ON

THE LORD'S HOUSE

(Part One)

I. INTRODUCTION

In just a few minutes we will enter into the Kirtland Temple. It is a beautiful place. Let those with eyes, see. We will have testimonies borne to us. Let those with ears, hear. The Holy Spirit will be there. Let those with hearts, feel.

II. THE QUESTIONS

As you know, the Kirtland Temple is owned by the Reorganized Church. Some of you may have been asking yourselves, "Why do they own our temple?" Before I address that question, I want you to imagine yourself to be a young woman or young man from the Reorganized Church. In this case, you might very well ask, "Why do those Mormon kids want to come to the only Temple we have, when they have so many of their own that they could go to? Would they let us into one of their temples like we let them into ours?"

III. THE ANSERS

These questions have been asked before by members of both churches. Answers to those questions have been given by revelation. About five and a half years ago, in November of 1993, there was a meeting of LDS Church Leaders in the Kirtland Temple. The RLDS Temple caretaker was sitting in the back of the meeting. He was really steamed because "we" were in "their" Temple. Just at the point when he thought he couldn't take it any more, he heard a voice. It said, "This is not your Temple, it is MY Temple." He relaxed. He came to understand more fully what it meant to be the caretaker of the Temple. He had ears, and he heard. He had a heart, and he felt.

Several months later--in the summer of 1994--there was an LDS Stake from Michigan that held their youth conference here. There was one young man who was really steamed that the RLDS Church owned "our Temple." He was so steamed he was losing whatever spirit he had. As he walked into the Temple for the testimony meeting a voice came to him. It said, "This is not your Temple, it is My Temple." Peace came over him and he had a wonderful testimony meeting. He had ears and he heard. He had a heart, and he felt.

When you walk up to the the Temple tonight, look and see who's Name is on it. It is there for all to see. It says "The House of the Lord." It could not be plainer than that. Those who have eyes, let them see.

IV. CONCLUSION

In conclusion, let me express my hope that we do not forget whose House we are entering tonight. Let us be grateful that the the RLDS caretakers of this Holy Temple--with love and kindness--are graciously letting us meet in the Lord's house here in Kirtland. It is a beautiful place. Let those with eyes, see. We will have testimonies borne to us. Let those with ears, hear. The Holy Spirit will be there. Let those with hearts, feel.

I bear my testimony that this is the House of the Lord. In the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.