Tip of the Week: Prepare for the Temple

This week's tip is to prepare for the temple!

Attending the temple is the last step in doing family history work for an ancestor. Being worthy of and making time for the temple is necessary! Past and present prophets and apostles continually counsel us on the importance of the temple. 

"Temple work is an act of service. The temple is a place where we have an opportunity to do something for others...President Hinckley has suggested we not focus so much on the personal benefits of attending the temple but rather focus on temple work as “work.” While the personal blessings resulting from temple attendance are numerous, we must not lose sight of the fact that it is work and requires commitment and duty." -"The Doctrine of Temple Work," David E. Sorenson, Ensign, October 2003

"What a remarkable and wonderful thing it is that those who are living may administer the blessings of earthly ordinances in behalf of those who have gone beyond and who lived without an opportunity to hear the gospel or accept it. There is no compulsion on the other side to accept on the part of him or her for whom the ordinance is performed. But there is a compulsion laid upon us by Him who provided the plan, to extend the opportunity to those who have left this life. The work so performed is both remarkable and singular. It is a great work of love, freely performed and freely offered." -"Temples and Temple Work," Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, February 1982

"Genealogy and temple work—you can’t have one without the other. They are two inseparable parts of one divine decree the Lord has given us to aid in the redemption of the dead. The process of identifying one’sfamily should be much more than a hobby to a Latter-day Saint. From an eternal perspective, to consider the word genealogy and not its partner temple work—or to think of temple work and disregard its twin, genealogy—makes no more sense than to try to play a game with only half a ball."-"Genealogy and Temple Work," George D. Durrant, Liahona, April 1984

"Most of our temples could be much busier than they are. In this noisy, bustling, competitive world, what a privilege it is to have a sacred house where we may experience the sanctifying influence of the Spirit of the Lord. The element of selfishness crowds in upon us constantly. We need to overcome it, and there is no better way than to go to the house of the Lord and there serve in a vicarious relationship in behalf of those who are beyond the veil of death. What a remarkable thing this is. In most cases, we do not know those for whom we work. We expect no thanks. We have no assurance that they will accept that which we offer. But we go, and in that process we attain to a state that comes of no other effort. We literally become saviors on Mount Zion. What does this mean? Just as our Redeemer gave His life as a vicarious sacrifice for all men, and in so doing became our Savior, even so we, in a small measure, when we engage in proxy work in the temple, become as saviors to those on the other side who have no means of advancing unless something is done in their behalf by those on earth." -"Closing Remarks," Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, November 2003

Here's the link to a fantastic little piece answering the question, "How can the temple bless you?"

I know that temple work is so important! I'm so grateful for the opportunity we all have to attend the temple for ourselves and our ancestors. I have a testimony of the blessings that come to you and those around you when you are worthy for the temple and make time for the temple.

John 11:25-26
1 Corinthians 15:22
1 Corinthians 2:11-16
D&C 93:20