Look to the temple

A temple president told Elder Bednar when he was called as a stake president, “I wish I had been a temple worker before I was called to be a stake president. {I feel that I was a good stake president, but if I had served in the temple before that call it would have changed my focus as a stake president}”

Gathering and the building of temples are connected principles.

Clearly when we baptize our eyes should gaze beyond the baptismal font to the temple. – Neal A. Maxwell

The process of taking upon us the name of Christ that is commenced in the baptismal font is continued and expanded in the temple.

We should not be surprised at Satan’s attempts to thwart or discredit temple work.

Within the sound of my voice are people who should have, but have not yet, received the ordinances of the temple.

I talked with a good friend who recently had been released as a stake president. During our conversation I asked him what he would teach me about becoming an effective stake president. . . He responded: “I wish I had been a temple worker before I was a stake president. If I had served in the temple before my call to serve as a stake president, I would have been a very different stake president. I believe I was a good stake president. The programs in our stake ran well, and our statistics were above average. But serving in the temple has expanded my vision. If I were called today to serve as a stake president, my primary focus would be on worthiness to receive and honor temple covenants. I would strive to make temple preparation the center of all that we did. I would do a better job of shepherding the Saints to the house of the Lord.”

The process of taking upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ that is commenced in the waters of baptism is continued and enlarged in the house of the Lord. As we stand in the waters of baptism, we look to the temple. As we partake of the sacrament, we look to the temple. We pledge to always remember the Savior and to keep His commandments as preparation to participate in the sacred ordinances of the temple and receive the highest blessings available through the name and by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ. Thus, in the ordinances of the holy temple we more completely and fully take upon us the name of Jesus Christ.

I bear solemn witness that the fire of the covenant will burn in the heart of every faithful member of this Church who shall worship and honorably hold a name and standing in the Lord’s holy house.