Temples

     We have been reviewing the last week of the Savior's life as recorded in the book of Luke.  There are many important details that we learn from Luke.  One of the points of emphasis is the focus on Jesus's teaching from the temple.  There are many reasons why Jesus does this: 1. to fulfill prophecy,  2. to teach the faithful his gospel, 3. to administer to his prophets and his apostles, 4. to bless us and sanctify us,  5. to gain the strength he needed to fulfill the Atonement, and 6.  to show us where we can go to learn of him, grow closer to him, and be strengthened by him. 

Luke 19: 47 And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him, And could not fine what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.

Luke 21; 37-38 And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives. and all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him. 

Jesus demonstrated this same pattern of teaching in the Old Testament when he appeared to Moses in the wilderness tabernacle, and in the Book of Mormon when the resurrected Lord appeared in the Nephite temple in the land of Bountiful.

Exodus 33: 9-11 And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended, 

and stood at the door of the tabernacle, an the Lord talked with Moses.  And all the people saw the cloudy pillar stand at the tabernacle door: and all the people rose up and worshiped, every man in his tent door.  And the Lord spake into Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend.... 

3 Nephi 11:1, 8-10  And now it came to pass that there were a great multitude gathered together, of the people of Nephi, round about the temple which was in the land of Boutiful; and they were marveling and wondering one with another, and were showing one to another the great and marvelous change which had taken place....And it came to pass as they understood they cast their eyes up again towards heaven; and behold, they saw a Man descending out of heaven; and he was clothed in a white rode; and he came down and stood in the midst of them; and the eyes of the whole multitude were turned upon him...And it came to pass that he stretched forth his hand and spake unto the people saying: Behold, I am Jesus Christ whom the prophets testified shall come into the world. 

3 Nephi 17: 1-3  Behold, now it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words he looked round about again on the multitude, and he said unto them: Behold, my time is at hand.  I percieve that ye are weak, that ye cannot understand all my words which I am commanded of the Father to speak unto you at this time.  Therefore, go ye unto your homes, and ponder upon the things which I have said, and ask of the Father, in my name, that ye may understand, and prepare your minds for the morrow, and I come unto you again.

      As we ponder on the words of Christ, we too are invited to come again to be taught little by little until we become like him.  As we desire to have the Savior be a part of our lives, we should strive to go to the temple, the house of the Lord.  It is there that we will be taught, blessed, and sanctified.  It is there that we gain the strength that we need to do the Father's will.  It is there that we will come to know and love Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father. Please watch the following testimony of the latter day apostle of Jesus Christ, Henry B Erying.