Making Time for the Temple

When I became a member of the Church in Ghana, West Africa, my desire to receive the blessings of the temple was strong, yet the prospect seemed remote. When I finally had the opportunity, I felt truly blessed. Still, in subsequent years, my temple attendance fluctuated until I made it a priority. The following suggestions can help all of us attend the temple more often:

• At the beginning of every year, plan on your calendar when you will attend.

• When you are away from home for business or travel, seek out the temple when possible.

• Participate in branch or ward temple assignments, or invite others to join you.

• Think of those you are doing the proxy work for, remembering that they are real people, not just names on paper.

• Commit to doing the temple work for your deceased ancestors. The temple blessings will become even more meaningful as you remember your loved ones.

• Use vacation time to work in the temple for a day. The benefits of repeating the ordinances and enjoying your extended time in the temple will enhance your spiritual well-being.

If you live close to a temple, consider the following:

• Attend early in the morning before work. In the temple, you will receive rest from your daily cares and start your day on a spiritual high.

• If you are retired or are free during the daytime, attend the temple during the hours when it tends to be less busy.

• If you are married, go to the temple with your spouse for a “date night” each month.

Church members can choose to live worthy to hold a temple recommend, whether they live near a temple or not. We will also be blessed as we follow President Gordon B. Hinckley’s admonition “to make a greater effort to go to the house of the Lord and partake of the spirit and the blessings to be had therein” (“Of Missions, Temples, and Stewardship,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 53).

Samuel E. Bainson, Crescent 25th Ward, Draper Utah Crescent View Stake

Illustrated by Joe Flores