“If I covet anything but the dust at the foot of the Cross, then I know nothing of Calvary love.”
When I was a new member of the Church, I began preparing myself to attend the temple for the first time. This is when I would receive my endowments and be sealed to my husband and son “for time and all eternity”. I was told that this was going to be a wonderful and spiritual time for me. However, looking back, those are not the words I would use to describe the experience.
The article provides a quote from General Authority of the Church, Dale G. Renlund, who said –
“You’ll find not only protection from the temptations and ills of this world, but you’ll also find personal power, power to change, power to repent, power to learn, power to be sanctified, and power to turn the hearts of your family together and heal that which needs healing.”
Instead of looking to a place built with man’s hands, where God doesn’t dwell for comfort and strength, I would love for them to look to Jesus Christ.
“God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands” Acts 17:24
In times of stress, heartache, and temptation, he is the one we should run to.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)
Probably one of the saddest songs I’ve heard Mormon children sing is “I Love to See the Temple.” Some of the lyrics are –
“I love to see the temple.
I’m going there someday
To feel the Holy Spirit,
To listen and to pray.
I love to see the temple.
I’ll go inside someday.
I’ll cov’nant with my Father;
I’ll promise to obey.”
My heart hurts for these precious little ones who are being taught to look to this place as a refuge from the world. They need to know that it’s Jesus who gives us peace, comfort, and strength to carry on.
I wish all Mormons could understand and know that if you are part of the body of Christ, you are the temple. The Holy Spirit dwells in you.
“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” (1 Cor 6:19)
In Christ,
Melissa Grimes
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