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Refuge and Reality: Blessings of the Temple
When the heavy troubles of the real world bombard your soul, where do you go for refuge? The peace and safety of the temple make God's holy house a refuge for many world-weary Saints. When Elder John H. Groberg served as president of the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple, he often encountered Church members who would express their regret at having to leave the temple and reenter the real world. Through treasured experiences and stories, Elder Groberg affirms that the temple represents the real world of the eternities. He That which lasts forever is real; that which does not last forever is not real. The temple is the real world, not this temporal one. As we seek to know our real selves and to see the real beauty in the world and people around us, this inspirational volume will direct our understanding toward the eternal answers found in the temple. The hope and strength we need are Our mortal burdens are made light, empty longing is filled, and when we leave that holy place, we can take with us the real world comfort and power of heaven.
203 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2012
2 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
About the author
John H. Groberg
15 books34 followersElder John H. Groberg has been a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy since April 1976. Prior to his call as a General Authority, he served as a Regional Representative. He is the author of The Other Side of Heaven which is the basis for a movie by the same title.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
September 19, 2018
Really enjoyed this collection of essays from Elder Groberg, told through stories from his time as temple president of the Idaho Falls Temple. I felt encouraged to attend the temple as I read, so I could again feel of the peace and power described in each short but profound chapter.
The title is based off of the thoughts from the first chapter. So often, we think of leaving the temple and going back into “the real world,” but it’s actually the other way around; the world gives us problems that are temporal (disease, poverty, death) whereas the temple is a place of eternal significance - so actually the temple is the “real world.”
Here is another quote I liked:
“Children find love and security in the arms of their parents and peace and safety within the walls of their homes. We are God’s children. The temple is His home on earth, and He wants it to be ours as well. He invites all of us to come home to the temple, where we will feel His love and bask in the aura of heavenly light and love that comes from the expanse of eternity.”
I love that thought. When I moved to Utah, I had a hard time adjusting. I missed Colorado so much. Things felt unfamiliar in my new home. It wasn’t until I went to the temple, my Heavenly Father’s house, that I felt “at home.” Elder Groberg shares some thoughts on that, even referencing the very hymn that had come to my mind as I sat in the celestial room that first visit (“My Shepherd Will Supply My Need”).
Quick and inspiring read. I really liked this book.
The title is based off of the thoughts from the first chapter. So often, we think of leaving the temple and going back into “the real world,” but it’s actually the other way around; the world gives us problems that are temporal (disease, poverty, death) whereas the temple is a place of eternal significance - so actually the temple is the “real world.”
Here is another quote I liked:
“Children find love and security in the arms of their parents and peace and safety within the walls of their homes. We are God’s children. The temple is His home on earth, and He wants it to be ours as well. He invites all of us to come home to the temple, where we will feel His love and bask in the aura of heavenly light and love that comes from the expanse of eternity.”
I love that thought. When I moved to Utah, I had a hard time adjusting. I missed Colorado so much. Things felt unfamiliar in my new home. It wasn’t until I went to the temple, my Heavenly Father’s house, that I felt “at home.” Elder Groberg shares some thoughts on that, even referencing the very hymn that had come to my mind as I sat in the celestial room that first visit (“My Shepherd Will Supply My Need”).
Quick and inspiring read. I really liked this book.
May 12, 2016
Elder Groberg sent us this book of his for Christmas because he included our daughter Annie in it. It was exciting to see her picture as part of the "Jewels in the Lord's Crown" chapter and we're so touched that he would want to include her.
This was a really great book about Elder Groberg's experiences serving as the temple president of the Idaho Falls temple. Each chapter was a different story or experience he had, mostly as he came in contact with people attending the temple who had difficult challenges or special temple experiences. Each chapter was uplifting and inspiring and helped to strengthen my testimony of temples. I set a goal this year to attend the temple more frequently and it's been nice to go more often, but reading this book makes me want to attend the temple even more frequently. It was a great book to remind me really of how special the temples are and how strongly we can feel the spirit there and help us focus on things of eternity which will bring more peace and happiness into our lives.
This was a really great book about Elder Groberg's experiences serving as the temple president of the Idaho Falls temple. Each chapter was a different story or experience he had, mostly as he came in contact with people attending the temple who had difficult challenges or special temple experiences. Each chapter was uplifting and inspiring and helped to strengthen my testimony of temples. I set a goal this year to attend the temple more frequently and it's been nice to go more often, but reading this book makes me want to attend the temple even more frequently. It was a great book to remind me really of how special the temples are and how strongly we can feel the spirit there and help us focus on things of eternity which will bring more peace and happiness into our lives.
July 23, 2013
I loved this book. I only allowed myself to read one chapter a week. It made a great addition to my Sunday reading. I found myself thinking about the chapter I'd read all week and really got alot out of it. I wish there were many more chapters!
February 16, 2019
It was okay. A little too fluffy maybe for my tastes. Some neat stories though. Really loved the first idea he introduces that "the real world" is actually inside the temple, and not vice versa.
November 14, 2019
A collection of stories by Elder Groberg during his time as a temple president. Lots of great insights.
June 28, 2019
The only reason I checked this book out of the library and read it was because of the inspiring story from Chapter 5 titled "What's Wrong With Me?" on p. 24 about a nevermarried, single adult sister who came to see President (of the Idaho Falls Temple) Groberg in his office. He had recently spoke at a Stake Conference she attended but was troubled by his promise to the congregation that if they would attend the temple regularly, they would be blessed with great joy and fulfillment.
And here she was: home from her mission, college graduate, now teaching school, serving in her family ward, attending the temple faithfully, yet, as the years were going by, the one thing she wanted most-temple marriage and family-still wasn't happening and she feared it was her own fault, that despite all her best efforts she must be falling short somewhere as she asked with all earnestness-What's wrong with me?
He assured her to the contrary, sympathized while she was most likely sick and tired of hearing it: she needed to continue to be patient and faithful and the Lord would make sure all the "events" in her life she yearned for would come. A tear ran down her cheek as she nodded repeating the same words thousands of other faithful nevermarried women in the church have been saying since before 2012 (when this book was published) "Thank you, it's just that I thought things would be different, I'll continue to be faithful to my covenants but...sometimes I just get so tired of waiting. Please understand that sometimes it just plain HARD to wait."
Amen.
True to his writing style (much like his other book I recently read, "Eternity is Now," published in 2016 which was a better read) there are many more such inspirational and uplifting stories in this book about the temple, how it brings families (both living and dead) closer together and why we should go.
The only other reason to read this book, if you are a card carrying member, is to find the motivation to take a road trip sometime to Idaho Falls just to attend this temple. That's what I wanted to do after finishing this book. It sounds beautiful.
And here she was: home from her mission, college graduate, now teaching school, serving in her family ward, attending the temple faithfully, yet, as the years were going by, the one thing she wanted most-temple marriage and family-still wasn't happening and she feared it was her own fault, that despite all her best efforts she must be falling short somewhere as she asked with all earnestness-What's wrong with me?
He assured her to the contrary, sympathized while she was most likely sick and tired of hearing it: she needed to continue to be patient and faithful and the Lord would make sure all the "events" in her life she yearned for would come. A tear ran down her cheek as she nodded repeating the same words thousands of other faithful nevermarried women in the church have been saying since before 2012 (when this book was published) "Thank you, it's just that I thought things would be different, I'll continue to be faithful to my covenants but...sometimes I just get so tired of waiting. Please understand that sometimes it just plain HARD to wait."
Amen.
True to his writing style (much like his other book I recently read, "Eternity is Now," published in 2016 which was a better read) there are many more such inspirational and uplifting stories in this book about the temple, how it brings families (both living and dead) closer together and why we should go.
The only other reason to read this book, if you are a card carrying member, is to find the motivation to take a road trip sometime to Idaho Falls just to attend this temple. That's what I wanted to do after finishing this book. It sounds beautiful.
December 20, 2012
This was one of the best books I've read on the temple. I am an admirer of Elder John Groberg's books, and this one was another of his enjoyable books. He has a writing style that just draws you in. I feel like he is telling the story just for me so that I understand the principle he is sharing. His personal experiences make this book so easy to read and take into your life. I read this on my kindle and it is highlighted in the pretty blue highlighting on many of the pages. There were so many thoughts I want to remember and savor. Thank you for writing this precious book.
January 24, 2013
I love the way John Groberg writes. This book is no exception. It's a wonderful book about the blessings of serving in the temple - in all of it's various capacities. It's especially poignant since he was a temple president. The experiences that he shared were real and tender. All of his recollections confirms that we are truly blessed to have temples dot the world. The temple truly is where "the real world" exists. It's easy to read one chapter at a time. They are stand-alone chapters. Not stressful reading at all.
January 27, 2013
I found this book very encouraging and inspiring. Groberg is the man whose missionary experiences are depicted in the movie on the other side of heaven. Here though he shares some of his experiences as a temple president in the Idaho Falls temple. He starts out by pointing out that while some people think of the temple as a refuge from the real world he was blessed to be inspired with the thought-
"That which lasts forever is real: that which does not last forever is not real. The temple is the real world, not the temporal one."
"That which lasts forever is real: that which does not last forever is not real. The temple is the real world, not the temporal one."
February 6, 2018
Written in the style of his other books, with each chapter consisting of a short story followed by the insights that he gained through prayer and pondering, I appreciated this look into the lessons that can be learned when we attend the Temple often.
At times I felt like I was intruding on Elder Groberg’s personal and sacred space; at times I knew I would need to re-read and ponder on what I had just read. This is a book that lends itself to reading it slowly. It also encourages me to go to the temple more often.
At times I felt like I was intruding on Elder Groberg’s personal and sacred space; at times I knew I would need to re-read and ponder on what I had just read. This is a book that lends itself to reading it slowly. It also encourages me to go to the temple more often.
January 28, 2013
One of the most inspiring books written about LDS temple work. I appreciated Elder Groberg's honesty and spiritual sensitivity as he shared sacred experiences that occurred while he served as temple president of the Idaho Falls temple. This book included experiences and insights that helps one better understand and appreciate temple worship, value spiritual prompting, and understand God's perfect love for each of His children.
January 1, 2016
Not the type of book I would normally read - I generally prefer something doctrinal as opposed to anecdotes, but this seemed the perfect thing for me at this time in my life. I loved how Brother Groberg would relate an experience that had happened to him (or to someone he was visiting with) and then describe how The Lord taught him - what he saw, what he felt. These are his reminisces of being a temple president and it was a wonderful book to read.
March 18, 2015
There were so many great insights in this book. It was one I would like to have in my library to study regularly. My favorite was the concept that the temple is the 'real world' because it houses the things of eternity. Where we live isn't the 'real world', it's just temporary. Instead of leaving the temple thinking, "Now I'm ready to face the 'real world'" I will think, "I'm leaving the real world to face the temporary challenges of life."
March 20, 2013
John H. Groberg shares experiences that he had while serving as the temple president of the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, offering readers lessons about the peace, comfort and joy that can come from temple attendance.
These short chapters provide a lot of insight and encouragement. I really enjoyed the messages he shared.
These short chapters provide a lot of insight and encouragement. I really enjoyed the messages he shared.
September 17, 2019
This was nice, but not exactly what I was looking for. I was hoping for something that could enhance my personal temple experience. This was just a collection of nice stories, that Elder Groberg had while he was president of the Idaho Falls Temple. They were sweet, but didn't really help me personally.
January 7, 2013
With our church schedule now at 1:00, I read this whole book in one day. It was a bit different than I expected, but still good--full of practical, real stories about what the temple has done for others and can do for everyone.
January 11, 2013
After reading this book I'm hoping to get to the Idaho Falls Temple the next time I'm in that area. The book is a compilation of experiences in the life of the author, most having to do with the temple. My reasons for giving service in the temple were strengthened from this book.
December 11, 2017
Considering my life-altering experiences with his other books and my current obsession with the Temple I am CONSIDERABLE excited to read this one! I LOVE THIS MAN! (Just waiting for the new-book price to go down just a bit...) :)
February 13, 2013
A wonderful book about the temple! Everyone that has been to the temple or anyone working on going to the temple should read this! Made me even more grateful that this is my temple! I was endowed and married in the Idaho Falls Temple!
November 12, 2012
A good book that acts as a great reminder of the importance of regular temple attendance.
December 8, 2012
Helped me to remember the reasons why regular temple attendance is so important.
January 15, 2013
This was an amazing book that discussed the blessings of the Temple, along with the other doctrinal points the author learned while serving as a Temple President.
January 6, 2013
I love the stories that teach principles! It has inspired change in me and that is a good book!!!
March 28, 2013
This was an outstanding book. It was wonderful to read about every day experiences that strengthen out spiritual commitments.
April 3, 2013
I would recommend this book. After reading this book it helps the reader love the temple even more than before.
January 4, 2017
A very deep and powerful book.
May 26, 2018
3.5 Stars. I didn't underline much in this book, but it was a sweet message inspiring me to draw nearer to the Lord by going to his Temple.
August 27, 2021
I love all of John H Groberg's books. I feel closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ after each book that I read. I feel closer to heaven! There is so much more in this world than we think. There are so many jewels in ALL OF HIS BOOKS. John Groberg is a person who gives all glory to our God. My Dad and I loved discussing the many lessons What Groberg taught us. 5 books. Hidden jewels. I probably will read them all again.
September 13, 2024
This book had so many good stories and quotes. It intrigued me to find out how the temple is “the real world” and how since the temples are actually Christ’s home we can find refuge there as he has overcome every storm. It was interesting to read the ponderings of a temple president and come to understand some of the things he learned. It touched my heart on a few occasions as I’ve experienced similar situations he described.
February 2, 2024
Foi ótimo ler as histórias e as experiências que o Elder Groberg teve enquanto servia como presidente do templo de Idaho Falls. Tem muitos pensamentos e ideias que nos ajudam a ter uma experiência mais significativa no templo.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews