ensign – Temple Study

Does the Parable of the Ten Virgins Represent Endowed Members Only?

April 18, 2011 by Bryce Haymond 29 Comments

The Parable of the Ten Virgins

I had a reader ask me:

I have tried to find a statement or quote about the parable of the 10 virgins that says the parable is about endowed members of the church. [Some General Authorities] say it has to do with members, not necessarily endowed. On the web there are a few folks who say this is about endowed members, but don’t back it up with a reference. Any thoughts?

This was my response. [Read more…]

Run to Remember’s Prayer Circle

February 20, 2011 by Bryce Haymond 4 Comments

Running group Run to Remember joins in a prayer circle before a run. Photo Courtesy of U.S. Army. (Photo Credit: Ingrid Barrentine)

As I go throughout my daily living, I’m interested whenever I come upon something that reminds me of the temple. It could be as simple as something that recalls a temple ordinance, a principle that is taught in the temple, or even the temple architecture. As I read today in Runner’s World magazine, the story “Moving Comfort,” from the February 2011 issue, had an impression on me.

A little background. I’m a runner. I started running back in June of 2009, and have only stopped occasionally for sickness or injury (got the flu once, probably H1N1, and Achilles tendinitis). Since that time I’ve logged 723 miles in 193 runs, and just recently surpassed 100,000 calories burned. Last year I ran the Utah Valley Half Marathon in 2:06, and am planning on the Shamrock Half Marathon next month, and hopefully the Utah Valley Marathon in June.

[Read more…]

Hezekiah Reopens the Temple by T. C. Ducdale

July 16, 2009 by Bryce Haymond 1 Comment

Hezekiah Reopens the Temple, by T. C. Ducdale. From the Ensign, March 1982, 81 (inside back cover)

A friend of mine passed along this intriguing painting found in the Ensign of March 1982 (pg. 81, inside back cover). It is entitled “Hezediah Reopens the Temple” by T. C. Ducdale.

It depicts the scene from 2 Chronicles 29 when King Hezekiah gathered together the Levites, told them to sanctify themselves, and commissioned them to cleanse the temple and restore it, and remove all idolatry from it. When this was done, a celebration occurred in which burnt offerings were made on the altar, and different instruments were given to the Levites to make song and praise to the Lord. All rejoiced. The Levites are wearing the sacred garments prescribed to them for service in the temple (Ex. 28:39-40). The High Priest also wore these same garments on the Day of Atonement, when he made an offering in the Holy of Holies (Lev. 16:4).

The Temple is a Fortress of the Lord

March 28, 2009 by Bryce Haymond 4 Comments

Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone

Note: Below is an excerpt from a book entitled “The Incomparable Christ: Our Master and Model” by Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone, an emeritus member of the First Quorum of the Seventy, that he entitled “Holiness to the Lord.” The book was published in 1995. It is powerful in its vision of the future need of temples as a refuge from a wicked world. After being released from the Seventy, Elder Featherstone served as the president of the Logan Utah Temple. (The emphasis below is my own.)

The season of the world before us will be like no other in the history of mankind. Satan will unleash every evil scheme, every vile perversion ever known to man in any generation. Just as this dispensation of the fulness of times brought the restoration of all that is good and holy, so also did it bring the fulness of evil. As parents, spouses, children, and members of Christ’s church, we must find safety. Unfortunately, many will struggle mightily before recognizing this bitter truth: there is no safety in this world—wealth cannot provide it, enforcement agencies cannot ensure it, even membership in the Church will not guarantee it. [Read more…]

Ye Are the Temple of God

October 2, 2008 by Bryce Haymond 6 Comments

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.)