I went through the temple to receive my endowment a few weeks ago. It was the most beautifully profound, the most peaceful experience of my life. I was comfortable and prepared for what I saw and the promises I made. It was a simple, yet powerful display of truths I've been taught and have been living for many years. Years of scripture study, fervent prayers, and teaching from the Holy Ghost came together before my eyes. I could see plainly that in every blessing and hardship, the Lord had been leading me to this beautiful place.In the Celestial Room, I felt at home. I had no questions. I needed no answers, no visions, no voices from heaven or signs from the earth. All was still and quiet, and I was at peace with everything--including myself. In the silence, I was healed and blessed by God. All my problems became weightless, and I felt a quiet triumph as many years of waiting were finally lain to rest.
Not everyone has that experience. For some, the covenants and symbolism of the temple ceremonies are strange and unfamiliar territory. I've watched as dozens of my friends and associates have gone through the temple before me and come out staggering, claiming the only thing they learned was how much they didn't understand. Even after a lifetime of reading scriptures, going to Church, and going through standard temple prep classes, the ordinances can still seem strange and confusing.
So, I'm using this post as a temple preparation playlist. Below are a compilation of talks, scriptures, and other odds and ends which explain the doctrines of the temple. I've also included talks that explain the history of the ceremonies. Some of the talks I've included do not clarify ordinances directly, but they explain aspects of the covenants associated with the ordinances--thereby making the covenants easier to keep.
If you have suggestions for talks or addresses to add, feel free to leave them in the comments.
Initiatory
- Exodus 28: 42
- Exodus 29: 4, 7
- Leviticus 8: 6-9
- John 13: 8-10, 14-15
- Revelation 1: 5-6
- Revelation 3: 12, 21
- D&C 88: 74-75, 85
- D&C 138: 58-59
- The Divine Nature and Destiny of Women, Glenn L. Pace
- Mothers Who Know, Julie B. Beck
- Reflections in the Water, Dieter F. Uchtdorf
- The Power of Covenants, D. Todd Christofferson
- The Value of a Good Name, L. Tom Perry
Endowment
- Exodus 29: 4-9
- Moses 4-7
- Abraham 3-5
- D&C 129
- D&C 76
- Alma 12: 26-27
- 2 Nephi 2: 17-26
- Exodus 26: 33
- Exodus 25: 22
- Helaman 14: 16-18
- Hebrews 10: 19-20
- John 20: 26-30
- John 14: 21, 23
- D&C 130: 1-3
- The Grandeur of God, Jeffrey R. Holland
- The Three Pillars of Eternity, Bruce R. McConkie
- The Great Visions of the Pearl of Great Price, S. Michael Wilcox
- The Lengthening Shadow of Peter, Jeffrey R. Holland
- The Inconvenient Messiah, Jeffrey R.Holland
- What Did Josiah Reform?: The Earlier Religion of Israel, Margaret Barker
- Reflections on a Consecrated Life, D. Todd Christofferson
- Filling the Measure of Your Creation, Patricia T. Holland
- Salvation and Exaltation, Russell M. Nelson
I haven't as of yet experienced the sealing ordinances, so I'll have to redo this list after I have that experience. It'll be interesting to see what I add to it once I've been through it myself. In the meantime, here's my list:
Sealings
- Malachi 4: 5-6
- D&C 2
- D&C 128: 16-18, 24
- D&C 138
- Moses 6-7
- Matthew 16: 19
- Mosiah 5: 15
- Helaman 10: 6-11
- D&C 132
- Generations Linked in Love, Russell M. Nelson
- The Eternal Blessings of Marriage, Richard G. Scott
- The Gathering of Scattered Israel, Russell M. Nelson
- Opening Our Hearts, Gerald N. Lund
- Building an Eternal Home, Gordon B. Hinckley
- You Were Born to Lead, You Were Born for Glory, Sheri Dew
- Strengthen Home and Family, Mary N. Cook
I know the temple is the House of the Lord, and I'm grateful for my opportunity to go there. There is no better place in the world to be because the Lord is there. I know that as we prepare ourselves to go there in soberness and with quiet and reverent joy, we will be blessed with the Holy Ghost and the revelation he brings. Our spiritual strength will increase, and we will have greater happiness and faith in our lives than we have yet experienced.
I love the temple, I love the Lord, and I love the covenants I've made with Him. I share that testimony in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen
