Purpose of the temple

Are the temple ordinances ends in themselves? Or are they means to an end? Are they both?

Moses sought diligently to bring the ancient Israelites into the Lord’s presence so they could be redeemed, but collectively they would not enter. (D&C 84:23-24)  The tabernacle and the ordinances thereof were designed to prepare them. Sadly, only a few received what was intended.

One of the reasons the ancient Israelites failed to receive what the Lord wanted to give is found in Exodus 20:18-21.  If you read these verses, the Israelites in essence said: Moses, YOU go talk to the Lord for us and then tell us what he says.  They had a choice and, unfortunately, chose not to receive what the Lord offered them.

Many years later, after Moses was long gone, Lehi, another Israelite, had the same choice yet with a very different outcome.  He undoubtedly had received ordinances through the temple at Jerusalem.  In the opening chapter of the Book of Mormon, we find Lehi pleading on behalf of his people and then being brought into the Lord’s presence (1 Ne. 1:8).  Lehi received what the ancient Israelites, under Moses, would not.  We rightly regard Lehi as a prophet, but sometimes forget that the Lord had an ‘official’ prophet in Jerusalem at the time, namely Jeremiah.  Lehi heeded Jeremiah’s warning, but proceeded to connect with heaven for himself and his family.

Nephi has the same choice and, like his father, eventually is brought into the Lord’s presence.  As the Lord is no respecter of persons, Laman and Lemuel had the same privilege and opportunity, but like the ancient Israelites they would not receive that which was offered.

We face the same choice.  We also have an opportunity to seek the face of the Lord and to receive our redemption.

D&C 93:1 – “Verily, thus saith the Lord:  It shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am.”

“The purpose of the endowment in the house of the Lord is to prepare and sanctify his saints so they will be able to see his face, here and now, as well as to bear the glory of his presence in the eternal worlds.”  - Bruce R. McConkie

Will we be any more successful than the ancient Israelites at knowing the Lord?  As a people, probably not. Individually, however, it is up to each of us to receive what is offered.  We need to repent.  Repent of all the things that are keeping us from Christ and from receiving what he promises.  Everything is conditioned upon our faithfulness.

Joseph Smith taught:  After a person has faith in Christ, repents of his sins, and is baptized for the remission of his sins and receives the Holy Ghost, (by the laying on of hands), which is the first Comforter, then let him continue to humble himself before God, hungering and thirsting after righteousness, and living by every word of God, and the Lord will soon say unto him, Son [or daughter], thou shalt be exalted.

When the Lord has thoroughly proved him, and finds that the man [or woman] is determined to serve Him at all hazards, then the man [or woman] will find his [or her] calling and his election made sure, then it will be his [or her] privilege to receive the other Comforter, which the Lord hath promised the Saints....

Now what is this other Comforter? It is no more nor less than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself; and this is the sum and substance of the whole matter; that when any man obtains this last Comforter, he will have the personage of Jesus Christ to attend him, or appear unto him from time to time, and even He will manifest the Father unto him, and they will take up their abode with him, and the visions of the heavens will be opened unto him, and the Lord will teach him face to face, and he may have a perfect knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of God; (TPJS 150-151)

If we give heed to the light of Christ we are eventually prepared and led to receive the Holy Ghost.  By following the Holy Ghost we will be prepared to receive the Son.  He will in turn prepare us to be re-introduced to the Father.