Section 163:8a
The Temple Calls

For Further Reflection and Discussion

1. Read Doctrine and Covenants 85:36b–c. Which phrase that begins with establishing “a house of…” speaks directly to you? How does this document help inform your understanding of the purposes of the Temple? What spiritual connections do you see between the Independence Temple and the Kirtland “House of the Lord”?

2. Using Doctrine and Covenants Section 161 as a starting point, what do you think it means to “become a people of the Temple”? How do you see this relating to the foundational understandings in Doctrine and Covenants Section 156:5?

3. Draw figure 1 on a chalkboard or poster board. First, identify where you think major Christian denominations have been located in the past. In which quadrants do you see those groups expanding more recently? What characteristics in each quadrant can be found within Community of Christ?

4. The author quotes Phyllis Tickle, who believes a new form of Christianity is emerging in the twenty-first century, one that is constantly moving from quadrant to quadrant. What evidence of that, if any, do you see in contemporary Christianity?

5. What do you think the author means when he writes, “…our spiritual journey is that of an ‘exile people,’ whose only real home is a kingdom yet to be realized on earth as it is in heaven”?

6. This commentary concludes by relating the Temple to the ministry of Jesus Christ, including his cross and resurrection. Should Jesus Christ be central to everything we say and do in regard to the Temple? Why?

Discernment Activity

Rich Brown’s article explores some meanings of “temple” and our quest to follow God through ongoing processes of faith development. The Temple, as an instrument of revelation, invites us to be drawn into sacred space, where we are more present to the Divine. We are shaped by spending time in sacred space, whether it is in the Independence Temple or Kirtland Temple or any space we enter with the intent of being reverently attentive to God.

Sacred Space and Formational Patterns

1. Do a short “walkabout” in and around your home. Are there any spaces in your house, yard, or garden that could be identified as sacred spaces? Locate one or more that could potentially draw you into being present to God. What is it about this space that opens you to God’s presence or nurtures your sense of the Holy? Do you already spend time in this space on a regular basis? Why or why not, and what do you do in this?
2. Choose one of the sacred spaces you have identified and spend time sitting there with questions about the patterns that form your identity as a disciple.
3. Reflect on the spiral shape of the Independence Temple. If you have not visited the Temple, you may want to locate a photo or online image of the Temple spiral.
4. Prayerfully reflect and/or journal on the inner and outer parts of your life as a disciple as you think about or image the inner and outer spiraling architecture of the Temple.
5. Reflection/Journaling Questions:

• What is happening in the inner space of your life? How are you opening to God’s movement through prayer, silence, scripture reflection, or other spiritual disciplines? What moves you into the center with God?
• What is happening in the outer, active space of your life? How are you discerning and responding to God’s movement in acts of compassion, service, kindness, justice, and generosity? What inspires you to move, act, serve, or give?
• How are the inner and outer aspects of your life supporting and giving life to each other? Where is there balance and wholeness? Where is there imbalance, excess, or weakness?

6. Covenant with yourself and God to spend regular time in your sacred space, giving prayerful attention to the spiritual pathways that are shaping your discipleship.
   
   —Discernment activity by Carolyn Brock