The Purpose of the Temple

We often speak about going to the temple to escape from the world since we can go into the Lord’s house and set aside the worldly cares and temptations that trouble us for a time. But in the most recent general conference, Elder Bednar made this statement about the purpose of the temple: “We do not come to the temple to hide from or escape the evils of the world. Rather, we come to the temple to conquer the world of evil. As we invite into our lives the ‘power of godliness’ by receiving priesthood ordinances and making and keeping sacred covenants, we are blessed with strength beyond our own to overcome the temptations and challenges of mortality and to do and become good.” In other words, the purpose of the temple is not to physically hide from the evils around but rather to change our own hearts to cast out the evil and wickedness in them. He made this statement directly after quoting President Benson on how the Lord works to change us: “The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of the slums. Christ takes the slums out of people, and then they take themselves out of the slums. The world would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature.” Elder Bednar’s point was that going to the temple is no different—we are not taking people out of the slums and putting them (or “hiding them”) in the temple; rather, the covenants of the temple should change our hearts so that the “slums” inside us are removed and cleansed. The power of the temple and the covenants we make there are meant to change our very natures and purify our hearts.

               One of the scriptures that Elder Bednar quoted was this: “Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest” (Doctrine and Covenants 84:20). As we participate in the ordinances of the priesthood, in the covenants of the temple, we are given the “power of godliness.” I have read this scripture many times, but I don’t know that I have really pondered what that power is; perhaps one way we can interpret it is that this is the Lord’s power to make us godlike. The purpose of the ordinances of the priesthood is to make us like our Father in Heaven, to purify us and change our hearts so that we no longer have desires to do evil and wickedness. Indeed, the purpose of all ordinances and especially the temple endowment is to give us the strength to overcome the world in us, to cast out the unholy thoughts and desires and deeds that bind us down. As Peter put it, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness.” Through God’s divine power made manifest in the ordinances and covenants of the priesthood, we can attain unto godliness, including obtaining the attributes of faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, and charity as Peter wrote of (2 Peter 1:3-7). The purpose of the temple is to help us become like the converted Lamanites whom Ammon taught and entered the covenant of baptism: “And they did all declare unto the people the selfsame thing—that their hearts had been changed; that they had no more desire to do evil” (Alma 19:33). The Doctrine and Covenants speaks of the temple endowment in these terms: “Mine elders are endowed with power from on high. For behold, I have prepared a great endowment and blessing to be poured out upon them, inasmuch as they are faithful and continue in humility before me” (Doctrine and Covenants 105:11-12). Perhaps an important part of that power we are endowed with is the power to overcome our own evils and wickedness, our own sins and imperfections. The temple covenants we make, as we commit to live with obedience and sacrifice and consecration, give us power to purify ourselves and prepare to come eternally into the presence of the Lord.