Have you ever noticed, when you walk into the temple, how clean it is? I’ve never seen a speck of lint, or carpet fuzz—I’ve never seen a cobweb, let alone a whole spider. My sister used to work in the temple and they would go in every night and polish the place until it shone, even making sure that all the vacuum marks in the carpet pointed the right way. They did this to show their reverence for God and respect for His house, and when we go in to worship, we are welcomed by the clean and fresh surroundings and are not distracted by fingerprints on the glass. This is how the House of the Lord should be.
We have been told that our homes are also sacred places where the Spirit dwells, and that we should maintain an atmosphere that is conducive to that spirit. I have many more than one fingerprint. I can see a cobweb from where I’m sitting (although no spider – spiders know they don’t live long around here, so they tend to run for it). I have laundry stacked up on the couch, and to be honest, this house doesn’t feel conducive to much of anything right now. Consequently, when I sit down to read my scriptures, my mind keeps wandering to all the things I should be doing, rather than concentrating on the word of the Lord.
I believe this is one of the main reasons we are counseled to keep our homes in order. It’s not to pick on us or give us busy work – the Spirit feels more comfortable in a clean house. I know the laundry is keeping me from feeling peaceful right now—how can I expect anyone to feel comfortable here, let alone a Holy Presence like the Spirit?
I’ve noticed, too, that when my house is clean, my children fight less. My husband and I get along better. It’s easier to find loving words when you’re not digging through the sink to find the can opener. Establishing a house of order is a God-given tool to help us find peace in all areas of our lives.
I’ve got a bunch of housework to do over the next few days. With four small children, I’m not at all assured that it will stay clean, but I’ll have a sense of accomplishment when I’m finished, my husband will have clean socks, and my children will be able to find their favorite toys. And I’ll be able to concentrate on my scriptures without a four-page litany of all the things I “should” be doing running through my head.
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