"Be restored to the blessings which thou hast ordained to be poured out upon all those who shall reverence thee in thy house." (Doctrine and Covenants 109:21)

It is difficult to overstate the need for reverence in our increasingly noisy world. "Reverence" is frequently thought of in terms of behavior, but reverent behavior must be founded upon a reverent attitude.

"President Thomas S. Monson said in a Salt Lake Temple seminar held August 23, 1988, that reverence, more than being quiet, is an attitude of respect" (Church News Viewpoint, Jan. 20, 2009).

Elder L. Tom Perry said, "While I believe that reverence is often exhibited through reverent behaviors, it is not behaviors that concern me now. I want to discuss reverence as an attitude — an attitude of deepest respect and veneration toward Deity. Of course, reverent behaviors follow reverent attitudes, but it is the attitude of reverence that we need to cultivate first among our members. Reverent behaviors without reverent attitudes are empty of meaning because they are performed for the praises of men, not God" (Ensign, November 1990).

There are times and places where a reverent attitude is especially important. In speaking of the sacrament and sacrament meeting, Elder Dallin H. Oaks noted that "when we join in the solemnity that should always accompany the ordinance of the sacrament and the worship of this meeting — we are qualified for the companionship and revelation of the spirit. This is the way we get direction for our lives and peace along the way" (Ensign, November 2008).

Elder Dennis B. Neuenschwander has spoken of holy places and sacred spaces. "Holy places have always been essential to the proper worship of God. For Latter-day Saints, such holy places include venues of historic significance, our homes, sacrament meetings, and temples. Much of what we reverence, and what we teach our children to reverence as holy and sacred, is reflected in these places. The faith and reverence associated with them and the respect we have for what transpires or has transpired in them make them holy. The importance of holy places and sacred space in our worship can hardly be overestimated" (Ensign, May 2003).

Of course, "the temple deserves the greatest level of reverence we can offer" (Church News Viewpoint, Jan. 20, 2009). Indeed, at the dedication of the Kirtland Temple, the Prophet Joseph Smith prayed that those who speedily repent and return to God would be restored to their blessings as they "reverence thee in thy house" (Doctrine and Covenants 109:21).

"Reverence leads to a quiet transformation in life. The Lord will pour out His Spirit more abundantly on those who are reverent. They are less troubled and confused. They are able to receive revelation to help them solve personal and family problems" (Reverence, topic definition, www.lds.org).

Joseph A. Cannon is editor of the Deseret News.

E-MAIL: cannon@desnews.com