Making Temple Attendance Even More Meaningful

The following ideas may help make temple attendance a more enriching experience.

• Prepare emotionally. Before entering the temple, seek to calm your mind and leave behind worldly thoughts or concerns. If you have a special problem, seek inspiration as you meditate about it.

• Focus on the person you are serving. Concentrate on what is said and done, and perform your role as proxy well. Imagine that you are the eyes, ears, mouth, and hands for that person.

• Seek to learn. As you quietly meditate about the things you see, hear, and do, you can gain inspiration about past, present, or future events; Heavenly Father’s plan for his children; and the sacred nature of temple covenants.

• Ponder and pray. Inspiration and guidance usually come when you are quietly meditating. The temple is a sacred place for revelation. Remember that you are one of only a small percentage of those living in the world who can visit there, so use carefully the special privilege you have to be in such a place.

• Avoid distracting others. Talking may intrude on the meditations of others, especially those who have come with a special need. Speak in whispers—and then only when necessary.

• Help create a welcoming atmosphere for others. Be quietly friendly and warm to all temple patrons.

• Participate in a variety of ordinances. Taking part in the various ordinances will help refresh in your mind the big picture and will remind you of the blessings you have received and the covenants you have made.—Daniel Baker, Bothell, Washington