Two
halves of one blessing: that’s how President Howard W. Hunter
memorably described the relationship between family history and
temple worship.1
In recent columns we’ve been talking about the family history
half of the blessing. But what about the temple half?
The
vision of the apostle John on the Isle of Patmos points us to a
particular blessing of temple worship, one that’s relevant to
our day. John relates that he was given a “reed like unto a
rod,” and then told by an angel to “rise, and measure the
temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein”
(Revelation 11:1).
Why would John be asked to do this?
In
his book Opening
the Seven Seals: The Visions of John the Revelator,
Richard Draper explains that in the scriptures the act of measuring
is a symbol of God's protection.2
So John symbolically measures the temple and those who worship there
to show that they will be safe within God's protecting power.
How
is the temple a place of protection?
In
the temple we can experience peace so real that it is almost
tangible. In that peace, we can hear the voice of the Spirit more
clearly, helping us grow in our ability to understand how the Spirit
speaks to us. Thus we leave the temple better prepared to listen to
promptings that warn us of danger and keep us on the safe path.
In
the temple we find light and eternal truth which stand in stark
contrast to the deceptions and distractions of the world. The temple
helps us recognize these traps for what they truly are so that we can
avoid them.
Our
temple covenants are also a vital source of protection. Covenants
confirm standards of behavior that keep us safe and happy, even when
we can’t immediately see why deviating from those standards
would ultimately bring us great sorrow.
Likewise,
the temple garment offers much-needed protection. Elder Carlos
E. Asay likened it to spiritual armor. “The piece of armor called the
temple garment not only provides the comfort and warmth of a cloth
covering, it also strengthens the wearer to resist temptation, fend
off evil influences, and stand firmly for the right.”3
We
also gain knowledge at the temple, both through the ceremonies and
ordinances themselves and through the promptings of the Spirit.
Knowledge of truth is a great protection. Error leads us into
bondage, but the truth sets us free (John 8:32).
No
work is more of a protection to this Church than temple work and the
family history research that supports it. No work is more spiritually
refining. No work we do gives us more power. No work requires a
higher standard of righteousness.
Our
labors in the temple cover us with a shield and a protection, both
individually and as a people.
So
come to the temple — come and claim your blessings. It is a
sacred work.4
1
Howard W. Hunter, “A Temple-Motivated People,” Ensign,
February 1995.
Kathryn Grant is a user assistance professional with a passion
for usability and process
improvement. She also loves family history and enjoys the challenge and
reward of building her family tree.
As a child, she lived outside the United States for four years because of her father's job. This experience fueled her natural love of words and language, and also taught her to appreciate other cultures.
Kathryn values gratitude, teaching, learning, differences, and unity. She loves looking at star-filled skies, reading mind-stretching books, listening to contemporary Christian music, attending the temple, and eating fresh raspberries.
Kathryn teaches Sunday family history classes at the BYU Family History Library, and presents frequently at family history events. For more information, visit her Family History Learning Resources page
