"every one of our Heavenly Father’s children, on both sides of the veil, deserves to hear the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ"

" My dear young brothers and sisters, these surely are the latter days, and the Lord is hastening His work to gather Israel. That gathering is the most important thing taking place on earth today. Nothing else compares in magnitude, nothing else compares in importance, nothing else compares in majesty. And if you choose to, if you want to, you can be a big part of it. You can be a big part of something big, something grand, something majestic!

When we speak of the gathering, we are simply saying this fundamental truth: every one of our Heavenly Father’s children, on both sides of the veil, deserves to hear the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. They decide for themselves if they want to know more."

- President Russell M. Nelson, "Hope of Israel," New Era, Aug 2018

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/new-era/2018/08-se/hope-of-israel?lang=eng

The purpose of gospel habits is primarily to receive the Holy Ghost

 "everything the Savior’s gospel teaches us to do and become is intended to bless us with the companionship of the Holy Ghost.

"Consider the reasons we pray and study the scriptures. Yes, we yearn to communicate in prayer with Heavenly Father in the name of His Son. And yes, we desire to obtain the light and knowledge available in the standard works. But please remember that these holy habits primarily are ways whereby we always remember Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son and are prerequisites to the ongoing companionship of the Holy Ghost.

"Reflect on the reasons we worship in the house of the Lord and in our Sabbath meetings. Yes, we serve our kindred dead in the temple—and our families and friends in the wards and branches in which we live. And yes, we enjoy the righteous sociality we find among our brothers and sisters. But we primarily gather together in unity to seek the blessings of and instruction from the Holy Ghost.

"Praying, studying, gathering, worshipping, serving, and obeying are not isolated and independent items on a lengthy gospel checklist of things to do. Rather, each of these righteous practices is an important element in an overarching spiritual quest to fulfill the mandate to receive the Holy Ghost. The commandments from God we obey and the inspired counsel from Church leaders we follow principally focus upon obtaining the companionship of the Spirit. Fundamentally, all gospel teachings and activities are centered on coming unto Christ by receiving the Holy Ghost in our lives."

- Elder David A. Bednar, Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, "Receive the Holy Ghost," General Conference, Oct 2010, https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2010/10/receive-the-holy-ghost?lang=eng 

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 

Preaching the gospel and family history work are the greatest duty

"Some individuals may wonder how both preaching the gospel and seeking after our dead can be simultaneously the greatest duties and responsibilities God has placed upon His children. My purpose is to suggest that these teachings highlight the unity and oneness of the latter-day work of salvation. Missionary work and family history and temple work are complementary and interrelated aspects of one great work, “that in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him” (Ephesians 1:10)."

- Elder David A. Bednar, Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, "Missionary, Family History, and Temple Work," Ensign, October 2014, p. 30-31 
https://www.lds.org/ensign/2014/10/missionary-family-history-and-temple-work?lang=eng 

Blessings of doing family history

“Never forget that family history—and the temple ordinances enabled by it—is an essential part of the work of salvation and that participation in this sacred work for the dead blesses the lives of the living. It strengthens our faith in and commitment to the gospel, helps us resist temptation, draws our families closer together, and strengthens our wards and stakes.”

...

“As an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, I promise that if you look beyond the bonds of time and mortality and help those who cannot help themselves, you will be blessed with more closeness and joy in your family and with the divine protection afforded those who are faithful in His service.”

- Elder Quentin L. Cook, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “The Joy of Family History Work,” Ensign, February 2016, p. 29 and 33

https://www.lds.org/ensign/2016/02/the-joy-of-family-history-work?lang=eng

Spirits rejoice when their temple work is done

"Through our efforts in their behalf their chains of bondage will fall from them, and the darkness surrounding them will clear away, that light may shine upon them and they shall hear in the spirit world of the work that has been done for them by their children here, and will rejoice with you in your performance of these duties."

 - Joseph F. Smith, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith, (2011), 240–48, https://www.lds.org/manual/teachings-joseph-f-smith/chapter-27?lang=eng 

"There is something powerful in searching out someone who needs temple ordinances, learning who they are, and then being part of their receiving these sacred ordinances. This is how you become “saviors on Mount Zion.” There is a joy and satisfaction that is only understood through spiritual feelings. We are linked to them forever."

- Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, "Find Our Cousins!," Family Discovery Day youth devotional, RootsTech Family History Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, on February 8, 2014, https://www.lds.org/prophets-and-apostles/unto-all-the-world/find-our-cousins?lang=eng&ET_CID=46461009&ET_RID=brownie242@yahoo.com

What could being more joy to a couple than temple worship?

"What is there that is more important than attending and participating in the ordinances of the temple? What activity could have a greater impact and provide more joy and profound happiness for a couple than worshipping together in the temple?"

- Richard G. Scott, Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, "Temple Worship: The Source of Strength and Power in Times of Need," Ensign, May 2009
http://www.lds.org/liahona/2009/05/temple-worship-the-source-of-strength-and-power-in-times-of-need?lang=eng&query=profound+happiness+for+a+couple

"The true key to happiness in life is to labor for the happiness of others."

- Heber J. Grant, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Heber J. Grant, (2011), 138–45, Chapter 15: Labor for the Happiness of Others

"We are here to cooperate with God in the salvation of the living, in the redemption of the dead, in the blessings of our ancestors, in the pouring out of blessings upon our children; we are here for the purpose of redeeming and regenerating the earth on which we live, and God has placed his authority and his counsels here upon the earth for that purpose, that men may learn to do the will of God on the earth as it is done in heaven. This is the object of our existence; and it is for us to comprehend the position."

- John Taylor, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: John Taylor, (2011), 182–90, Chapter 20: The Temple, the Gateway to Exaltation
http://www.lds.org/manual/teachings-john-taylor/chapter-20?lang=eng

The work we are engaged in is greater than we can generally conceive of

"The work we are engaged in is greater than we can generally conceive of. Our actions and operations now are connected with the past, with the present and with the future. ...the heavenly hosts are looking down upon us. The Priesthood which has administered in the various generations and under the various dispensations, from the commencement of the world, have their eyes upon us; our brethren, with whom we have been associated here upon the earth and who are now behind the veil, have their eyes upon us. The myriads of dead that have slept in the silent tomb without a knowledge of the gospel have their eyes upon us, and they are expecting us to fulfil the duties and responsibilities that devolve upon us to attend to, in which they are interested.

"All the holy priesthood—the ancient patriarchs, prophets and apostles and men of God who have lived in the different generations are looking upon us and expecting us to fulfill the great and important requirements of Jehovah in regard to the welfare and the redemption of the world: the salvation of the living and dead. God, our Heavenly Father, and his son Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, are also looking down upon us, and expect us to be faithful to our covenants."

- John Taylor, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: John Taylor, (2011), 182–90, Chapter 20: The Temple, the Gateway to Exaltation
http://www.lds.org/manual/teachings-john-taylor/chapter-20?lang=eng

There is no better way to ensure proper living than temple attendance

"We repeat what we have said before: make a habit of going to the house of the Lord. There is no better way to ensure proper living than temple attendance. It will crowd out the evils of pornography, substance abuse, and spiritual atrophy. It will strengthen marriage and family relations."

- Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley, President of the Church, "Closing Remarks," Ensign, May 2005, p. 102
http://www.lds.org/ensign/2005/05/closing-remarks?lang=eng

Their hope is in your hands

"Many of your deceased ancestors will have received a testimony that the message of the missionaries is true. When you received that testimony you could ask the missionaries for baptism. But those who are in the spirit world cannot. The ordinances you so cherish are offered only in this world. Someone in this world must go to a holy temple and accept the covenants on behalf of the person in the spirit world. That is why we are under obligation to find the names of our ancestors and ensure that they are offered by us what they cannot receive there without our help....

"[The Savior] has trusted you by letting you hear the gospel in your lifetime, giving you the chance to accept the obligation to offer it to those of your ancestors who did not have your priceless opportunity. Think of the gratitude He has for those who pay the price in work and faith to find the names of their ancestors and who love them and Him enough to offer them eternal life in families, the greatest of all the gifts of God. He offered them an infinite sacrifice. He will love and appreciate those who paid whatever price they could to allow their ancestors to choose His offer of eternal life....

"You are not just gathering names. Those you never met in life will become friends you love. Your heart will be bound to theirs forever...

"After you find the first few generations, the road will become more difficult. The price will become greater. As you go back in time, the records become less complete. As others of your family search out ancestors, you will discover that the ancestor you find has already been offered the full blessings of the temple. Then you will have a difficult and important choice to make. You will be tempted to stop and leave the hard work of finding to others who are more expert or to another time in your life. But you will also feel a tug on your heart to go on in the work, hard as it will be.

"As you decide, remember that the names which will be so difficult to find are of real people to whom you owe your existence in this world and whom you will meet again in the spirit world. When you were baptized, your ancestors looked down on you with hope. Perhaps after centuries, they rejoiced to see one of their descendants make a covenant to find them and to offer them freedom. In your reunion, you will see in their eyes either gratitude or terrible disappointment. Their hearts are bound to you. Their hope is in your hands. You will have more than your own strength as you choose to labor on to find them."

- Elder Henry B. Eyring, Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, "Hearts Bound Together," Ensign, May 2005, p. 78-80
http://www.lds.org/ensign/2005/05/hearts-bound-together?lang=eng

If we attended the temple, we would be a better people

"If every man in this church who has been ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood were to qualify himself to hold a temple recommend, and then were to go to the house of the Lord and renew his covenants in solemnity before God and witnesses, we would be a better people. There would be little or no infidelity among us. Divorce would almost entirely disappear. So much of heartache and heartbreak would be avoided. There would be a greater measure of peace and love and happiness in our homes. There would be fewer weeping wives and weeping children. There would be a greater measure of appreciation and of mutual respect among us. And I am confident the Lord would smile with greater favor upon us."

- Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley, President of the Church, "Of Missions, Temples, and Stewardship," General Conference, Oct 1995
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1995/10/of-missions-temples-and-stewardship?lang=eng

"Temple service is the end product of all of our teaching and activity."

- Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley, President of the Church, "Opening Remarks," Ensign, Nov 2005, p. 4
http://www.lds.org/ensign/2005/11/opening-remarks?lang=eng

Temple & family history work refine the living

“While temple and family history work has the power to bless those beyond the veil, it has an equal power to bless the living. It has a refining influence on those who are engaged in it. They are literally helping to exalt their families.”

- Elder Russell M. Nelson, Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Generations Linked in Love,” Ensign, May 2010, p. 93

http://www.lds.org/ensign/2010/05/generations-linked-in-love?lang=eng#footnote7-09205_000_036

Greatest responsibility is family history

“The greatest responsibility in this world that God has laid upon us is to seek after our dead.”

- Joseph Smith, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, (2011), 475

http://www.lds.org/manual/teachings-joseph-smith/chapter-41?lang=eng