Introduction to Temple Preparation

I have been teaching the temple preparation course in the ward since our return from Australia. This is very rewarding and we have a high graduation rate (defined as the number who go to the temple after the class). Of course, most are intending to go when they first sign up, so . . .

Anyway, I have put a short piece at the beginning of the class about learning spiritual things. I believe these concepts apply to learning gospel doctrines generally, learning in the temple and learning after the temple. My personal belief is too many of us do not connect the temple and the things we learn with our day-to-day world. Thus we do not learn more about the temple when we are not in it. We do not see the big picture of our lives here as a macrocosm of the temple experience – the temple being, in part, a type or shadow of our daily lives, albeit with the distractions and misdirection eliminated.

Introduction to Temple Preparation

The gospel is not necessarily learned in a linear way. We are accustomed to our learning being organized for us, step by step, one idea or fact building on the previous one. But the gospel isn’t always learned that way.

Peter, on the Day of Pentecost, taught the multitudes with great power. (Acts 2) They were “pricked in their hearts” and began the repentance process. They asked Peter, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (v. 37) The right question, and inspired question. Peter’s answer:

Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ

for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (v. 38)

Notice that hearing the word of God through the spirit (“pricked in their hearts”) leads them to want to do something about it. And then the obedience brings a blessing and more light. This is the pattern. Christ gave this in a very important statement in John7:17:

If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of

God, or whether I speak of myself.

This is further discussed in Doctrine and Covenants Section 50. We will choose verse 24, although so many preceding it have much to instruct us.

That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light and

continueth in God receiveth more light; and that light growth

brighter and brighter until the perfect day.

So this introduction to learning gospel principles is helps us understand that we cannot teach about the temple in traditional (worldly) ways. In fact, the best way to learn about the temple is to attend the temple. It is a place of constant learning. Our goal is to prepare you for the temple. There are several parts to this.

1. Review the basic concepts of the Plan of Salvation (The Great Plan of our God, The Plan of Happiness, The Plan of Mercy, etc.). Knowing these doctrines will help you understand the steps you go through in the temple. As you go to the temple more and more, you will begin to see allusions to the temple throughout the scriptures. Others don’t see them, but they have not gone through the proper cycle of learning: hearing, believing, acting receiving more, believing, ………. People who are not spiritually alive miss all the good clues. They do not see, hear, understand or feel what they need to feel to come into the light.
2. Discuss the role of worthiness as it applies to temple attendance and temple worship. We can’t learn line upon line if we are stuck on line one. As an example, a Priest Advisor in one of our wards was working with a young man who was not committing to mission as were his peers. He asked the young man if he believed the Book of Mormon was true. “I don’t know, I just don’t know,: said the young man. Obvious question now, “Have you read it?” An unsurprising answer, “No.” We can all fill in the blanks here! We are not trying to learn facts or memorize concepts as we did in school. We are trying gain light. We light in this world if we are faithful to the light we have received – then we gain more light to guide is through the world if we “hearkeneth to the voice of the spirit.” (D&C 84:46)
3. Prepare you for the steps required to get a temple recommend and review the questions you will be asked so you will be prepared for them. There are no surprise questions. You have heard them all. Those who are converts will recall being asked a series of questions before baptism. At that point they were asked “will you keep the word of wisdom,” or “will you keep the Sabbath Day holy”? But when we go to the temple the questions are a little different. They are now “Do you?” questions instead of “Will you?” questions.

So, this short introduction to gospel learning is important. It is through the ministrations of the spirit that we come unto God. We receive these as we treasure up and follow the prompting we receive. Then we receive more. This is how new converts catch up so quickly – not that they are smart, but they are obedient. Obedience is the key to gospel learning, that we can be clean vessels to receive and understand sacred instruction.

Suggestions for further study on this topic.

John 3:16-21

Romans 1:20

D&C 50:13-29

D&C 84:43-48

2 Nephi 2:5

D&C 93:31-32