Preparation for The Temple
My wife and I live in Utah, but are currently serving as senior missionaries in the England Bristol Mission. We have always been active in the Church and have tried to live according to the principles of the gospel. We strive to teach our five children by word and example how important it is to be anxiously engaged in the good works of the Church. This includes going to the temple to learn more about the covenants we made with God, to better align our lives with His plan for us.
Our youngest son Josh, who recently returned from his mission, was giving a talk in sacrament meeting and he shared his plan for attending the temple. Upon arriving at the temple, he would park his car in a secluded spot, then think back over the week and determine if there was anything that needed repentance. He would also contemplate if there were any behaviours that needed to be more like the Saviour’s. Next, he would think about what he needed to learn while serving in the temple that day. Following that, he was going to take all these thoughts and plans and present them to the Lord in humble prayer. Once that prayer was said, he would then feel ready to enter the temple.
After hearing him share those words, and feeling the witness of the Holy Ghost, I realised that he had changed. I realised that I also needed to change. This recently returned missionary was teaching me and others about how to enter the House of the Lord.
I spoke with Josh afterwards and he stated that he used the same preparation for the sacrament and personal prayer. I am humbled to realise that I frequently fall short in my preparation to interact with the divine. I wonder how much more personal revelation we could obtain from our individual prayers, sacrament meetings and temple visits if we follow this pattern.