From YA Weekly
I Hadn’t Made Temple Covenants, but That Didn’t Stop Me from Living Them
The author lives in Kisumu, Kenya.
I was far from the temple but close to Christ.
The first time I ever attended the temple, I flew all the way from Kenya to the Johannesburg South Africa Temple to be sealed to my parents. But I was so young that I have no clear memories of my experience at the temple.
This isn’t uncommon for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Kenya. I’ve watched my area’s Church membership grow from one branch to three, but despite this impressive growth, many members couldn’t attend the temple to make covenants. Traveling outside of the country just wasn’t accessible.
But we could still remain close to the Savior by living as if we had already made covenants in the temple.
Sharing His Gospel
Just as you need to nourish and water a tree to receive its fruit, you must nourish a testimony to maintain a close relationship with the Savior. While I couldn’t attend the temple and make temple covenants, I chose to build my testimony of the gospel in other ways.
President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, taught, “When you keep your temple covenants and remember them, you invite the companionship of the Holy Ghost to both strengthen and purify you.”
Living as though I had made those covenants helped me prepare for the day I could enter the temple. And sharing the gospel was one of the best ways to stay connected to the Savior and prepare for my endowment.
Because there aren’t many members of the Church in Kenya, I’ve had lots of opportunities to share the gospel. Whenever I’m asked questions about my beliefs, like why I don’t drink tea or alcohol, I always feel guided by the Holy Ghost to answer in the best way possible.
So while I couldn’t perform temple work for myself or those who have passed away, I did my best to bring myself and others closer to a covenant-keeping lifestyle.
Feeling His Love in the Temple
The Nairobi Kenya Temple was dedicated in 2025. Though the temple was still a six-hour drive away, it was finally within reach.
While at the temple for the open house, I received strong personal inspiration. I always thought of the temple as holy, but I never understood the magnitude until that day.
As I sat in silence in the celestial room, I spoke to my Heavenly Father in prayer and felt a confirmation that He was listening.
I reflected on my life—what I’d been doing well and what I could do better. I wanted to know how I could be a better person and prepare to make covenants. I felt the Spirit with me and felt the truth of my divine identity. And I knew that through the Savior’s Atonement, I could be “clasped in the arms of Jesus” (Mormon 5:11).
Before the temple was even dedicated, and before performing any ordinances, I knew for myself that the temple really is the house of the Lord. Going to the temple in any capacity—walking the grounds, attending an open house, performing proxy ordinances, making covenants of your own, or even just doing family history work—can invite the Spirit into your life and help you prepare to make and keep sacred temple covenants. And as you prepare to make and keep those covenants, you will build a closer relationship with the Savior.
Helping to Hasten His Work
While I haven’t been able to return to the temple yet, I’m preparing to receive my own endowment before I leave for my mission. I look forward to the day that I can attend the temple and make covenants of my own with Heavenly Father.
Already, I’ve noticed an incredible change in my community because of the temple. Three or four families in my branch are preparing to go to the temple, and our temple preparation classes are more active than ever before. As President Russell M. Nelson (1924–2025) said: “Do you see what is happening right before our eyes? I pray that we will not miss the majesty of this moment! The Lord is indeed hastening His work.”
Living a covenant-keeping lifestyle is worthwhile, no matter where you are on the covenant path. You can hasten the Lord’s work both inside and outside of the temple.
If you haven’t made temple covenants yet, you can prepare to do so now, even if it seems out of reach. As you contribute to the hastening of the Savior’s work, you can feel and share His love in a higher and holier way.