What Can I Say to Others about the Temple?

This entire article:  "What Can I Say to Others about the Temple?"

By Jessica Anne Lawrence, Church Magazines

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2024/08/07-what-can-i-say-to-others-about-the-temple?lang=eng

Key snippet: 

For example, we can share that “an endowment is literally a ‘gift.’” The temple endowment is a gift of sacred blessings from God to each of us, and some of those blessings include:

1. “Greater knowledge of the Lord’s purposes and teachings.

2. “Power to do all that God wants us to do.

3. “Divine guidance and protection as we serve the Lord, our families, and others.

4. “Increased hope, comfort, and peace.

5. “Promised blessings now and forever.”

We can also talk about the covenants we make in the temple. The beautiful thing about the temple is that it allows us to draw closer to God and strengthen our relationship with Him by making additional promises with Him. These covenants are:

• “Law of Obedience, which includes striving to keep God’s commandments.
• “Law of Sacrifice, which means doing all we can to support the Lord’s work and repenting with a broken heart and contrite spirit.
• “Law of the Gospel, which is the higher law that He taught while He was on the earth.
• “Law of Chastity, which means that we have sexual relations only with the person to whom we are legally and lawfully wedded according to God’s law.
• “Law of Consecration, which means dedicating our time, talents, and everything with which the Lord has blessed us to building up Jesus Christ’s Church on the earth.”

The temple is the object of all Church activity

 "The temple is the object of every activity, every lesson, every progressive step in the Church. All of our efforts in proclaiming the gospel, perfecting the Saints, and redeeming the dead lead to the holy temple."

- Elder Russell M. Nelson, Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Ensign, March 2002, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2002/03/prepare-for-blessings-of-the-temple?lang=eng 

Covenants elevate us; scriptures to read to prepare to attend the temple

"Each temple is a house of learning. There we are taught in the Master’s way. His way differs from modes of others. His way is ancient and rich with symbolism. We can learn much by pondering the reality for which each symbol stands. Teachings of the temple are beautifully simple and simply beautiful. They are understood by the humble, yet they can excite the intellect of the brightest minds.

"Spiritual preparation is enhanced by study. I like to recommend that members going to the temple for the first time read short explanatory paragraphs in the Bible Dictionary, listed under seven topics: “Anoint,” “Atonement,” “Christ,” “Covenant,” “Fall of Adam,” “Sacrifices,” and “Temple.” Doing so will provide a firm foundation.

"One may also read in the Old Testament and the books of Moses and Abraham in the Pearl of Great Price. Such a review of ancient scripture is even more enlightening after one is familiar with the temple endowment. Those books underscore the antiquity of temple work.

"With each ordinance is a covenant—a promise. A covenant made with God is not restrictive, but protective. Such a concept is not new. For example, if our water supply is not clean, we filter the water to screen out harmful ingredients. Divine covenants help us to filter out of our minds impurities that could harm us. When we choose to deny ourselves of all ungodliness, we lose nothing of value and gain the glory of eternal life. Covenants do not hold us down; they elevate us beyond the limits of our own power and perspective."

- Russell M. Nelson, Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, "Personal Preparation for Temple Blessings," General Conference, April 2001

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2001/04/personal-preparation-for-temple-blessings?lang=eng