What I said in church today:
It was the summer of 1990 when a bunch of friends and I decided to drive up to Brampton to see the progress of the new Toronto temple which was still under construction. There was a lot of dirt and building materials scattered all over and around the perimeter of the building. Several men worked in and out of the temple, wearing yellow hard hats and heavy steel toed boots. As we circled the temple outside, we passed a huge garbage bin filled with junk. I was hit by the dramatic contrast of the garbage set against a backdrop of clean white temple walls, which read “Holiness to the Lord”. Suddenly I realized that despite the mess around me, I was standing on hallowed ground. I reached down and ran my fingers over a tiny leftover carpet remnant that had been discarded. I tucked it into my pocket and made a promise to myself to stay worthy so that one day I could return to the completed temple and walk upon the sacred ground where this same carpet had just been laid. I knew I was standing in a Holy Place.
Two and a half years after the Church was organized, the Lord warned Joseph Smith of wars and famines and plagues that would come because of wickedness. Then He told us in D&C 87:8 how to be safe in such a world: “Stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come”
Does that mean that we have to camp on the grounds of the temple and wait for the Lord to appear? No. Standing in holy places is all about being in good company, whether you are alone or with others. It’s being where the Holy Ghost is our companion-alone or in a crowd. When we determine within ourselves that we will control our thoughts and our actions and be the best we can possibly be, the best of life will come to us. A holy place is where we feel safe, secure, loved, and comforted. That’s how it was in our heavenly home. Standing in holy places and being in good company bring feelings of how it must have been in that home we left behind, the home that seems so far away at times.
On the walls of my kitchen at home, the words “Home Can Be a Heaven on Earth” serve as a constant reminder to me to actively make my home a little piece of heaven - a holy place where the Spirit can always feel welcome to dwell. In holy places we are protected from the almost overwhelming commotion of the world. Angels can be our companions and support (see D&C 84:88- And whoso receiveth you, there will I be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up).
Surrounded by wickedness, with Lamanites waiting to kill anything in their path, the great prophet Moroni was alone in hiding for almost 20 years. Imagine that kind of loneliness! Yet his exquisite testimony and counsel in the last few chapters of the Book of Mormon tell us he was in the company of angels and the Holy Ghost. He was not alone. The Holy Ghost can take away the gnawing, aching feeling of loneliness or isolation or rejection and fill us with peace. It is possible the loneliest times are when people, (even friends and family) who are making wrong choices surround us, and we have to stand up for what we believe in, even if we stand alone. The Lord said to stand in holy places.
Standing in holy places helps us to become holy, but this is an acquired virtue that takes practice. We must practice listening to the Spirit and being obedient. The Lord has told us to come unto Him and He can make us holy (see D&C 60:7 “For I am able to make you holy, and your sins are forgiven you ). Regardless of what is going on around you, you can practice creating an environment of your own, filled with the Spirit of the Lord.
So how can we create an environment that is going to fill us with the Spirit of the Lord? At the beginning of the year our Bishopric challenged families to strengthen our families by holding daily family prayer and scripture study and regular family home evenings. How are we doing on our new year’s resolutions? Usually by August many new year resolutions have been forgotten or given up to old habits. For me, the real ‘new year’ has always been in September with the new year of school. It has always been a time for me to set new personal goals as the summer winds down and I am thrust back into the reality of routine. I have to regularly make choices to determine my priorities and decide which activities are worthy of my attention and time. What am I doing each day to put me in a holy place?
Identifying what is holy and educating our desires for that is vital to our happiness. A magnificent sunset or star-studded sky, a rose dripping with dew, or a beautiful newborn baby -all remind us once more that the things of God are holy. Holy places can be wherever you are-alone, in a crowd, with strangers, with friends. The road to Jericho was treacherous. Thieves infiltrated the bushes and trees waiting to ambush any traveler. It took a kind and courageous Samaritan to change that road from a haunted place to a holy place. There are things you can do to bring holiness to ordinary places: visiting the sick woman who is house bound, phoning the less active man and making an invitation, caring for the exhausted mothers’ children, being the one to initiate family prayer, bringing a meal to the one suffering personal loss, writing a note to lift the discouraged and depressed….These things bring feelings of selflessness and sacrifice and holiness.
Holiness is quiet and gentle, easily missed if we aren’t paying attention. It goes without fanfare and it goes without pride. The resurrected Lord walked to Emmaus with two men who were so caught up in the events of His Crucifixion and Resurrection that they did not know it was the Lord Himself who was their walking companion.
When we follow the Savior’s example and are baptized, we make covenants to keep the commandments. Those covenants and the blessing of always having the Spirit of the Lord with you are renewed each time we worthily partake of the sacrament. It can strengthen us in the face of temptation and trial.
Last week I was reminded of a special experience I had when I was asked to lead a large choir for a big conference. I had no professional experience or qualifications and felt extremely under skilled for such an assignment. I had stood in front of a mirror and rehearsed beforehand on my own several times. But during one particular practice with the choir, the Spirit bore witness that I was not just conducting people singing notes, I was also bearing my testimony: “Yea, come unto Christ and be perfected in him.” As I sang, I knew with all my soul that He had died for me. For a moment the 400 other voices became a whisper and I felt like I was all alone with the Lord. I felt His love and reassurance that He had carried the griefs and the sorrows of my heart, and through my obedience, He would continue to walk with me for the rest of my life. To feel that blessing and comfort and complete love from the Lord gave me the confidence to overcome my nervousness and simply share my testimony through music.
When the Lord appeared to Moses at the burning bush, he told him to “put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.” (Exodus 3:5)
QUOTE -“On another day in another place, however, the sun was setting on the mortal ministry of the Messiah as he departed the temple at Jerusalem for the last time. Climbing atop the Mount of Olives with his disciples, the Savior prophesied of the events that would precede the destruction of Jerusalem and his second coming. He then issued this admonition to his disciples, ancient and modern: “Then you shall stand in the holy place; whoso readeth let him understand” (Matt. 24:15). Latter-day revelations provide understanding. They teach that in our day, amidst strife and catastrophe and pestilence, there are two kingdoms locked in grim struggle for the souls of men-Zion and Babylon. More than once they repeat the injunction to “stand in holy places” for a refuge from these storms of latter-day life (D&C 45:32); Prominent among such holy places, and key to all the others, is the temple of the Lord
***(Hold up sugar cube temple) This magnificent structure was constructed last Monday evening under great attention and care by my 4 and 2 year old. It was the culminating activity of our Family Home Evening after we had discussed how “Temples Unite Families”. We talked about the foundations of the gospel and the blessings of the priesthood ordinances in our lives. We used one box of sugar cubes and half a bag of marshmallows to “build” a temple of our own, discussing the need for a ‘firm’ foundation as we stacked one little cube on top of one another. Special icing sugar ‘glue’ held it all together. Over the course of the week it became the centerpiece at our dining room table and basis for a few discussions about the temple as the kids eagerly showed it off to a few visitors at our door.
I believe that our children need to feel excited about the temple at a young age. I hope that I can convey that feeling to them by example as they hear me talk about it, see me working on my family history, and regularly attend the temple with my husband. I am thankful there are so many others in this ward who also share their testimonies of this to my children. I know that temples literally unite families across the generations together through the sealing power. This year I have been blessed to go to the temple with both sides of my extended family and I know that our relationships were strengthened as we were gathered in that holy place together. I also know that ward temple nights unite ward families. I often feel a closeness to ward members as I attend ward temple nights.
One temple sealer said, “The joy I receive is more than just being in the temple. The temple is in me! And when I leave the temple, its peace goes with me.” Every righteous soul can feel this same way. When we visit the temple as often as our individual circumstances permit, the temple will be in us. Then, despite the many challenges of life, we will always be in a holy place.
Once you understand what holy places are, then you know where to be. It will likely require sacrifice of our worldly tastes or popularity. It may require humility and forgiveness or complete repentance. It does require “clean hands, and a pure heart” (Ps. 24:4). We need to do whatever we have to do to be able to stand in holy places and be not moved, to stand for truth and righteousness, regardless of the evil temptations and designs of conspiring people and a society that is swept up in the shallow enticements of the media. President Hinckley said, “Stand a little higher and let the nobility of good character shine through [your] lives. Let Him be your companion all of your life, every day of your life, so you can return to that home you long for, the holiest place of all.”
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Two and a half years after the Church was organized, the Lord warned Joseph Smith of wars and famines and plagues that would come because of wickedness. Then He told us in D&C 87:8 how to be safe in such a world: “Stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come”
Does that mean that we have to camp on the grounds of the temple and wait for the Lord to appear? No. Standing in holy places is all about being in good company, whether you are alone or with others. It’s being where the Holy Ghost is our companion-alone or in a crowd. When we determine within ourselves that we will control our thoughts and our actions and be the best we can possibly be, the best of life will come to us. A holy place is where we feel safe, secure, loved, and comforted. That’s how it was in our heavenly home. Standing in holy places and being in good company bring feelings of how it must have been in that home we left behind, the home that seems so far away at times.
On the walls of my kitchen at home, the words “Home Can Be a Heaven on Earth” serve as a constant reminder to me to actively make my home a little piece of heaven - a holy place where the Spirit can always feel welcome to dwell. In holy places we are protected from the almost overwhelming commotion of the world. Angels can be our companions and support (see D&C 84:88- And whoso receiveth you, there will I be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up).
Surrounded by wickedness, with Lamanites waiting to kill anything in their path, the great prophet Moroni was alone in hiding for almost 20 years. Imagine that kind of loneliness! Yet his exquisite testimony and counsel in the last few chapters of the Book of Mormon tell us he was in the company of angels and the Holy Ghost. He was not alone. The Holy Ghost can take away the gnawing, aching feeling of loneliness or isolation or rejection and fill us with peace. It is possible the loneliest times are when people, (even friends and family) who are making wrong choices surround us, and we have to stand up for what we believe in, even if we stand alone. The Lord said to stand in holy places.
Standing in holy places helps us to become holy, but this is an acquired virtue that takes practice. We must practice listening to the Spirit and being obedient. The Lord has told us to come unto Him and He can make us holy (see D&C 60:7 “For I am able to make you holy, and your sins are forgiven you ). Regardless of what is going on around you, you can practice creating an environment of your own, filled with the Spirit of the Lord.
So how can we create an environment that is going to fill us with the Spirit of the Lord? At the beginning of the year our Bishopric challenged families to strengthen our families by holding daily family prayer and scripture study and regular family home evenings. How are we doing on our new year’s resolutions? Usually by August many new year resolutions have been forgotten or given up to old habits. For me, the real ‘new year’ has always been in September with the new year of school. It has always been a time for me to set new personal goals as the summer winds down and I am thrust back into the reality of routine. I have to regularly make choices to determine my priorities and decide which activities are worthy of my attention and time. What am I doing each day to put me in a holy place?
Identifying what is holy and educating our desires for that is vital to our happiness. A magnificent sunset or star-studded sky, a rose dripping with dew, or a beautiful newborn baby -all remind us once more that the things of God are holy. Holy places can be wherever you are-alone, in a crowd, with strangers, with friends. The road to Jericho was treacherous. Thieves infiltrated the bushes and trees waiting to ambush any traveler. It took a kind and courageous Samaritan to change that road from a haunted place to a holy place. There are things you can do to bring holiness to ordinary places: visiting the sick woman who is house bound, phoning the less active man and making an invitation, caring for the exhausted mothers’ children, being the one to initiate family prayer, bringing a meal to the one suffering personal loss, writing a note to lift the discouraged and depressed….These things bring feelings of selflessness and sacrifice and holiness.
Holiness is quiet and gentle, easily missed if we aren’t paying attention. It goes without fanfare and it goes without pride. The resurrected Lord walked to Emmaus with two men who were so caught up in the events of His Crucifixion and Resurrection that they did not know it was the Lord Himself who was their walking companion.
When we follow the Savior’s example and are baptized, we make covenants to keep the commandments. Those covenants and the blessing of always having the Spirit of the Lord with you are renewed each time we worthily partake of the sacrament. It can strengthen us in the face of temptation and trial.
Last week I was reminded of a special experience I had when I was asked to lead a large choir for a big conference. I had no professional experience or qualifications and felt extremely under skilled for such an assignment. I had stood in front of a mirror and rehearsed beforehand on my own several times. But during one particular practice with the choir, the Spirit bore witness that I was not just conducting people singing notes, I was also bearing my testimony: “Yea, come unto Christ and be perfected in him.” As I sang, I knew with all my soul that He had died for me. For a moment the 400 other voices became a whisper and I felt like I was all alone with the Lord. I felt His love and reassurance that He had carried the griefs and the sorrows of my heart, and through my obedience, He would continue to walk with me for the rest of my life. To feel that blessing and comfort and complete love from the Lord gave me the confidence to overcome my nervousness and simply share my testimony through music.
When the Lord appeared to Moses at the burning bush, he told him to “put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.” (Exodus 3:5)
QUOTE -“On another day in another place, however, the sun was setting on the mortal ministry of the Messiah as he departed the temple at Jerusalem for the last time. Climbing atop the Mount of Olives with his disciples, the Savior prophesied of the events that would precede the destruction of Jerusalem and his second coming. He then issued this admonition to his disciples, ancient and modern: “Then you shall stand in the holy place; whoso readeth let him understand” (Matt. 24:15). Latter-day revelations provide understanding. They teach that in our day, amidst strife and catastrophe and pestilence, there are two kingdoms locked in grim struggle for the souls of men-Zion and Babylon. More than once they repeat the injunction to “stand in holy places” for a refuge from these storms of latter-day life (D&C 45:32); Prominent among such holy places, and key to all the others, is the temple of the Lord
***(Hold up sugar cube temple) This magnificent structure was constructed last Monday evening under great attention and care by my 4 and 2 year old. It was the culminating activity of our Family Home Evening after we had discussed how “Temples Unite Families”. We talked about the foundations of the gospel and the blessings of the priesthood ordinances in our lives. We used one box of sugar cubes and half a bag of marshmallows to “build” a temple of our own, discussing the need for a ‘firm’ foundation as we stacked one little cube on top of one another. Special icing sugar ‘glue’ held it all together. Over the course of the week it became the centerpiece at our dining room table and basis for a few discussions about the temple as the kids eagerly showed it off to a few visitors at our door.
I believe that our children need to feel excited about the temple at a young age. I hope that I can convey that feeling to them by example as they hear me talk about it, see me working on my family history, and regularly attend the temple with my husband. I am thankful there are so many others in this ward who also share their testimonies of this to my children. I know that temples literally unite families across the generations together through the sealing power. This year I have been blessed to go to the temple with both sides of my extended family and I know that our relationships were strengthened as we were gathered in that holy place together. I also know that ward temple nights unite ward families. I often feel a closeness to ward members as I attend ward temple nights.
One temple sealer said, “The joy I receive is more than just being in the temple. The temple is in me! And when I leave the temple, its peace goes with me.” Every righteous soul can feel this same way. When we visit the temple as often as our individual circumstances permit, the temple will be in us. Then, despite the many challenges of life, we will always be in a holy place.
Once you understand what holy places are, then you know where to be. It will likely require sacrifice of our worldly tastes or popularity. It may require humility and forgiveness or complete repentance. It does require “clean hands, and a pure heart” (Ps. 24:4). We need to do whatever we have to do to be able to stand in holy places and be not moved, to stand for truth and righteousness, regardless of the evil temptations and designs of conspiring people and a society that is swept up in the shallow enticements of the media. President Hinckley said, “Stand a little higher and let the nobility of good character shine through [your] lives. Let Him be your companion all of your life, every day of your life, so you can return to that home you long for, the holiest place of all.”
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.