Look to the temple.

I was thinking, why do people say this phrase all the time, to "look to the temple." Those against the church say it's a way of brainwashing and manipulation towards its members. The church says it is because of the sacred ordinances thereof. 

The church is right, it's because of the sacred ordinances. But there is a greater purpose behind why we look to the temple besides the ordinances. 

It's because when we look to the temple, we are looking to Christ. Christ looked after others, not himself. 

Members of the church go to the temple most of the time to complete ordinances for people who have already passed on. 

We are baptized members of the church outside temple walls. Inside temple walls we baptize and confirm others who did not have a chance to do that while on this earth. (See John 3:5)  We are not looking to ourselves when going, but are looking to others. We are helping them do something, and they can accept it. Even if they have left this earth. 

Another ordinance members perform in temples is the endowment. Endowment means gift, or bestowal. It is a blessing recieved from on high. We complete this ordinance for ourselves in the temple, and after that, for others. The same for the sealing (eternal marriage.) 

In the beginning of the book of Mosiah in the Book of Mormon it speaks of a great prophet by the name of King Benjamin. He had 3 sons and one of them was named Mosiah. Mosiah was chosen as King. Mosiah made a proclamation throughout the land that people gather and hear the great words of Benjamin. A great number of people came to the temple to hear him speak. So many that there wasn't enough room in the temple to instruct them all. 

They pitched there tents around the temple. Every man having his tent with the door towards the temple. (Mosiah 2:6) Looking to the temple. Looking towards the prophet. Looking to succor the words of Christ. 

I don't think the people in the land of Zarahemla just put the doors toward the temple to sit to listen. It was because they wanted to look unto the temple. Every morning the first thing, to walk out and see it there. To remember it. 

Today we all don't have the luxury of having a temple across the street, or even being able to see it often. But we can remember it in our lives. We can ponder every day what we have felt in the temple, and what we look for every time we go. The temple can be within us. 

So remember the temple. Study the teachings of it. Look towards it always. It will be your beacon of Light in the midst of the things of the world.

(www.ldschurchtemples.com)