3 Ways Temples Bring Light into Our Lives

By Anne Maxson

Temples bring light into our lives. They are the house of the Lord. As Jesus taught in John 8:12: “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” When we center our lives on the Lord’s house, we are blessed with greater light and clarity.

Here are three ways the temple can bring light into our lives:

Comprehension

In the temple, we receive promises that help us understand and navigate life’s challenges. Temples provide an eternal perspective, guiding us to see our divine purpose and prioritize what truly matters.

Sister Joy D. Jones shared in her talk, “An Especially Noble Calling,” “The Spirit helps us determine which work to focus on today. The Lord’s loving influence through the Holy Ghost helps us know His priority for our progression. Heeding personal revelation leads to personal progression.”

The Lord also taught in Doctrine and Covenants 88:67, “And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things.”

As we strive to have your eye be single to God, our understanding grows. Life’s experiences and circumstances become clearer, and we can sometimes understand the “whys” of the events in our lives a bit better.

Connection 

The temple connects us, especially to our families.

When I first joined the Church, being the only member of the church in my family of origin, I often felt alone. I had a close friend who introduced me to the gospel and understood my spiritual journey. Similarly, he was the only member in his family of origin who joined the church. We have talked about how difficult it is to be unable to express to our families, “I went to the temple, felt the spirit and have made the decision to…” or “I read my patriarchal blessing and now believe the best way forward is…” The ideas are a foreign concept to them. 

Making big decisions, like serving a mission, was challenging for my family. When I told them, “I prayed and now I know this is what I need to do,” they didn’t understand. They were very upset and said some hurtful things. Those were some the times I felt most alone.

While at the MTC, however, my district worked together to complete temple work for several of my ancestors. One day, it struck me: I am not truly “the only member in my family.” Through the temple and the ordinances performed for my family, I realized I was part of something much larger and eternal. That connection brought me peace and reminded me that I was never alone.

Companionship

As we make and keep covenants, we are blessed with the companionship of the Holy Ghost.

The Lord promises in Doctrine and Covenants 88:63, “Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” Focusing on temple work draws us closer to the Lord, and He, in turn, draws closer to us.

President Freeman, in her talk “Live Up to Your Privileges,” reflected on Emma Smith’s covenant journey and shared, “Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthood ordinances, combined with the keeping of her covenant promises, would increase her companionship with the Spirit and with angels, empowering her to navigate her life with divine guidance.”

She also quoted President Russell M. Nelson’s talk “Spiritual Treasures” where he said, “Accessing the power of God in your life requires the same things that the Lord instructed Emma and each of you to do.”

As we prioritize making and keeping our covenants - through the sacrament and temple worship - we can experience increased comprehension, deeper connection, and the companionship of the Holy Ghost.

What would you add to this list? In what ways has the temple brought light into your life?