July 24

What Blessings Come from Receiving Temple Ordinances?

Ezra 1; 3–7; Nehemiah 2; 4–6; 8

Counsel Together

Led by a member of the quorum or class presidency; 10–20 minutes

At the beginning of the meeting, repeat together the Young Women Theme or the Aaronic Priesthood Quorum Theme. Then lead a discussion about the work of salvation and exaltation using one or more of the questions below or questions of your own (see General Handbook, 10.2, 11.2, ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Plan ways to act on what you discuss.

• Live the gospel. How have we seen the hand of the Lord in our lives?

• Care for those in need. How can we support each other in the things we are going through?

• Invite all to receive the gospel. How can we better use technology as a tool to share the gospel?

• Unite families for eternity. What are we doing to help our families come unto Christ?

At the end of the lesson, as appropriate, do the following:

• Testify of the principles taught.

• Remind class or quorum members about the plans and invitations made during the meeting.

Teach the Doctrine

Led by an adult leader or youth; 25–35 minutes

Prepare Yourself Spiritually

When the Jews returned from exile in Babylon, they found Jerusalem and its temple in ruins (see 2 Kings 25:1–10; 2 Chronicles 36:17–19). The people longed to rebuild the temple. So, within a short time, they began the process of rebuilding and rejoiced when the temple was completed (see Ezra 3:8–13; 6:16–22). Today, as God’s covenant people, we too build temples and rejoice when a new temple is built. Why? Because temple ordinances lead to Heavenly Father’s greatest blessings. They bring spiritual power. They give us direction. And they help us become like God and receive all that He has. (See Doctrine and Covenants 84:19–22; 109:22–26.)

How will you help the youth long for the temple as the Israelites did? How will you help them desire with all their hearts to make covenants with God in His holy house? As you prepare to teach, consider reviewing President Thomas S. Monson’s message “Blessings of the Temple” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 91–93) and the article “Why Ordinances and Covenants Matter” at temples.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Temple ordinances help us become like God and receive all that He has.

Learn Together

To help class or quorum members look forward to the blessings they can receive from temple ordinances, you could invite them to review Ezra 3:10–13; 6:16, 21–22. Ask them to share words or phrases showing how the ancient Jews felt about the rebuilding of their temple. Why is the building of a temple something to celebrate? How do our temples today and the work we do there help us come closer to the Savior? Here are some other ideas to help youth understand the blessings they can receive in the temple.

• When Joseph Smith dedicated the Kirtland Temple, he gave the dedicatory prayer found in Doctrine and Covenants 109. This prayer describes many of the blessings we can receive through the ordinances of the temple. Class or quorum members could search portions of this prayer, especially verses 12–26, looking for the blessings that Joseph Smith prayed for. They could list these blessings on the board. You might ask the youth to discuss how each of these blessings can strengthen them now and in the future. Share your testimony of the blessings that you have received through the ordinances of the temple.

• To help class or quorum members share their feelings about the temple, ask them to finish this sentence: “When I think about the temple, I feel …” You might invite them to read the first five paragraphs of Elder Kent F. Richards’s message “The Power of Godliness” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2016, 118–20). Why do we need the temple more than anything else? What did we learn about the power God gives us through temple ordinances? The youth could then search the rest of Elder Richards’s message, looking for blessings that come to us as we participate in temple ordinances. Or they could look for these blessings in President Thomas S. Monson’s message “Blessings of the Temple.”

• To help class or quorum members ponder the sacrifices that some have been willing to make to receive temple blessings, you could show the video “Temples Are a Beacon” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Why was the Mou Tham family willing to make such great sacrifices to go to the temple? (See also Thomas S. Monson, “The Holy Temple—a Beacon to the World,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2011, 90–94.) What sacrifices do we need to make to receive temple blessings? Maybe someone who has recently been to the temple could join the meeting and share his or her experience. You might invite the youth to search Elder Ronald A. Rasband’s message “Recommended to the Lord” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 22–25) and share the blessings of having a temple recommend. You could also review the temple recommend questions together (see Russell M. Nelson, “Closing Remarks,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 120–22).

Temples are a Beacon

Act in Faith

Encourage class or quorum members to ponder and record what they will do to act on the impressions they received today. If they would like, they could share their ideas. Invite them to think about how acting on their impressions will strengthen their relationships with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Supporting Resources

• Quentin L. Cook, “See Yourself in the Temple,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2016, 97–100

Teaching in the Savior’s Way

“As you teach, rather than simply imparting information, help the youth discover gospel truths for themselves in the scriptures and the words of the prophets” (Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 28).