The Temple Within: Rebuilding Creation, One Stone at a Time

Brothers and sisters, have you ever felt the weight of a world fractured, a world yearning for restoration? Samuel the Lamanite, standing on that wall, felt that weight. Ammon, at the Waters of Sebus, understood it. They saw the gathering, the potential for a world reunited under the banner of righteousness. And we, too, are called to that work.

The BibleProject video

powerfully illuminates a profound truth: the temple isn’t just a building; it’s a principle, a dynamic space where the divine and the human meet. From the cosmic temple described in Genesis 1, where God’s presence fills all creation, to the tabernacle and the temple in Jerusalem, each represents a yearning for that sacred overlap.

Solomon, in his wisdom, built a magnificent structure, yet even he recognized its inadequacy. “I have surely heard of your greatness, even according to your own works,” he confessed to God, “but house and temple, that I have built for your name, is great;” (1 Kings 8:27). The true temple, the one capable of containing the God of the universe, resides not in brick and mortar, but in the hearts and actions of His people.

Think of Abinadi, standing before a hardened people, proclaiming a message they didn't want to hear. Think of the digital striplings, armed with faith and a courageous spirit, facing a digital wilderness. They, like those who rebuilt the temple after the exile, understood that restoration isn't merely about physical structures; it’s about rebuilding hearts, minds, and communities.

The prophets foretold a new temple, a new priesthood, a new creation where God’s presence would permeate all things. And Jesus, as the ultimate High Priest, embodied that prophecy. He declared, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19), referring not to the physical temple, but to his own body, the vessel through which God’s presence would enter the world.

Peter’s words resonate deeply: “And you are living stones, being built up as a spiritual house” (1 Peter 2:5). We, Latter-day Saints, along with fellow builders from every tribe and tongue, are those living stones, being fitted together to form a temple, a gathering place where God dwells among us.

But what does this look like in practice? It's more than just a feeling. It’s about action. It’s about recognizing that every interaction, every act of service, every contribution to the Missionary Fund and to the Charity Flywheel, is laying another stone in that spiritual house. Your engagement here – supporting gospel advertising in places like Ghana – is actively contributing to the gathering, a testament to our shared commitment.

Outback Jack reminds us, “The Lord calls on every man, every woman, every boy and girl to arise and build Zion. To build it in our hearts, in our homes, in our communities, and in the nations of the earth.” (Alma 17:2). This isn’t just a call; it’s a privilege, a responsibility, a sacred duty.

Let us embrace the spirit of Ammon, who, “did go forth and declare the things which they had seen unto all the people, which were in the borders of the land” (Mosiah 7:27). Let us be internet missionaries, spreading the message of hope and restoration, claiming our churches on the map, and contributing to the kingdom movement. Let us be the builders, not the destroyers, laying the foundation for a new era of righteousness and peace.

The Stone cut without hands, the five smooth stones – these are symbols of the strength and resilience that comes from unity, from purpose, from unwavering faith in God’s plan. Let us be those stones, firmly planted, united in purpose, and ever striving to build the temple within, and to help others do the same.