There is a sacred relationship between temples and the home, said Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Seventy in his Sunday afternoon conference address.
He began by telling about a time his sons were driven to a place unfamiliar to them by their grandfather in Cache Valley, Utah, near Logan. The grandfather asked the boys if they thought they were lost.
"Following a moment of silent assessment came the profound reply of a young child. 'Look,' he said pointing his finger. 'Grandpa, you are never lost when you can see the temple.' Our eyes turned, focusing with his, seeing the sun glistening off the spires of the Logan Temple across the valley."
Elder Stevenson added, "You are never lost when you can see the temple. The temple will provide direction for you and your family in a world filled with chaos."
He spoke of King Benjamin's people, gathering to hear his address as recorded in the Book of Mormon, having their tent doors toward the temple. Following the counsel of prophets "will turn the doors of our homes more fully towards the temple," he said.
Then he drew a parallel between the temple and homes. "Not only can we turn the doors of our homes to the temple, or the 'House of the Lord,' we can make our homes a house of the Lord," he said.
He suggested that all should take a virtual tour or their homes using spiritual eyes, checking for such things as order and cleanliness, the display of uplifting images including of temples and the Savior, wholesome entertainment offerings, and areas conducive to prayer and scripture study. The tour, he said, would probably show a need for some "home improvement," but "hopefully not an 'extreme home makeover.' "
"There exists a righteous unity between the temple and the home," Elder Stevenson said. "Understanding the eternal nature of the temple will draw you to your family; understanding the eternal nature of the family will draw you to the temple."
