Study Guide for "“Let This House Be Built unto My Name”"

In this talk, Elder David A. Bednar discusses the importance of temples in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He elaborates on the role of the temple in changing, turning, and purifying hearts through gospel covenants and priesthood ordinances. He also highlights the accelerated pace of temple work in recent years and the significance of focusing on the covenants and ordinances rather than the physical building.

Before Reading

Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:

Why was the return of Elijah important according to Elder Bednar?
How does Elder Bednar describe the role of temples in changing, turning, and purifying hearts?
What is the significance of focusing on the covenants and ordinances rather than the physical temple building?
How has the pace of temple work accelerated in recent years?
What are the fundamental obligations that rest upon members of the Lord’s restored Church according to Elder Bednar?

Topics

Understanding the Return of Elijah

Elder Bednar explains the importance of the return of Elijah, who held the sealing power of the Melchizedek Priesthood. This sealing authority is necessary for the binding of covenants on earth and heaven, and the preparation for the Savior’s Second Coming.

“The spirit, power, and calling of Elijah is, that ye have power to hold the key of the … fullness of the Melchizedek Priesthood … ; and to … obtain … all the ordinances belonging to the kingdom of God, even unto the turning of the hearts of the fathers unto the children, and the hearts of the children unto the fathers, even those who are in heaven.”

“How shall God come to the rescue of this generation? He will send Elijah the prophet. … Elijah shall reveal the covenants to seal the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers.”

What power did Elijah hold?
Why is the sealing authority important?
What role does Elijah play in the latter-day dispensation?
How does understanding the return of Elijah affect your perspective on temple work?
How can you apply the teachings of Elijah in your daily life?
What can you do to prepare for the Second Coming of the Savior?

Changing, Turning, and Purifying Hearts

Elder Bednar emphasizes the role of temples in changing, turning, and purifying hearts through gospel covenants and priesthood ordinances. These sacred practices are essential to the sanctifying of our hearts and for our ultimate exaltation.

Our hearts—the sum total of our desires, affections, intentions, motives, and attitudes—define who we are and determine what we will become.

The essence of the Lord’s work is changing, turning, and purifying hearts through gospel covenants and priesthood ordinances.

What is the role of temples in changing, turning, and purifying hearts?
How do gospel covenants and priesthood ordinances contribute to the sanctifying of our hearts?
How have temple covenants and ordinances helped change your heart?
How can you better apply the principles taught in the temple in your daily life?
What steps can you take to prepare your heart for the blessings of the temple?

The Accelerated Pace of Temple Work

Elder Bednar highlights the accelerated pace of temple work in recent years, with a significant increase in the number of operating temples and languages in which temple ordinances are available.

The endowment ceremony currently is presented in 88 languages and will become available in many additional languages as temples are built to bless more of God’s children.

In the next 15 years, the number of languages in which temple ordinances will be available likely will double.

How has the pace of temple work accelerated in recent years?
What is the significance of having temple ordinances available in many languages?
How does the accelerated pace of temple work affect you personally?
What can you do to support the ongoing temple work in the Church?

Focusing on the Things That Matter Most

Elder Bednar reminds us that while the announcement of new temples is a reason to rejoice, our primary focus should be on the covenants and ordinances that can change our hearts and deepen our devotion to the Savior.

However, our primary focus should be on the covenants and ordinances that can change our hearts and deepen our devotion to the Savior and not simply on the location or beauty of the building.

What should be our primary focus when it comes to temples?
How can covenants and ordinances change our hearts and deepen our devotion to the Savior?
How can you shift your focus more towards the covenants and ordinances in your temple worship?
What changes have you noticed in your life as a result of focusing on covenants and ordinances?

The Building Up of Zion

Elder Bednar quotes the Prophet Joseph Smith in emphasizing the importance of building up Zion, a cause that has interested the people of God in every age. This work is destined to bring about the destruction of the powers of darkness, the renovation of the earth, the glory of God, and the salvation of the human family.

“The building up of Zion is a cause that has interested the people of God in every age; it is a theme upon which prophets, priests and kings have dwelt with peculiar delight; they have looked forward with joyful anticipation to the day in which we live; and fired with heavenly and joyful anticipations they have sung and written and prophesied of this our day; but they died without the sight; … it is left for us to see, participate in and help to roll forward the Latter-day glory.”

What is the significance of building up Zion?
How is this work destined to bring about the destruction of the powers of darkness, the renovation of the earth, the glory of God, and the salvation of the human family?
How can you contribute to the building up of Zion?
What changes can you make in your life to better align with the cause of Zion?