Los Angeles California Temple - Preparation

Ok, it happened….I was ornery and disagreeable all the way to the temple.  I could blame the Los Angeles bumper-to-bumper traffic.  Or, perhaps it was the way my husband and I exchanged words, or the lack thereof.  Maybe it was my lack of sleep or having to adjust my high expectations.  But, when all was said and done, I was in a very bad mood when I attempted to smile for a picture outside the temple with my husband.  I knew I could not, in good conscience, attend a session.  It would have been totally in vain.

So when we entered, I jumped at my husband’s suggestion to eat some lunch in the temple cafeteria first.  And sure enough, by the time we were done eating, I was able to genuinely smile at my husband with love!, and thank him for getting us to the temple safely.  I apologized for my actions and felt the spirit return.  I was glad for a recovery period!  After all, the temple isn’t for “perfect” people, but is for people striving to become perfect.

This experience taught me about the importance of preparing to attend the temple.  I wonder how many blessings I have forfeited by my neglect.  I think the Lord is eager to share all he can with us, yet I am sometimes not in a frame of mind to receive what he has for me.  And, I believe the earlier and more diligent the preparation, the more abundant the blessing.

Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple

This is part of the view from the front of the Oquirrh Mountain Temple (pronounced Oker).  I will not make the mistake again, of calling it the Oquirrh "Hills" temple! My son teased me yesterday, for making that mistake.  This temple was built on the Oquirrh Mountain Range, and it looks directly across the valley, at the Wasatch Mountain Range.  The view spans the width and length of the Salt Lake Valley.

Our daughter lives nearby, and we invited her to join us.  As we waited together in the chapel, we listened as someone played hymns on the organ, and the words of the songs began running through my mind.   My daughter pointed to a hymn book which was sitting next to a set of scriptures, nearby.  I opened the book and the second verse of the hymn I turned to, directly answered a silent prayer I offered that morning.  I know someone was listening.

During the session, thoughts and impressions continued to flow, about the life and mission of our Savior Jesus Christ.  I pondered on the power he grants us, to overcome temptation and sin, and then to bless and help others, as we listen and follow him, step by step.  It doesn't happen in a single day, but over time his spirit teaches and prompts us to do better things.  We begin to desire and value the things of heaven, more than the things of this world.

I hope I can remember this visit to the mountain of the Lord.

Sooted Face - Poem

Sooted Face -

Soiled countenance

   My efforts ever wanting

I lack in the trying

   Yet continue while faltering                      

Others falter as I stumble

   Magnifying my guilt

Desire is not sufficient

   To overcome nor correct

For in one crying instant

   I confess and recognize

Yet, in the next moment

   My faltering again overrides

Where does the cycle end

   How can the loss be found

How can the feelings mend

   How can I overcome

Only Christ’s power

  And perfect understanding

Can lift the load and heal

  Wherever hurt needs mending

Oh, needed mercy sweet

   I fall at thy pierced feet

Tearful sorrow unmasked

   Undeserved healing

Countless times the pleading

   Will I ever rise

As I return for mercies

   My sooted face undignified

Failing words cannot describe

   Charity’s warm embrace

As dust and error are erased

   In rebirth’s sacred place

Calmest feelings linger

   Lifting faith to carry on

Hope’s restoration

   Love’s window into Heaven

And I behold His face

November 18, 2002

By Janice Harten

Copyright © 2011 Janice Harten.  All rights reserved.

Without Price

Yesterday, I was searching for additional study materials to supplement my reading in Hebrews, in the New Testament.  I found many wonderful resources that the church has scanned and made available on-line, following these links: lds.org, Menu, Manuals, Institute.

I feel overwhelmed with the realization that all this information is at my fingertips, in an instant.  I'm experiencing a modern day miracle.  This experience reminded me of another scripture in 2 Ne 9:50.

50 Come, my brethren, every one that ^athirsteth, come ye to the^bwaters; and he that hath no ^cmoney, come buy and eat; yea, come buy wine and milk without money and without price.

I wanted to remember the following quote from the Institute, New Testament Student Manual, PDF, pg 388.

Perfection Entails Consecrated Effort on a Specific
Problem

In a very real and meaningful way, you can begin to
become perfect right now. This means specific and
concentrated efforts on a particular problem rather
than scattered random attempts to overcome all
problems in one immense effort. Consider the counsel
from President Harold B. Lee: “The most important
of all the commandments of God is that one that
you’re having the most difficulty keeping today. If it’s
one of dishonesty, if it’s one of unchastity, if it’s one
of falsifying, not telling the truth, today is the day for
you to work on that until you’ve been able to conquer
that weakness. Then you start on the next one that’s
most difficult for you to keep.” (Church News, 5 May
1973, p. 3.)

President Lee’s comments suggest some specific
things that you can do to overcome your weaknesses.
First identify what your weaknesses are. Make a list
with your greatest concern at the top and so on in
descending rank. Remember, this list is very personal
and should be kept secret and private. It is a matter
strictly between you and your Savior, and you should
never share it in class or in public.

Each morning review your list, particularly noting
the problem you want to work on that day. Then pray
to the Lord, entreating him for power and promising
him you will do all you can. That night report to him
on your success or failure. As you find yourself
improving (and you will), pray for forgiveness and
additional strength. Keep constantly in mind the joy
and love your Heavenly Father is feeling toward you
because of your efforts. Remember also that your
weaknesses can become your strengths; indeed, as
each is overcome, it can be a rung of power leading
upward to God and your eternal home. Examine
Ether 12:27. What is the purpose of weakness? What
does the Lord intend to do with your weaknesses if
you let him? Will you let him? If you do, you will find
the power of heaven opened to you and you will
receive greater joy and peace and a closer
relationship with your Savior than most people ever
know.