"The Temple is the House of God"

When a missionary hits their last 6 weeks on their mission they start something that is called "My Plan". They set goals for what they are going to do when they go home to continue to grow closer to their Savior Jesus Christ, and not lose the spirit and their testimony that the have worked so hard for over the last 18 - 24 months. One of the goals it has you set is your temple attendance. They don't tell you how often you have to go but they want you to set a goal that is reachable and will still help you draw upon the strength that comes when we go to the temple. I felt prompted to set a goal to go every week at least once. I can't begin to express the strength that I have felt as I have done so. I've been home now for a little over 6 months and I haven't missed a week. There has been times where I was out of town and there was no temple in sight so I attended 2 times to make up for the week that I wasn't physically able to get to the temple. 

It gets hard some weeks though and this last week I thought to myself "practically no one actually goes to the temple weekly and so many people think that I am over killing it. Would it really make a difference if I missed a week? Just one?" I hate to admit that those thought really ran through my head. Lately I've had a lot of habits that weren't the best before my mission start to creep back into my everyday live --which in and of itself is a topic for another day, but this was one that I was temped to fall back into.

You would be proud of me though. I withheld and I attended the temple. Honestly, I didn't feel anything special about this time. I always feel a warmth and a strength from the temple, but as I was there I didn't have any overwhelming spiritual experiences. I didn't have any revelations but I felt the peace that I needed. 

Today, during my scripture study I came across a verse that struck me about the temple and why we go. It is Alma 15:17. It reads, 

"[They] began to humble themselves before God, and began to assemble themselves together at their sanctuaries to worship God before the altar, watching and praying continually, that they might be delivered from Satan, and from death, and for destruction--"

The covenants that we make at the altars of the temple are to help us return home. they are to help us remember where we are going and what we need to do to get there. Our Father on the other hand promises us as we do so that we not only will return home but that we will receive a strength unlike any other. We will be able to be delivered from our enemy. We will not only make it home but we will make it home victoriously -- as Christ-like as we possibly can be.

Isn't that what this life is about? returning home resembling the Savior, Jesus Christ, as closely as we possibly can? That's what the temple gives us. Not only do we feel the peace of being in the Father's presence as we are there, but we are given protection and strength to make it home. That is why one week would really matter. That is why I am so grateful my Heavenly Father whispered to me "Kels, you need to do. It does make a difference." 

Now, I'm not saying to attend the temple regularly you need to go every week. For me, at this time in my life that is what regularly looks like. But, it's different for everyone. Set a goal to attend regularly, whatever that looks like for you, and follow through. Make time for your Heavenly Father, and recommit to your covenants. See what you need to give up or change in your life to make time for Him.

"I gave us something I loved, for the God I loved even more, and He has never forgotten me for it."

He will never forget you as you do all you can to make it to the temple.