It is in the home that we forge shields of faith for our children. Our homes must first be a “defense and a refuge” before the stake can fully be a “defense and a refuge”. Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said, “Zion is Zion because of the character, attributes, and faithfulness of her citizens… If we would establish Zion in our homes, branches, wards, and stakes it will be necessary to (1) become unified in one heart and one mind; (2) to become individually and collectively a holy people; and (3) to care for the poor and the needy with such effectiveness that we eliminate poverty among us. We cannot wait until Zion comes for these things to happen – Zion will come only as they happen”. (Elder D. Todd Christofferson - Come to Zion – November 2008 – General Conference)
We have felt strongly that one way we must fortify and strengthen our homes, marriages and children against the storms of the last days is to attend the temple. To build our homes upon the principles of Zion, we must go to the “House of God” so that we might come home to build our own houses of God. In the temple, we are “endowed from on high” with knowledge of God’s eternal plan, the central role of families, and how essential it is to follow the word of God through His servants to lead our families safely home.
We invite every member to prayerfully consider how to bring the temple more fully into our lives and our families. Establish a plan to organize your time and schedules to attend more frequently and bring the blessings of the temple into your homes.
“And inasmuch as my people build a house unto me in the name of the Lord, and do not suffer any unclean thing to come into it, that it be not defiled, my glory shall rest upon it; Yea, and my presence shall be there, for I will come into it, and all the pure in heart that shall come into it shall see God.” (Doctrine and Covenants 97:15:15-16)
We invite every family to read Doctrine and Covenants 88:119-126. As you read these verses, ask in your mind, “What are the things Thou would have me do now in my life and my family?” As you read, with this prayer in your hearts, write down the impressions that will come to your mind, counsel together with your family, and ask additional questions about the impressions you received. Set a time and plan to accomplish what the Lord instructs you to do. By doing this, we earn His trust and we demonstrate our desires to seek Him and to learn how to qualify for additional revelation in our lives.
Elder Richard G. Scott has taught us, “I believe that you can leave the most precious, personal direction of the Spirit unheard because you do not respond to, record, and apply the first promptings that come to you. Have patience as you are perfecting your ability to be led by the Spirit. By careful practice, through the application of correct principles, and by being sensitive to the feelings that come, you will gain spiritual guidance. I bear witness that the Lord, through the Holy Ghost, can speak to your mind and heart.” (Elder Richard G. Scott – To Acquire Spiritual Guidance – Oct 2009 General Conference)