Seminary
Lesson 92: Ezra—Preparing to Attend the House of the Lord
Meridian Idaho Temple

Ezra 1; 3–7; Nehemiah 2; 4–6; 8: Lesson 92

Ezra

Preparing to Attend the House of the Lord

Visit “Studying the Scriptures” to help prepare yourself spiritually to learn.

The joy we experience during significant life events is closely tied to our level of preparation. The Israelites found joy after years of physical and spiritual preparation. We, too, can experience joy by preparing for important life events. This lesson can help you feel a greater desire to prepare to worship the Lord in His holy temple.

Study the Scriptures

What events are you looking forward to in the next one, five, and 10 years? How are you preparing for these events?

dedication of the Salt Lake Temple

President Wilford Woodruff (1807–98) spoke about an event he had been looking forward to for a very long time.

President Wilford Woodruff

[At the dedication of the Salt Lake Temple] President Wilford Woodruff then arose to address the Saints. “I have looked forward to this day for the last fifty years of my life,” he said. (Saints: The Story of the Church of Jesus Christ in the Latter Days, vol. 2, No Unhallowed Hand, 1846–1893 [2020], 663–64)

What do you know about temples that may have caused Wilford Woodruff to look forward to the completion of the Salt Lake Temple?

Around 605 BC, Babylonians conquered Jerusalem and began deporting captive Jews to Babylon. In 587 BC, they destroyed the temple, and the deportations escalated. About 50 years later, Persia conquered Babylon under the command of King Cyrus. Eventually, God inspired King Cyrus to allow some Jews to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple (see Ezra 1:1–3). As a fulfillment of prophecy (see Isaiah 44:28; Jeremiah 29:10), the temple was rebuilt 70 years after it had been destroyed.

mark iconRead Ezra 6:15–16, 22 and mark how the Jews felt when the temple was finally dedicated after many years of hard work and spiritual preparation.

note iconMake a note next to verse 22 with the principle, as we prepare to worship the Lord in the temple, He will bless us with joy.

President Russell M. Nelson taught:

President Russell M. Nelson

In some respects, it is easier to build a temple than it is to build a people prepared for a temple. (“Closing Remarks,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 122–23)

Ponder why this might be the case.

Review the following study options. Complete one or more. Then complete the “Now What?” section at the end of the lesson.

Option A

How can I prepare myself to enter the Lord’s temple?

There is a difference between going to the temple and being prepared to go to the Lord’s house.

Study two or more of the following four resources to help you see what you can do to prepare to go to the Lord’s house.

  1. Elder Kent F. Richards, “Preparing to Enter the House of the Lord”

  2. “Prepare for the House of the Lord,” temples.ChurchofJesusChrist.org

  3. President Russell M. Nelson, “Personal Preparation for Temple Blessings“ (time code 6:49 to 8:22; for physical preparation)

    14:53

  4. President Russell M. Nelson, “Personal Preparation for Temple Blessings” (time code 8:23 to 10:55; for spiritual preparation)

    14:53

notebook iconComplete the following in your notebook:

  • Imagine you are going to the temple in one month. Write what you can do to prepare yourself one month before, one week before, and one day before.

Option B

How can I help others see the importance of the Lord’s temple?

Enemies of the Jews in the region were constantly writing letters to the kings, making false accusations to stop the work of rebuilding the temple from progressing. Read Ezra 4:4–6, 11–13, 24 to see some of their efforts.

What opposition have you faced or might you face as you prepare to make covenants in the Lord’s house?

Imagine you are tasked with responding to criticism about a temple being built. Review some or all of the following four resources to help you create a message to encourage people to prepare to go to the temple. As you do, make a list of truths you know regarding the temple, and blessings, feelings, or experiences you have had regarding the temple.

  1. temples.ChurchofJesusChrist.org

  2. “Temples” search in the scriptures or in Topics and Questions

  3. General conference talks about temples

  4. The Promised Blessings of Temple and Family History Work 2 (4:04)

    4:5

notebook iconCreate a public service announcement, poster, social media post, or another resource to help people understand the blessings of the temple and the importance of preparing to enter the Lord’s house.

Now What?

One way we can prepare ourselves to attend the temple is to see ourselves in the temple. If available, watch “See Yourself in the Temple,“ by Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, from time code 3:04 to 3:48.

16:23

notebook iconIn your notebook, respond to two of the following questions:

  • How do you think preparing to attend the Lord’s house can help us experience joy as we attend the temple?

  • How has the Lord blessed you with joy as you have attended the temple?

  • What do you know about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ that would motivate you to prepare to attend Their holy house?

Share Your Thoughts

Lesson Purpose: To help you feel a greater desire to prepare to worship the Lord in His holy temple.

share iconShare one or more of the following with your teacher or class:

  • Things you wrote about preparing to enter the Lord’s house.

  • What you created to help people understand the blessings of the temple.

  • Something specific you did to achieve the purpose of this lesson.

  • Any questions this lesson raised for you. How will you try to find answers to your questions?