President Thomas S. Monson on the blessings of temple service and worship

President Thomas S. Monson (1927–2018) was sustained to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1963. He served as a counselor in the First Presidency with Presidents Benson, Hunter, and Hinckley and then became Church president in 2008. He led the Church for almost a decade until his passing in January 2018.
President Thomas S. Monson on the blessings of temples

"Now, my young friends who are in your teenage years, always have the temple in your sights. Do nothing which will keep you from entering its doors and partaking of the sacred and eternal blessings there. I commend those of you who already go to the temple regularly to perform baptisms for the dead, arising in the very early hours of the morning so you can participate in such baptisms before school begins. I can think of no better way to start a day.

"To you parents of young children, may I share with you some sage advice from President Spencer W. Kimball. Said he: 'It would be a fine thing if … parents would have in every bedroom in their house a picture of the temple so [their children] from the time [they are] infant[s] could look at the picture every day [until] it becomes a part of [their lives]. When [they reach] the age that [they need] to make [the] very important decision [concerning going to the temple], it will have already been made.' (TSWK 301)

"Our children sing in Primary:
I love to see the temple.
I’ll go inside someday.
I’ll cov’nant with my Father;
I’ll promise to obey. (Children’s Songbook, 95.)

"I plead with you to teach your children of the temple’s importance.

"The world can be a challenging and difficult place in which to live. We are often surrounded by that which would drag us down. As you and I go to the holy houses of God, as we remember the covenants we make within, we will be more able to bear every trial and to overcome each temptation. In this sacred sanctuary we will find peace; we will be renewed and fortified."

- Thomas S. Monson, "The Holy Temple—a Beacon to the World," General Conference April 2011
Click here to read or listen to the full talk

Children and youth can begin to appreciate temple blessings as they anticipate, and then participate in, their own temple service and worship. President Monson commends good efforts that have been made and encourages us to continue to share that blessing with the rising generation. And then he offers this counsel to adults:

Temple attendance truly can bless our lives by helping us remember our covenants, giving perspective in dealing with challenges, and helping us become "renewed and fortified" with the peace that we find there. It's no surprise that all of our recent prophets have been encouraging more frequent temple attendance as we deal with the challenges of our modern world.

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