Is The Temple In Us? | David A. Bednar

In a new Church News video Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks about temple construction amid the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, as temples worldwide were closed or ordinances were limited, the Church broke ground for 21 temples.

“Obviously, there were construction disruptions because of the pandemic, but relatively few of those temples are behind schedule,” said Elder Bednar, who chairs the Church’s Temple and Family History Executive Council. “I find that to be just absolutely miraculous.”

Elder Bednar spoke about the early Latter-day Saints in Nauvoo, Illinois, who flocked to the still-under-construction temple there to receive temple endowments and ordinances before the forced exodus in February 1846. They had to wait decades before being able to return again to the temple.
“Many of those people only went to the temple one time. I am not sure we remember that,” he said.
Amid these times, when members can’t be in the temple, the question is: “Is the temple in us? Are the ordinances and the covenants in us?”

[jimaspholm]

I am a new convert. I was baptized yesterday and today after service, I was ordained into the Aaronic Priesthood what a glorious time.

[Olivet_RyanLindhardt]

The early Saints only went to the Temple ONCE. Before they crossed the plains, many received their Endowments at the Nauvoo Temple! They cherished their Covenants and the ordinances they received, everyday, while they crossed the plains! I have learned to STAND IN HOLY PLACES! I have learned that I am Temple Worthy and that I can draw power, happiness, comfort, love and security from my Temple Covenants, just as the early Saints did! Even though I cannot attend the Temple, due to Covid, I still feel the wonderful Spirit contained therein! God the Father lives! Jesus is the Christ who has redeemed ALL mankind, whether you wanted him to or not, it is finished, the Holy Spirit is waiting to pierce your heart with this knowledge! They love you so very much! Keep going Saints! Keep believing and keep growing in the Lord!

[dalecash]

The early saints received great power through keeping sacred temple covenants which gave them the strength they needed to endure the many challenges they faced. We need that same power in our lives today. Thank you Elder Bednar!!

[itsgoodforthesoul]

I loved hearing Elder Bednar comment that many of our saints drove to the temples just to sit in the parking lots. I did that in March of 2020. I wasn't expecting the gates of the Newport Beach Temple to be closed so that I couldn't go sit on a bench on the grounds, but I went over to a side gate and poked my toes under the fence in as far as they could possibly reach just so I could be as close to the temple as possible. I love our temples and I work so hard to keep myself worthy to be able to enter. Thank you for this video! <3

[SusanCallHutchison]

Pocatello, Idaho has had one of the mildest and driest winters in my memory - and at least once a week we drive up to the temple construction site, and I think, "Miraculously, the work on the outside of this temple has not been slowed or made difficult by a traditional Idaho winter." We can't be in the temple yet, but its sacred teachings and vows are with us - in us, as Elder Bednar says.

[davebartlettnielsen]

My eyes wet my pillow with my tears because I am homesick for The Temple.

[gaymichaelis]

Thank you so very much, Elder Bednar and whomever else! A nice reminder now at this time!

[jlglover]

Very true. We can "go through" the Temple a thousand times but if we don't keep the covenants close to our hearts, we've left somewhere we could really use now. The parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins is my context.

[Coldrainbeast]

The temple @ 4 seconds is my local Temple in Gila Valley Arizona! With Mt. Graham in the background 😁😁😁
I love to see the Temple 💚

[edithmeyer]

Such a deeply beautiful talk of Elder Betnar! Thanks very much. I'm very sure that the endowment, I received at the ( Bern Switzerland ) Temple is as powerful as the baptism! So the temple is within me, because my body is like a temple...

[tiagoneres]

I wish they would have more time to talk to us more often and make more messages like this one. It's so uplifting to hear these videos!

[Lion_Heart_]

Elder Bednar, I have the outmost respect for you and always have. You have come into my home many years ago and I will never forget your kind words and visit. I heavily rely on the Holy Ghost daily for guidance when searching for information. The last eighteen months has given me pause for concern both in and out of the Church. In my own way I’m taking a short break away from the crazy I see around me. I have always had a great deal of love and respect for the Saints, I however, find it very hard to witness the Saints wearing masks, which I know is a form of control mandated by corrupt people and governments. I find it very hard to feel the Spirit in these situations and to stand in Holy Places and witness this form of control that is contrary to the love our dear Savior has for each of us guised as a form of health and safety.

[gongoozleriam]

Doesn’t make me miss it any less. There’s a huge void in me. Service there is what made my life worthwhile I’ve felt so suicidal without it. I wish our leaders would be inspired with service opportunities at this time that are possible we could do in the meantime. Nothing compares to the temple it’s the closest thing to Heaven on Earth.

[yeboscrebo]

The temple IS US. The Pharisees also didn’t understand that when Christ spoke of the temple he was referring to his body. The temple is a symbol of the only place on earth where heaven and earth unite - THE INDIVIDUAL. Members constantly mistake the brick and mortar building for the real temple - it isn’t - for “the lord dwelleth not in temples built with hands.”

[jamesoller]

Yes, I was in the parking lot just praying😌.

[kyliedoust]

when our closest Temple which is Melbourne, Victoria, Australia was being built. We use to live 35mins away and sometimes i would take my 3-4 year old daughter to the grounds which it is combined with a chapel and sit in the car.. She loved going through the open house

[cougarlaw]

Yes! Keep it in us is key for all we are facing and will be. It’s only going to be more difficult and life won’t be the same with His coming as close as it is. As I’ve been saying for years, no one listens oh remembers the things but that’s always been a big part of who I am so I think that’s part of what God put in because I’ll speak out about that I don’t want people to remember because there’s a lot of things people are remembering about that and the science and the things and what we need to be doing. I’ll tell you what if you’re not close to the Lord from now on out and everything life can be very easily eat flipped on you and you can could slip or fall really quickly so PLEASE Study and pray and hang onto that ride every day. Every time I take a little break I am pulled back down. Of course receipt and hates me and always has so he’s on top of it everywhere he can be don’t think that he’s not like that with everybody else because he is. I suppose I must’ve been a little outspoken towards him in the War in Heaven. Knowing me I was in his face. Whether we struggle more or less in the different ways is insignificant to our battles ahead if we don’t hold fast to the Rod and stay close to the Lord and the covenants we have taken we will be in danger. We have promises given After we take out are we need to in the temple that are key to keeping us stronger in what lies ahead. I won’t be around to witness it. I’ve always known that. I’m close and will be able to really serve again when I am home that I can’t now. I have been blessed and have constant companionship and all my blessings are always answered. God is very real and I know this not from faith, I am very blessed to have been helped, given and taught things the past couple years I I always wanted to know but never did for sure. Understanding and the blessings because those covenants that I have are still with me as long as I am doing my part. And I rather keep this feeling in the way I am now (I never was before like I wanted and needed) than anything else The universe could ever have given me, or to my family, ancestors and all of us. Members and members yet to be and other people who follow and live life with Christ in it. It’s happier and more fulfilling than anything else life could ever give us. I feel happiness, love and peace and I laugh a lot and all the suffering in pain I’m going through because I’ve seen his face and I remember that and how it was and how happy we were looking at each other and laughing. I look forward to seeing that in person. The temples and the covenants are huge and are important to keep would be worthy to have. More than anything be safe everybody and stay close to him and each other. I love you all. Sister C

[IncludeFDfood]

We stop at the Gilbert Temple parking lot every once in a while to talk peacefully and enjoy the spirit there.

[shireecox]

I love the Temple and really, really miss going. I feel that my religious freedom has been somewhat taken away when I can’t go worship and do the work for my deceased ancestors. I’m really looking forward to the day when the lay members of the Church can go back to the Temple.

[peggybogar]

That means they will get to Tasmania one day but in the meantime wow temples construction is going ahead. I remember reading about how many turned up for temple blessings after it had closed so many went back and kept it open for all those saints and how it must have strengthened them in their journey.