The Temple as a Refuge

By Anne Maxson

In early January, we made a plan to bring our youngest son to the temple for the first time. This would be the first time, that our entire family would be able to go to the temple together. We made an early morning appointment so that we could go before school. 

When we woke up well before dawn, we realized that the weather and road conditions would make our drive to the temple quite tricky. There had been some snow in the night and it was currently a sleet and freezing rain mix with a lot of side winds. Thankfully, we live quite close to the temple. We ventured out and made the short drive, going super slow to make sure we didn’t slide around too much on the icy roads. It was stressful, white-knuckle driving.

The temple lit up the skies nearby and acted as a beacon directing us toward the peace found therein. Once we got there, we had to make our way along the treacherous sidewalks with freezing wind blowing at us seemingly from every direction. 

The darkness, wind, and sleet made it easy to recognize the striking contrast of the light, calm, and warmth the moment we entered through the doors of the temple. As we sat in the chapel near the baptismal font, I couldn’t help but think about how the stress of the drive seemed to dissipate and I wasn’t worried about the drive home. I thought about how we were experiencing the opportunity to do the work of eternity and how, because of the eternal nature of the work, we were able to have some of those temporary worries feel a bit less pressing. 

Doctrine and Covenants 124:36 states, “For it is ordained that in Zion, and in her stakes, and in Jerusalem, those places which I have appointed for refuge, shall be the places for your baptisms for your dead.”

In a talk entitled, “Temples and Work Therein” from the October 1990 General Conference, Elder David B. Haight said, “The moment we step into the house of the Lord, the atmosphere changes from the worldly to the heavenly, where respite from the normal activities of life is found, and where peace of mind and spirit is received. It is a refuge from the ills of life and a protection from the temptations that are contrary to our spiritual well-being. We are told that ‘he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come.’” 

I love that the quote talks about that feeling happening “the moment we step into” the temple. That cold morning a few weeks ago, the idea of a physical refuge was even stronger than usual. I have felt numerous times that the temple is a place that is appointed to be a refuge. Oftentimes, it has been a spiritual refuge when I may feel like I just need a break, a moment to regroup, and find strength. 

Sometimes when life is particularly stressful or busy, it has been difficult to prioritize the temple. But, I have found that when I do, I always find an added measure of peace that exponentially makes up for the time set aside for attending the temple.