Temple Focused

April Message
The Blessings of the Temple: An Invitation to Experience the Power of Jesus Christ

Dear Ward Members,

It is my honor to share a few thoughts about temple blessings that are real in our lives as we serve our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. For the month of April, our focus is our knowledge to think celestial and catch a vision of who you truly are and can become. 

When I was in my youth, I remember thinking to myself that becoming like our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ was a lofty goal. I felt it was unattainable and completely out of my reach. I had learned many mastery scriptures over the years attending seminary. One scripture in particular echoed in my ears, and only the first part of the scripture seemed true to me (Mosiah 3:19) “For the natural man in an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever…”

I was constantly reminded of my natural state and how fallible I was in the sight of God. I knew I was a believer of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the way to peace and happiness, yet I knew my shortcomings brought me low and made me feel inadequate to live a celestial life. I remember being taught about the degrees of glory, and wondering if I might ever be worthy enough to live among God, the Father, and the Savior.  Over time, I tried to relate more to the latter half of verse 19, “…unless he yields to enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.”

Since the years of my adolescence, I have learned for myself that the Savior extends mercy to those who come to Him with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. We all have struggles and will be tested in many ways, but through the refiner’s fire and time in the temple, we can become more rounded and purified, ultimately leaving us a pure, shining metal. Worshipping in the temple has helped me feel the cleansing power of the Lord. The refiner’s fire is not meant to be destructive, but rather to bring about positive transformation and growth. It exposes and removes impurities, allowing us to become more like Christ. 

To quote President Nelson, “Regular temple worship will enhance the way you see yourself and how you fit into God’s magnificent plan. I promise you that.”

I love the phrase, “Start where you are.” It gives me hope that Christ knows exactly where we are and will meet us there. A final quote from President Nelson states, “Start today to experience the joy of putting off the natural man. The Savior loves us always but especially when we repent.” 

My invitation to you is to make time to worship in the House of the Lord, however it seems fit for you. Become connected with your ancestors who need your help doing their temple work. If you only have a few moments during the day, take a driving route that passes by the temple, stop and walk the grounds of the temple, or sit on a bench by the temple. Contemplate His saving ordinances that can only be performed in His house. Consider your worth, which is an unchangeable constant in the sight of our loving Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ!

With Love,

Dan Talbot

February Message

The Blessings of the Temple: An Invitation to Experience the Power of Jesus Christ

Dear ward members,

I am grateful for the opportunity to share some of the blessings I experience by focusing on the temple and participating in ordinances we perform for those on the other side of the veil.

In February, the blessing we are focusing on is knowledge of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

I started playing basketball at a very young age. Through repetition, I learned that if I shot a basketball up in the air, it would come back down, generally in the direction of the basket, sometimes even going in the hoop. I didn’t understand the physics that made this possible, but I knew it would happen every time due to the countless times I hoisted the ball up in the air. Eventually, I came to understand the effects of gravity. However, that knowledge did not change what I already knew to be true through years of experience.

The same principle applies to our desire and commitment to participate in temple ordinances. We are taught that we will grow closer to the Savior and experience the blessings He has in store for us by focusing on the temple, and wherever we stand on the path to temple blessings, continue moving in the direction that leads us there.

The knowledge of faith I have experienced by attending the temple is described by this quote from Boyd K. Packer. He said “At the temple the dust of distraction seems to settle out, the fog and the haze seem to lift, and we can 'see' things that we were not able to see before and find a way through our troubles that we had not previously known."

My desire and commitment to attend the temple has resulted in these blessings described by Elder Packer and others that many of us have experienced by participating in temple ordinances. 

I invite you to attend the temple and participate in one of the ordinances performed there sometime during our ward temple day on February 11.  Come join our ward family and enjoy these blessings and any others that Heavenly Father has in store for you.

Sincerely,

Michael Rasband

January Message
The Blessings of the Temple: An Invitation to Experience the Power of Jesus Christ

Dear Ward Members, 

The House of the Lord is a place of profound spiritual power, guidance, and peace. The ward council carefully considered goals for the ward this year, each goal centered on building our relationship with Jesus Christ through regular focusing on the House of the Lord. The goals relate to every member whether you go to the temple often, or haven't been for a while. The goals are:

Goal 1: Engage in monthly self-reflection to consider how the blessings of the temple can be personally applied to deepen your relationship with the Savior and inspire increased temple attendance.

Goal 2: Maintain a daily focus on covenants. Consider how this consistent focus can draw you closer to Jesus Christ and provide greater access to His Power.

Goal 3: Regularly ask Heavenly Father in personal prayers for the focus and spiritual guidance needed to maintain or obtain a current temple recommend.

As we know, the House of the Lord is more than just a beautiful building; it is a holy sanctuary where heaven and earth meet. Each month this year we want to focus on a specific blessing of the temple.

In January the blessing we are focusing on is:

Knowledge that prayers are answered, personal revelation is obtained, and strength and comfort are given.

In the quiet and sacred atmosphere of the temple, I find myself more in tune with the Spirit. When we step away from the noise and distractions of the world and into a space that fosters reflection and communion with God, great peace comes.

I Invite each of you to attend the temple, whether that be to visit the temple grounds or go inside. When you visit the temple, go with a specific question. Pray and ask the Lord for peace and direction. I promise you that peace and direction will come. The Lord has promised that as we "come unto Him," He will bless us with rest, guidance, and strength.

With love and care,

Bishop Minchey