TOMMYCOME UP TO THE MOUNTAIN OF THE LORD?
Many of you may be wondering out of everything we possibly could've chosen, why did we choose this phrase as the theme?
Why do we use the "Mountain of the Lord" instead of the word "temple?"
And why don't we just say "Come to the Mountain?"
It's a fantastic theme, don't get me wrong; but why?
At first I wasn't sure, but after a little instruction, I see how important and deep these words really are.
Back in Old Testament times, before temples or even tabernacles, where did the prophets go for instruction?
Where was it that Abraham almost sacrificed Isaac?
Where did Moses see the burning bush?
Where did he receive the Ten Commandments?
Um...a mountain?
(Ding. Ding. Ding. CORRECT!)
Our prophets went up into the mountain to commune with God and learn things which He wanted His people to do. But, why a mountain?
Doesn't the Lord deserve the best possible place?
Doesn't He deserve a platform far above the others?
The mountain is significant because it represents going up and climbing higher to be with the Lord. And WE must go UP to the mountain! The phrase "Come Up" is signficant because it challenges us to better ourselves and reach the Lord's standards. We must prepare ourselves so that we may enter the Lord's "mountain".
My friends, the temples will be ready for His work very soon. I challenge all of us to better ourselves and go the extra mile and give our Savior everything we can when we enter into the temple.
I hope everyone is as excited as I am for a temple being built so close...
but I have to remember to go UP to it.
So, please...COME UP to the Mountain of the Lord!
Posts
What an excellent way to look at it! After what you said, I will think differently about the temple and its meaning. We truly do have to "come up" to the temple-there's certain standards that must be kept. I hope all the youth can remember that "coming up" takes effort, and it's definitely not easy, but it's well worth it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for explaining everything. This is a GREAT theme!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the thought Tommy, that is really a cool thing to think about. I'm really excited to have something to look forward and prepare myself for!
ReplyDeleteI love that thought, I didn't realize that the theme implied we had to raise the bar to come UP to the mountain. The temple is such a good reminder to always try to improve.
ReplyDeleteDid you know Utah is Ute Native American "In the mountains"? So the scripture in Isaiah says, "And the temple in those last days will be built in the mountains". If you fix it it says, "And the temple in those last days will be built in Utah!". The interesting thing is that the saints wanted Utah to be called Deseret but were overuled, and now that scripture can be read quite literally.
ReplyDeleteThat is so amazing, Tommy! I never thought of it like that before. The Savior is always reaching out to build us up. By going to the temple we show Him that we want to be more like Him. The temple reminds us of our true potential.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that thought Tommy! I was so overwhelmed with the Spirit and know that this is what we're supposed to do. We do indeed need to go UP to the mountain and always work to better ourselves to be worthy of going to the temple. Thanks again friend!
ReplyDeleteMikaela
That is such a great insight. We DO need to Come Up to the mountain and raise the bar. When we come up to the mountain we want to do better and be worthy to enter Gods house!
ReplyDelete