In his book ‘Accomplishing the Impossible: “President Russell M. Nelson (our new and current Prophet) has said; “Year by year and step by step, revelation has come to successive prophets. President Wilford Woodruff taught this concept when speaking in general conference in April 1894: “[Joseph Smith and Brigham Young] did not receive all the revelations that belong to [temple] work; neither did President Taylor, nor has Wilford Woodruff. There will be no end to this work until it is perfected. ([i] below).
President Howard W. Hunter (1907-95) added this statement: “I invite the Latter-day Saints to look to the temple of the Lord as the great symbol of [their] membership. It is the deepest desire of my heart to have every member of the Church worthy to enter the temple. It would please the Lord if every adult member of the Church were worthy to enter the temple. It would please the Lord if every adult member would be worthy of—and carry— a current temple recommend.”[iii]
Why do we have temples? Why do we have missionaries? Why should anyone join this church? To make life more pleasant, satisfying, and uplifting? Yes , but other organizations can also do some of that. In fact we join the Church to make and keep sacred covenants that will qualify us for eternal life. We join the Church so that our families can be together forever. Only the Lord’s church can offer these enduring blessings.
Without sealing ordinances performed for families in the temple, the whole earth would be utterly wasted.([iv] [v]) The purpose of the Creation, the Fall, and the Atonement would all be frustrated.
I repeat: God simply wants His children to return to HIm. For this to happen each of us needs to make and keep sacred covenants, receive ordinances of salvation and exaltation, and be linked to both our ancestors and our posterity. Only then are we qualified to dwell with Diety and our families forever.
When we realize we are children of the covenant, we know who we are and what God expects of us. [vi] His law is written in our hearts.[vii] [ix] [viii] [x] [xi] He is our God and we are His people. Committed children of the covenant remain steadfast, even in the midst of adversity. When that doctrine is deeply implanted in our hearts, even the sting of death is soothed and our spiritual stamina is strengthened.
The greatest compliment that can be earned in this life is to be known as a covenant keeper. The rewards for a covenant keeper will be both here and hereafter. Scripture declares that “ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold they are blessed in all things,… and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven,… and dwell with God in a state of never ending happiness.”[xii]
God lives. Jesus is the Christ. His Church has been restored to bless all people. And we, as faithful children of the covenant, will be blessed now and forever.
[i] Discourses of Wilford Woodruff, sel. G, Homer Durham (1946), 154.
[vi] lengthy explanation — refer to the book ‘Accomplishing the Impossible’, President Russell M. Nelson, p 156, note 43
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