Mosiah 2:1 … The people gathered themselves together throughout all the land, that they might go up to the temple to hear the words which king Benjamin should speak unto them.
“Only the home can compare with the temple in sacredness.” -Gary E. Stevenson
The idea that all the temples could be closed for some unknown reason, and the missionaries brought home has seemed almost impossible. Now we are living that moment and it’s shocking. It all happened so fast. What a blessing that the Lord has set up His Kingdom on earth—The Gospel of Jesus Christ—so that we are able to move forward at a steadfast pace without pause. We have been given all the necessary tools to make our surroundings “temples” in that they can be places of prayer, love, and instruction.
“You and I get to participate in the ongoing Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is wondrous! It is not man-made! It comes from the Lord, who said, “I will hasten my work in its time” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:73). This work is empowered by a divine announcement made 200 years ago. It consisted of only seven words: “This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!” (see Joseph Smith—History 1:17).” -President Russell M. Nelson
It can feel overwhelming to have so many changes, with conference coming, and yet we aren’t gathering in our usual way. While reading Mosiah, I felt impressed on the importance of making our personal space a reverent portal for heavenly revelation and guidance. Where ever we “gather” for this historic event, we can do everything in our power to make it a place where the Holy Ghost can dwell, where our hearts can be moldable, our minds teachable, and our intents changeable.
“Today, the Lord’s work in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is moving forward at an accelerated pace. The Church will have an unprecedented, unparalleled future. “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, … the things which God hath prepared for them that love him”- President Russell M. Nelson
Mosiah 2: 3 And they also took of the firstlings of their flocks, that they might offer sacrifice and burnt offerings according to the law of Moses;
There are things we can do before conference to prepare, not only ourselves, but those around us, as well as our environment. It can be our way of bringing an offering to the Lord. We can bring him our broken and contrite spirits, prepared to receive the messages He has for each of us. We can do this by putting every effort possible into cleaning our homes of all contention, by seeking the Lord’s assistance in squashing all bitter situations before they even become an issue. We can pray for more love in and around our homes. We can play uplifting, spiritual music, as well as study the scriptures that Russell M. Nelson has advised that we read. (Joseph Smith History—found in the Pearl of Great Price) We can ponder the questions, “How would my life be different if my knowledge gained from the Book of Mormon were suddenly taken away?” or “How have the events that followed the First Vision made a difference for me and my loved ones?” (From President Russell M. Nelson) We can watch the movie, The Restoration, and record our own impressions. We can reach out to those who may be alone at this time, and give them ideas of ways to create a “temple” setting for their conference experience.
“I cannot speak of the Restoration in tempered tones. This fact of history is absolutely stunning! It is incredible! It is breathtaking!” -President Russell M. Nelson
Mosiah 2: 4 And also that they might give thanks to the Lord their God, who had brought them out of the land of Jerusalem, and who had delivered them out of the hands of their enemies, and had appointed just men to be their teachers, and also a just man to be their king, who had established peace in the land of Zarahemla, and who had taught them to keep the commandments of God, that they might rejoice and be filled with love towards God and all men.
One of the most important things we can do is to find gratitude during this difficult time. We can pour our hearts out to the Lord and thank him for His wisdom and for preparing us. We can thank him for our leaders, and that we get the opportunity to open our doors toward heaven and to listen to the living prophet, apostles, and other dedicated disciples of Jesus Christ, as they bring us messages of instruction, hope and courage. This gratitude will prepare our hearts and minds for an “unforgettable experience.”
Mosiah 2: 5 And it came to pass that when they came up to the temple, they pitched their tents round about, every man according to his family, consisting of his wife, and his sons, and his daughters, and their sons, and their daughters, from the eldest down to the youngest, every family being separate one from another. 6 And they pitched their tents round about the temple, every man having his tent with the door thereof towards the temple, that thereby they might remain in their tents and hear the words which king Benjamin should speak unto them;
“Remember that the fulness of Christ’s ministry lies in the future. The prophecies of His Second Coming have yet to be fulfilled. We are just building up to the climax of this last dispensation—when the Savior’s Second Coming becomes a reality.” -President Russell M. Nelson
-Sherri Jorgensen
Recent Comments