Leading Our Stake to the Temple through the Sacrifice of Temple Service

Below is a letter addressed to all High Councilors and members of High Priest Group Leaderships on March 31, 2013


Dear Brethren,

 
As the priesthood leaders in our stake, we are charged with the duty to help members make and keep sacred covenants through the saving ordinances of the temple (Handbook 2, 2.1.3). The Handbook also reminds us that, “leaders can best teach others how to be ‘true followers’ by their personal example” (3.1).
Because each of us has the specific responsibility to encourage and coordinate temple and family history work in the stake and ward, we encourage you to attend the temple as often as possible.

 
Furthermore, if you are ever invited to meet with a member of the temple presidency, we encourage you to accept that invitation and give serious consideration to whatever temple service opportunity, if any, may be proposed.

 
There are multiple ways to serve in the temple, including ordinance worker, veil worker and volunteer. The first two come with an obligation to serve a regular six-hour shift. Ordinance workers serve weekly, veil workers serve at least once per month, and volunteers and called-patrons serve regularly depending on the person’s availability.

 
For those of you who are currently serving in the temple as ordinance workers, veil workers or volunteers, we thank you for your continued service.

 
Brethren, we promise you that as we sacrifice to give faithful and consistent service in the temple, the “promises of the fathers” (D&C 2:2) will come into our heart in such a meaningful way that the members of our stake will follow us to the temple to claim the blessings of Heaven awaiting each of us.