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You will have to tell Malcolm thank you for me:) His questions allowed me to have some great scripture study this past week! Something I found particularly interesting was in regard to temples. You has mentioned something along the lines of: he didn't understand why temples where so "grandiose" and that he thoguht they should be simple. And I read that and thought "hmmm...that's a completely valid point! Why are temples built so fancy? Our church buildings are plain, so why are the temples not? Or if our temples are so grand, then why not our church buildings as well? It definitely brought some doubt to my mind and I was curious and desirous to really know why temples are the way they are. So I did some investigating that best way you can! Scriptures! This could make for some good personal study material, pay attention!!:)
Check out:
- Exodus 25
- 1 Chronicles 28-29
- 2 Chronicles 3-4
But it made me think: If God gave these people specific instructions on how to build the temples back then, why would it be any different now? After all, as it says in 1 Nephi 10:18 "He is the same yesterday, today, and forever." Of course, I am not 100% positive that this is the case, but I am very confident in my findings!
I love this quote from Elder Hales:
"For when we want to speak to God, we pray. And when we want Him to speak to us, we search the scriptures. . .He will then teach us as we listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit."
Isn't that awesome? With any question we have, we can ask and it will be answered through the scriptures. I wanted to know why temples were built that way they are. And I found out why! The interesting part is: simply finding these instances where the Lord commanded his people to build a temple in a specific way didn't convince me that it was justifiable to build temples the way they are now. What convinced me that temples are truly built based on God's will was the Spirit.
I love the Spirit! It is so awesome! We have scripture and modern day revelation (among so many other things) and although it is delivered as a message to a general audience, it can truly be individual! And that is because of the Spirit. Heavenly Father knows what you need and what you desire to know and He will manifest the truth and facts to you through the Spirit. Things that seem very general and non-applicable can become completely and wholly relevant-an answer to our questions/requests. That's how it happened for me! I searched the scriptures to find an answer, found the instances that would support why temples are the way they are then and now, and then the Spirit confirmed to me that what I read was indeed the truth. AH SO AWESOME.
If Heavenly Father just gave everyone the answers for everything, then there would be no room for growth. But the second you desire to KNOW and to GROW, He is going to make that possible for you. Super, super, super awesome. We are super incredibly lucky to have such a great, loving Heavenly Father who is always mindful of us:)
WOWZAHS. Can't wait to be a missionary just like you! Keeping you in my prayers always:) Have a great week!
Love, Kallie
CHALLENGE:
Take questions as you go into your scripture study. They WILL be answered!