Be Active in Doing the Lord's Work
I've wondered if a slowdown or stoppage in the construction of temples might indicate the coming of the time when tribulations and persecution will be increasing.
However, after our stake conference priesthood leadership meeting a few weeks ago, it occurred to me, after a statement made by the visiting member of the Seventy, that temple construction will continue as much as it possibility can. Temples will close as needed for remodeling and refurbishment, and they will open. Most likely this will continue to happen right up until the time a gathering is called.
The reason is this:
"Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing." (Matthew 24:46, https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/24.46?lang=eng#p45).
and the same is in Luke:
"Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing." (Luke 12:43, https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/luke/12.43?lang=eng#p42)
But look at Joseph Smith-Matthew
"Blessed is that servant whom his lord, when he cometh, shall find so doing; and verily I say unto you, he shall make him ruler over all his goods." (https://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/js-m/1.50?lang=eng#p49)
And the inspired translation changes Joseph Smith made to the passage in Luke:
"And verily I say unto you, He hath already come, as it is written of him; and again when he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, blessed are those servants when he cometh, that he shall find so doing; "(https://www.lds.org/scriptures/jst/jst-luke/12.42,52?lang=eng#p41).
The servants who are blessed when the Savior returns are those found doing his work. They are not those who hide their light because they expect some destruction to come.
That said, when the time comes for the Lord to lead his faithful to safety, they will need to heed the call to gather. The places of refuge will not be for hiding, although many will likely be hidden from the wicked. The places of refuge will be for protection. Those who gather will not be hiding from, as in being afraid of, the world, but will be gathered for a time of greater protection and preparation. Following that time will come a huge push for the saints to seek out the righteous from every part of the world. This is where the calling of the 144,000 high priests, along with many others, comes into play, to aid in the gathering.
Basically, the Church is doing all that it can to help bring people to Christ. Part of that work includes the ordinances of the temple.
So, for as long as the Church is able to do so, temples will continue to be built, and older ones will be closed, remodeled, and re-opened when needed.
It may very well be that there will be unfinished temples when times get exceptionally difficult, and when a gathering may occur.
However, after our stake conference priesthood leadership meeting a few weeks ago, it occurred to me, after a statement made by the visiting member of the Seventy, that temple construction will continue as much as it possibility can. Temples will close as needed for remodeling and refurbishment, and they will open. Most likely this will continue to happen right up until the time a gathering is called.
The reason is this:
"Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing." (Matthew 24:46, https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/24.46?lang=eng#p45).
and the same is in Luke:
"Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing." (Luke 12:43, https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/luke/12.43?lang=eng#p42)
But look at Joseph Smith-Matthew
"Blessed is that servant whom his lord, when he cometh, shall find so doing; and verily I say unto you, he shall make him ruler over all his goods." (https://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/js-m/1.50?lang=eng#p49)
And the inspired translation changes Joseph Smith made to the passage in Luke:
"And verily I say unto you, He hath already come, as it is written of him; and again when he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, blessed are those servants when he cometh, that he shall find so doing; "(https://www.lds.org/scriptures/jst/jst-luke/12.42,52?lang=eng#p41).
The servants who are blessed when the Savior returns are those found doing his work. They are not those who hide their light because they expect some destruction to come.
That said, when the time comes for the Lord to lead his faithful to safety, they will need to heed the call to gather. The places of refuge will not be for hiding, although many will likely be hidden from the wicked. The places of refuge will be for protection. Those who gather will not be hiding from, as in being afraid of, the world, but will be gathered for a time of greater protection and preparation. Following that time will come a huge push for the saints to seek out the righteous from every part of the world. This is where the calling of the 144,000 high priests, along with many others, comes into play, to aid in the gathering.
Basically, the Church is doing all that it can to help bring people to Christ. Part of that work includes the ordinances of the temple.
So, for as long as the Church is able to do so, temples will continue to be built, and older ones will be closed, remodeled, and re-opened when needed.
It may very well be that there will be unfinished temples when times get exceptionally difficult, and when a gathering may occur.
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