Hear My Father's Voice

Tonight I read a scripture I've read at least 100 times. But never before have I made the connection I made tonight. It is in the first chapter of Mosiah. King Benjamin is dying and asks his son Mosiah to gather the people together so that he may confer the kingdom publicly to Mosiah.

18: And now, it came to pass that Mosiah went and did as his father had commanded him, and proclaimed unto all the people who were in the land of Zarahemla that thereby they might gather themselves together, to go up to the temple to hear the words which his father should speak unto them.

Secular translation: Mosiah did as he was told and gathered the people together to hear the political statement made by a dying king.

Scriptural translation: Mosiah was obedient in following the commandments of the king. He exhorts his fellow saints to gather at the temple to hear the words of his father.

Application for us: The prophet is asking us to gather ourselves in the temple- which is the house of God- to hear the words of our Father.

I don't know how I missed that. I guess I always just take it literally. But tonight it was an invitation for me to be more diligent in keeping the commandments and in attending the temple so that I can receive direction and guidance for my own life.

In the dedicatory prayer of the Kirtland Temple, the Prophet Joseph Smith petitioned the Father “that thy servants may go forth from this house armed with thy power, and that thy name may be upon them” (D&C 109:22). He also asked for a blessing “over thy people upon whom thy name shall be put in this house” (v. 26). And as the Lord appeared in and accepted the Kirtland Temple as His house, He declared, “For behold, I have accepted this house, and my name shall be here; and I will manifest myself to my people in mercy in this house” (D&C 110:7).

The Lord will manifest himself in mercy in his house- How can I choose not to have that? I can't.

Elder Bednar said,

"I bear solemn witness that the fire of the covenant will burn in the heart of every faithful member of this Church who shall worship and honorably hold a name and standing in the Lord’s holy house. Jesus the Christ is our Redeemer and Savior. He lives, and He directs the affairs of His Church through revelation to His anointed servants. Of these things I bear witness in the sacred name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen" (See whole talk here)