Spiritual Temples

It is a blessed experience to attend the temples of the Lord, and we Latter-day Saints should be mindful of the sacred opportunities the temples provide. Of course we all know what the purpose of temples is: to seal husbands and wives and children and parents as forever families. This is the great sum and substance of temple work, and what a marvelous work it is! Temples and the sacred work performed within them are nothing new. Temple worship has existed as long as there has been humankind upon the earth who possessed the true gospel of Jesus Christ, including its sacred priesthood by which temple work is performed. The first we hear about temples is in Moses’ day, but it is likely that temples of one kind or another existed before the Mosaic Dispensation. As long as there have been temples constructed under priesthood authority, there also have been divine manifestations of the Lord and other heavenly host, often occurring inside temple walls. The times in which we live – times the Lord has called “these last days” (Doctrine and Covenants 1:4; hereafter cited as D&C.) and the “dispensation of the fulness of times” (D&C 112:30) – is no different. Heavenly manifestations in Latter-day Saint temples began with the first temple the Saints constructed in Kirtland, Ohio. Such experiences recurred during the Nauvoo era in Illinois and within the temples the Saints later built in Utah. And heavenly experiences, though not openly discussed, still happen within temples today. Perhaps the greatest of all latter-day manifestations occurred at the temple in Kirtland. It was a day indeed like the New Testament’s day of Pentecost! It is an evil and adulterous generation, the Lord warned, who seeks after signs. However, the Lord did say what we should seek after: more faith, more sanctification, and more of his Spirit, which, by its very nature, will bring to us more revelation. Also, the Lord said the righteous would look for the signs of the times in anticipation of his Second Coming. (D&C 45:39.) As for the desire to have spiritual experiences, this author believes it is not wrong if one wants them for the right reasons. Wanting right things for the right reasons is never wrong. The Prophet Joseph Smith demonstrated this when, at the Kirtland temple dedication, he prayed: “let thy house be filled with a mighty rushing wind, with thy glory.” (D&C 109:37.) Here Joseph specifically asked for a heavenly experience. Of course, his faith had waxed strong in the Lord; but then again, shouldn’t ours? (See D&C 121:45.) For me, it has always been a marvelous thing to read about the spiritual experiences of our forebears, and to know that faith such as theirs is still attainable today. In fact, the Prophet said that what had been revealed to him may be revealed to all the saints as soon as they prepare themselves. (History of the Church 5:2; hereafter cited as HC.) Also, the Lord said in 1831: “If thou shalt ask, thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things – that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal.” (D&C 42:61.) He also said temples are houses “consecrated,” among other things, for “obtaining revelations.” (D&C 94:3; see also D&C 124:40-41), and that he reveals his mysteries to those who serve him. (D&C 76:5-10.) Perhaps we, as individuals and as a church, have a long way to go before we can attain these promises in their fullness, but seeking to do so should be one of our primary ambitions. To put it bluntly, we shouldn’t be complacent with our spirituality. We should seek a higher plateau of faith and righteousness, to be a people that can open the windows of heaven. I believe this is what the Lord desires of his people. Increasing our faith, worthiness and spirituality – in short, increasing our confidence in the Lord – is part of our eternal progression, and temple worship is a major boon in that process. Ultimately it is up to the Lord if we are to experience more heavenly manifestations as did the early saints. However, even if one never experiences a heavenly vision or manifestation, there is one thing that every person in the Church can witness: the comforting, revelatory prompting of the Holy Ghost – that most marvelous of all spiritual manifestations given to each repentant soul at the time of baptism. The promise is given that if we live worthy the Spirit will be our companion and guide, our comforter and testator to truth. Revelation can and will come to each of us. The Prophet said: The spirit of revelation is in connection with these blessings. A person may profit by noticing the first intimation of the spirit of revelation; for instance, when you feel pure intelligence flowing into you, it may give you sudden strokes of ideas, so that by noticing it, you may find it fulfilled the same day or soon; (i.e.) those things that were presented unto your minds by the Spirit of God, will come to pass; and thus by learning the Spirit of God and understanding it, you may grow into the principle of revelation, until you become perfect in Christ Jesus. (HC 3:381.) Though the Lord instructed us to not seek after signs, he also said signs do follow those who believe. (See Mark 16:17; Mormon 9:24; Ether 4:18; D&C 58:64; 63:9; 68:10; 84:65). Most often such experiences are the quiet associations with the Lord’s Spirit. The very nature of temple work puts us in a position to, the Lord willing, experience intimate associations with his Spirit and its multifaceted gifts. In turn, the temples teach us how to pattern our homes (D&C 88:119), where that same Spirit may manifest itself in our daily lives and personal havens. “Personal revelation,” however, “is not limited to gaining a testimony and knowing thereby that Jesus, through whom the gospel came, is Lord of all, nor is it limited to receiving guidance in our personal and family affairs – although these are the most common examples of revelation among the Lord’s people,” explained Elder Bruce R. McConkie. “In truth and in verity, there is no limit to the revelations each member of the Church may receive. It is within the power of every person who has received the gift of the Holy Ghost to see visions, entertain angels, learn the deep and hidden mysteries of the kingdom. (A New Witness to the Articles of Faith, 489-490.)