I last attended the temple the first weekend in March of 2020.
I had no idea that I would be one of the final people to walk through those temple doors.
And that it would be the very last time I stepped foot inside a temple for a long time.
And I miss it.
I drove past the Gilbert temple the other day, and it looks so beautiful and powerful and calm.
It has also made me reevaluate my temple habits pre-pandemic.
If I knew my temple attendance was going to be completely restricted for the next who-knows-how-long, I probably would have gone more. And I probably would have gone more regularly.
I do not want to ever take the temple for granted again.
But guess what John the Baptist promises us in Doctrine and Covenants Section 13 verse 1?
While Oliver Cowdery and Joseph Smith were in the woods near Joseph’s home in Harmony praying to receive more knowledge about baptism, John the Baptist appeared.
He restored the Aaronic priesthood to Joseph and Oliver, and gave them wonderful news:
“This shall never be taken again from the earth”.
Never!
Even when temples close, and missionaries are in limbo, and church is changing, and General Conference looks different, and youth activities have to adjust…
The priesthood will NEVER be taken away from us.
So here’s the perfect time for reflection:
Am I taking the constant access to the priesthood that I currently have for granted?
How can I show God that I appreciate this gift and power?
The priesthood is here to stay, allowing me to feel comfort, to have my sins cleansed, to receive service.
It is the power of God here on the earth.
And the power of God cannot be removed.
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
4 Responses
President Nelson said our Temples never close, they are only ‘paused’. Love that!
It’s nice to think of it that way, isn’t it?
I wanted to correct you on something. The verse you quoted about the aaronic priesthood Never to be taken again from the earth. You made a statement after that said NEVER! This is incorrect, the verse continues and says never to be taken UNTIL the sons of Levi do offer again an offering into the Lord in righteousness. So it will be taken from the earth because we will have the Melchizedek priesthood and will no longer need the Aaronic. So it’s a bit complicated because the priesthood as a whole won’t be taken but the aaronic priesthood will. I just learned this recently and wanted to pass it along to you. Thanks for all your hard work and insights, I enjoy getting your emails each week
That’s a great point. You’re correct about the Aaronic priesthood. I was referring to the fact that the priesthood in total would never be taken away, but I should have clarified that better. Thank you. I addressed it in my stories on instagram earlier this week, so I hope you caught that then.