Blessings of the Temple

President Benson’s mother taught him from a young age the importance of the temple and I learned from him that I need to do the same and teach my children a background of the temple obligations and covenants. I think my parents fall in to the category of those he spoke of who were “reluctant to say anything about the temple” because of its sacredness and I can understand why they would feel this way. I was taught the importance of being sealed to an eternal companion, but as I prepared for my own temple sealing I learned and felt more about why it is so important. When I was in Young Women classes we talked about how we shouldn’t settle for anything less than a temple marriage, but I think it is important to discuss how being sealed in the temple and keeping our covenants allows us to “enter in to the order of the Son of God” and receive a “fullness of the priesthood.” I had never heard of it spoken this way and it gives it deeper meaning to me. I also thought this statement by President Smith was powerful: “ Let me put this in a little different way. I do not care what office you hold in the church... you can not receive the fullness of the priesthood and the fullness of eternal reward unless you receive the ordinances of the house of the Lord; and when you receive these ordinances, the door is then open so you can obtain all the blessings which any man can gain.” President Benson said, “I believe a proper understanding or background will immeasurably help prepare our youth for the temple. This understanding, I believe, will foster within them a desire to seek their priesthood blessings just as Abraham sought his.” I think this would give them a stronger understanding of it’s sacredness and how it is not something that should be taken lightly. 

 Having children, I can apply the principle that Elder Hafen explained in my marriage-that of being as the shepherd rather than the hireling. To me this means putting forth daily effort-patience,respect,soft words, forgiveness, repentance-to keep covenants and not ever giving up on my marriage or children as a hireling would. These words from Elder Hafen stood out to me, “When the wolf comes, may we be as shepherds, not hirelings, willing to lay down our lives, a day at a time, for the sheep of our covenant. Then, like Adam and Eve, we will have joy." I know he is referring to children, but this means to me that I have to work every day to strengthen my marriage bond so that the adversary cannot have any hold on it or my relationship with my children.