Excerpt
When life shakes, covenants hold. The temple is where Jesus Christ strengthens my foundation so I can stand steady through any upheaval.
Intro
I drove west to Tooele Valley for a late-afternoon proxy endowment at the new Deseret Peak Temple. It became a 5‑hour sacred errand—2 hours round‑trip, 2 hours in ordinance and 30 quiet minutes in the Celestial Room, and 1 hour making photographs at last light. President Nelson’s words about foundations felt tailor‑made for this day.
Notes from President Nelson
• The Salt Lake Temple’s seismic retrofit is a living parable: strengthen the foundation to withstand future shaking.
• Our safest spiritual place is inside our temple covenants.
• The temple centers us on Jesus Christ—His doctrine, ordinances, and power.
• The Restoration continues; methods adjust by revelation while doctrine remains.
• If distance or health limits attendance, rehearse your covenants and let Him teach you.
• Go more often, not less; the temple becomes safety, solace, and revelation.
• Build now—before the spiritual earthquakes come.
Perspective — direct quotes
“Whenever any kind of upheaval occurs in your life, the safest place to be spiritually is living inside your temple covenants.”
“How firm is your foundation?”
“Everything taught in the temple increases our understanding of Jesus Christ.”
Practice — today, not someday
- Foundation checks: After each temple visit, write one way I’ll anchor to Christ this week.
- Covenant rehearsal: Set a weekly 10‑minute block to review the promises I’ve made and the power He offers.
- Regular appointments: Put the next proxy session on the calendar before leaving the parking lot.
Final Reflection
Looking through the arch toward a glowing House of the Lord, I felt why foundations matter. The drive, the ordinance, the quiet—each pressed me deeper into the covenant path. Cameras can’t capture the weight of peace, but they can remind me where it’s found. President Nelson’s plea is mercifully simple: strengthen the foundation now. The shaking will come; Christ holds.
Pocket I’m Keeping
“Safest place to be—inside my temple covenants.”
What I Hear Now — direct quotes
“If ye are prepared ye shall not fear.”
“How firm a foundation.”
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