No Regrets About Temple Service (and No Boredom)

It was ironic that I passed up an opportunity to serve in the temple yesterday, and then in the Elders' Quorum today we had a lesson about temples.  During the lesson I spoke to a thought I've had before: I never regret going to the temple.  And I know I should go very soon.


I've heard the life philosophy that people should live their lives without regret.  There's potentially something laudable about this way of thinking and it could potentially also be eternally disastrous.  Regret and sorrow are an enabling and motivating factor in repentance, which is crucial to our salvation; some people ignore feelings of regret and thus never right the wrongs they commit, which is detrimental beyond mortal understanding.  However, if we're determined to do what we know is right regardless of other consequences, taking action without fear of regret could be a good thing.


A determination to do what is right is what is important.  Something I've also heard is that a way to judge our actions is by asking ourselves, "Will I regret this later?", and the other way of living with less regret is to deliberately choose to do what we know God desires of us.


There have certainly been times in the past when I knew I could go serve in the temple, but didn't feel that I wanted to.  I felt like doing other things.  Admittedly, I'm selfish, and I like to do things that are fun.  But every time I choose temple service in spite of those feelings, I'm glad I did.  I've never regretted temple service; I've never walked away saying, "Man, I wish I'd done that other thing instead."


I never walk away from the temple with more money, in better shape, or higher in the esteem of the world, but I walk away with a simple peace and certainty that I did what I should.


While I'm on the topic of "never" and the temple, I'll note that despite the fact that temple service is both very quiet and very repetitive, I'm never bored there.  Ever.  To an outsider looking in, I imagine that would be remarkable.


Last thoughts for now:
The goal, moving forward, will be for me to remember that I'll be glad I went to the temple, and use that knowledge as motivation for me to go.  I'll never have to doubt that it's a good way to use my time, and I'll never have to doubt that it's God's will.  And I'll never be bored with it.