Lessons on the Temple
Lesson No. Forty-Five
In the Temple We Become the Covenant People of the Lord
The great and marvelous work of the latter days – 1 Nephi 14 teaches that the Lord will fulfill His covenants to the house of Israel in the latter days by working “a great and a marvelous work among the children of men” (Vs 7, emphasis added). The great and marvelous work is the restoration of the gospel. The doctrine of restoration separates people who will join the Lord’s Church from those who will not. Many people believe in Jesus and in the Bible, but they cannot accept the doctrine of the restoration which includes living prophets, additional scripture, priesthood authority, and the temple. Effective missionaries focus on people who accept the doctrine of restoration.
Nephi was then asked: “Rememberest thou the covenants of the Father unto the house of Israel” (Vs 8)? Nephi knew that the Lord had covenanted to gather Israel in the latter days, but now he was given a vision of how that gathering would take place. This gathering of Israel on both sides of the veil is what President Russell M. Nelson has repeatedly said is the greatest most important work on the earth.
Nephi uses the word “church” to describe two basic opposing forces – “Behold there are save two churches only; the one is the church of the Lamb of God, and the other is the church of the devil; wherefore, who so belongeth not to the church of the Lamb of God belongeth to [the church of the devil]” (Vs 10). The church of the devil has “dominion… among all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people” (Vs 11). In the church of the Lamb of God the “numbers were few…nevertheless…the saints of God were upon all the face of the earth” and “the church of the Lamb [are] the saints of God” (Vs 12).
Ultimately, there are only two “churches”, or two ways; the church of the Lamb of God has the power of God unto salvation, and the church of the devil, which is the world and all worldly ways and influences, does not. Some things of the world if they are used wisely are good, but if things like entertainment, work, sports, or the internet take us away from God then they become part of the church of the devil. The world will always be in opposition to the Lord and His work. (See Vs 13)
Our membership is not so much determined by where our records are but where our heart is – There are people who are on the membership records of the church of the Lamb of God but whose heart is in the world. Conversely, “there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men…and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it” (D&C 123:12). In this life or in the spirit world all people will have an opportunity to become members of the true Church of Jesus Christ. (See D&C 138)
The temple arms the Lord’s covenant people with the power of God – “And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord (those who keep their temple covenants), who were scattered upon all the face of the earth (temples are located worldwide); and they were armed with righteousness and the power of God in great glory” (1 Nephi 14:14, personal commentary in italics).
Testimony - I testify, in the words of President Boyd K. Packer that “Our labors in the temple cover us with a shield and a protection, both individually and as a people. It is in the ordinances of the temple that we are placed under covenant to Him – it is there we become the covenant people.”
As the covenant people of the Lord we are promised guidance and direction, safety, and protection, and “the greatest of all the gifts of God” (1 Nephi 15:36) even that of eternal life and exaltation.