I tried to help those who I knew would not be with me during the actual wedding ceremony understand why that was, but most importantly why I chose to be married in the temple. Although for me, the choice was decided years before. I had to explain that it wasn't our typical meetinghouse/chapel. Temple access is limited.
It's not a secret. It's just very sacred. And it's so important to be worthy to enter the House of the Lord. We don't talk about everything outside of temple walls because of the sacred nature & even personal nature, but there isn't anything you can't read about in the scriptures. I was grateful for Mr Smith who prepared me best for entering the temple since he had made those covenants 10 years earlier when he left on his mission. (jeez la-weez 10 years Mr Smith?) He explained the covenants (sacred commitments between God & myself) I would be asked to make&keep. And he told me I was ready, as a worthy, faithful member, I was prepared. I desired to increase my commitment. I was ready to raise the bar for myself and being sealed to Mr Smith allows me the opportunity to reach my full potential. I also cherished the words of my Stake President who at the time I hardly knew, but he told me this, don't worry about remembering everything the first time. He told me to focus on how I felt. And it felt really, really good. So peaceful.
I wish my family members & friends could also feel that. I hope eventually that they do. (Come on & get baptized already!). You can walk through before the dedication during the "open house". I have never personally been to one, but it is open to all during that time. {PS there is one for the Fort Lauderdale, FL temple March 29 - April 19 - more details here} However, once the new or renovated temple has been dedicated, only worthy members can attend. You must be at least 12 years old, be a member for at least one year, and hold a temple recommend (which you receive through an interview). Beginning at the age of 12 you can visit the Baptismal font & do vicarious baptisms. And once you take out your own endowment (most typical before you leave on a mission or get married) you can experience the Ordinance Room, the Celestial Room & the Sealing Rooms. See pictures here.
Once you go through the first time for yourself, you return to the temple to participate in ordinances for your ancestors. A lot of people know "Mormons" due to their family history efforts. Family is everything to us! Any way, we are commanded to do their temple work. In my previous "religious" post I mentioned that those who did not have the opportunity to accept the gospel in this life can in the next, and temple work allows them to receive all the promised blessings. Bodies are so important!
Once you go through the first time for yourself, you return to the temple to participate in ordinances for your ancestors. A lot of people know "Mormons" due to their family history efforts. Family is everything to us! Any way, we are commanded to do their temple work. In my previous "religious" post I mentioned that those who did not have the opportunity to accept the gospel in this life can in the next, and temple work allows them to receive all the promised blessings. Bodies are so important!
For those who are preparing to enter the temple . . .
For me, it is important that I understand the difference between an ordinance & a covenant. We often throw those words around, but it's necessary to understand the difference & why we need both. I repeated it all the time in my youth as it is included in the young women theme "make and keep sacred covenants & receive the ordinances of the temple" - but I had no idea what that really meant. Ordinance being the sacred ceremony, symbolic in nature (like baptism or sacrament) & the covenant being the promises made between you & God.
I value the ordinances the more I go. It is a house of learning & this learning comes through the Spirit. You remember a little more every time and you begin to think about things differently, or at least that's the hope, whether or not you participate in baptisms, priesthood ordination, initiatories, endowment or sealings. They are made available by the power of the priesthood, the power to act in God's name. This power means everything. Initiatories can be overlooked, but they are wonderful, specific immediate & future blessings. In the "ordinance room" you will learn of your "pre mortal and mortal lives, the creation of the world and the Fall of man, the central role of Jesus Christ as Redeemer, and the blessings you can receive in the next life" - again no secrets but it's quite grand.
I love this quote:
“Your endowment is, to receive all those ordinances in the house of the Lord, which are necessary for you, after you have departed this life, to enable you to walk back to the presence of the Father … and gain your eternal exaltation.”
The sealing bind families eternally. don't overlook the importance of this.
"The covenants we make with the associated ordinances become our credentials for admission into God's presence." I think it's crazy that some go through the temple for the first time not knowing what covenants they will be asked to make (even if you're already keeping them it's good to know!) You know what covenants you made at baptism right? Well, they are added upon in the temple. There are certain laws of the gospel that keep us from being of the world. Covenants regarding chastity before marriage & complete fidelity within marriage, as well as the law of consecration are explained as well.
These promises protect us. I am so grateful for them.
One last thing because I know we hardly ever talk about our garments for good reason. I'm sure you're grateful people don't ask you about your underwear. It's an awkward question, but there really isn't an awkward response. The temple garment is an outward expression of an inward commitment. Outside of maintaining a level of modesty, they are (there is a top & a bottom) a source of spiritual protection. THIS ARTICLE will answer any question you may have. But after we receive our endowment, we wear our garment as a tangible remembrance of our temple covenants throughout our lives. It's a personal thing between the individual & the Lord. {along with garments, there is specific temple attire you will need to rent or purchase. you go in your Sunday best, but then you change into your temple attire once inside before participating in the ordinances. you'll be wearing white.}
I received my endowment in the Washington, DC temple a couple weeks before my wedding
I was sealed to my eternal companion November 5, 2011.
Due to this, I am also sealed to my posterity.
Like this little girl . . .
For me, it is important that I understand the difference between an ordinance & a covenant. We often throw those words around, but it's necessary to understand the difference & why we need both. I repeated it all the time in my youth as it is included in the young women theme "make and keep sacred covenants & receive the ordinances of the temple" - but I had no idea what that really meant. Ordinance being the sacred ceremony, symbolic in nature (like baptism or sacrament) & the covenant being the promises made between you & God.
I value the ordinances the more I go. It is a house of learning & this learning comes through the Spirit. You remember a little more every time and you begin to think about things differently, or at least that's the hope, whether or not you participate in baptisms, priesthood ordination, initiatories, endowment or sealings. They are made available by the power of the priesthood, the power to act in God's name. This power means everything. Initiatories can be overlooked, but they are wonderful, specific immediate & future blessings. In the "ordinance room" you will learn of your "pre mortal and mortal lives, the creation of the world and the Fall of man, the central role of Jesus Christ as Redeemer, and the blessings you can receive in the next life" - again no secrets but it's quite grand.
I love this quote:
“Your endowment is, to receive all those ordinances in the house of the Lord, which are necessary for you, after you have departed this life, to enable you to walk back to the presence of the Father … and gain your eternal exaltation.”
The sealing bind families eternally. don't overlook the importance of this.
 |
| Sealing Room - Atlanta Temple - view more photos here |
These promises protect us. I am so grateful for them.
One last thing because I know we hardly ever talk about our garments for good reason. I'm sure you're grateful people don't ask you about your underwear. It's an awkward question, but there really isn't an awkward response. The temple garment is an outward expression of an inward commitment. Outside of maintaining a level of modesty, they are (there is a top & a bottom) a source of spiritual protection. THIS ARTICLE will answer any question you may have. But after we receive our endowment, we wear our garment as a tangible remembrance of our temple covenants throughout our lives. It's a personal thing between the individual & the Lord. {along with garments, there is specific temple attire you will need to rent or purchase. you go in your Sunday best, but then you change into your temple attire once inside before participating in the ordinances. you'll be wearing white.}
I received my endowment in the Washington, DC temple a couple weeks before my wedding
I was sealed to my eternal companion November 5, 2011.
Due to this, I am also sealed to my posterity.
Like this little girl . . .
So everyday I have to fight to be worthy of those blessings.
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