Houses of the Lord
Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are the most sacred buildings on earth to members of the faith. They are literally houses of the Lord, where heaven and earth meet, and where the most sacred ordinances of the gospel are performed.
What Is a Temple?
A temple is a house of the Lord, a sacred building where faithful members receive their highest ordinances and make sacred covenants with God. Unlike meetinghouses where regular worship services are held, temples are reserved for the most sacred ceremonies of the gospel.
Temples have been central to God's plan since ancient times. From the tabernacle of Moses to Solomon's temple, and from Herod's temple to the modern temples of today, these sacred structures have served as places where God's children can draw closer to Him through sacred ordinances.
The Purpose of Temples
Sacred Ordinances
Temples are where the highest ordinances of the gospel are performed, including the endowment and sealing ordinances that are essential for eternal life.
Eternal Families
Families are sealed together for eternity in temples, creating bonds that continue beyond death and throughout the eternities.
Service for the Dead
Ordinances are performed for deceased individuals, giving them the opportunity to accept the gospel in the spirit world.
Personal Revelation
Temples provide a peaceful environment where members can receive personal revelation and draw closer to the Lord.
Sacred Covenants
Members make sacred covenants with God that guide their lives and strengthen their commitment to follow Jesus Christ.
Spiritual Sanctuary
Temples serve as refuges from the world, places of peace where members can feel the Spirit and find spiritual strength.
Temple Ordinances
Temple ordinances are sacred ceremonies that are essential for eternal life and exaltation. These ordinances are performed by proper priesthood authority and are necessary for all of God's children.
The Endowment
The endowment is a sacred ordinance that teaches about the plan of salvation, our relationship with God, and our eternal destiny. It includes making sacred covenants and receiving eternal blessings. The endowment prepares individuals for eternal life and provides spiritual power and protection.
Sealing Ordinances
Sealing ordinances bind families together for eternity. Couples are sealed in marriage for time and all eternity, and children are sealed to their parents, creating eternal family units that can continue beyond death.
The Path of Temple Ordinances
Baptism
Essential ordinance for entrance into God's kingdom (performed in meetinghouses)
Confirmation
Receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost (performed in meetinghouses)
Endowment
Sacred temple ordinance teaching eternal truths and making covenants
Sealing
Eternal marriage and family relationships sealed by priesthood power
Temple Worship and Covenants
Temple worship is different from regular Sunday worship. In temples, members participate in sacred ordinances, make covenants with God, and engage in quiet contemplation and prayer. The atmosphere is one of reverence, peace, and holiness.
Sacred Covenants
In the temple, members make sacred covenants (promises) with God. These covenants include:
- Obedience - Commitment to obey God's commandments
- Sacrifice - Willingness to sacrifice for the Lord's work
- Consecration - Dedication of time, talents, and resources to building God's kingdom
- Chastity - Commitment to moral purity and fidelity
- Service - Dedication to serving others and building up the Church
The Power of Temple Covenants
Temple covenants provide spiritual power, protection, and guidance. As members keep their covenants, they receive increased spiritual strength, greater access to revelation, and enhanced ability to overcome challenges and temptations.
Work for the Dead
One of the unique aspects of LDS temple work is the performance of ordinances for those who have died. This doctrine is based on the biblical principle that the gospel must be preached to all people, including those in the spirit world.
Family History and Temple Work
Members research their family history to identify ancestors who need temple ordinances. This work connects families across generations and fulfills the promise that hearts of children will turn to their fathers.
Family History Research
Members research their ancestry to identify family members who need temple ordinances, using resources like FamilySearch.org.
Name Submission
Names of deceased family members are submitted to temples after ensuring proper documentation and family permission.
Ordinance Performance
Living members act as proxies, performing ordinances on behalf of deceased individuals in sacred temple ceremonies.
Spirit World Acceptance
In the spirit world, deceased individuals can choose to accept or reject the ordinances performed on their behalf.
Temple Preparation and Worthiness
Entering the temple requires spiritual preparation and worthiness. Members must live gospel standards and hold a current temple recommend, which is obtained through interviews with local Church leaders.
Temple Recommend Requirements
To receive a temple recommend, members must:
- Have faith in Jesus Christ and sustain Church leaders
- Live the law of chastity and Word of Wisdom
- Pay a full tithe and support the Church financially
- Be honest in their dealings and keep sacred covenants
- Sustain the doctrine and avoid opposing the Church
- Resolve any serious transgression through proper repentance
Sacred, Not Secret
Temple ordinances are sacred, not secret. While specific details are not discussed outside the temple out of reverence, the general purposes and blessings of temple worship are openly shared. Members are encouraged to prepare spiritually and learn about temple worship before their first visit.
Temple Construction and Growth
The Church continues to build temples worldwide to bring these sacred ordinances closer to members everywhere. Each temple is designed with beauty and reverence in mind, serving as a symbol of faith in local communities.
Temples Today (2024)
Temple Architecture and Symbolism
LDS temples are built with the finest materials and craftsmanship, reflecting their sacred purpose. Common features include:
- Spires and towers - Pointing heavenward, symbolizing reaching toward God
- Angel Moroni statue - Often placed on the highest spire, representing the restoration
- Beautiful grounds - Maintained as gardens reflecting the beauty of creation
- Sacred interior - Designed for peace, beauty, and spiritual contemplation
- Multiple rooms - Each serving specific purposes in temple ordinances
Blessings of Temple Worship
Regular temple attendance brings numerous spiritual blessings to individuals and families:
Spiritual Strength
Temple worship provides spiritual power and strength to overcome challenges and resist temptation.
Personal Revelation
The peaceful temple environment facilitates receiving personal revelation and guidance from the Lord.
Family Unity
Temple covenants and sealings strengthen family relationships and create eternal bonds.
Peace and Comfort
Temples provide refuge from worldly concerns and a place of peace and spiritual renewal.
Increased Faith
Temple experiences strengthen faith in Jesus Christ and commitment to gospel living.
Service Opportunities
Performing ordinances for the dead provides meaningful service to those who cannot help themselves.
Temple Garments
As part of the endowment, worthy members receive temple garments—sacred underclothing that serves as a reminder of covenants made in the temple. These garments are worn by endowed members as a symbol of their commitment to live righteously.
Purpose of Temple Garments
- Covenant reminders - Help members remember their sacred commitments
- Spiritual protection - Provide spiritual protection when worn in faith
- Modest dress - Encourage modest clothing choices
- Sacred symbols - Contains symbolic markings representing gospel principles
The Eternal Perspective
Temple ordinances and covenants are designed with eternity in view. Everything about temple worship points to eternal life and exaltation with God. The ordinances performed on earth are recognized in heaven and have eternal validity.
Preparing for the Temple
Members are encouraged to prepare spiritually before entering the temple for the first time:
- Study the scriptures - Particularly regarding temples and covenants
- Live worthily - Follow gospel standards and keep commandments
- Pray for understanding - Seek spiritual preparation and readiness
- Learn from others - Speak with family members about temple experiences
- Read temple preparation materials - Study Church resources about temple worship
- Fast and pray - Prepare spiritually through fasting and prayer
A Sacred Privilege
Temple worship is one of the greatest privileges available to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In these sacred houses of the Lord, we can feel heaven close, receive eternal ordinances, and make covenants that bind us to God and to each other for eternity. The temple truly is where heaven and earth meet.
Temple Service and Dedication
Many members dedicate significant time to temple service, serving as ordinance workers, family history consultants, and temple missionaries. This service blesses both the servants and those for whom the work is performed.
Temple work represents the ultimate expression of service—performing saving ordinances for those who cannot perform them for themselves. This work demonstrates the love of God for all His children and the reality that families can be together forever.