Talk 4/24/22

Good morning brothers and sisters I'm Thayne Merrill and I am grateful for the

opportunity to get to speak to you today. After putting in my papers and getting my mission

call I've started to participate in temple prep class in preparation to go through the temple and

receive my endowment. The Temple is a place where we receive ordinances and make

covenants. Some ordinances in the church that come to mind are baptism, confirmation, the

sacrament and temple ordinances. Ordinances performed by the power of the priesthood are

essential to our exaltation. It is through the ordinances of the melchizedek priesthood we

receive the power of God in our lives. “In Doctrine and Covenants 84 19-21 it says 19 And

this greater priesthood administered the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of

the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God. 20 Therefore, in the ordinances

thereof, the power of godliness is manifest. 21 And without the ordinances thereof, and

the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the

flesh”

As Church members, ordinances are crucial. In the temple we also make and keep

sacred covenants. A Covenant is a sacred agreement between Heavenly Father and a person.

Heavenly Father sets specific conditions, and He promises to bless us as we obey those

conditions. When we choose not to keep covenants, we cannot receive the blessings.

“Doctrine and Covenants 130 21 says And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is

by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.” As we are obedient to the

covenants we make we will be able to obtain the blessings that are promised.

In the temple the ordinances that are performed include the endowment and sealing.

My parents as well as my two older sisters have all been married in the temple and I have

another sister that will be getting married in the temple this summer. I'm grateful for my
family and their example to me of making and keeping covenants in the temple and I hope

that I can follow their example.

All Saving ordinances of the priesthood are always accompanied by covenants. When

we make covenants with God, we express our desire to serve God and our willingness to

obey all that is asked of us. As we keep our covenants we can have a better relationship with

our heavenly father. We will gradually draw closer to Him and experience the impact of him

in our daily life. Jesus Christ example and teachings can influence our actions in everything

we do and say as we honor of covenants

. Luke 12:48 says “Unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much

required” As members of the church we are given much, Heavenly Father has provided

temple ordinances and covenants so that His children can understand the purpose of this life

and be prepared for the glorious opportunities of eternal life. When we receive these

blessings, we become accountable to live worthy of our increased knowledge and

opportunities. Inorder to receive this knowledge we must be faithful to the covenants made in

the temple.

Faithfulness to Our Covenants can bring peace and safety. The temple can be a place

of peace. I know that when I attend the temple to do baptisms. It is a place where I can feel

joy. As we attend the temple regularly and are faithful to our covenants, we will find peace,

safety, and direction in our lives. Although I have not yet been through the temple and

received my endowment yet, one covenant I have made is that of Baptism and I renew it

every week as I partake of the sacrament. We promise that we’ll take Christ's name upon us

and follow his commandments and in return we will always have his spirit to be with us.

Sometimes I feel like I need to sort of gear up to hear the spirit. Or I only feel the spirit if it is

something big or I'm making a big decision. But the promise is that we will always have the

spirit to be with us. I can feel peace knowing that as I try my best to keep my covenants, read
my scriptures, repent each day that I can have the spirit with me. David A Bendar once said

"In many of the uncertainties and challenges we encounter in our lives, and in this great

latter-day work, God requires us to do our best to trust in Him, to be anxiously engaged

and act and not simply wait to be acted upon. We may not see angels, hear heavenly

voices or receive overwhelming spiritual impressions. We frequently may press forward

hoping and praying–but without absolute assurance–that we are acting in accordance

with God's will. But as we honor our covenants and keep the commandments, we can

walk with confidence that God will guide our steps."

I know that the church is true. I know that Jesus Christ lives. I know that as we strive

to keep our covenants that we can feel peace and safety and that we will be blessed

Name JC amen