Lessons on the Temple
Lesson No. Seventeen

Reverence Brings Blessings

Introduction – Maintaining quiet reverence in the house of the Lord is an essential part of temple worship.  If we are reverent in the temple we are promised that blessings will “be poured out upon those who shall reverence thee in thy house” (D&C 109:21).

The test of reverence – Moroni explained how we may know with a perfect knowledge good from evil,  “…for everything which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.  But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil and believe not in Christ and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil” (Moroni 7:15-17).  The same test applies to reverence.  We can know with a perfect knowledge concerning reverence.  If the Holy Spirit is in attendance then there is reverence.  Irreverence drives off the Holy Spirit.

Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple Celestial Room

Attributes of reverence – The qualities and attributes of reverence include:

  • Quiet reverence and quiet dignity – Conducting ourselves with quiet reverence brings the Holy Spirit to our temple worship.  There should not even be whispering when ordinances are performed.  In the celestial room we whisper if communication is necessary.  In the locker rooms, foyers, and in waiting areas we may speak quietly.

  • Respectful reverence – “Therefore, cease from all your light speeches…from all your pride and light-mindedness, and from all your wicked doings” (D&C 88:121).  “Cast away your idle thoughts and your excess of laughter far from you” (D&C 88:69). “Light speeches” and “idle thoughts” in the temple include discussions about sports, entertainment, politics, and business.  “Therefore, sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God…” (D&C 88:68).  “Remember that that which cometh from above is sacred, and must be spoken with care, and by constraint of the Spirit” (D&C 63:64).  If a person speaks too fast or in a monotone while performing “sacred” temple ordinances which have “come from above” they are not speaking “with care, and by constraint of the Spirit.” 

  • Humble reverence – The word “fear” can mean “humble reverence” (Mosiah 4:1).  “For thus saith the Lord – I, the Lord, am merciful and gracious unto those who fear (reverence) me, and delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end” (D&C 76:5).  

  • Kindly reverence – No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul…” (D&C 121:39-42).  Abruptness and impatience drive off the Spirit and are irreverent.

  • Orderly reverence – “Behold, mine house is a house of order, saith the Lord God, and not a house of confusion” (D&C 132:8).  Order brings the Spirit and promotes reverence.  Disorder and confusion drive off the Spirit and are irreverent.  In many ways order in the temple is promoted by simplifying and clarifying the procedures and policies.

Testimony – A friend of the Lord – In D&C 88 the Lord three times (Vs 3, 62, 117) calls those who were to build the Kirtland Temple “my friends”.  This was significant enough that in the dedicatory prayer the Prophet referred to it:  “And as thou hast said in a revelation, given to us, calling us thy friends…” (D&C 109:6).  I believe that one of the blessings to “be poured out upon those who shall reverence the Lord in His temple” (D&C 109:21) is that He will call us His friends.