Practical Gospel English Study Group Meeting

• 10:00-11:00
• 主題：Preparing to Enter the Holy Temple

 

These Things Are Sacred (Preparing to Enter the Holy Temple)

• A careful reading of the scriptures reveals that the Lord did not tell all things to all people. There were some qualifications set that were prerequisite to receiving sacred information. Temple ceremonies fall within this category.
• We do not discuss the temple ordinances outside the temples. It was never intended that knowledge of these temple ceremonies would be limited to a select few who would be obliged to ensure that others never learn of them. It is quite the opposite, in fact. With great effort we urge every soul to qualify and prepare for the temple experience. Those who have been to the temple have been taught an ideal: Someday every living soul and every soul who has ever lived shall have the opportunity to hear the gospel and to accept or reject what the temple offers. If this opportunity is rejected, the rejection must be on the part of the individual.
• The ordinances and ceremonies of the temple are simple. They are beautiful. They are sacred. They are kept confidential lest they be given to those who are unprepared. Curiosity is not a preparation. Deep interest itself is not a preparation. Preparation for the ordinances includes preliminary steps: faith, repentance, baptism, confirmation, worthiness, a maturity and dignity worthy of one who comes invited as a guest into the house of the Lord.
• We must be prepared before we go to the temple. We must be worthy before we go to the temple. There are restrictions and conditions set. They were established by the Lord and not by man. And, the Lord has every right and authority to direct that matters relating to the temple be kept sacred and confidential.
• All who are worthy and qualify in every way may enter the temple, there to be introduced to the sacred rites and ordinances.

 

Questions: by Liming

• Shall I ask my wife about her new name given in the temple in case I am not sure if I remember her new name correctly?
• What shall I answer the question : “What do we learn from the temple that we cannot learn in the church classes or from the scriptures? “
• As I know, all of the new name given before every endowment session are names found in the holy scriptures. And we refer these names often. Then what does it mean by not revealing them outside the temple?
• We are taught that the preparatory ordinances had been held from ancient time and written in the Old Testament. Is discussing the preparatory ordinances during scripture study classes discouraged?
• Much of the creation knowledge is taught in temple ordinances. Can we enhance the discussion in church class by referring to what we have learned in the temple?
• Can we further discuss the laws we learned in temple ordinances in day life for purposes of applying the teachings?