Month: October 2008
Five New Temples to be Built
President Monson announces the construction of five more temples around the world – near Kansas City, Philadelphia Pennsilvania, Calgary Canada, Rome Italy, and Cordoba Argentina. This brings the number of temples around the world which are operating, in planning or under construction, to 145.
Liveblog: 178th Semiannual General Conference
LDS Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah
In my most ambitious liveblogging yet, I’m going to attempt to liveblog General Conference. I must admit, this will probably be more of a notetaking project for me than anything else, but it might turn into something interesting and fun if we start getting other people participating online here (like you!). You will be able to enter your name, and your comments, all live and in real-time.
Clearly, I will not be rewriting everything that is being said. The Church’s English video stream will be embedded alongside the liveblog, so you can watch and listen while participating in a discussion and commentary about what is being said at the same time. If you visit TempleStudy.com over the next two days the homepage will display the video and liveblog and nothing else to distract.
I am looking forward to learning at the feet of the Lord’s prophets and apostles over the next two days. How blessed we are to live at this time, and to be instructed by prophets, seers, and revelators!
Update 10/5/08: The liveblog notes from Conference are below. Click on the circular replay button in the center below to read them.
Ye Are the Temple of God
Provo Utah Temple. © 2003, Rick Satterfield. LDSChurchTemples.com. Used with permission. (Click for a larger view)
When I attended the FAIR Conference a couple months ago I was privileged to meet Hannah Rebekah, who is a reader here and also among many forums and blogs in the Bloggernacle. This morning she was kind enough to forward me some thoughtful words about the temple, written by Tom Kelly in the Ensign a number of years ago, that have greatly impacted her throughout her life, and which she has shared with many. My post about how we should make our homes a temple reminded her of these words, that we should also strive to make ourselves into temples. As Hannah remarked about the author, “I think [he] was really inspired in his views and his comparisons and I love how he wove everything together so beautifully…”
Ye Are the Temple of God
Last winter I was facing some deep challenges. Wanting to get close to the Lord, I walked up to the Provo Temple one evening. As I gazed at that lovely, sacred edifice, I reflected upon the words of Paul: “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God?” (1 Cor. 3:16.) I found myself pondering the significance of these words. In what sense is a person like a temple? What changes would I need to make in myself to be worthy to be called a temple of God?
A temple becomes a temple when it is dedicated. It is not the house of the Lord until it is given unto Him.
A temple is beautiful. Looking at it lifts and edifies. It is spotless and dignified.
A temple is calm and still. Peace and quietness reign within.
A temple is a place of worthiness—no unclean thing may enter therein.
Engraved deeply into the wall of the temple are the words, “Holiness to the Lord.”
A temple is a house of service. Its whole purpose is to provide those things that are truly essential for the happiness of God’s children.
The spire of the temple rises skyward. The righteous, on seeing the temple, lift their eyes to heaven.
A temple is built by sacrifice, by diligent and patient labor.
A temple is, above all, a home for God the Father, his son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. The house of the Lord is a sacred place, worthy of their presence.
With such thoughts in my heart, I look at the temple and then at my own life:
Am I dedicated to the Lord?
Does my appearance lift and edify?
Am I peaceful and calm within?
Are my mind and heart open only to worthy thoughts and feelings?
Is “holiness to the Lord” engraved upon my soul?
Am I engaged in vital service to God’s children?
Do I lift my eyes toward heaven?
Am I willing to build myself by sacrifice, toil, and patience?
Does the Spirit of God dwell in me?
In short, am I becoming a temple of the Most High God?
(Tom Kelly, Brigham Young University Sixteenth Branch, BYU Fifth Stake, “Ye Are the Temple of God,” Ensign, Dec. 1976, 59, link.)
Children Are An Heritage of the Lord
My wife and I had our second child, a baby boy, this last Sunday – 7lbs, 6oz., 20 inches. Mom and Baby are all doing great! We couldn’t be more happy. Here are some pictures:
Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate. (Psalms 127)