STRENGTH THROUGH COVENANTS

LDS Temple, Rexburg, Idaho

     About three years ago we held a family reunion. The theme was "no empty chairs." My wife bought a small, ornate, wooden chair for each family, and our plea was that there would be no empty chairs around our table in the hereafter.
     Our hope depends entirely upon the choices that our children and their children make in life. We have tried to give them every opportunity and benefit to have the full blessings offered by the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. We have all been sealed as a family under the covenant in The House of the Lord (temple).
     We have no greater hope than that our children will strive earnestly to keep their covenants made in the temple. To those who may be slacking a little in this area we simply say, honor the sacred covenants that you have made in the House of the Lord. Make the effort, pay the price, do what must be done to receive the blessings found there. Therein is strength, shelter, protection, and safety from the evils of the world.
     The temple is the House of God on earth where His Spirit dwells and teaches us the covenants and the mysteries of the Kingdom. It is a place of refuge, peace, truth and light, and of joy. Only in the temple of God are families sealed for eternity. Only in that sacred house can be found the saving priesthood ordinances. Only by our diligence in keeping these covenants can we be sanctified and qualified for eternal life. Let the temple covenants fill your life with joy.