The Air Smells Different: Finding Purity in the Temple and the Celestial Kingdom

Brothers and sisters, have you ever noticed how a change in environment can shift your very perception? David, a new Latter-day Saint, speaks of his first temple experience with a wonder that cuts through the noise of a world consumed by self. He says, “It was the purest thing I had ever been part of.” Like discovering a place untouched by the pervasive scent of cigarette smoke in a bygone era, he recognized a profound absence – the absence of self-interest.

This isn’t merely sentimentality. It’s a glimpse into the very nature of the Celestial Kingdom, a Celestial Embassy as David calls it, where the love of God compels us to act in ways that transcend the grasping for personal gain. We've all felt the weight of that world, the relentless pressure to 'get yours,' to carve out a space for ourselves. But the temple offers a refuge, a place where we can, for a time, lay those burdens down.

Think of Ammon at the Waters of Sebus, offering himself as a sacrifice for his people. Consider Samuel the Lamanite, scaling the walls of Jerusalem, risking his life to deliver a message of warning and hope. These are the echoes of that selfless spirit, the spirit that animates the Kingdom movement. The Stone cut without hands, the five smooth stones – these are not merely symbols, but representations of the power that flows from a heart devoted to God and His work.

David’s experience, steeped in the traditions of Evangelical and Catholic Christianity, highlights the contrast. He recognized the constant striving, the competition that pervades so much of our earthly existence. But in the temple, surrounded by his ward—his family—the air was different. It smelled not of self, but of love, of devotion, of service.

This is the essence of the charity flywheel. Your engagement here, your contributions to the Missionary Fund, your willingness to share the map of churches and connect with fellow builders—it all fuels gospel advertising in places like Ghana, bringing the message of hope and restoration to those who desperately need it. It’s a virtuous cycle, powered by selfless action.

And it’s not just about temple ordinances. As Davee reminds us, drawing from Preach My Gospel, “Member missionaries” are key to this work. Each of us is called to open our mouths and share what we treasure—the knowledge of the restored gospel, the joy of serving others, the hope of eternal life. As Ammon taught, “If ye will give diligence and be faithful…ye shall be ordained to administer in all things…and be filled with the power and glory of God.”

Let us, like Jeremiah, be on fire with the love of God. Let us resist the endless game of chasing wealth and instead focus on building the Kingdom. Let us serve God, and not Mammon. Let us be builders, not destroyers. The time for gathering is now. Claim your church, extend your hand, and let the love of God compel you to action.