I attended my stake conference over the weekend, and at the Saturday evening session for adults, they asked a similar question about being spiritually empowered by our temple covenants. Referring to Doctrine and Covenants 109 – the dedication of The Kirtland Temple – President Nelson said, “Joseph Smith’s dedicatory prayer of the Kirtland Temple is a tutorial about how the temple spiritually empowers you and me to meet the challenges of life in these last days.” He encouraged all to read and study section 109. This was a theme and a focus of our stake conference.
Anyway, as the stake president opened time for anyone in attendance to share via microphone how they were spiritually empowered because of their temple covenants, I paused to reflect on my own answer. I enjoyed hearing all the insights from my fellow stake members, but I did not share my own thoughts. I have a bad habit of overthinking how my thoughts and ideas and experiences are received and I don’t want to annoy people by sharing. I later realized this thought was not from the right source – that any time we feel prompted to share and testify of Christ, we should.
So, after reflecting on my own response to this question for a couple of days, I will write and share my thoughts here.
In the past few years, I have found myself distracted by my shortcomings and failings rather than progress and becoming. Especially at times when my health is not wonderful (read: often), I can fall into the adversary’s trap of devaluing my worth and believing I am not good enough. While I am not perfect and never shall be in this mortal life, it is not the Lord who wants me to focus on what I lack. When I attend the temple, my perspective shifts into perfect alignment with the Lord’s. I see myself as His daughter and as a work in progress, a masterpiece in the making. Jesus Christ suffered and atoned for me so that I can practice becoming like Him each day. When I inevitably mess up, make mistakes, and fail, He is always there to guide me to keep trying. His suffering allows for multiple attempts, infinite in number.
The covenants I made in the temple and renew at the sacrament table each week bind me to Christ, giving me access to those infinite attempts to follow Him and become like Him. As I attend the temple for deceased women, I can remember the specific words and promises I make and the blessings the Lord promises in return. When I attend the temple, the false doubts that Satan would have me believe about myself fade into nothing as I see myself and others as the Lord sees me. When I leave that sacred, holy place, I feel more equipped and ready to handle the challenges of life. I feel empowered to recognize the lies of self-doubt and despair, focusing on the Savior and His infinite capacity to help me reach my fullest spiritual potential. He can see what I can become and will help me get there, but I have to keep focus on Him and on His mercy and love and protection and strength.
When I think of my beautiful daughters and their self-confidence and potential, all I see is good. Yes, they have things to learn and to improve, but they are amazing and wonderful and are becoming beautiful young women. If I remember that Heavenly Father sees me eternally more clearly than I see my own children, I will trust Him and not doubt myself. As long as I hold true to my covenants and faithfully follow Jesus Christ as best I can, repenting and improving all along the covenant path, Jesus Christ will enable me to become like my Heavenly Parents. I know no greater power than that, nor a more joyful promise.
