We are loved by Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ. Everything They do is for the immortality and eternal life of mankind. The Lord gave His life because He loved us (see 2 Nephi 26:24). He continually speaks of His love for us (see John 13:34–35). An important question of conscience is this: How would we feel regarding our life if we had to face our Savior today? Alma expressed the horror of it when he was not fully repentant (see Alma 36:14–17)—and the joy of being in the presence of the Lord after his forgiveness (see Alma 36:19–22). The Savior employs no servant at the holy gate. Let us remember that we are to come before our Savior face to face—and thereby experience either joy or sorrow, depending upon the nature of our thoughts, desires, and deeds in this life.
“The Keeper of the Gate is the Holy One of Israel”
We are loved by Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ. Everything They do is for the immortality and eternal life of mankind. The Lord gave His life because He loved us (see 2 Nephi 26:24). He continually speaks of His love for us (see John 13:34–35). An important question of conscience is this: How would we feel regarding our life if we had to face our Savior today? Alma expressed the horror of it when he was not fully repentant (see Alma 36:14–17)—and the joy of being in the presence of the Lord after his forgiveness (see Alma 36:19–22). The Savior employs no servant at the holy gate. Let us remember that we are to come before our Savior face to face—and thereby experience either joy or sorrow, depending upon the nature of our thoughts, desires, and deeds in this life.
Memories: The Keeper of the Gate
Several years ago a colleague in my high priests group recounted a story about an event that had recently taken place in the local temple where he was serving as a temple worker. Two young women had come to the recommend desk at the front of the temple to be admitted. They were greeted warmly by the official stationed there, who requested to see their recommends. As he described it, for some reason a feeling of uneasiness came over him. He examined the first recommend, glancing at the authorizing signatures and then back into the eyes of the young woman. He felt impressed to say, “This is not the signature of your stake president, is it?” Chagrined, the young woman confessed that it was not. The official then counseled the two, in a kind but firm way, to leave and return again when they were worthy to do so, and they would be welcome in the House of the Lord.
The event is a reminder to us all that the temples of the Most High are sacred precincts reserved for those with a broken heart and a contrite spirit—those who are sincerely striving to keep all of the commandments and abide by the standards of temple-worthy Saints. The temple experience is in many respects a type pointing to our eventual return to the home from whence we have come. Jacob made clear that the process of admittance into our Heavenly Father’s presence is by way of a very special gate keeper—the Holy One of Israel, who “cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name” (2 Nephi 9:41). (Richard J. Allen)