WHY the theme?

TOMMY

COME UP TO THE MOUNTAIN OF THE LORD?

Many of you may be wondering out of everything we possibly could've chosen, why did we choose this phrase as the theme?
Why do we use the "Mountain of the Lord" instead of the word "temple?"
And why don't we just say "Come to the Mountain?"
It's a fantastic theme, don't get me wrong; but why?

At first I wasn't sure, but after a little instruction, I see how important and deep these words really are.

Back in Old Testament times, before temples or even tabernacles, where did the prophets go for instruction?
Where was it that Abraham almost sacrificed Isaac?
Where did Moses see the burning bush?
Where did he receive the Ten Commandments?
Um...a mountain?
(Ding. Ding. Ding. CORRECT!)

Our prophets went up into the mountain to commune with God and learn things which He wanted His people to do. But, why a mountain?
Doesn't the Lord deserve the best possible place?
Doesn't He deserve a platform far above the others?

The mountain is significant because it represents going up and climbing higher to be with the Lord. And WE must go UP to the mountain! The phrase "Come Up" is signficant because it challenges us to better ourselves and reach the Lord's standards. We must prepare ourselves so that we may enter the Lord's "mountain".

My friends, the temples will be ready for His work very soon. I challenge all of us to better ourselves and go the extra mile and give our Savior everything we can when we enter into the temple.

I hope everyone is as excited as I am for a temple being built so close...
but I have to remember to go UP to it.

So, please...COME UP to the Mountain of the Lord!