Tabernacle

#oneaday Here we go again! Still going strong... just a little late today...

In honor of my recent trip to the Provo Temple, before it starts its demolition and reconstruction of Saturday, I had quite the inspiration as Brooklynn told me about how it was built to represent: "A cloud by day, and a pillar by night." So, in the light of temples and their significance, I have prepared a testimonial piece combining two stories that have happened to me, both in study and in practice:

First: A journal entry from one of my trips to the temple on December 5th of last year:

"The Temple Went Through Me"

Today, as any cliché college student would, I found myself losing my consciousness to the desire of binge watching a new show until 4AM in the morning. Still though, it seemed as though I was still conscious enough to know full-well what time I was to wake up in the morning and for what reason: Me and my friend were to attend an endowment session at the Provo City Center temple at 9:30AM, which meant that I would have to set my alarm for 8:30 if I were to have any hope of making it there on time.

As the morning rolled around, I found myself sleeping fast through my blaring alarm and a part of me knew that I was doing so. My body clock and sincere intentions willed me to wake up at 9:00. There wouldn’t be enough time for me to make it there right? After all, I still had to shower and my friend hadn’t even stirred from my alarm either, and he was to join me.

I wrestled with myself, telling my mind that even if I did make it on time, I would probably be too tired and fall asleep during the session. But as I argued with the logic, a brief sentence from last night’s short prayer was brought to my remembrance. “Please help me and my friend to make it to the temple on time tomorrow morning,” I pleaded to my Heavenly Father. —If I was to go back to bed and skip the session, I would be the reason my prayer wasn’t answered. In the midst of these emotions, I also asked myself: “What message would I be sending to Him if I prioritized a TV show over visiting His house and being entitled to His blessings?”

My friend rolled over in his bed as I was making my decisions and I asked him if he thought we’d be able to make it. He didn’t seem to think so and I could also tell that he was also exhausted from our early morning form of entertainment. “Maybe he is right?” was a thought that haunted me. But still, I wanted to show God my true Character, for “True Character” is performing your duties and carrying out your promises even when no one is watching or expecting you to.

I managed to get up and got ready as fast as I could. If my friend couldn’t come, I would at least go by myself. I threw on my suit and extended a few words with my friend. He wanted to come but also informed me that he would have to rent clothes once we got there. I told him it really was alright and then set off on my own.

When I got to the temple today with just minutes to spare, acknowledging that just 15 minutes ago I was dead asleep, I noticed that no cars filled the parking lot. As I got closer, I also identified the closed gates and a large sign hanging on them. “Temple closed for maintenance,” it read.

“True Character is performing your duties and carrying out your promises even when no one is watching or expecting you to,” so how was I to react? I raced here so hastily just to turn around and go back? —Not quite. As I pulled into the parking lot, clearly knowing I wouldn’t be making it inside, I recalled another time in my life when I sat in my car, as the only one in the parking lot, outside the temple and pleaded with God to give me revelation on what to do about an education decision I was about to make. That instance proved to be the soul pivotal moment in my life where I gained an immense testimony of the power of revelation and the hope that comes from trusting in God’s light.

I decided to park in a stall today and pay tribute to that old memory, hoping to recreate it in some way by speaking to my Heavenly Father yet again from the confinement of my vehicle. As I mentioned my sorrow for not being able to enter into the temple today, I was gifted, yet again, with divine inspiration. I was taken back through the events of my 15 minute morning of wrestle. As I toured the outcome of my decisions, I realized quickly that even though I was unable to go into the temple today, the temple was able to go into me. I desired to live the Law of the Gospel by attending the temple and so I was willing to Sacrifice my exhaustion for those promised blessings. When I got to the temple, I was able to see my own Consecration as I stayed and utilized my time, opening the door for the Holy Spirit to show me the value of just 15 minutes in my day. I learned a valuable lesson of devotion today and proved to myself where my priorities lie and in addition, Almighty God helped me understand that He was proud of my decision.

As now I yet still sit in my car, admiring the beauty of at least the outside of the temple, I am not even phased by the inability to go in, because today, God granted it to come in to me.

Mathew 6:34 - “…sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”

John 1:38-39 - “Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?

He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day…”

D&C 46:8-9 - “Wherefore, beware lest ye are deceived; and that ye may not be deceived seek ye earnestly the best gifts, always remembering for what they are given;

For verily I say unto you, they are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all my commandments, and him that seeketh so to do; that all may be benefited that seek or that ask of me, that ask and not for a sign that they may consume it upon their lusts.”

Second: A study I had on my mission while reading the Old Testament

As stated in 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, we are "the temple of God." -Don't you then, find it fairly symbolic in the scriptures when it says "the cloud covered the tabernacle, namely, the tent of the testimony." (Numbers 9:15) Do we ever feel that the tent of OUR testimony is "reared up in a cloud" or that OUR tabernacle is darkened by "the cloud [that] abode thereon?" (Exodus 40:35) It is irrational for us to say otherwise. But it is not irrational to say that in this moment of spiritual wayfinding through mists of persuading darkness, "the glory of the Lord filled [your] tabernacle." (Exodus 40:35) And after you are filled with knowledge and glory, the cloud, according to God's will, will be "taken up from over the tabernacle, and the children of Israel (you) [will go] onward in all their journeys." (Exodus 40:36)

I Love the house of the Lord and there is always something new to learn whenever we go!

Love y'all, God is good!

-Cale Montoya