SANCTUARY

 

We frequent the Temple for various reasons: to be obedient, to renew our covenants, to advance the work for the dead, to receive answers to our prayers, to understand the doctrine of Christ, or to just get away from the world and feel at peace. There is something that works for everybody. Take notice though of the last reason I listed. The Temple would have to be a sanctuary like no other and here is why.

Some years ago I read this prophetic address delivered by Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone at the Manti Temple in April 1987 and was highly impressed by it. I have reflected on it recently because of the latest push for us to increase our temple attendance, particularly by President Nelson:

"Before the Saviour comes the world will darken. There will come a period of time where even the elect will lose hope if they do not come to the temples. The world will be so filled with evil that the righteous will only feel secure within these walls. The Saints will come here not only to do vicarious work, but to find a haven of peace. They will long to bring their children here for safety's sake...

 

“The covenants and ordinances will fill us with faith as a living fire. In a day of desolating sickness, scorched earth, barren wastes, sickening plagues, disease, destruction, and death, we as a people will rest in the shade of trees, we will drink from the cooling fountains. We will abide in places of refuge from the storm; we will mount up as on eagles' wings; we will be lifted out of an insane and evil world. We will be as fair as the sun and clear as the moon.

 

“When the Saviour comes He will honour His people. Those who are spared and prepared will be a temple-loving people. They will know Him. [This is a clear reference to the Ten Virgins parable]

 

“Our children will bow down at His feet and worship Him as the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings. They will bathe His feet with their tears and He will weep, and bless them for having suffered through the greatest trials known to man.

 

“Let us prepare them with the faith to surmount every trial and every condition. We will do it in these holy, sacred temples".

 

I can see Christ’s immense mercy as the temples dot the earth.  In a world where people’s hearts are failing them through ‘enticements of the world, the distraction of alluring voices, the neglect of spiritual nourishment, the fatigue from the demands of discipleship’, a sanctuary from the world is needed like never before (see Elder Neil L. Andersen in CR, Temples, Houses of the Lord Dotting the Earth, April 2024). We will need to this sanctuary especially when the desolations of the last days come upon us.

 

This is the Saviour’s mercy. His godly desire for our protection cannot be overstated. How great are His rewards for the value of our discipleship! May we kneel at the altars of our temples with overflowing gratitude for the sacred houses of the Lord, the sanctuaries of the last days where we will come under the protection of His wings.

 

Your arms are our shelter,

Your heart is our home,

Our only hope

For protection from the storm.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: In The Shadow of Your Wings by Daniel Gerhartz)