Resources
(Select one from each category.)
Children’s Songbook
I Want to Live the Gospel (148)
I Have a Family Tree (199)
Hymns
The Day Dawn Is Breaking (52)
God Is in His Holy Temple (132)
Gospel Art Book
Salt Lake Temple (119)
Temple Baptismal Font (121)
Scriptures
Psalm 24:3–4
Moroni 10:32
Lesson
How would you feel if you invited your friend to play at your house and when he arrived, he was covered in mud? And what if he didn’t wash himself off before entering the house and got the furniture, carpet, and toys dirty? You would probably feel sad, frustrated, and maybe even a little angry.
The temple is God’s house, and He has said that we need to be worthy to enter it. In the Doctrine and Covenants, He said, “And I give unto you, who are the first laborers in this last kingdom, a commandment that you assemble yourselves together, and organize yourselves, and prepare yourselves, and sanctify yourselves; yea, purify your hearts, and cleanse your hands and your feet before me, that I may make you clean” (D&C 88:74).
Because the temple is such a sacred place, we must prepare ourselves before we enter it. We need to be baptized and have a testimony of the gospel. We need to be free of sin. Of course, none of us is perfect, but we need to do our best to keep the commandments of God.
Members of the Church do not receive temple ordinances until they are adults because it takes a long time to prepare for the sacred covenants made in the temple. However, when we turn twelve, we can perform baptisms for the dead. Because the temple is so important to the plan of salvation, we should begin to prepare early, even if we can’t go for many years. We can start by being kind to others, obeying our parents, praying daily, and reading our scriptures. If we make these things a habit, we will not have to make major changes in our lives when it’s time to enter the temple.
Activity
Younger Children: Draw a picture of your favorite temple.
Older Children: See page 80. You can download and print the activity at www.primaryhelper.com/downloads.
Challenge
Choose one habit, such as praying daily or reading the scriptures, that you would like to improve on. Strive each day this week to make it part of your life.
For more lessons, check out I Know the Scriptures Are True.
