Temple preparation

I am often asked by my non member friends what happens in a temple. Having been taught outside and inside a temple that what happens there is sacred, I have always struggled to find the words to share the beautiful experiences I have had there. The prophet Ezra Taft Benson made this statement in his First Presidency message What I Hope You Would Teach Your Children about the Temple: "The temple is a sacred place, and the ordinances in the temple are of  a sacred character. Because of its sacredness we are sometimes reluctant to say anything about the temple to our children and grandchildren. As a consequence, many do not develop a real desire to go to the temple, or when they go there, they do so without much background to prepare them for the obligations and covenants they enter into. I believe a proper understanding or background will immeasurable help prepare our youth for the temple." President Benson went on to give us multiple resources in the scriptures to use when we teach others about the temple. I can look back on how my own parents talked about the temple and see how well they prepared me to go to the temple. When I went for the first time I was confused by how familiar everything was, I had heard it my whole life. I had listened to so many people speak in such a way as to make it seam mysterious and odd that I felt a little let down by not learning anything profound. It is only now that I am older and have gone many times to the temple that I continue to learn great things, and recognize how vital it is to continue temple attendance to learn more. 

A dear Relief Society teacher, that is also a temple worker, just spoke to my ward about the vast resources that are available through the church website. Videos about what happens in the temple, the clothing that is worn in the temple, and the work done by proxy for the dead in the temple. Though what happens in the temple is sacred, it is not a secret. I feel much better prepared to teach my children about the temple and to help instill in them a desire to go there for themselves.