Ezekiel 1–3; 33–34; 36–37; 47: Lesson 141
Ezekiel 47
Blessings of the Temple
Visit “Studying the Scriptures” to help prepare yourself spiritually to learn.
The Lord gives us many blessings through our worship in the temple. Ezekiel saw in a vision a latter-day temple that will be built in Jerusalem. This lesson can help you feel a greater desire to worship God in the temple.
Study the Scriptures
Imagine that your stake president invites you to be part of a special youth committee in your stake. He is concerned that some youth in your stake do not desire to attend the temple and are not planning to make additional covenants in the temple later.
Why might some youth not want to attend the temple? What might make it difficult?
Self-assessment questions. Self-assessment questions such as these can help you identify opportunities for personal growth and learning. You might create a notebook dedicated to these questions, and then you could look back to see your growth.
Ponder the following questions about yourself:
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How strong is your desire to worship in the temple? Why?
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What may keep you from wanting to attend the temple?
As you study Ezekiel today, seek the Lord’s help to increase your desire to attend and worship in the temple.
In Ezekiel 47, Ezekiel saw a vision that could symbolize the blessings the Lord gives to all who do temple and family history work. It began with a heavenly messenger bringing Ezekiel to the temple door in Jerusalem.
Read Ezekiel 47:1, looking for what Ezekiel saw coming from the temple.
Create a note next to verse 1 with your response to the following question:
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How might water be a fitting symbol for the blessings of the Lord?
Link verse 1 to John 4:10 and John 7:37–39.
Read Ezekiel 47:2–5, looking for how deep the water became as it flowed out of the temple.
When the Lord’s teachings reflect a visual image, it can be helpful to draw what you are learning. On the top half of a page in your notebook, draw a simple representation of a temple and the water coming from it. (You will draw more of where the water goes in the bottom half later.)
If you were to draw something on your picture to symbolize where nothing lives or thrives, what would it be, and why? If this question were asked in Jerusalem in Ezekiel’s day, the answer might have been the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea has its name because of its inability to sustain animal or plant life. It also contains salt water and is undrinkable.
Read Ezekiel 47:8–9, 12. Mark what would happen to everything the water from the temple touched, including the Dead Sea.
If the audio is available, you might listen to Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his family read from Ezekiel 47 in “And the River Will Grow” from time code 0:25 to 2:14.
Next to verse 8, create a note with the following truth: As we worship the Lord in the temple, He blesses us with healing, new life, and growth.
Review the following study options. Complete one or more.
Option A
What are some blessings that come from worshipping in the temple?
Below are just a few blessings Elder Renlund mentioned can come as we participate in family history and temple work.
Increased understanding of the Savior and His atoning sacrifice …
Increased faith, so that conversion to the Savior becomes deep and abiding …
Increased refining, sanctifying, and moderating influences in our hearts …
Increased love and appreciation for ancestors and living relatives, so we no longer feel alone …
Increased protection from temptations and the intensifying influence of the adversary. (For additional blessings, see “Family History and Temple Work: Sealing and Healing,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 47.)
When you attend the temple, remember the blessings come from the Lord through the temple, not from the temple itself.
If it is available, watch “Temples Are a Beacon” (2:50).
If it is available, take a few minutes to listen to “I Love to See the Temple.” Write your feelings about worshipping in the temple in the space around your drawing.
Option B
Why are temples sacred and holy places?
Imagine a friend asked you why the Lord has such high standards to worship in the temple. How would you respond?
The temple is the house of the Lord. The basis for every temple ordinance and covenant—the heart of the plan of salvation—is the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Every activity, every lesson, all we do in the Church, point to the Lord and His holy house. …
… No unclean thing may enter His hallowed house. Yet anyone is welcome who prepares well. (“Personal Preparation for Temple Blessings,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2001, 32–33).
The children of Israel had not prepared themselves or others to worthily enter the Lord’s house. Read Ezekiel 44:5–9, looking for what God asked Israel to do to keep the temple holy.
Choose one or more of the following resources. In your notebook, record something you could share with your friend that might help them feel a greater desire to prepare to worship God in the temple. Seek the help of the Holy Ghost to help you find what your friend needs.
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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ web page for temples: https://folky.shop/temples
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“Temples,” Gospel Topics, ChurchofJesusChrist.org
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Thomas S. Monson, “Blessings of the Temple,” Ensign or Liahona, Oct. 2010, 12–19
Share Your Thoughts
Lesson Purpose: To help you feel a greater desire to worship God in the temple.
Share one or more of the following with your teacher or class:
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The drawing you created.
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What you would share with your friend that might help them feel a greater desire to worship God in the temple.
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Something specific you did to achieve the purpose of this lesson.
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Any questions this lesson raised for you. How will you try to find answers to your questions?