Lessons on the Temple
Lesson No. Twenty-Three

Promises Planted in the Hearts of Our Children

“He shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers…” (D&C 2:2).  Who are the fathers, who are the children, and what are the promises? (This Lesson is a follow on to Lesson Twenty- One entitled The Coming of Elijah the Prophet) 

• The fathers are Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – They are the fathers of the house of Israel.

• The children are those who receive the gospel (See Abraham 2:10) - Most members of the Church are the literal posterity of Abraham.  They have a right in this life, earned in the pre-existence, to the blessings of the priesthood and of the gospel.  (See Abraham 2:11)

• The promises made to the fathers – Abraham received the promise that he would have an eternal posterity as numerous as the stars in the heavens and the sands upon the seashore.  These promises are given to all those who enter into the law of celestial marriage.  The Lord said:  "This promise is yours also, because ye are of Abraham, and the promise was made unto Abraham; and by this law is the continuation of the works of my Father, wherein he glorifieth himself.  Go ye, therefore, and do the works of Abraham; enter ye into my law and ye shall be saved" (D&C 132:30-32).

The promise of eternal increase is given to Abraham's posterity - “Abraham first received the gospel by baptism (which is the covenant of salvation). Then he had conferred upon him the higher priesthood, and he entered into celestial marriage (which is the covenant of exaltation), gaining assurance thereby that he would have eternal increase. Finally he received a promise that all of these blessings would be offered to all of his mortal posterity.... The portions of the covenant that pertain to personal salvation and eternal increase are renewed with each individual who receives the ordinance of celestial marriage" (Bible Dictionary, Abraham, Covenant of, p.602).

These promises were planted in the hearts of our children in the pre-existence – The doctrine of election “has reference to ones situation in mortality; that is, being born at a time, at a place, and in circumstances where one will come in favorable contact with the gospel.  This election took place in the pre-mortal existence” (LDS Bible Dictionary, Election, p. 662). 

Our children are the elect and when they come to our family these promises were already planted in their hearts in the pre-existence.  Hopefully, as we teach our children these truths, they will desire to be sealed in celestial marriage.  This is the crowning blessing of the temple and the highest blessing that can be given by the priesthood on the earth.

Conclusion – I am reminded of the words in D&C 138:51:  "These (the righteous dead in the spirit world) the Lord taught, and gave them power to come forth, after his resurrection from the dead, to enter into his Father’s kingdom, there to be crowned with immortality and eternal life."  This same power and blessing is given to those who keep the covenants they make when they enter into the law of celestial marriage.

Testimony - As parents and grandparents it is our great responsibility and opportunity to do as the Lord commanded and "teach these things freely to [our] children" (Moses 6:58).  As we teach our children the law of celestial marriage early and often, and set an example by keeping the covenants we have made, these promises will "take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life" (Alma 32:41).