As I left the temple today I could feel a physical change in my countenance had taken place while I was there. I felt impressed to keep a small notebook or journal in my temple bag so in the future I could write down impressions that come while I am in the temple before I leave and the distractions of the world fight against me to make me forget them.
While I was there I felt: “This truly is the restored church. No where else can we obtain such great and marvelous blessings.”
The blessings are so profound and desirable, yet so many deny themselves those miraculous blessings! I wanted to shout it out to the world, “Look! Come here! Experience this, be happy!” I felt happy, content, blessed, loved, calmed and strengthened. I felt the Love of our Heavenly Father and likened it to a kind, gentle, wise man reaching out to care for a needing child and giving that child love, warmth, clothing and all other necessities of life and joy. That is what He gives us in this great gift we call the gospel, the good news of the Atoning Sacrifice and Glorious Resurrection of our brother and Savior, Jesus Christ.
That we may be counted as one in such a holy and magnificent family and welcomed with open arms, desired, to be considered a blessing by such a noble, royal and Godly family, and to know such a great sacrifice purchased and secured our place in that family, places in me a humbling desire for eternal truth and righteousness and the ability to perform service with pure charity. A humbling desire that eradicates all desire to do evil or anything at all that might jeopardize such a familial relationship in any way. Such a thought ignites a fire in my soul to capture and create all that I can that is good and virtuous and holy and share it with the world. The joy this brings is more than I can contain and must be shared with others!
I echo the sentiments of Joseph Smith as recorded in the 128th Section of the Doctrine & Covenants, verses 22-25:
22 Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad. Let the earth break forth into singing. Let the dead speak forth anthems of eternal praise to the King Immanuel, who hath ordained, before the world was, that which would enable us to redeem them out of their prison; for the prisoners shall go free.
23 Let the mountains shout for joy, and all ye valleys cry aloud; and all ye seas and dry lands tell the wonders of your Eternal King! And ye rivers, and brooks, and rills, flow down with gladness. Let the woods and all the trees of the field praise the Lord; and ye solid rocks weep for joy! And let the sun, moon, and the morning stars sing together, and let all the sons of God shout for joy! And let the eternal creations declare his name forever and ever! And again I say, how glorious is the voice we hear from heaven, proclaiming in our ears, glory, and salvation, and honor, and immortality, and eternal life; kingdoms, principalities, and powers!
24 Behold, the great day of the Lord is at hand; and who can abide the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appeareth? For he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fuller’s soap; and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. Let us, therefore, as a church and a people, and as Latter-day Saints, offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness; and let us present in his holy temple, when it is finished, a book containing the records of our dead, which shall be worthy of all acceptation.
25 Brethren, I have many things to say to you on the subject; but shall now close for the present, and continue the subject another time. I am, as ever, your humble servant and never deviating friend,
Joseph Smith.
If you are a Latter-day Saint I stand by the Prophet and urge you: Go. Go to the temple. Prepare yourself spiritually to be aware of and open to the magnificent gifts, work, and blessings that take place there. You will leave forever changed for the better when you do. Go back frequently. There are so many distractions and life can be so confusing; we are such simple creatures who forget so easily. In the temple priorities come into focus, burdens are relieved, and the pettiness that sometimes accumulates from daily living is swept away. You’ll have more joy, I promise.
If you are not a Latter-day Saint I ask:
What do you know of the church?
Where did that information come from?
Did you receive the information with skepticism or did you accept it as truth?
Did you do research on your own to dispel fiction from fact?
If so, how and where did you do your research?
Did you read anti- Mormon literature?
Did you read scriptures and pray for the Holy Ghost to lead you to know the truth?
Have you known active or inactive members of the church?
What were they like?
Are you happy, can you feel “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding (KJV, Philippians 4:7)” in your life?
What do you know about God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost?
What do you want to know about God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost?
Does the thought of dying scare you?
Does the thought of religion scare you?
And keep asking, and keep listening until you hear Him and understand. And don’t stop asking and listening and seeking knowledge, truth, wisdom and guidance from that great God who created you and loves you and wants nothing more than your eternal joy and happiness. Ask Him, listen for him, and he’ll tell you.
If you have questions about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints you can call 800-438-7557 (free call) or visit www.mormon.org or www.lds.org.
Notice I did NOT say The Church of Mormon or The Church of Joseph Smith. Great men of God they were, magnificent, noble and righteous in His cause, yes!- but notice the name is the Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints. It is Him that we worship and no other God and know that by no other name can man be saved (see Acts 4:10-12)!
He loves you and wants you to know it, to feel it, and to make that love the guiding force in your life. I know it and declare it to you with feelings of happiness and peace that I want to share with all, in the sacred name of the one & only Savior, Jesus Christ.
Originally posted 1/21/11
2 comments:
- Estelle said...
- Christine, you are sooooo freakin' awesome. My hero, you are! Love you!
- January 22, 2011 6:47 AM
- Petersen Palace said...
- Amen sista! You are amazing.
- January 22, 2011 8:15 PM
