I grew up about an hour and a half away from the Oakland temple.

It wasn’t impossibly far away, but it was just far away enough that we usually did two youth trips a year to go and do baptisms and confirmations.

We would make a whole day of it, and, of course, grab ice cream at Fenton’s afterwards. (If you know, you know.)

When I went off to BYU, I was suddenly in very close walking distance to a temple.

What a shift!

I upped my attendance from twice a year to once or twice a month, because that’s when roommates would go.

After my husband and I got married and moved to Arizona, we lived about 20 minutes from the Mesa temple.

And suddenly, we realized… we were on our own for temple attendance.

No more youth group trips. No more roommates going with us. If our ward had temple trips, they were often during times when one of us was working.

We had to grapple with the question:

Why do we really attend the temple?

I didn’t love my reasons at first.

But throughout the years, my answer has shifted.

When I read D&C 97:13-14, I was reminded of some of my favorite reasons.

The Lord was teaching these saints, pretty passionately, about why they NEEDED to get to work in building that temple.

Throughout these verses, He mentions 3 things:

  1. For a place of thanksgiving for all saints
  2. For a place of instruction
  3. That they may be perfected

Thanksgiving, instruction, and perfection.

It’s hard not to be filled with gratitude while sitting in a beautiful building surrounded by beautiful reminders of all that God has done for us.

Instruction is given every single time we are in the temple, and the more that I’ve tried to pay attention and learn, the more my eyes have been opened to the wealth of knowledge that is available.

And as we learn more about the power of God and His priesthood, we become perfected. When we do work for our ancestors, we become perfected. When we sacrifice any item on our to-do list for time in the temple, we become perfected.

Isn’t that a beautiful trio of reasons why we need temples?!

Right now, what is your biggest “why” for wanting to be in the temple?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

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10 Responses

  1. I really liked the focus on why I should go to the temple myself.

    I always hear about doing “the work” for others, which is good, but somewhat overwhelming as a convert with GOBS of genealogy to do!

    The trio of Thanksgiving, instruction, and perfection sounds more inviting.
    It might seem selfish, but I can identify better with the trio of reasons than the huge, almost oppressive responsibility of vicarious work.

    I definately need to get back to the temple asap.

  2. After losing my daughter to a tragic accident in 2014, I have tried to attend the temple weekly. There is no better place on earth to be close to the things of Heaven than inside the temple. I’m so thankful for the peace and comfort I receive when I attend.

    1. I’m so sorry about your daughter, but I’m glad you have been able to find peace and comfort in the temple.

  3. I grew up in Harrisville, Utah, I had an Uncle who lived in Sao Francisco. As a child we visited him every other year.
    My dad would always take us to the Oakland Temple to walk the grounds. Even at a young age I could feel a
    special spirit there and I could tell my dad honored, loved and respected this sacred edifice.

    I’ve never been inside but I will some day and when that day comes I suspect my dad will know it and be there too…
    He passed ~ 10 years ago at age 95.

    Bill

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