Eternal Marriage

  While I was reading Ezra Taft Benson’s talk, "What I Hope You Will Teach Your Children About The Temple", I learned something new.  I have read the 107^th section of the Doctrine and Covenants before, but I guess I never really gave it much thought.  The great event that took place 3 years prior to Adam’s death in Adam-ondi-Ahman, helped me learn about the nature of this beautiful place and that most of us as members of the Church of Jesus Christ, have the same desire for our family to enjoy the blessings of the temple as did Adam.  I guess I never really understood how Adam-ondi-Ahman got its name, or never took the time to find out.  My internship as a paramedic was done in Kansas City, Missouri.  My classmates that were there as well, and I, took the opportunity to go see all of the church history sites nearby.  The day that my classmates went to see Adam-ondi-Ahman, I had to work and missed this opportunity.  When they got back they said it was beautiful, but that I didn’t miss much because there was nothing there.   That may have been true about no building or monument being there, but I wonder if they had known the history and what had taken place there, if they would have felt differently about this sacred place.  I hope someday I can return and visit Adam-ondi-Ahman with the new understanding of what took place there. 

 President Benson said, “Adam wanted all of his posterity to enjoy these blessing and to brought before the presence of the Lord.”  This can only be done in the House of the Lord.   We are blessed to have the all the Priesthood keys restored on the earth, in these latter-days.  We all have the opportunity to obtain the blessings of the Temple.  President Benson taught, “In the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees; “And in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the priesthood [meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage]; “And if he does not, he cannot obtain it. “He may enter into the other, but that is the end of his kingdom; he cannot have an increase.” (D&C 131:1–4) When our children obey the Lord and go to the temple to receive their blessings and enter into the marriage covenant, they enter into the same order of the priesthood that God instituted in the very beginning with father Adam. This order entitles them to the same blessings of Abraham, of whom the Lord said that he “hath entered into his exaltation and sitteth upon his throne.” (D&C 132:29.) Then He significantly added: “This promise is yours also, because ye are of Abraham.” (D&C 132:31.) So again I emphasize: This order of priesthood can only be entered into when we comply with all the commandments of God and seek the blessings of the fathers as did Abraham by going to our Father’s house. They are received in no other place on this earth!”

 This is why marriage in the Temple is so important in being able to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father.   President Benson gave a great history of how this priesthood was passed down from father to son and even how it was taken away at the time of Moses because of the hardness of their hearts. “This order of priesthood has been on the earth since the beginning, and it is the only means by which we can one day see the face of God and live. (See D&C 84:22.).  He goes on to say “this order is otherwise described in modern revelation as an order of family government where a man and woman enter into a covenant with God—just as did Adam and Eve—to be sealed for eternity, to have posterity, and to do the will and work of God throughout their mortality. If a couple are true to their covenants, they are entitled to the blessing of the highest degree of the celestial kingdom. These covenants today can only be entered into by going to the House of the Lord. Adam followed this order and brought his posterity into the presence of God. He is the great example for us to follow. Enoch followed this pattern and brought the Saints of his day into the presence of God. Noah and his son Shem likewise followed the same pattern after the flood. (D&C 84:23–25.)

I think understanding the history of our fathers even back to the days of Adam help us appreciate what all of them have done for us to help preserve these teachings and blessings from the Lord.   It can help open our eyes and give us greater understanding and thankfulness.   It can even help change our perspective of a beautiful valley,  to a beautiful Holy and temple like place.   How grateful I am for the restoration of the gospel and for the restoring of all the priesthood keys on the earth today.   Without this knowledge and power in my life, I think my life would lack hope, joy and purpose.  I am grateful that we have so many temples so that we can seal families forever and partake of the blessings the Lord wants to bless us with and someday return into His presence.   I hope I can help my family and others come to know the importance of the temple, as I learn more, ponder what I  have learned, and then apply it to my life.