By Kimber Holt
*Sunday afternoon session
Sister Elaine S. Dalton, second counselor in the Young Women General Presidency, spoke in the Sunday afternoon session of general conference about the importance of temple work in the latter-days.
?When I was young, my Grandfather Martin taught me that in the latter-days that temples would literally dot the earth,? Sister Dalton said. ?At the time, my grandfather expressed this thought to me I could hardly imagine it, but I was raised with this knowledge and feeling in my heart. Recently, I looked on the church?s Web site under temples, and I could plainly see that the temples designated by red dots are starting to get spread over much of the earth.?
Sister Dalton said President Hinckley is determined to bring temples to people all over the world and give them the opportunity to receive the blessings that come from worshipping there.
?Our prophet knows that it is difficult to do temple work if we are not near a temple,? Sister Dalton said. ?This is our day, and temple work is the work that we have been prepared to do. It is the work for every generation including and especially the youth of the church.?
Sister Dalton said programs, such as Personal Progress and Duty to God, encourage youth to be worthy to attend the temple.
?These programs are designed to help youth make and keep commitments,? Sister Dalton said. ?Thus preparing them to make and keep covenants ? Our youth do not have to wait until a mission or marriage to visit the temple. They can have temple experiences beginning at age 12 by doing baptisms and confirmations. And these can continue throughout their teen and adult years. Great blessings will literally be poured out upon those who are endowed in the temples and a portion of these blessings will come to our youth as they live worthily to participate in the house of the Lord.?
She said she wondered how to turn the hearts of the children to their fathers.
?This can only happen when we understand our identity and roles in this work and remain worthy and prepare to enter the temple and act on behalf of those who have gone before,? Sister Dalton said.
Temple work cannot be done unless members are worthy to enter the Lord?s house, she said.
?No wonder we are surrounded on every side with things designed to discourage, distract, or disqualify us,? Sister Dalton said. ?We must keep our focus, and we must remember that the temple is the reason for everything we do in the church.?
Sister Dalton encouraged members to strive to be worthy to enter the temple.
?It is my prayer that we might understand our role in this great work and remain worthy to enter His temples. I know that if we will do this the joyful day will come when we can meet our ancestors once again. And be able to say we did this for you.?