Temples
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has nearly 150 temples in use, under construction, or in planning. These temples now dot the world, so that about 80% of LDS Church members live within a few hours of a temple. In the past, members of very modest means had to travel long distances to a temple, perhaps only making the trip once in a lifetime. That single temple excursion, with the goal of sealing the family together in an eternally binding covenant, could be made only with the greatest of sacrifice.
There are many misconceptions regarding Mormon temple worship. Mormons go to church on Sunday for three hours, but these meetings are held in Mormon meetinghouses, which include a chapel, multi-purpose room, kitchen, offices, and classrooms. Mormon meetinghouses are built with architecture meant to complement the locations where they are constructed. Inside, however, they are rather spartan, without icons or statuary. But artwork depicting the life and ministry of Christ graces the halls and classrooms. Meetings in Mormon meetinghouses are completely open to friends of any faith. Visitors are always welcome.
Temple worship is completely different. Temple worship hearkens back to Old Testament times, and it is therefore highly symbolic. Temples are ornate and built of the finest materials. The spirit of God can be felt even in the gardens of the temple, but even more so inside, where one is indeed in the House of the Lord. Those who attend a temple open house, before the temple is dedicated to the Lord’s service, can sense the light and spiritual richness there. The temple ritual is meant to inform the patron of God’s plan in an eternal sense, reviewing His Plan of Salvation and what the Lord expects of us, if we are ever to return again to His kingdom. The center of temple worship is the idea that families can be sealed together for eternity and that individuals who make and keep covenants with God, can live in His presence forever. This is why Mormons are such avid genealogists. They are finding information on their ancestors so they can seal together all the generations of their families.
There are several ordinances performed in Mormon temples. The first is baptism for the dead, mentioned by Paul in the New Testament — “Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead” (1 Corinthians 15:29)? Baptisms for the dead are performed in a baptistry that is below ground level, symbolizing being buried, thus death and spiritual rebirth. The baptismal font rests on the backs of twelve oxen, as did the laver in Solomon’s temple. Worthy church members age 12 and over may perform baptisms for the dead. This ordinance is performed for the deceased who have not had the opportunity to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ on earth and who are now spirits awaiting resurrection. They still live, and they enjoy the same free agency that God has given us as an eternal gift. In the spirit world they may accept or reject these ordinances as they choose.
Another ritual performed in the temple is done first by an individual for himself or herself, and ever after that, for the dead. This is called the “endowment.” The endowment ritual takes place in a room with seating organized like a small auditorium, very finely decorated, and is instructional. There is a review of God’s plan of salvation for us, beginning with the creation, and centering on the atonement of Jesus Christ, who has saved us from the fall and will exalt those who have faith unto repentance. Mormons covenant there to keep God’s commandments, live cleanly, and help to build up the kingdom of God.
Another ordinance performed in the temple is the temple “sealing.” There are two types of sealings — husband to wife, and children to parents. Worthy engaged couples are married in the temple for “time and all eternity.” This means that 
the marriage is sealed during their time on earth and forever after death. Mormon weddings are just like any others outside the Church, except for the actual ceremony in the temple. The sealing is performed in a special “sealing room,” which has an altar in the center and seating around the periphery of the room. Mirrors on opposing walls repeat each other’s reflections, so that gazing into one repeats the image in the other to infinity, symbolizing the eternal covenant. All of those attending the wedding must be worthy to enter the temple. The bride kneels on one side of the altar, and the groom kneels on the other, and they hold hands across the altar as they recited their marriage vows. Remember that all who enter the temple have been interviewed as to their worthiness by their bishop. Worthiness includes having faith in Christ, living an honest and clean life, keeping the Law of Chastity, and paying a full tithe to the Church.
Sometimes a husband and wife have already been married for some time outside the temple and already have children. In this case, the whole family comes dressed in white to the sealing room, and the ordinance is performed to seal the family together for e
ternity. (All ordinances are conditioned upon the continued worthiness of the individuals involved.) Sealings are also performed for the dead.
After a Mormon completes all of his own temple ordinances, and as he or she continues in worthiness, the person is entitled to power and protection from the Lord. Note that this is very personal and may be manifest in a myriad of different ways according to the Lord’s will and the needs of the individual. The symbol and reminder of temple covenants is worn always in the form of “temple garments,” undergarments representing the covenants and blessings of the temple. These are very similar to the Jewish tzitzit, and are ancient in origin. To learn more about temple garments, click here.
To read more about Mormon Temples, go to Mormon Temples.com.
