Temple preparation begins in childhood
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One busy day at the Jordan River Utah Temple, its president, Robert L. Backman, witnessed an unusual sight.
A young family was standing outside the temple. The parents and their small children quietly approached the building's exterior walls and placed their hands on the temple. President Backman approached the family and asked what they were doing. They gave a simple answer: "We want to touch the temple."
The emeritus General Authority appreciated the efforts of that earnest mother and father to make the temple a physical, tangible element in the lives of their children.
During his assignment at the Jordan River Utah Temple, President Backman has seen many young people entering the temple who were not prepared. They likely possessed a recommend indicating their worthiness to serve in the temple — but they brought with them only a vague idea of the purposes of temples.
"We talk about the temple being sacred, but (children) think of it as secret," said President Backman. "The temple (for many) is an abstraction. They know nothing about it."
Parents can teach their children much about what happens in the temple without compromising the sacred aspects of temple ordinances, he added. Family home evenings can be an ideal setting to discuss temple work.
Besides what's taught in the scriptures, President Backman said the works of two latter-day apostles — Elder James E. Talmage's The House of the Lord and President Boyd K. Packer's The Holy Temple — can be enlisted to teach young people about the temple.
Recently called Draper Utah Temple President Donald L. Staheli said parents are entrusted with a sacred responsibility to teach their children the purpose and value of temples. President Staheli recommended "taking out the mystery" surrounding the temple — replacing it with inspired teachings.
Parents can also teach their children much about the temple by first setting an example of temple activity, added President Backman.
Young people can also prepare for the temple by taking advantage of Church-endorsed activities. The First Presidency offered this counsel in a 2001 letter:
"We desire all young men to strive to earn the Eagle Scout and Duty to God awards. We desire all young women to strive to earn the Young Womanhood Recognition. As youth work on these goals, they will develop skills and attributes that will lead them to the temple and prepare them for a lifetime of service to their families and the Lord."
E-mail to: jswensen@desnews.com
