Lesson Recap: Honorably Hold A Name and Standing

Taught by Cheryl Wentzel, October 25

Honorably Hold a Name and Standing, David A Bednar

The Sheaves Will Be Gathered In

“Behold, the field was ripe, and blessed are ye, for ye did thrust in the sickle, and did reap with your might, yea, all the day long did ye labor; and behold the number of your sheaves! And they shall be gathered into the garners, that they are not wasted” (Alma 26:5).

The sheaves in this analogy represent newly baptized members of the Church.

The garners are the holy temples.

Baptism and the Sacrament Point Us to the Temple

Elder Neal A. Maxwell explained:

Clearly, when we baptize, our eyes should gaze beyond the baptismal font to the holy temple. The great garner into which the sheaves should be gathered is the holy temple.

This instruction clarifies and emphasizes the importance of sacred temple ordinances and covenants—that the sheaves may not be wasted.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks has explained that in renewing our baptismal covenants by partaking of the emblems of the sacrament, “we do not witness that we take upon us the name of Jesus Christ. [Rather], we witness that we are willing to do so. (See D&C 20:77.)

The fact that we only witness to our willingness suggests that something else must happen before we actually take that sacred name upon us in the [ultimate and] most important sense” (“Taking upon Us the Name of Jesus Christ,” Ensign, May 1985, 81).

The baptismal covenant clearly contemplates a future event or events and looks forward to the temple.

The Fire of the Covenant

Today temples dot the earth as sacred places of ordinances and covenants, of edification, and of refuge from the storm.

The fire of the covenant will burn in the heart of every faithful member of this Church who shall worship and honorably hold a name and standing in the Lord’s holy house.

Within the Sound of My Voice...

...are many young women, young men, and children. I plead with you to be worthy, to be steadfast, and to look forward with great anticipation to the day you will receive the ordinances and blessings of the temple.

...are individuals who should have but have not yet received the ordinances of the house of the Lord. Whatever the reason, however long the delay, I invite you to begin making the spiritual preparations so you can receive the blessings available only in the holy temple. Please cast away the things in your life that stand in the way. Please seek after the things that are of eternal consequence.

...are individuals who have received the ordinances of the temple and for various reasons have not returned to the house of the Lord in quite some time. Please repent, prepare, and do whatever needs to be done so you can again worship in the temple and more fully remember and honor your sacred covenants.

...are many individuals who hold current temple recommends and strive worthily to use them. I commend you for your faithfulness and devotion.

Sisters, Let us prepare for the Ward Temple trip on November 7th. If you have not received your endowments, do baptisms for the dead or visit the Visitors Center. If it's been some time since you've been to the temple, make arrangements and come us this now. If you visit regularly, find a way to support others who may be struggling to get there. Let's all go rejoicing together!

Ellen