Temple
Young Single Adult Gems - 26 August 2009
Return to the Temple
“Within the sound of my voice are individuals who have received the ordinances of the temple and for various reasons have not returned to the house of the Lord in quite some time. Please repent, prepare, and do whatever needs to be done so you can again worship in the temple and more fully remember and honor your sacred covenants.”
Topics: Temple
Family Gems - 21 August 2009
The Temple and the Home Are Intertwined
“There exists a righteous unity between the temple and the home. Understanding the eternal nature of the temple will draw you to your family; understanding the eternal nature of the family will draw you to the temple. President Howard W. Hunter stated, ‘In the ordinances of the temple, the foundations of the eternal family are sealed in place’ (Howard W. Hunter, “A Temple-Motivated People,” Liahona, May 1995, 4; Ensign, Feb. 1995, 2).”
Topics: Temple
Young Single Adult Gems - 17 August 2009
Within the Sound of My Voice
“Within the sound of my voice are many young women, young men, and children. I plead with you to be worthy, to be steadfast, and to look forward with great anticipation to the day you will receive the ordinances and blessings of the temple.”
Topics: Temple
Family Gems - 26 June 2009
The Temple and the Home Have Equal Importance
“Temple. One other word is equal in importance to a Latter-day Saint. Home. Put the words holy temple and home together, and you have described the house of the Lord!”
Topics: Temple
Family Gems - 19 June 2009
We Can Make Our Homes as Sacred as the Temple
“Under the definition of ‘Temple’ in the Bible Dictionary, we read the following: ‘It is the most holy of any place of worship on the earth,’ followed by this insightful statement: ‘Only the home can compare with the temple in sacredness.’ For me this suggests a sacred relationship between the temple and the home. Not only can we turn the doors of our homes to the temple, or the house of the Lord; we can make our homes a ‘house of the Lord.’ ”
Topics: Temple
Daily Gems - 13 March 2009
Temple Endowment
"The temple endowment was given by revelation. Thus, it is best understood by revelation, prayerfully sought with a sincere heart. President Brigham Young said, 'Your endowment is, to receive all those ordinances in the house of the Lord, which are necessary for you, after you have departed this life, to enable you to walk back to the presence of the Father, . . . and gain your eternal exaltation' (Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. John A. Widtsoe [1941], 416)."
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SPECIAL MESSAGE: Church Statement on "Big Love"
Visit the Newsroom to read the Church’s official statement on an upcoming episode of HBO’s Big Love that is said to depict temple ceremonies. If you would like to learn more, watch a video that explains why we build temples. To share this video, go to the YouTube page, click “Share” below the video, and then select how you would like to share it.
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Topics: Temple
Daily Gems - 12 March 2009
SPECIAL MESSAGE: Church Statement on "Big Love"
Visit the Newsroom to read the Church’s official statement on an upcoming episode of HBO’s Big Love that is said to depict temple ceremonies. If you would like to learn more, watch a video that explains why we build temples. To share this video, go to the YouTube page, click “Share” below the video, and then select how you would like to share it.
Topics: Temples, Temple, Temple Work
Daily Gems - 13 October 2008
Becoming as Saviors to Our Departed Loved Ones
"President Hinckley has told us that 'just as our Redeemer gave His life as a vicarious sacrifice for all men, and in so doing became our Savior, even so we, in a small measure, when we engage in proxy work in the temple, become as saviors to those on the other side who have no means of advancing unless something is done in their behalf by those on earth' (Discourses of President Gordon B. Hinckley, Volume 2: 2000-2004 [2005], 265).
"This is such meaningful service we give because our departed brothers and sisters literally become more connected to us."
Topics: Jesus Christ, Temple
Youth Gems - 28 August 2008
What Does a Temple Recommend Interview Contain?
"Every member who wants to go to the temple, regardless of age, needs to prepare for this sacred experience. Certain questions will be asked by your bishop and stake president, who hold keys of priesthood authority and are common judges in the Church. These vital questions will include: Are you honest? Are you morally clean? Do you keep the Word of Wisdom? Do you obey the law of tithing? And do you sustain the authorities of the Church? The answers to these key questions reflect your attitudes and actions.
"You younger men might not be aware that the standards set by the Lord in the temple recommend questions are very similar to the standards found in For the Strength of Youth."
Topics: Temple
Family Gems - 25 August 2008
Our Homes Can Be Holy Places
"In addition to temples, surely another holy place on earth ought to be our homes. The feelings of holiness in my home prepared me for feelings of holiness in the temple."
Topics: Temple
Family Gems - 15 August 2008
The Temple Is about Families
"When you come to the temple you will love your family with a deeper love than you have ever felt before. The temple is about families. As my wife, Karen, and I have increased our temple service, our love for each other and for our children has increased. And it doesn't stop there. It extends to parents, brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, forebears, and especially our grandchildren! This is the Spirit of Elijah, which is the spirit of family history work; and when inspired by the Holy Ghost, it prompts the turning of the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to the fathers. Because of the priesthood, husbands and wives are sealed together, children are sealed to their parents for eternity so the family is eternal and will not be separated at death."
Topics: Temple
Daily Gems - 11 August 2008
A Family Centered Church
"It is good for people to know . . . how family centered our theology and our lifestyles are. . . .
"Mormons place particularly strong emphasis on family as the basic unit of the Church and of society. We have a deep commitment to marriage (defined as a union between one man and one woman). Polygamy, a limited practice in the early pioneer days of the Church, was discontinued in 1890, some 117 years ago.
"Families and individuals, whether members of our faith or not, can attend Sunday services in our chapels. Here we worship together, instructing one another from the scriptures.
"Latter day Saint families are encouraged to hold family home evenings weekly, usually on Monday nights. This provides a regular and predictable time for parents to teach values to their children and to have fun together. . . .
"The Church has auxiliary programs for women, youth, and children as a support to the family. . . .
Topics: Temple
Family Gems - 17 March 2008
Our Homes Can Be Holy Places
"In addition to temples, surely another holy place on earth ought to be our homes. The feelings of holiness in my home prepared me for feelings of holiness in the temple."
Family Gems - 7 March 2008
The Temple Is about Families
"When you come to the temple you will love your family with a deeper love than you have ever felt before. The temple is about families. . . . It extends to parents, brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, forebears, and especially our grandchildren! This is the Spirit of Elijah, which is the spirit of family history work; and when inspired by the Holy Ghost, it prompts the turning of the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to the fathers. Because of the priesthood, husbands and wives are sealed together, children are sealed to their parents for eternity so the family is eternal and will not be separated at death."
Daily Gems - 15 January 2008
Becoming as Saviors to Our Departed Loved Ones
"President Hinckley has told us that 'just as our Redeemer gave His life as a vicarious sacrifice for all men, and in so doing became our Savior, even so we, in a small measure, when we engage in proxy work in the temple, become as saviors to those on the other side who have no means of advancing unless something is done in their behalf by those on earth' (Discourses of President Gordon B. Hinckley, Volume 2: 2000-2004 [2005], 265).
"This is such meaningful service we give because our departed brothers and sisters literally become more connected to us."
Topics: Jesus Christ, Temple
Church History Gems - 28 November 2007
Faith Comes Not By Signs.
Joseph Smith
June 27, 1839
Commerce, Illinois
"Faith comes by hearing the word of God, through the testimony of the servants of God; that testimony is always attended by the Spirit of prophecy and revelation. . . .
Topics: Temple
Church History Gems - 26 November 2007
Spiritual Strength in Temples.
"There were over 5,600 members who received their blessings in the Nauvoo Temple. The spiritual leaven given in the Nauvoo Temple blesses us today in an ever-increasing measure. It spreads to every house of the Lord in the world so that all who hunger and thirst for the fulness of God's word may be filled.
"John and Jane Akerley and the others of the multitude who waited in the bitter cold to enter the majestic Nauvoo Temple received within its walls the greatest blessings offered by the Lord in this life. They endured much, but their suffering was just beginning. Their temple blessings helped strengthen them for what lay ahead. Separated by death in Winter Quarters, they were able to endure all things because of their faith and the blessings received that cold February night in 1846.
"As the pioneers had the larger vision in their daily challenge for survival, so also we need to have a greater vision and understanding of our eternal destiny. Our challenges are more subtle but equally hard. Maintaining our spiritual strength is also a daily challenge. The greatest source of that spiritual strength comes, as it did in their time, from our temples.
"I urge all who have not yet received these greatest of all blessings within the walls of the temple to do whatever may be necessary to qualify to receive them. To those who have received these blessings, I invite you to prepare yourselves to savor again the experience of being within the sacred premises of the holy temples of God and have the visions of life eternal open again to your hearts, minds, and souls."
Topics: Temple
Church History Gems - 23 November 2007
Until 1:30 A. M.
Until 1:30 A.M.
"I would be grateful for your spiritual understanding as I speak of the greatest blessings that can be received in mortality.
"On February 3, 1846, it was a bitter cold day in Nauvoo, Illinois. That day, President Brigham Young recorded in his diary:
" 'Notwithstanding that I had announced that we would not attend to the administration of the ordinances, the House of the Lord was thronged all day. . . . I also informed the brethren that I was going to get my wagons started and be off. I walked some distance from the Temple supposing the crowd would disperse, but on returning I found the house filled to overflowing.
" 'Looking upon the multitude and knowing their anxiety, as they were thirsting and hungering for the word, we continued at work diligently in the House of the Lord.'
Topics: Temple
Church History Gems - 21 November 2007
Importance of Temple Work.
"Latter-day Saints are a chosen people, so appointed in the premortal world, to be in partnership with the Lord for the
"We learn by revelation from the Prophet Joseph Smith that 'these . . . principles in relation to the dead and the living . . . cannot be lightly passed over, as pertaining to our salvation. For their salvation is necessary and essential to our salvation. . . .
" 'For we without them cannot be made perfect; neither can they without us be made perfect.' (D&C 128:15, 18; see also Heb. 11:39-40.)
"It would be difficult for one to find stronger language on a requirement to receive exaltation in the celestial kingdom.
"Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery had received the Melchizedek Priesthood under the hands of Peter, James, and John; however, it was necessary for the prophet Elijah to restore special keys, 'in order that all the ordinances may be attended to in righteousness.' (History of the Church, 4:211.) Thus, the sealing powers and ordinances necessary for the dead as well as the living were to be restored. This was accomplished by Elijah's visit to Joseph and Oliver on April 3, 1836, in the Kirtland Temple."
Topics: Temple, Family History
Church History Gems - 19 November 2007
Return of Elijah.
"The Jewish people have looked forward to the return to the earth of Elijah as promised by Malachi. Each year in the spring the Paschal feast is observed in many Jewish homes, at which time a door is opened so that Elijah might come in and sit at the feast.
" 'It was . . . on the third day of April, 1836,' said President Joseph Fielding Smith, 'that the [Jewish people], in their homes at the Paschal feast, opened their doors for Elijah to enter. [However,] on that very day Elijah did enter--not in the home of the Jews to partake of the Passover with them, but he appeared in the House of the Lord . . . in Kirtland, and there bestowed his keys.' (In Conference Report, Apr. 1936, p. 75.)
"The Prophet Joseph said the main object of the gathering of the Jews, or the people of God in any age of the world 'was to build unto the Lord a house whereby He could reveal unto His people the ordinances of His house and the glories of His kingdom, and teach the people the way of salvation.' (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 307-8.)"
Topics: Temple
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