My church builds temples all over the world. These sacred buildings are often met with criticism. A lot of people don't want them in their neighborhoods.
I can understand that. I might feel the same if some other religion built an edifice in my neighborhood. I would try not to.
I want to tell you (without being specific), what I have learned in the temple. I want to tell you why it's important and precious.
I previously told you about covenant and brotherhood (and sisterhood). I learned these things in the temple. In the temple, I learned that humility is strength, because it is connected to truth. I learned that I must sacrifice worldly things, so that God can reign in my heart.
When God reigns in my heart, and there is nothing I love more than Him, it opens my heart to truth and understanding. It opens my heart to all my brothers and sisters in this world.
It helps me to keep Christ's commandment to love my enemies. It binds my heart to people of all nationalities, ethnicities, and creeds. Loving God more than the things of this world, ensures that I can love everyone else so much the better. We all are one family. We are God's fallen family.
In the temple we reconstruct the fallen family of God. And we learn about how we must be, to have true brotherhood and sisterhood.
The temple is a symbol of family, of peace, of sacrifice, and of healing. It is meant for everyone, everywhere. It is a place to learn about the ways of our God, and what He created us to be.
How can peace on earth be achieved in any other way? It cannot. We must learn these things.
I've been having a hard time. I haven't been posting very much. I will try to keep posting. My body is tired and unwell. I am trying to get better.
I encourage you to seek out my brothers and sisters in the church. To everyone out there reading this, the world is full of commotion and unkindness, but I know that God loves you. I feel it deeply. Creation feels chaotic, but it is full of purpose. Reach out with your heart, can't you feel Him in everything? Can't you sense the love and purpose? Can you smell the spice? If you can't, pray and keep trying. It's there. He's there.
Keep going. Look for Him, as I do. He is truly the beauty of holiness, and you are meant to be as He is. And if you can, seek out a temple, and (if it is able to have one) sit in its garden. God bless you.