SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The temple represents the highest ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ, said President Gordon B. Hinckley June 24.
He was accompanied by Elder David B. Haight of the Quorum of the Twelve and Elder Rex D. Pinegar of the Seventy, president of the North America Southwest Area.
Speaking to members from four stakes in San Antonio — as well as other members gathered in stake centers in the area — President Hinckley announced that he traveled to the city to look at building a temple in the area, even though the Church does not yet own land on which to construct a sacred structure.
"All who would like to see [a temple] in San Antonio, smile," he said.
Then President Hinckley asked the congregation to make a resolution to prepare themselves to enter the House of the Lord, should one be built in their city. "A temple becomes the bridge from mortality to immortality," he said. ". . . I don't know of anything more serious [than the temple]. I want to throw upon you the responsibility to get yourselves ready, should such a building come to pass, and I want to talk to you about what will be expected of you to make yourselves worthy to go to that House of the Lord."
Referring to questions asked during a temple recommend interview with a bishop and then stake president, President Hinckley told members of the congregation that in order to enter the temple they will be required to:
Have a testimony of the Father, of Jesus Christ and of the Holy Ghost. "Do you have such a testimony?" he asked. "I believe you do. I believe that there rings in your heart that God our Eternal Father lives, that Jesus is the Christ, that the Holy Ghost is the other member of the Godhead, that these are individual beings, real, personal, and that they rule in the heavens for the blessings of the sons and daughters of God."
Have a testimony that Jesus Christ is the Savior and the Redeemer of the World. "There is no other name given under heaven whereby we must be saved," President Hinckley explained. "We must cultivate within our hearts a testimony and conviction of that fact. We can do so if we make the effort. . . . If we will do the will of the Father, we will know of the divine Sonship of the Savior and of His atoning sacrifice in our behalf."
Know that the gospel has been restored in this dispensation of time. After centuries of apostasy, he said, the Lord has seen fit to restore all of the doctrine, all of the ordinances, all of the principles of the gospel known in all previous dispensations. "This is the dispensation of the fullness of times."
Sustain the leadership of the Church. "That is important," said President Hinckley. "I don't say that because I stand here as the president of the Church, but because loyalty, my brothers and sisters, is the glue that holds this work together and moves it forward."
Church members, he added, have an obligation — solemn and binding — to sustain those that are called to preside over them. "I hope that every man and woman here can do so with whole heart and purpose."
Observe the law of chastity. President Hinckley told the congregation that they live in an age of immorality. "It is all around us . . . ," he said. "We have to stand above it."
Speaking to the youth, President Hinckley said resisting things of filth can be a terrible challenge. "But you can do it," he said. "I know that you can do it. Hundreds upon thousands of young men and women of this Church stand above these things and keep themselves clean of this filth of the world. Chastity is so very important."
President Hinckley then urged the members to avoid the heartbreak and regret of divorce. "I concluded that most divorces are the result of selfishness or sin or both," he said. ". . . Treat one another with respect and honor and love. I have been married to my wife for 64 years. That is a long time. If you don't believe it, try to make it. I can say with honesty that she is still my sweetheart and my prize whom I love and honor and respect. I cannot understand how people can go to the House of the Lord and make solemn covenants and then go out and subsequently violate them and break them and cast them aside. Chastity is a precious and beautiful and wonderful thing."
Maintain a good spirit in homes. He asked fathers to be good fathers, mothers to be good mothers, and children to be good children. To receive a recommend to enter the temple, it is required "that we honor and love and respect one another," President Hinckley said.
Stay away from apostate groups. "They are all around us . . . ," he said. "Do not follow after those who come piping sweet music to try to lure you away from the solid, simple, wonderful truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ, my brothers and sisters."
Keep covenants and attend meetings. President Hinckley told the congregation that when they go to the temple they make covenants with God their Eternal Father. "These covenants are uplifting," he said. "They are designed to strengthen us, to help us, to give purpose to our lives. To lead us in paths of cleanliness and righteousness."
Be honest. President Hinckley said it is not easy always to be honest, but honesty is still the best policy. "My brothers and sisters, it is expected of every man, woman and child in this Church that we live with honesty and deal with honesty and practice honesty and be square and true in that which we say and do."
Pay tithing.President Hinckley said tithing keeps more people out of the temple than any other thing in the Church. "Tithing is a principle with a promise," he said. "Tithing is not so much a matter of money as it is a matter of faith. My dear brethren and sisters, I plead with you — every one of you — to pay your tithing. The Lord has made such marvelous promises to you. He has said that He will open the windows of heaven and pour down blessings upon you. . . . How can He bless you unless you do your part?"
Live the Word of Wisdom. "I don't have to mention that," said President Hinckley. "You don't drink tea, you don't drink coffee, you don't drink alcohol, you don't do any of those things. You are better than that. You have more sense than that."
Resolve their past sins if they have any.
Consider themselves worthy to receive a temple recommend. "When all is said and done, you become the judge to receive a temple recommend," explained President Hinckley. "And if we build a temple here, as I think we will do, you must make the decision for yourself, as to whether you are worthy to enter that House of the Lord.
"I hope, I pray, I plead with you, every one of you, that you so resolve this very day, that you will live worthy to go to the House of the Lord."
