Two weeks ago in Cordoba, Scott spoke in Sacrament Meeting on the purpose of the Madrid Temple (shown above and below). He mentioned four purposes of the Madrid temple (and all LDS temples):
1. The house of the Lord. When President Gordon B. Hinckley dedicated the Madrid Temple in March of 1999, he consecrated the temple to be the house of the Lord. He said, “We honor and reverence this temple as Thy abode. May Thy Holy Spirit dwell here at all times, and in all seasons."
2. A house of learning. Those who attend the Madrid temple are taught the ordinances necessary for them (and their kindred dead) to return to our Heavenly Father. One ordinance (the “endowment”) consists of instructions on how to live the gospel and focuses on the Savior, His role in Heavenly Father's plan, and our need to follow Him. In another temple ordinance, families are sealed together for eternity.
3. A place for making covenants. Members of the church who attend the Madrid Temple make covenants or solemn promises to live righteously and to follow the requirements of the gospel. These covenants teach of the redeeming power of the infinite Atonement of Jesus Christ.
4. A sanctuary for receiving personal revelation. Individuals who enter the Madrid temple do so as the Lord’s guest and must provide evidence (in the form of a temple “recommend”) that they are spiritually worthy. Being in the temple provides an opportunity to reflect on the truly meaningful things of life—our relationship to Deity and our eternal journey from a premortal state to this life and on to a future life with our loved ones.
The Madrid Temple (photo taken on 15 May 2012, the day we arrived here):
I love your pictures.
ReplyDelete