Preparing to Enter the Holy Temple (continued)

Taught From on High

• "Before going to the temple for the first time, or even after many times, it may help you to realize that the teaching of the temples is done in symbolic fashion."
• "The temple is a house of learning."

"'The temple ordinances encompass the whole plan of salvation, as taught from time to time by the leaders of the Church, and elucidate matters difficult of understanding. There is no warping or twisting in fitting the temple teachings into the great scheme of salvation. The philosophical completeness of the endowment is one of the great arguments for the veracity of the temple ordinances. Moreover, this completeness of survey and expounding of the Gospel plan, makes temple worship one of the most effective methods of refreshing the memory concerning the whole structure of the gospel.

"'Another fact has always appealed to me as a strong internal evidence for the truth of temple work. The endowment and the temple work as revealed by the Lord to the Prophet Joseph Smith...fall clearly into four distinct parts: the preparatory ordinances; the giving of instruction by lectures and representations; covenants; and, finally, tests of knowledge. I doubt that the Prophet Joseph, unlearned and untrained in logic, could of himself have made the thing so logically complete.'"

• "If you will go to the temple and remember that the teaching is symbolic you will never go in the proper spirit without coming away with your vision extended, feeling a little more exalted, with your knowledge increased as to things that are spiritual."
• "The temple itself becomes a symbol."
• "The temple ceremony will not be fully understood at first experience."
• "What we gain from the temple will depend to a large degree on what we take to the temple in the way of humility and reverence and a desire to learn."
• "If we are teachable we will be taught by the Spirit, in the temple."
• "...ponder the deeper meaning of what you see demonstrated before you (when you are in the temple)...keep these things in your mind...prayerfully review them...your knowledge will increase"
• "Look toward the temple"
• "Point your children toward the temple"
• "Drink deeply from the teachings--the symbolic, deeply spiritual teachings--available only in the temple."

To be continued...