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Quick Quotes on Temples
 "Every Temple . . . lessens
the power of Satan on the earth, and increases the power of God and Godliness,
moves the heavens in mighty power in our behalf, invokes and calls down upon us
the blessings of the Eternal Gods"
(Millennial Star, Nov. 12, 1877, 743). President George Q. Cannon (1827-1901), First Counselor in the First
Presidency
"[The Lord] has trusted you by letting you hear the
gospel in your lifetime, giving you the chance to accept the obligation to
offer it to those of your ancestors who did not have your priceless
opportunity. Think of the gratitude He has for those who pay the
price in work and faith to find the names of their ancestors and who love
them and Him enough to offer them eternal life in families, the greatest
of all the gifts of God. He offered them an infinite sacrifice. He
will love and appreciate those who paid whatever price they could to allow
their ancestors to choose His offer of eternal life." -Henry B. Eyring,
"Hearts Bound Together," Ensign, May 2005, 79)
"The issue is not going to church; rather, the issue
is worshipping and renewing covenants as we attend church. The issue is
not going to or through the temple; rather, the issue is having in our
hearts the spirit, the covenants, and the ordinances of the Lord's house.
The issue is not going on a mission; rather, the issue is becoming a
missionary and serving throughout our entire life with all of our heart,
might, mind, and strength." -David A. Bednar, "Becoming a Missionary,"
Ensign, Nov. 2005, 45
"
The ideals of faith, hope, and charity are most evident in the holy
temples. There we learn the purpose of life, strengthen our commitment as
disciples of Christ by entering into sacred covenants with Him, and seal
our families together for eternity across generations. Receiving our own
endowment in a temple and returning frequently to perform sacred
ordinances for our kindred dead increases our faith, strengthens our hope,
and deepens our charity. We receive our own endowment with faith and hope
that we will understand the Lord's plan for His children, will recognize
the divine potential within each of us as children of our Heavenly Father,
and will be faithful to the end in keeping the covenants we make.
Performing temple ordinances for the dead is a manifestation of charity,
offering essential blessings to those who have preceded us, blessings that
were not available to them during their mortal lives. We have the
privilege of doing for them what they are unable to do for themselves."
-Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Cultivating Divine Attributes," Ensign, Nov. 1998,
27.
"Those
only who have shared with us in the temple ordinances know for themselves
the satisfaction there is in realizing that we are indeed co-workers with
our Lord and Savior; that we bear a humble part in the great work of
salvation; that we have the privilege of receiving and obeying the truth,
and of securing to ourselves that happiness which the Gospel alone
affords; and not only of performing these ordinances for ourselves, but of
doing the necessary work for our parents and forefathers who have slept
without the Gospel, that they may partake also of the waters of life, and
be judged according to men in the flesh [see 1 Peter 4:6]. This is a
privilege, a blessing, which no one can sense unless he is in possession
of it. We are happy to know by our faith and feelings through the spirit
of revelation within us that our labors have been accepted of the Lord. We
have enjoyed ourselves exceedingly in the society of each other; the aged,
the middle-aged and the youth have rejoiced and been made glad in this
glorious work." -Brigham Young, in Teachings of Presidents of the Church:
Brigham Young [1997], 300-301.
"Like
you, I don't want to lose any of my children. I want to be together
forever with all of my family. The temple gives all of us extra hope of
continuing and improving these relationships, even after this life.
Sealings bestowed in the temple promise additional blessings. 'The
Prophet Joseph Smith declared--and he never taught more comforting
doctrine--that the eternal sealings of faithful parents and the divine
promises made to them for valiant service in the Cause of Truth, would
save not only themselves, but likewise their posterity. Though some of
the sheep may wander, the eye of the Shepherd is upon them, and sooner
or later they will feel the tentacles of Divine Providence reaching out
after them and drawing them back to the fold. Either in this life or
the life to come, they will return. They will have to pay their debt to
justice; they will suffer for their sins; and may tread a thorny path;
but if it leads them at last, like the penitent Prodigal, to a loving
and forgiving father's heart and home, the painful experience will not
have been in vain' (Orson F. Whitney, in Conference Report, Apr. 1929,
110)." -Richard H. Winkel, "The Temple Is about Families," Ensign,
Nov. 2006, 10.
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