The Greatest Gift

What do you want?


This Christmas time of year my kids are being asked this question a lot. "What do you want?"


Reagan wants a skateboard, even though he already has two. He says he needs another one to practice on to do tricks on the ones he has.


Aubryn wanted an ipad, now she wants a puppy. (It’s not going to happen.)


So, now I ask you, what do you want? What would be the greatest gift you could receive?






Russell M. Nelson said, "In the temple we receive an endowment, which is, literally speaking, a gift."


"Obedience to temple covenants qualifies us for eternal life, the greatest gift of God to man. Eternal life is more than immortality. Eternal life is exaltation in the highest heaven- the kind of life that God lives."


D&C 6: 7,10, 13 says,


7. Seek not for riches but for wisdom, and behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded to you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold he that hath eternal life is rich.


10. Behold thou hast a gift, and blessed art thou because of thy gift. Remember it is sacred and cometh from above-


13. If thou wilt do good, yea and hold out faithful to the end, thou shalt be saved in the kingdom of God, which is the greatest of all the gifts of God; for there is no gift greater than the gift of salvation.


President Brigham Young said, "Your temple endowment is, to receive all those ordinances in the house of the Lord, which are necessary for you, after you have departed this life, to enable you to walk back into the presence of the Father… and gain your eternal exaltation."


We need to prepare to enter the temple.


This gift, the temple endowment, was given to us by revelation. Russell Nelson continues, "Thus it is best understood by revelation, prayerfully sought with a sincere heart."


Elder Nelson says, "Spiritual preparation is enhanced by study. I like to recommend that members going to the temple for the first time read short explanatory paragraphs in the Bible Dictionary, listed under seven topics: "Anoint," "Atonement," "Christ," "Covenant," "Fall of Adam," "Sacrifices," and "Temple." Doing so will provide a firm foundation."


"Each temple is a house of learning. There we are taught in the Master’s way. His way differs from the modes of others. His way is ancient and rich with symbolism. We can learn much by pondering the reality for which each symbol stands. Teachings of the temple are beautifully simple and simply beautiful. They are understood by the humble, yet they can excite the intellect of the brightest minds."


Preparing to enter the temple and making these covenants keeps us clean and worthy. The temple covenant and any covenant with the Lord, is not restrictive, but protective. "Such a concept is not new. For example, if our water supply is not clean, we filter the water to screen out harmful ingredients. Divine covenants help us to filter out of our minds impurities that could harm us. When we choose to deny ourselves of all ungodliness, we lose nothing of value and gain the glory of eternal life. Covenants do not hold us down; they elevate us beyond the limits of our own power and perspective."


There are many blessings to being faithful to our temple covenants.


I want to share with you one family’s story.


http://lds.org/ensign/print/2010/02/the-promise-of-the-temple?lang=eng&clang=eng


"Every activity, every lesson, all we do in the Church, point to the Lord and His holy house. Our efforts to proclaim the gospel, perfect the saints, and redeem the dead all lead to the temple. Each holy temple stands as a symbol, as a sign of our faith in life after death, and as a sacred step toward eternal glory for us and our families."


"The temple is the house of the Lord. The basis for every temple ordinance and covenant- the heart of the plan of Salvation- is the Atonement of Jesus Christ."


So, what do you want? What gift do you want?


John 3:16-17


16. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.


17. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.


God gave us a gift.


John 14:27


27. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.


The Savior has given us a gift.


I know if we prepare to enter the temple, and then regularly attend and stay true to the covenants, we can have eternal life and have true peace and happiness.


In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.