When I was 20 years old, I went through the temple for my own endowment. I was just a few weeks shy of turning 21, and was preparing to go on a full-time mission in Oklahoma. I was happy, and excited to make further covenants with the Lord, and in many ways, had no idea what a blessing my decision would become.
It has been a few years now, and I can say that I have gone through a lot in these past few years. A lot happens in just the short time of serving a mission, but it wasn't until I returned home that my whole entire world seemed to get rocked, and trust me, it was rocked hard.
I don't want to go into details, especially since the details effect far more than just me. Instead of returning to college, I stayed home. I stayed home because my family needed me, and I knew it was the right thing to do. A lot happen during the time I spent at home. There was a lot of trial, a lot of heartache, and plenty of moments when my family didn't seem like they could take much more, myself included. Some had gone astray from the gospel, and others seemed to be barely holding on.
I remember attending the temple one morning, and before the endowment session began I asked the Lord for strength, and a way in which I could provide more hope for my family amidst our unfortunate circumstances. It was a humbling experience, and I was reminded of the importance in having an eternal perspective, and to remember the very covenants I had made that allowed me to be in the Holy House of the Lord.
There is hope in the gospel of Jesus Christ and His Atonement, which testify of the Father's plan, and gifts unto us the ability to see beyond what is physically before us. My temple covenants were a testimony of that too, for without them I could not truly understand and know the Father's plan to the extent I do. If it were not for the saving ordinances performed in the temple, I could not return to my Father in Heaven with my family.
The adversary wants us to forget these simple, yet profound truths, but through the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the saving ordinances of the temple none have to be lost, and all we go through will not be for nothing. Some of my family members still struggle and wrestle with doubt, but the truth is that we all struggle, just in different ways and in varying degrees. The Lord will always provide a way though, and He will never give up on us, or our families. He wants us to be together forever.
Every time I go to the temple I am reminded of these truths. If you are endowed, attend the temple often. If you are not, I urge you to live your life in a way so that you can go through the temple when the time is right.
"Satan's efforts to turn away the hearts of as many as possible have been intensified in these closing days of the last dispensation. However, through sacred covenants made in holy temples, God has provided a way that His promises can be realized" (Hawkins, pg. 175).
Temple covenants are a source of hope, and provide the strength and covenants needed to remain triumphant over our foes.
The LDS Washington D.C. Temple
*the original image can be found here
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