Lisa and I went to Adult Education class at our church last night and were taught in an institute like class [Technically Institute is for college age people and since Lisa and I are above that age, as is everyone in the class we were in Adult Education class--boring name but enjoyably taught by Sister Marks]. We learned about Moses and Aaron and their role as High Priest's in the temple. We learned some comparisons between the tabernacle of that time with the temples of our day.
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| Washington DC temple |
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| San Diego California temple |
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| Accra Ghana temple |
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| Cochabamba Bolivia temple |
Back then they had The Holy of Holies and the Holy place and the outer court. If I understood correctly the outer court was for everyone who wanted to go to the temple. The Holy place was just for the Priesthood assigned to work in the temple and The Holy of Holies was for one specific High Priest one time a year to enter and do his duties. A tremendous limitation when you think about it. One time a year and only one person who had the authority and duty to complete the temple work. By our standards today it seems extremely exclusive.
Today we have thousands of High Priests and nowadays others can go into the temple as well, including Elders and of course women who do not require any Priesthood to enter and participate fully in the ordinances. All adults who may enter the temple can enter the equivalent of the Holy of Holies or the Celestial Room now. What a change from ancient times.
Now of course the question is what are we doing with this HUGE privilege that we have? I wonder if some people don't appreciate the temple because it isn't exclusive like it was in ancient times. Potentially every one can enter the temple--everyone who prepares themselves for that privilege. Are you prepared? Are you attending? Are you gaining the spiritual power and strength that is there when you do attend? And possibly most important: Is your attendance changing your life and blessing the lives of others when you leave the temple?
i remember when i took a religion class on temples at BYU and learned about the holy of holies. it is really cool that anyone who is worthy now can go into that most sacred part of the temple and receive the blessings waiting for them there :) temples are so wonderful!!! :)
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