The disposition and the temple

In Psalm 78: 8 we read  «and be not like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that did not set their hearts, and whose spirit was faithful to God.» He   is speaking of a lack of «disposition» on the part of a generation towards Jehovah and his law. This word as we are going to see has a lot to do with our activity in the temple.

The nature of the instruction in the temple

        In contrast, the knowledge dispensed in the temple is oral in nature, different from that received outside.
Since we were born we have been educated by the printing press, the teaching was based on the book and the teacher. The success of missionary work is based largely on the Book of Mormon and our ability to understand written language. But when we go to the temple there are no manuals, no books. They are ordinances and knowledge based on oral transmission. Something we are not used to.

After much time exchanging impressions with church members, I notice that the willingness to attend the temple is the same as that used for a Sunday class. The teaching to which we are accustomed, has a teacher, a manual, a course with teaching objectives, reference materials, we can ask questions etc.

However, the instruction in the temple, is circumscribed in the ordinance, there are no consultation materials, there are no teachers, we can not take notes or raise our hands to ask. We are alone in a dilemma. That sometimes makes us «disconnect» and let us drive to the end without making an effort to understand. Tedium ensues and (let’s talk clearly) the dream.

The written word is basically a support for the memory, when it does not exist as it is the case, we only have this one to keep our conclusions. This other aspect is a further difficulty for those who intend to deal with this knowledge.

For our complexion

The only place where we can share some of our findings is inside the temple itself. I have done this on occasion, but it has not been satisfactory. I have noticed how my enthusiasm for sharing something has been diluted very soon. There is an inability to transmit what I have found in my instruction, because there is no support to hold it or to talk about. I have realized that it is a private and personal knowledge. That there are no valid answers for all. Which is an interior growth impossible to share. In the same way that you can not do it with your height or your eye color.

The teaching of the temple is the only one that is part of our spiritual constitution, you can not teach it or bequeath it to anyone. It develops within us and will go with us. That dissuades many people from looking for it, because they can not exhibit it. On the other hand, this favors confidentiality with the spirit, a quality highly valued by all those who seek.
There was a moment in my life when I seriously considered keeping a private record of my learning. But you realize that this alters the teaching system used in your home. It is something like altering an «ecosystem» you add a new insect and that innocent change loads everything. I decided therefore to subject myself to the instruction that is inside her.

The disposition and the temple

        There is a scripture that seems very appropriate for this section, it is found in D & C 84: 20-21  «So, in its ordinances the power of divinity is manifested. And without their ordinances and the authority of the priesthood, the power of the deity is not manifested to men in the flesh: »
The ordinances of the temple are accompanied by instruction, therefore this is also a sign of their power. Jehovah does not need to open a Red Sea every year so that his people can remember him. Before us is your house, it should be enough.

There is a person who knew his temple very well, we read in Psalm 84:10  «For one day is better in your courts than a thousand outside them …»
King David with deep feelings declares:
«But I am like a green olive tree in the God’s house, in the mercy of God I trust forever and ever. « ( Psalm 52: 8 ) This affinity with his house is worthy of note. How to get it?

I think a special provision is necessary. We already do it when we wear Sunday clothes, only to travel 15 or 20 meters to the entrance door. That ritual shows a good direction in our attitude. Dressing as if it were a normal day, suggests to our mind a secular rather than sacred activity. And those details are important when we want to overcome our limitations.

I think it is necessary to set objectives. Do not blind ourselves to them, because you have to give rise to the unexpected. But if we fix our interest in a particular aspect of the ordinances.
It helps me a lot to be betting and stalking. I will explain.

 

 Be bet

In one of its meanings is  «Put a person in a place for a certain purpose» . In the temple is to be waiting for a certain moment in the ordinance to try to understand something. But that something that catches our attention, has been the fruit of meditation in the days or months before. That something has been transformed inside us from a question to a suspicion, to an idea. We establish links with the rest of the teachings, conclusions. But they do not leave our lips. That’s why they have their strength intact.

We wait for the right day, we have planned that trip, those days of stay. Then we are in the right place for a specific purpose. Understand something that we have meditated for a long time. As the point of our ordinance meditation approaches, our mind becomes clearer, our attention intensifies, our faculties come to our aid … and we overcome our limitations. It is the hunter’s good looks (elegance and composure).
Then I remember this scripture  «Listen to these words. Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. Treasure these things in your heart, and let the solemnities of eternity rest in your mind. » D & C 43:34

 

Be on the lookout

It seems to be something negative. In the RAE defines us stalking as «Observing and watching secretly and carefully.» What? to ourselves. We see an example in Enos 1: 3-4  «… the words that I had often heard my father speak, regarding eternal life and the joy of the saints, penetrated my heart deeply. And my soul was hungry; and I knelt before my Maker, and I cried out to him with powerful prayer … »  

I recognize in Enos these two strategies. He was stationed when he goes to the right place, a forest (Joseph Smith did the same) to meditate on his father’s words, that is the end (remember to be in a place for an end).

He was on the lookout because he was attentive to the signs of his soul,  «… they penetrated my heart deeply. And my soul was hungry … » 
To be on the lookout when we are in the temple, is to listen to the whispers, the impressions that we have not gone to look for, findings or spontaneous doubts. They are unexpected gifts, new questions that we treasure. We do not fear them.