As we celebrate Memorial Day, it’s natural for our thoughts to turn to those who have come before us. And while I celebrate the opportunity to decorate the graves of those who have come before me and express my love & appreciation for their examples and the love they have shared with me, I am also eternally grateful we can do more for those we love than just put flowers on their grave.
In President Nelson’s book, “Heart of the Matter,” he writes, “There is nothing happening on this earth more important than helping gather Israel for Him. Let your Heavenly Father know that you want to help. Ask Him to put you to work in this glorious cause. And then stand back and marvel at what happens when you let God prevail in your life.”
“As you do, I promise that you will experience spiritual growth, freedom from fear, and a confidence that you can scarcely imagine. You will have the strength to have a positive influence far beyond your natural capacity. And I promise that your future will be more exhilarating than anything you can presently believe.”
Discovering our Family History and then, when needed, taking our ancestors to the temple makes incredible blessings available to all of God’s children regardless of where they lived or when they lived.
The gathering of Israel is evidence that God loves all His children everywhere. In 2 Nephi 26:33, He invites all to come unto Him – “black and white, bond and free, male and female.” This verse goes on to say, “All are alike unto God.”
Our current prophet has promised us time and time again that those who serve and worship in the temple can expect to receive answers to prayer, personal revelation, receive greater faith, strength, comfort, increased knowledge and increased spiritual power.
We have been promised that time in the temple will help us to “think celestial” and catch the vision of who we really are.
In President Russell M. Nelson’s most recent conference address, he made this statement: “Nothing will help you more to hold fast to the iron rod than worshipping in the temple as regularly as your circumstances permit. Nothing will protect you more as you encounter the world’s mists of darkness. Nothing will bolster your testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Atonement or help you understand God’s magnificent plan more. Nothing will soothe your spirit more during times of pain.”
It seems to me that the temple is the gateway to the greatest blessings God has in store for each of us. And the beauty of this work is that not only do we receive the blessings promised us through our prophet, those we discover and take to the temple are given incredible blessings, as well. Opportunities are open for them that can come in no other way.
This Memorial Day, let’s make a commitment to do more than just place flowers on the graves of those we love and appreciate. Let’s commit to doing all we can to find and discover those who came before us and open doors for them through sacred temple ordinances.
As we do, I am confident that we will see the hand of the Lord more in our lives than we ever have. Put the words of the prophet to the test, engage in this work, and then stand back and marvel as God prevails in your life!
– Doug Nielsen, Director, Granite FamilySearch Center