Pitched Their Tents with the Door Thereof Toward the Temple

Ed J. Pinegar, Richard J. Allen

Many testimonies in the Book of Mormon take the form of benedictory statements from revered leaders—Lehi’s remarkable discourse on the Atonement and on the destiny of Israel, Nephi’s final discourse on the doctrine of Christ, Jacob’s allegory of the olive trees, and King Benjamin’s masterful sermon before the people of Zarahemla. The king’s son and heir apparent, Mosiah, sends a proclamation for the people to gather at the temple to hear the speech. Significantly, the congregation is united by positioning their tent doorways toward the temple. One can imagine row upon row of concentric family semicircles radiating outward from the temple grounds as far as the eye can see, all hearts tuned to receive the sacred instruction “that they might rejoice and be filled with love toward God and all men” (Mosiah 2:4). In a similar way, we can unitedly open our hearts toward the source of all truth and salvation, even the Lord Almighty, from whom all blessings flow.

Commentaries and Insights on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 1

References