Study Guide for "The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation"

In this talk, President Russell M. Nelson uses the renovations of the Salt Lake Temple as a metaphor for our personal spiritual foundations. He emphasizes the importance of strengthening our testimonies and understanding of the gospel, particularly in these latter days. He underscores the centrality of the temple in our spiritual fortitude and encourages us to make and keep sacred covenants, drawing strength from the Savior.

Before Reading

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

How does President Nelson link the physical renovations of the Salt Lake Temple to our spiritual foundations?
What does President Nelson suggest we do to reinforce our personal spiritual foundations?
Why does President Nelson emphasize the importance of temple ordinances and covenants?
What changes in temple procedures does President Nelson discuss, and why are they significant?
What promises does President Nelson make to those who focus on the temple and its covenants?

Topics

Strengthening Our Spiritual Foundations

President Nelson uses the renovations of the Salt Lake Temple to illustrate the need for strengthening our personal spiritual foundations. He emphasizes that in these unprecedented times, we must take extraordinary measures to reinforce our testimonies and understanding of the gospel.

In like manner, it is now time that we each implement extraordinary measures—perhaps measures we have never taken before—to strengthen our personal spiritual foundations. Unprecedented times call for unprecedented measures.

If you and I are to withstand the forthcoming perils and pressures, it is imperative that we each have a firm spiritual foundation built upon the rock of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ.

What does President Nelson mean by "extraordinary measures" to strengthen our spiritual foundations?
How can we build a firm spiritual foundation on Jesus Christ?
What measures can you take to strengthen your personal spiritual foundation?
How can you apply the principle of building on the rock of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, in your daily life?

The Temple as the Center of Our Faith

President Nelson emphasizes the centrality of the temple in strengthening our faith and spiritual fortitude. He explains that everything taught in the temple increases our understanding of Jesus Christ, and keeping the covenants made there endows us with His power.

The temple lies at the center of strengthening our faith and spiritual fortitude because the Savior and His doctrine are the very heart of the temple.

His essential ordinances bind us to Him through sacred priesthood covenants. Then, as we keep our covenants, He endows us with His healing, strengthening power.

Why does President Nelson describe the temple as the center of our faith?
What is the relationship between keeping covenants and being endowed with Christ's power?
In what ways has attending the temple increased your understanding of Jesus Christ?
How have you felt Christ's healing and strengthening power as you have kept your covenants?

The Ancient and Ongoing Role of Temples

President Nelson discusses the ancient role of temples, from the time of Adam and Eve to the present day. He also mentions the ongoing restoration and refinement of temple ordinances and practices, emphasizing that the principles and doctrines remain unchanged.

Temple ordinances and covenants are ancient. The Lord instructed Adam and Eve to pray, make covenants, and offer sacrifices.

The principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ are divine. Nobody changes the principles and [doctrine] of the Church except the Lord by revelation. But methods change as the inspired direction comes to those who preside at a given time.

How have temples played a role throughout the history of God's people?
Why is it significant that the principles and doctrines of the temple remain unchanged, even as methods and procedures evolve?
How does understanding the ancient role of temples influence your view of temple worship today?
How have changes in temple procedures affected your personal worship and understanding of temple covenants and ordinances?

Living Inside Our Temple Covenants

President Nelson emphasizes the importance of living within our temple covenants as a way to withstand spiritual upheavals. He assures us that as we are true to these covenants, we will be strengthened by Christ's power and have no need to fear.

Likewise, whenever any kind of upheaval occurs in your life, the safest place to be spiritually is living inside your temple covenants!

Please believe me when I say that when your spiritual foundation is built solidly upon Jesus Christ, you have no need to fear.

What does President Nelson mean by "living inside your temple covenants"?
How does being true to our temple covenants strengthen us and help us to not fear?
What does it mean to you to live inside your temple covenants?
How have you experienced strength and fearlessness by being true to your temple covenants?

The Restoration and Ongoing Revelation

President Nelson discusses the ongoing process of the restoration, including changes to temple procedures. He testifies that these adjustments and the ongoing revelation they represent are evidence of the Lord's active direction of His Church.

The Restoration is a process, not an event, and will continue until the Lord comes again.

The ongoing Restoration needs ongoing revelation.

Current adjustments in temple procedures, and others that will follow, are continuing evidence that the Lord is actively directing His Church.

What does President Nelson mean when he says the Restoration is a process, not an event?
How do changes in temple procedures demonstrate ongoing revelation?
How have you seen the ongoing process of the Restoration in your life?
How does understanding the ongoing nature of revelation impact your view of changes in the Church?