Things hid from before the foundation of the world

When Joseph Smith received the revelation to build a temple in Nauvoo, the Savior told him:

And verily I say unto you, let this house be built unto my name, that I may reveal mine ordinances therein unto my people; For I deign to reveal unto my church things which have been kept hid from before the foundation of the world, things that pertain to the dispensation of the fullness of times.  D&C 124: 40-41

The word DEIGN in this scripture is an interesting choice.  I used to read this scripture and think the Savior was saying essentially – “I can’t wait, finally the time has come to reveal things which have been kept secret since the pre-existence”.

But then one day I looked up deign in the dictionary.  Deign actually means to do something that one considers to be beneath ones dignity; to condescend; to give reluctantly.  Deign actually meant the opposite of what I initially thought.  The savior gave these ordinances with great reluctance not with great eagerness.  Why?

I believe it is because of how very, very sacred they are to Him.  He knew that some would receive them without proper preparation or appreciation.  He knew that some would treat them lightly and not give them proper thought or respect.  Some would speak of them improperly and reveal them when they should not.  And in some ways, he would be casting “pearls” before “swine”.

With a spirit of reverence and respect and an appreciation for sacred ground, let’s begin our discussion of the temple and covenants.