Elder Gerrit W. Gong started his talk with a riddle. He asked, “Why did the temple workers cross the road?” Can you guess? “To help the people on the other side.” That is a funny joke, but it is also true! In the temple, we help people who have died, on the other side of the veil.
Elder Gong said the world can be noisy and full of fighting and worry. But Jesus invites us to a safe, peaceful, holy place: the temple. He called it the house of the Lord. In the temple, Jesus teaches us about Heavenly Father’s plan. He blesses us. He helps us get ready to go back home to Heavenly Father.
Heavenly Father wants families to be together forever. When a mom and dad are sealed in the temple, their family can be together forever. Families grow strong when we pray, read the scriptures, go to church, and serve each other.
Elder Gong taught that we get to choose. Long ago, before we came to earth, we chose Heavenly Father’s plan. The scriptures say the morning stars sang for joy! Because of Jesus, we can say sorry, change, and forgive. Elder Gong said some people have a hard time with someone in their family. Then they do temple work for that person, and their hearts feel soft. Elder Gong shared what people say: “When I did the temple work for my family member, my heart softened.” “I could forgive.” He said, “Jesus Christ can help us mend, forgive, move forward.” Mend means to fix.
The Holy Ghost has a special job too. When we keep our promises with God, the Holy Ghost helps make those promises last forever.
Then Elder Gong shared five ways to love the temple. First, when a new temple is dedicated, that is just the beginning. Second, now that temples are closer, we can go more often and bring names of our family members who have died. Third, everything in every temple teaches about Jesus Christ. Fourth, we can be thankful for the temple. Someone once told Elder Gong they were sorry their temple was small. He said, “Dear brother, dear sister, ordinances are not big or small. Covenants are not big or small.” Every temple is holy! Elder Gong said, “Look for the miracles.”
Fifth, grown-ups can save money to buy their own temple clothes. Elder Gong told about a mom whose children saved their money to buy her temple clothes. She wore them at the temple for many years.
Elder Gong’s mom and dad were the only members of the Church in their families. He asked each of us to be a strong link in our family chain. He said the temple can protect, bless, and inspire us, and bring forgiveness, healing, and peace. He also shared that he would dedicate a new temple in Guatemala the very next Sunday.
A scripture for this talk: Moses 1:39. Heavenly Father’s work is to help His children come home to Him and live with Him forever.