Lessons on the Temple
Lesson No. Eighty-Two
How Knoweth a Man the Master
Elder Richard G. Scott was the speaker at the Salt Lake Temple devotional on November 14, 2010 – Elder Scott began by speaking of the importance of the sealing power and the blessing of marriage. He said he was sure that every righteous woman who desires a celestial marriage will be given that blessing in this life or the next. He felt equally sure that those men who are capable of marriage, if they don't get married because of selfish reasons, will not receive the blessings they otherwise would be entitled to.
Elder Scott said it was essential for every sealer to set an example and live in strict obedience. Then there will be no disruption in the spiritual manifestations that are associated with the sealing power.
Elder Scott was fasting - Between the two devotional sessions we had lunch in the Talmage Room. This is where in 1915 Elder James E. Talmage wrote his inspired book, Jesus The Christ. The Talmage Room is on the fifth floor at the east end of the temple behind the Solemn Assembly Room. This was a special opportunity for a personal discussion with Elder Scott. He asked if his lunch could be boxed to eat later as he was fasting. As we ate we all wished we had thought to fast.
He first asked each wife starting with my wife to give two important things about her husband. Susan was very gracious mentioning that we always had family prayer from the first day of our marriage. She also mentioned my love for freedom and our country. Then, starting with me, he asked each of the men to tell two important things about our wives. I said my companion was the best mother imaginable and that she blesses my life because she expects me to live as I should, and I will not disappoint her.
A painting of Christ and his disciples traveling down the road to Emmaus. During this journey, his disciples did not recognize it was Him until he had left their midst. (Image sourced from churchofjesuschrist.org)
How knoweth a man the Master - Elder Scott concluded each session with an apostolic blessing for all the temple workers and their families. He bore powerful testimony of the Lord saying that he not only knew the truthfulness of this work but that he also knew the Lord. The way that we can all best know the Lord is to be like him, especially as we give ourselves in service to others.
King Benjamin concluded one of the greatest sermons recorded in our scriptures by asking a question: "For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart" (Mosiah 5:13)?
In other words we cannot know the Master unless we serve him by serving others. Through service we follow the Lord's example and become more like him. The more we are like him the better we know him. This is because our thoughts are like his thoughts and our ways are like his ways. This is the only way we can know the Lord. To know the Lord because we are like him should be our greatest goal.
Elder Scott's life reflects the Lord's life – Brother Dean Hailstone, who conducted the temple choir, had a stroke as the choir was warming up, and he was rushed to the hospital. Elder Scott heard about it after the devotional concluded. He immediately asked President Child to take him to the hospital so he could give Brother Hailstone a blessing. It was completely spontaneous and a natural response. He didn't have to think about it. I believe that this is exactly what the Lord would have done.
Elder Scott’s apostolic example of a life full of love and service is the most powerful way that he can testify that he knows the Lord. Elder Scott went to the temple weekly as a way to stay near the Lord.
We can be saviors on Mount Zion - The atonement of Jesus Christ was the greatest service to others that was ever given. Our Savior did for us what only he could do, and what we could not do for ourselves. The temple provides a great opportunity for Christ-like service. Joseph Smith taught how we become saviors on Mount Zion: “How are they to become saviors on Mount Zion? By building their temples, erecting their baptismal fonts, and going forth and receiving all the ordinances…upon their heads, in behalf of all their progenitors who are dead, and redeem them that they may come forth in the first resurrection and be exalted to thrones of glory with them” (History of the Church 6:184).
Testimony - I add my testimony to that of Elder David A. Bednar when he spoke about temple work/temple service: “Gathering Israel is the most important work in which any of us can be engaged. And the covenants received and the ordinances performed in the house of the Lord are central to the work of gathering” (Church News, September 23, 2023, p. 5).