A former president of BYU and his wife discussed the significance of coming unto Christ through temple attendance in a talk during the Women's Conference Thursday afternoon.

"Temple ordinances provide access to the atoning powers that bring eternal life," said Marilyn S. Bateman, matron of the Provo, Utah temple.

Provo temple President Merrill J. Bateman and his wife, were the concluding speakers at Thursday's Conference.

At the conclusion of the Book of Mormon, Moroni gives a final plea for all men to come unto Christ and be perfected in him. President and Sister Bateman related this plea to temple attendance.

Sister Bateman said in order to become yoked with Christ, one must obey the first principles of the gospel - faith, repentance, baptism and receiving the Holy Ghost - and then must receive the ordinances of the temple. She explained that these ordinances lead to the highest degree of the Celestial Kingdom. Through these ordinances, in concordance with righteous living, one will come unto Christ.

Furthermore, Sister Bateman said by serving others through temple attendance, one becomes a savior on Mt. Zion. She said this not only "opens doors for prisoners to come out of prison, but refines us in the process."

It is through the temple that all of the ordinances in the kingdom are performed, President Bateman said. The ordinances bring a fullness of the Holy Ghost.

Parents can also help their children come unto Christ by modeling their homes after temple patterns. President Bateman listed five ways in which a family can model their home: use only gentle voices in the home, teach and train children in their responsibilities, begin each day with prayer, treat everyone with kindness and respect and keep the home clean and orderly.

President Bateman said these practices will produce an environment conducive of spiritual growth.

Of the 4,200 workers at the Provo temple, over half of them are women.

"The most important work on earth could not go forth without you," President Bateman said, in reference to the women at the conference.

He and his wife urge all worthy people to reestablish a pattern of regular temple attendance in order to gain the blessings that come from drawing closer to Christ.



Copyright Brigham Young University 2 May 2008