The Value and Importance of the Temple

In Haggai, we read a lot about the importance of the temple.  Haggai, the prophet, called for the children of Israel to build a temple.  They had delayed it until that point and there were consequences for that.  Haggai 1:5 says, "he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes."  I thought this was a great visual.  The money they earn soon disappears.  They will try as hard as they can to feed and clothe their families but there will never be enough unless they set priority in building the temple.

In verse 12 of chapter 1 we read that the people heeded Haggai's counsel and set to work building the temple.  What a great example they are.  It can be hard placing the temple at the center of our priorities at times.  There is so much we have to do to take care of ourselves and our families every day.  But I have seen the blessings of making the temple a priority.  I try to make it to the temple on a monthly basis and the Spirit is so much more a part of my life as I do this.  The covenants I make in the temple impact me and my family into the eternities.  The work that goes on in the temple is what the Gospel is all about.