Christ is the Reason

Temples

“Let us prepare every missionary to go to the temple worthily and to make that experience an even greater highlight than receiving the mission call”-Howard W. Hunter, (Ensign, Nov. 1994, 88).

Brief Historical Background

1. Temples have always been a part of the gospel.

a. The purpose of temples “is to redeem all mankind who are obedient to the laws and commandments of God. The gospel in its fullness was revealed to Adam. … [And] Saints of all ages have had temples in one form or another” (David B. Haight, “Personal Temple Worship,” Ensign, May 1993, 23–24).

b. D&C 124:39 “my people are always commanded to build unto my holy name.”

2. Temples are an important part of this last dispensation.

a. D&C 38:32 Saints commanded to gather in Ohio so they could be endowed with “power from on high”.

b. D&C 88:119 Lord commands Saints to build a house for Him.

c. “Because of their offerings and sacrifices during the building of the temple, they were told, the Lord Jesus Christ would bestow upon them ‘great and choice blessings’. Including a special gift or ‘endowment with power from on high’” (in Backman’s The Heavens Resound: A History of the Latter-Day Saints in Ohio 1830-1838 [1983], 284)

d. D&C 110

Nature and Meaning of the Temple Endowment

1. What is the endowment? “To endow is to enrich to give to another something long lasting and of much worth. The temple endowment ordinances enrich in three ways: (a) The one receiving the ordinance is given power from God. ‘Recipient is also endowed with information and knowledge. ‘They revive an education relative to the Lord’s Purposes and plans.’…(c) When sealed at the altar a person is the recipient of glorious blessings, powers, and honors as part of his endowment” (Boyd K. Packer, The Holy Temple [1980], 153).

2. We have a responsibility to our fore-bearers.

a. Joseph Smith said, “The greatest responsibility in this world that God has laid upon us is to seek after our dead” (History of the Church, 6:313)

b. D&C 2:3 Without saving our kindred dead, the “earth would be utterly wasted at his coming.”

c. Joseph Smith “Those saints who neglect [temple work] in behalf of their deceased relatives, do it at the peril of their own salvation” (History of the Church, 4:426

3. We do not talk about the specifics of the temple ceremonies outside of the temple.

a. “[The temple ceremonies] are kept confidential lest they be given to those who are unprepared…We do not discuss the temple ordinances outside the temples. It was never intended that knowledge of these temple ceremonies would be limited to a select few who would be obliged to ensure that others never learn of them. It is quite the opposite, in fact. With great effort we urge every soul to qualify and prepare for the temple experience. Those who have been to the temple have been taught an ideal: Someday every living soul and every soul who has ever lived shall have the opportunity to hear the gospel and to accept or reject what the temple offers. If this opportunity is rejected, the rejection must be on the part of the individual himself.” (Boyd K. Packer, The Holy Temple [booklet, 1982], 2)

4. We learn about the Plan of Salvation at the Temple.

a. President Hinckley has said, “[The temple] becomes a school of instruction in the sweet and sacred things of God” (Teachings, 635). President Hinkley also said “The answers to [life’s] questions are not found in the wisdom of the world. They are found only in the revealed word of God. Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are sacred structures in which these and other eternal questions are answered.”

b. D&C 97:13-14 Temples are “a place of instruction for all those who are called to the work of the ministry … that they may be perfected in [their] understanding … in all things pertaining to the kingdom of God on the earth.”

5. The temple will improve our lives.

a. President Hinckley said “If there were more temple work done in the Church, there would be less … selfishness, less … contention, less … demeaning [of] others. The whole Church would increasingly be lifted to greater heights of spirituality, love for one another, and obedience to the commandments of God” (Teachings, 622).

6. We can receive revelation at the temple.

a. Elder John A. Widtsoe has said, “At the most unexpected moments, in or out of the temple will come to [us], as a revelation, the solution of the problems that vex [our lives]. … It is a place where revelations may be expected” (“Temple Worship,” Utah Genealogical and Historical Magazine, Apr. 1921, 63–64).

7. The temple is a place of refuge.

a. D&C 124:36

b. D&C 59:23 He “who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come.” (

8. Satan will try and keep you from the temple.

a. “Temple work brings so much resistance because it is the source of so much spiritual power to the Latter-day Saints” (Boyd K. Packer, “The Holy Temple,” Ensign, Feb. 1995, 36).

9. You shall develop a closer relationship with your Heavenly Father.

a. D&C 97:15-16 “And inasmuch as my people build a house unto me in the name of the Lord, and do not suffer any unclean thing to come into it, that it be not defiled, my glory shall rest upon it; Yea, and my presence shall be there, for I will come into it, and all the pure in heart that shall come into it shall see God”

10. Garments must be worn at all times.

a. “wearing the garment is a sacred privilege. … [It] is an outward expression of an inner commitment to follow the Savior Jesus Christ” (First Presidency letter, 5 Nov. 1996).

“Thus the apostles-or any ministers or missionaries in any age-are not fully qualified to go forth, preach the gospel, and build up the kingdom, unless they have the gift of the Holy Ghost and also are endowed with power from on high, meaning [they] have received certain knowledge, powers, and special blessings, normally given only in the Lord’s Temple.” Bruce R. McConkie Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 Vols. [1965], 1:859