Entered With Them Into the Temple

In this recent general conference, Elder Peter M. Johnson recounted the story of Peter and John blessing the lame man at the temple. He recounted, “We learn of the power of ministering to the one with compassion from Christ’s Apostles Peter and John. You remember a certain man, lame from birth, lay daily at the gate of the temple asking for money. This man may have felt unimportant, alone, discouraged, and unseen. He may have felt he did not belong. ‘Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have [I] give [unto] thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.’ Peter took the man by his right hand and lifted him up, and the man was made whole. Immediately following the miracle, the man entered into the temple with Peter and John, ‘walking, and leaping, and praising God.’ Peter and John ministered to the one in ways that led to the house of the Lord, and this man became Christ’s devoted disciple.” His observation that once healed this man went with Peter and John to the temple is a powerful example for us. As we seek to help others come unto the Savior, one of the most important things that we can do is take them with us to the temple. Elder Johnson commented, “As we minister to the one, we invite the one to come unto Christ and to worship in the house of the Lord to receive of His redeeming power. In other words, we help one another become devoted disciples as we minister to the one in ways that lead to the house of the Lord.” We generally are not capable of healing others or fixing their problems, but the Lord is. As Elder Renlund related (also quoted by Elder Johnson): “The Savior’s job is to heal [to make us whole]. Our job is to love—to love and minister in such a way that others are drawn to Jesus Christ.” Even Peter and John didn’t really heal the lame man—it was through the power and in the name of Jesus Christ that this man was made whole. And just as they brought this suffering man with them into the temple, we can show love as we invite others to come to the temple so that they can find His healing there.

               Elder Johnson related a story about a time of great struggle for himself as a missionary. He told how he departed on his mission only about a year after he was baptized, and early on his mission he learned for the first time that “there was a period when those of Black African descent were not allowed to enjoy all of the blessings of worshipping in the house of the Lord.” He related how difficult this was for him understand: “Learning this for the first time brought feelings of anger, confusion, doubt, and fear. These feelings were so intense that my ability to recognize the Holy Ghost was lost for a season.” I’m impressed by what his missionary companion did in response: “Fortunately, I had a wonderful missionary companion, Kevin Vick, who ministered to me with love, patience, and kindness. Each night as he witnessed my feelings of doubt and uncertainty, he would simply say to the younger Elder Johnson, ‘I love you.’ After about two weeks, I allowed myself to feel of Kevin’s love. I gained the courage to pray to Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ.” His companion showed sincere love for him, and that opened the way for Elder Johnson to eventually feel love and healing from the Savior. And so, when we do not know how to help someone, this is perhaps the best pattern to follow: show and express our love for them so that the Savior’s love may ultimately come to heal and help them. And showing that love may involve inviting them to come with us to the house of the Lord, where, as President Nelson promised, we can find the Savior: “Regular worship in the temple will help us. In the house of the Lord, we focus on Jesus Christ. … We come to know Him. … Every sincere seeker of Jesus Christ will find Him in the temple.” The Prophet Joseph prayed in the dedication of the Kirtland Temple that this would be the case: “That thy glory may rest down upon thy people, and upon this thy house, which we now dedicate to thee, that it may be sanctified and consecrated to be holy, and that thy holy presence may be continually in this house; And that all people who shall enter upon the threshold of the Lord’s house may feel thy power, and feel constrained to acknowledge that thou hast sanctified it, and that it is thy house, a place of thy holiness.” Not only can we feel His presence there but we can take His power with us: “And we ask thee, Holy Father, that thy servants may go forth from this house armed with thy power, and that thy name may be upon them, and thy glory be round about them, and thine angels have charge over them” (Doctrine and Covenants 109:12-13, 22). As we and those we lovingly invite seek His power and glory and strength in the temple, we will find them.