Faith Hope Charity

Elders,

I feel impressed to talk something of the temple.

On your mission, you have learned to trust the Lord, gain knowledge by doing his will, and then act on the prompting of the Spirit. All of this is accomplished through faith, hope, and charity; action words.

You are also learning that vails are parted through sacrifice. Like the Brother of Jared, we take the counsel and chastisements of the Lord so that the veils of doubt and fear that would cloud our minds are parted and we see clearly the will of God in our lives, our companions' lives, in the lives of those in our charge, and finally the world around us. 

Look up broken heart and contrite spirit, learn what it means. 2 Nephi 2:7 says that Christ will give himself to those who have these qualities. How do you want to think the prophets see God? You are that important to Him. The path you are embarking on is changing you in ways you may not be seeing, but we here at home see.

In the temple, you made covenants to obey the Laws.

The Law of Obedience
The Law of Sacrifice 
The Law of Consecration 
The Law of Purity/Chastity 
The Law of Endurance

Let's see the laws obeyed in the scriptures and see how they changed the Prophet's life.

Nephi obeyed his father, sacrificed comfort, consecrated his mission with blood, dressed in the robes of the priesthood and sword of truth, converted a servant with a covenant, his brothers ran because they didn't recognize him dressed with power and authority, and brought his convert home to his father.

Joseph of Egypt left his old life, showed obedience to Potiphar, sacrificed time and talents to learn language and culture, was chastened in the home of Potiphar and in the home of Pharaoh, and because of his consecration, saw visions. When his brothers came they didn't recognize him because he had the robes of power and authority that his king Pharaoh had given him.

Now reflect on your own life. For some of you, you left high school, or college, goofy young and inexperienced in the things of the Lord, yet you were taught the primary principles and ordinances of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. All of you are in a far-off land. You have been washed and anointed in the temple of our God, given new names, like you did when you were born to your parents, clothed in the priesthood like new babes are swaddled and loved by your parents. You are born anew. The Spirit has been your teacher, the Lord of Israel, your King and Redeemer, and you have been watched and guided by the hand of a loving Father in Heaven. 

Of course, we will not recognize you when you return. You are ever changing into the men who will bear the banners of truth and righteousness in a new and exciting way. I encourage you to continue to read the scriptures, pray to God with a full purpose of heart, and repent daily. These simple acts will build your faith, your hope, and charity for all man.

Anyway, have a great week.

Brother Nathan Bingham 

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