D&C 95

Some six months previous to this revelation, the Lord had instructed -

"Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 88:119)

Being that the Church was still in its early stages, I would suspect that there were many that may have not understood this instruction that the Lord literally wanted a temple built for sacred and divine purposes.  There are many today that use these words in reference to establishing any place that could be considered holy such as the home.  To me this seems apparent as nothing seemed to move forward with this instruction.  Now six months later the Lord rebukes the saints saying -

"...ye have sinned against me a very grievous sin, in that ye have not considered the great commandment in all things, that I have given unto you concerning the building of mine house..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 95:3)

Obviously, this caught their attention (and understanding) and the work began immediately.  But what caught my attention is the manner in which He did so.  He first begins with the words -

"...thus saith the Lord unto you whom I love..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 95:1)

First, He wanted the saints to know that He loved them.  And because of that -

"...whom I love I also chasten that their sins may be forgiven, for with the chastisement I prepare a way for their deliverance in all things out of temptation, and I have loved you—
2 Wherefore, ye must needs be chastened and stand rebuked before my face..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 95:1 - 2)

This is a great lesson on how leaders and parents should approach rebuking those than need such.  After He explains the the cause for which He is chastening them, He explains then why He gave the commandment.  It was because this house was to built -

"For the preparation wherewith I design to prepare mine apostles to prune my vineyard for the last time, that I may bring to pass my strange act, that I may pour out my Spirit upon all flesh—"  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 95:4)

"...for this cause I gave unto you a commandment that you should call your solemn assembly, that your fastings and your mourning might come up into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, which is by interpretation, the creator of the first day, the beginning and the end.
8 Yea, verily I say unto you, I gave unto you a commandment that you should build a house, in the which house I design to endow those whom I have chosen with power from on high..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 95:7 - 8)

And because they have not built this house, presently -

"...they are walking in darkness at noon-day." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 95:6)

And then the Lord (always allowing repentance) again lays out the commandment and the consequences through disobedience -

"...it is my will that you should build a house. If you keep my commandments you shall have power to build it.
12 If you keep not my commandments, the love of the Father shall not continue with you, therefore you shall walk in darkness."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 95:11 - 12)

In other words, He desires to reveal additional truths and light that He will only do so within the walls of a temple.  And if not they will not receive such light and will continue in darkness.