so sacred as that
very special day of your marriage. Then and there you glimpse
celestial joy. Be alert; do not permit temptation to rob you of
this blessing. — Thomas S. Monson, "The Lighthouse of the Lord,"
New Era, July 1980, p. 19
12/31/00
Let us truly be a temple-attending and a temple-loving people. We
should hasten to the temple as frequently, yet prudently, as our
personal circumstances allow. We should go not only for our
kindred dead but also for the personal blessing of temple worship,
for the sanctity and safety that are within those hallowed and
consecrated walls. As we attend the temple, we learn more richly
and deeply the purpose of life and the significance of the atoning
sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us make the temple, with
temple worship and temple covenants and temple marriage, our
ultimate earthly goal and the supreme mortal experience. — Howard
W. Hunter, "A Temple-Motivated People," Ensign, Feb. 1995, p. 5
10/16/01
I hope that everyone gets to the temple on a regular basis. I hope
your children over 12 years of age have the opportunity of going
to the temple to be baptized for the dead. If we are a
temple-going people, we will be a better people, we will be better
fathers and husbands, we will be better wives and mothers. I know
your lives are busy. I know that you have much to do. But I make
you a promise that if you will go to the house of the Lord, you
will be blessed, life will be better for you. Now, please, please,
my beloved brethren and sisters, avail yourselves of the great
opportunity to go to the Lord’s house and thereby partake of all
of the marvelous blessings that are yours to be received there
(fireside, Lima, Peru, 9 Nov. 1996). — Excerpts from Recent
Addresses of President Gordon B. Hinckley, "Ensign," July 1997, p.
73
10/17/01
In addition to the blessings we receive from doing work for the
dead, we receive personal blessings as we attend the temple.
Commenting on how our lives are blessed by temple attendance Elder
John A. Widtsoe stated: 'Temple work … gives a wonderful
opportunity for keeping alive our spiritual knowledge and
strength. … The mighty perspective of eternity is unraveled before
us in the holy temples; we see time from its infinite beginning to
its endless end; and the drama of eternal life is unfolded before
us. Then I see more clearly my place amidst the things of the
universe, my place among the purposes of God; I am better able to
place myself where I belong, and I am better able to value and to
weigh, to separate and to organize the common, ordinary duties of
my life so that the little things shall not oppress me or take
away my vision of the greater things that God has given us' (in
Conference Report, Apr. 1922, pp. 97–98). — Howard W. Hunter, "We
Have a Work to Do," "Ensign," Mar. 1995, p. 65
10/18/01
Frequent temple attendance, as our circumstances allow, is another
way to keep our spiritual windows clean. Worship in the house of
the Lord will keep our view of what matters most clear and sharp,
focused crisply, and free from the dust of the world. — Joseph B.
Wirthlin, "Windows of Light and Truth," "Ensign," Nov. 1995,
p. 77–78
10/19/01
So often we relate the temples to the vicarious ordinances that
are performed there for those who are deceased. Certainly this is
a vital part of temple work. But there is another aspect of temple
activity that has great importance for living members. I refer not
only to the ordinances performed for the living but as well to the
spiritually uplifting, strengthening influence in individual lives
that results from regular temple attendance. — Dean L. Larsen,
"The Importance of the Temple for Living Members," "Ensign,"
Apr. 1993, p. 10, 12
10/20/01
The requirements for temple attendance do not change from place to
place. Where a temple is available, priesthood authority gives no
greater or lesser blessings in one place than another. Temple
worship is a perfect example of our unity as Church members. All
of us answer the same questions of worthiness to enter the temple.
All the men dress alike. All the women dress alike. We leave the
cares of the world behind us as we enter the temple. Everyone
receives the same blessings. All make the same covenants. All are
equal before the Lord. — James E. Faust, "Heirs to the Kingdom of
God," "Ensign," May 1995, p. 62–63
4/7/04
While some may not understand or agree, I testify that it is not
sufficient to be baptized and then live an acceptable life,
avoiding major transgressions. The Lord has decreed that the
additional ordinances and covenants that I have mentioned must be
received for exaltation and eternal life. Being worthy of temple
ordinances means that you will choose to do what many in the world
are not willing to do. You will keep the Sabbath day holy,
exercise faith through the payment of tithing and fast offerings,
consistently participate in Church worship, give service, and show
love and appreciation for your family by helping each member of
it. After you have received all of the temple ordinances, you will
continue to grow by keeping the covenants made and faithfully
'endur[ing] to the end.' (Omni
1:26) — Richard G. Scott, "Jesus
Christ,
Our Redeemer," Ensign, May 1997, p. 54
5/22/04
Some people want to keep one hand on the wall of the temple while
touching the world's 'unclean things' (Alma
5:57) with the other hand. We must put both hands on the
temple and hold on for dear life. One hand is not even almost
enough. — Bruce C. Hafen, "The
Atonement: All for All," General Conference, April 2004
10/18/04
The temple is a house of instruction-yes, even divine
instruction-about God's eternal plan for his children. In the
temple one gains a superior perspective about his personal
relationship with his Maker and with the Savior-yes, special
knowledge about God and Jesus Christ, which is essential to the
obtaining of life eternal. 'And this is life eternal, that they
might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou
hast sent' (John
17:3). — Robert L. Simpson, "The
House
of the Lord," Ensign, November 1980, p. 10
11/22/04
As we contemplate the challenge of living faithful, happy,
fulfilling lives in the “perilous times” spoken of by the Apostle
Paul (see 2 Tim.
3:1), we must draw upon all of the spiritual powers
available to us. The temple is a principal source for the renewal
of these powers. Heavenly Father will not fail in his promises to
us if we do all that we can do to keep open the conduit of
spiritual strength that is available to us. The temple will play
an increasingly important role in this regard. — Dean L. Larsen,
“The Importance of the Temple for Living Members,” Ensign, Apr.
1993, p. 12
2/2/05
'Brother Kimball, have you ever been to heaven?'...
'Yes. Just an hour ago. It was in the holy temple across the way.
The sealing room was shut off from the noisy world by its thick,
white-painted walls; the drapes, light and warm; the furniture,
neat and dignified; the mirrors on two opposite walls seeming to
take one in continuous likenesses on and on into infinity; and the
beautiful stained-glass window in front of me giving such a
peaceful glow. All the people in the room were dressed in white.
Here were peace and harmony and eager anticipation. A well-groomed
young man and an exquisitely gowned young woman, lovely beyond
description, knelt across the altar. Authoritatively, I pronounced
the heavenly ceremony which married and sealed them for eternity
on earth and in the celestial worlds. The pure in heart were
there. Heaven was there.' — Spencer W. Kimball, "Glimpses
of
Heaven," Ensign, Dec. 1971, p. 36
5/19/05
When we go to the temple because we want to go and not because it
is an obligation; when we go with an attitude of worship and a
reverence for God and for His son Jesus Christ, and with gratitude
for the Savior's sacrifice, when we spend sufficient time to leave
the cares of the world outside, wonderful things happen which
cannot be described. The Spirit of the Lord distills upon one's
soul in these holy houses, truly the most sacred places on earth.
A new perception comes into focus of who we are, of what this life
is really about, of the opportunities of eternal life, and of our
relationship with the Savior. — Victor L. Brown, "A
Lifetime of Learning," Ensign, Nov. 1989, 77
8/18/05
The season of opportunity that awaits us today, in temple service,
is different from that of the past. We are not expected to pound
nails, carve stone, mill lumber, pour concrete, or physically
participate in the construction of temples. We are, however,
extended a marvelous opportunity to faithfully pay our tithes so
temple construction and the work of the Lord may go forward. We
are also challenged to be worthy to offer ourselves in the service
of providing sacred saving ordinances for those who have preceded
us. Very simply stated, the great opportunity of Latter-day Saint
families is to see that the lights of our temples burn early and
late in the day. Perhaps we could create the need for them to burn
all night as they do presently on weekends in several temples. —
H. David Burton, "A
Season of Opportunity," Ensign, Nov. 1998, 11
9/8/05
A temple is a house of the Lord, literally and in the full sense
of the word. He owns it. It is sacred and clean and pure—a fit
abode for the Holy One. Where else would he come except to the
purest and most sacred places on earth? When he has no houses on
earth, he comes to his servants on mountaintops, in groves of
trees, or in desert places. But when there is a holy house fit for
his presence, such is the place where his servants see his
face—all of which is a type of what shall be when he comes to rule
and reign on earth. He will appear in many places, chief among
which will be the holy houses built and dedicated to him. — Bruce
R. McConkie, "The Millennial Messiah: The Second Coming of the Son
of Man" [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1982], 272
10/20/05
In our day, the steadying arm of the Lord reaches us through the
ordinances of His holy temples. Said the Prophet Joseph to the
early Saints in Nauvoo, 'You need an endowment, brethren, in order
that you may be prepared and able to overcome all things.' How
right he was! Being blessed with the temple covenants and endowed
with power made it possible for the Latter-day Saints to endure
tribulation with faith. At the end of her own pioneer journey,
Sarah Rich recorded, 'If it had not been for the faith and
knowledge that was bestowed upon us in that temple... our journey
would have been like... taking a leap in the dark.' — Robert D.
Hales, "Faith through Tribulation Brings Peace and Joy," Ensign
(CR), May 2003, p.15
11/2/05
We are required to build Temples in which to attend to the
ordinances of the house of the Lord, that the prison doors may be
opened, and the prisoners go free. The world say—'We do not
believe in such stuff.' We know that perfectly well; it was so in
the days of Noah and Lot, but the unbelief of the people did not
stop the flood and the fire, neither will the unbelief of this
generation stay the hand of God one moment. The angels of God have
been waiting in the Temple in heaven for [a long time] to go forth
to reap down the earth. The wheat and the tares must grow together
until harvest; the people must be warned, the Saints gathered out,
Zion built up, Temples reared, the living warned, the dead
redeemed, that the skirts of the Elders of Israel may be clean
before all men. — Wilford Woodruff, "Journal of Discourses," 26
vols., 18:115
1/8/07
Elder John A. Widtsoe made this remarkable statement: 'When the
history of human thought shall be written from the point of view
of temple worship, it may well be found that temples and the work
done in them have been the dominating influence in shaping human
thought from the beginning of the race. Even today,' he continued,
'political controversies are as nothing in determining the temper
of a people, as compared with religious sentiments and
convictions, especially as practiced in the temples of the
people.' ("Temple Worship," p. 52.)
The salvation of our Heavenly Fathers children from Adam and Eve
to the present generation is the most important work in time and
eternity. Our joy—or our disappointment—in the eternities may
hinge on our willing participation in this great latter-day work.
— David B. Haight, "Personal
Temple Worship," Ensign (CR), May 1993, p.23
3/5/07
On those days when I feel off center, out of focus, or off
balance, when I feel that I don't have enough time, insight, or
strength to solve my problems, I know that comfort is as close as
the temple. Before I go to the temple, I retreat to a private room
in my home, one where, from frequent prayer, I feel I have come
closest to my Father in heaven. There I kneel and express my
deepest feelings of love and gratitude. I also pour out my
troubles to him one by one by one, laying every burden and placing
every decision at the Lord's feet. Thus prepared, I then take
myself out of this world of fashion, frenzy, and occasional
phoniness and go to the House of the Lord. There, dressed like my
neighbor, and with no windows and no clocks to distract me, I am
able to see this world objectively. There I remember that the
whole of this life is a journey of the spirit to a higher and
holier sphere. I remember that the success of my journey depends
on my adherence to the sequential steps God has put on my
individual road map. — Jeffrey R. Holland and Patricia T. Holland,
"On Earth As It Is in Heaven," p.78
3/25/07
A temple is a retreat from the vicissitudes of life, a place of
prayer and meditation providing an opportunity to receive inner
peace, inspiration, guidance, and, frequently, solutions to the
problems that vex our daily lives.
A temple is a place where the divine spark in man, or the infinite
in man, can seek the infinite in God. — Franklin D. Richards, "Happiness
and Joy in Temple Work," Ensign (CR), November 1986, p.70
8/24/07
In Doctrine and
Covenants 109, that section which teaches us of the holiness
of the temple, verse
22 reads: 'We ask thee, Holy Father, that thy servants may
go forth from this house armed with thy power, and that thy name
may be upon them, and thy glory be round about them, and thine
angels have charge over them.'
That is a powerful promise to those who feel overwhelmed with the
pressures and stresses of daily living, a power and promise I
first encountered at twelve years of age. Now, with the many
experiences I have had since that age, I can declare that this is
true. The temple provides protection and it provides patterns and
promises that can settle and strengthen and stabilize us, however
anxious our times. If we master the principles taught there, we
will receive the promise the Lord gave us through Isaiah: 'I will
fasten him [or her] as a nail in a sure place.' (Isaiah
23:23.) — Jeffrey R. Holland and Patricia T. Holland, "On
Earth As It Is in Heaven," p.64
1/17/08
As we contemplate this work, my brethren, we can begin to
understand why it is the greatest work. When we think of the
mission of the Savior—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal
life of man—we can understand why Joseph Smith said that this is
the greatest responsibility that God has laid upon us in the
world; that we neglect this temple work at the peril of losing our
own salvation; that our dead can't be made perfect without us, nor
we without them. Temple work transcends more space, more time and
more people than any other work in the Church. The other
organizations—particularly the auxiliaries—have to do with here
and now. Temple work has to do with eternity. Through genealogical
research we reach back into the dark ages of the past to get our
records. Through temple work we enjoy the endowments today for
ourselves and our families. Through temple work we project our
hopes and our dreams into the future. We have sealed upon
ourselves the promise that we will enjoy glory, immortality, an
eternal life. And since the Savior's work is to save all
mankind—not only those who live now but all who have lived and
will live—surely he needs the help that we can give. He needs our
aid and our support in this great and important mission. — Edward
L. Clissold, "Conference Report," April 1959, General
Priesthood Meeting, p.43
11/3/09
Notwithstanding all that may be said in relation to the work in
the temple, you know, my brethren and sisters, that when you go to
the house Of the Lord and receive the ordinances there
administered, they are all calculated to make you better men and
women, better fathers and mothers; and everything that is done in
those houses is for salvation. The testimony of all who go there
is that it makes them feel better prepared to battle with life.
They become better fathers and mothers, and better citizens of the
United States or of any other country. I can testify to this, and
thousands that are before me, who have been through the house of
the Lord could bear me out in this testimony, if called upon.
There is nothing done there in any manner that has a tendency in
the least to harm any individual, but everything that is done is
for the best good and salvation of the people. — John R. Winder,
"Conference Report," October 1904, First Day–Morning Session, p.
97
6/10/10
Occasionally I have been asked if I can recommend a good book or
article to help people understand the temple ordinances. I have
always answered, 'Yes! There is a wonderful manual written to
explain even the most subtle meanings of the endowment, and it is
readily available to you.' Excitedly the person takes out pencil
and paper to write down the title. 'The manual is the holy
scriptures,' I say. Disappointed, the person puts down the pencil
and says, 'No, really. Is there any other book you would
recommend?' — S. Michael Wilcox, "House of Glory: Finding Personal
Meaning in the Temple," p. 19
1/16/11
We should not be surprised by Satan’s efforts to thwart or
discredit temple worship and work. The devil despises the purity
in and the power of the Lord’s house. And the protection available
to each of us in and through temple ordinances and covenants
stands as a great obstacle to the evil designs of Lucifer. — David
A. Bednar, "Honorably Hold a Name and Standing," Ensign (CR) April
2009
7/20/11
Everything that occurs in the temple is eternal in its
consequences. We there deal with matters of immortality, with
things of eternity, with things of man and his relationship to his
Divine Parent and his Redeemer. Hands must be clean and hearts
must be pure and thoughts concerned with the solemnities of
eternity when in these sacred premises. — Gordon B. Hinckley, "Keeping
the Temple Holy," Ensign (CR) April 1990