Elder Gary E. Stevenson on home as a temple

Elder Gary E. Stevenson (b. August 5, 1955) was called as a Seventy in 2008, then as Presiding Bishop in 2012. He was called as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in October 2015.

"Recently, in a stake conference, all present were invited by the visiting authority, Elder Glen Jenson, an Area Seventy, to take a virtual tour of their homes using their spiritual eyes. I would like to invite each of you to do this also. Wherever your home may be and whatever its configuration, the application of eternal gospel principles within its walls is universal.

"Let’s begin. Imagine that you are opening your front door and walking inside your home. What do you see, and how do you feel? Is it a place of love, peace, and refuge from the world, as is the temple? Is it clean and orderly? As you walk through the rooms of your home, do you see uplifting images which include appropriate pictures of the temple and the Savior? Is your bedroom or sleeping area a place for personal prayer? Is your gathering area or kitchen a place where food is prepared and enjoyed together, allowing uplifting conversation and family time? Are scriptures found in a room where the family can study, pray, and learn together? Can you find your personal gospel study space? Does the music you hear or the entertainment you see, online or otherwise, offend the Spirit? Is the conversation uplifting and without contention?

"That concludes our tour. Perhaps you, as I, found a few spots that need some 'home improvement'—hopefully not an 'extreme home makeover.'

"Whether our living space is large or small, humble or extravagant, there is a place for each of these gospel priorities in each of our homes."

- Gary E. Stevenson, "Sacred Homes, Sacred Temples," General Conference April 2009
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It's an interesting exercise, to compare our home to a temple. Elder Stevenson suggests aspects of the temple that could apply to our home setting and help to create the "refuge from the world" that would bless our families in current challenging times. Even the outward appearance of the rooms and arrangements can have a significant impact on how we feel and how we act when we are there!

Most of us definitely can find areas needing "home improvement" in this exercise. I hope we feel the blessings of actually following this advice and striving to create a more holy place in our home.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2018)