Headstones or simple grave markers serve as memorials to those who have given their lives in the fight for freedom throughout the world.

Temples are the most fitting memorials to the One who gave His life for all and, in doing so, make possible for everyone the ultimate freedom — freedom from eternal death. The Lord Jesus Christ did it to "bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." (Moses 1:39.)

Only through the eternal ordinances provided in temples can Heavenly Father's children return to His presence.

"I think the Lord expects that we will go to the temple and take advantage of the tremendous opportunities to be found in that holy house," President Gordon B. Hinckley said during a meeting in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, Aug. 5, 1998.

"Every temple that we build becomes a memorial to the truth that we believe in the immortality of the human soul. Everything that occurs in those temples is concerned with the eternities, with everlasting life. We wouldn't need a temple if we were just getting married for this life. We wouldn't need a temple if all of our efforts were centered in this life. The temple becomes the great bridge from this life to the next and finds expression in the most unselfish kind of service of which I am aware," President Hinckley said.

The Lord's life was noted by His service to others. Ultimately, He gave His life and atoned for our sins that we might not only receive the gift of immortality but also the opportunity for exaltation.

Faithful members of the Church in a way memorialize the Savior's death and atonement by participating in temple ordinances. In that way they help to bring to pass the plan of salvation.

"The vicarious work to the dead is the most unselfish service of any that I know of in this life, where no one comes with any expectation of thanks for the work which she or he does. Every time you come to the temple, you will be a better man or woman when you leave than when you were when you came," President Hinckley said during a regional conference in Oahu, Hawaii, on Jan. 23, 2000.

Those who have passed beyond the veil without receiving eternal ordinances are dependent on members of the Church to vicariously perform those ordinances for them. They include baptism, confirmation, the endowment and the sealing ordinances. Husbands are sealed to wives and parents to children.

Temple ordinances are essential to obtaining exaltation. How much better it is to partake fully of temple ordinances while in mortality.

As Brigham Young stated: "Your endowment is to receive all those ordinances in the house of the Lord, which are necessary for you, after you have departed from this life, to enable you to walk back to the presence of the Father, passing the angels who stand as sentinels . . . and gain your eternal salvation." (Discourses of Brigham Young, p. 416.)

Whereas 50 years ago there were fewer than 10 temples, there are now more than 100 — the Nauvoo temple will become the 113th operating temple when it is dedicated June 27.

Some have a much easier time of attending the temple than others. But all need to strive to be worthy to go to the temple.

"It would please the Lord for every adult member to be worthy of — and to carry — a current temple recommend, even if proximity to a temple does not allow immediate or frequent use of it. Things that we must do and not do to be worthy of a temple recommend are the very things that ensure we will be happy as individuals and as families," stated President Howard W. Hunter. (Ensign, February 1995.)

Service brings about happiness. As President Hinckley noted, those who go to the temple, a memorial to the Lord, bless their own lives and the lives of others by their unselfish service.