Of Temples and Garages

This week I have managed to spend much more time in the temple than usual, between personal attendance and my assigned shifts as a worker.  I have noticed that this has left me feeling better about myself and my life, and closer to God.

So what does this have to do with garages?  There is a statement which I have heard associated with church attendance that says that just as sleeping in the garage does not make you a car, so attending church does not make you a disciple of Christ.  While that statement is true, spending time in the temple is different.

I guess in the first place you have to make yourself worthy before attending the temple.  Neither garages nor places of worship levy that requirement.  Each time you present your recommend at the recommend desk in the temple you are attesting to the fact that you are worthy to enter the temple.

In the second place, the temple is literally the house of God.  I have never seen His physical presence there, but I can feel it.  The Celestial Room is explicitly the symbol of being in God's presence, and so it is easy to concentrate one's thoughts on Him and His covenants while in the temple.

Finally, all time in the temple is spent serving others.  When I attend as a patron my time is spent in the service of those individuals for whom I am acting as proxy.  When I attend as a worker my every action is directed toward serving the patrons.  I certainly seek for learning and understanding while I am in the temple, but my efforts are focused on others.

In the last General Conference President Nelson was quoted as saying, and then directly asked us, to give up other activities in order to spend more time in the temple.  I have tried to respond very actively to that counsel, and I am feeling great blessings as a consequence.  I am grateful to live so close to the temple and to be able to attend so frequently.  I am grateful to God for allowing me these opportunities.