Q&As about Mormon Temples

What is the difference between attending church and the temple?

We attend church each Sunday to worship God, to take the sacrament, and to be uplifted and strengthened by our brothers and sisters. Gospel principles are taught and discussed in the context of our lives. We invite the Spirit to teach us but also have a lot of interaction between members.

In contrast, our visits to the temple are less social and more personal. We go on our own schedule and not on Sundays. The temple is a calm, beautiful, quiet place where we set aside our worldly cares and think only of God. While there is some talking, conversation is limited. Instead, we ask questions in silent prayer and listen for answers from the still small voice. The temple is the house of the Lord, and we go there to be close to Him.

What goes on in Mormon Temples? Why is it such a big secret? Why are only Mormons allowed?

In our temples, we pray and receive gospel instruction. We also receive blessings by participating in ordinances and entering into covenants with God. Every aspect of temple worship is founded on faith in Jesus Christ, and the purpose of the temple is to prepare to live with Him in the eternities.

Temples are so sacred that we only talk about them reverently and without mentioning specifics except when we're inside, but the gospel is the same inside and out and it is no secret.

There’s nothing greater than receiving temple blessings and nothing worse than dishonoring them. We hold interviews and require recommendations for entering the temple to ensure that everyone there believes in Jesus Christ, understands the commitments they are making, and is living so that they will be able to uphold those commitments and enjoy the sweet blessings now and forever. We would be happy if everyone in the world prepared and entered the temple.

Why do Mormons perform proxy baptisms in their temples?

God loves all of His children and wants us all to return to Him after this life. In order to live with Him we must be clean in body and spirit, which makes baptism necessary.

Many people have died without being properly baptized. Their spirits are alive but unable to perform the ordinance without a body. They need someone alive to be baptized in their behalf. That is why we exert so much effort researching family history and other records of the deceased. After we have a deceased person’s name and other basic information, we can take their name to the temple and be baptized for them.

We usually do this for family members, but the plan is to eventually perform temple ordinances for every person who ever lived. That way all of God’s children can receive the blessings of baptism and live with Him if they desire it.

The Eternal Blessings of Marriage

By Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

While I was a college student, I met nearly every living apostle and attended meetings with them often.  Those are precious memories for me, and one of the most significant of them was when I met Elder Scott.  He took my hand, looked me straight in the eyes, and greeted me so kindly.  I’d never felt so much love from someone I’d just met, and I knew he was an apostle of the Lord.

I just watched this talk from the worldwide conference that the church held a few weeks ago.  Elder Scott spoke from his heart about the significance and splendor of marriage.  I believe the most important work we can do in life besides strengthening our relationship with God is strengthening our relationship with our spouse.  These efforts also bring the most joy.  Elder Scott’s talk really inspired me, so I thought I’d share it here.  You can watch it or read some highlights below.

(I had to post the video separately because of technical problems.)

Quotes

“Two of the vital pillars that sustain Father in Heaven’s plan of happiness are marriage and the family.”

“Pure love is an uncomparable, potent power for good.  Righteous love is the foundation of a successful marriage.  It is the primary cause of contented, well-developed children.  As a mother you have been given divine instincts to help you sense your child’s special talents and unique capacities.  With your husband you can nurture, strengthen, and cause those traits to flower.”

“It is so rewarding to be married.  Marriage is wonderful. . . . You have times when you are extremely happy, times of testing, and times of trial, but the Lord guides you through all of those growth experiences together.”

“Marriage provides an ideal setting for overcoming any tendency to be selfish or self-centered.  I think one of the reasons that we are counseled to get married early in life is to avoid developing inappropriate character traits that are hard to change.”

Story

Once I learned an important lesson from my wife. I traveled extensively in my profession. I had been gone almost two weeks and returned home one Saturday morning. I had four hours before I needed to attend another meeting. I noticed that our little washing machine had broken down and my wife was washing the clothes by hand. I began to fix the machine.

Jeanene came by and said, “Rich, what are you doing?”

I said, “I’m repairing the washing machine so you don’t have to do this by hand.”

She said, “No. Go play with the children.”

I said, “I can play with the children anytime. I want to help you.”

Then she said, “Richard, please go play with the children.”

When she spoke to me that authoritatively, I obeyed.

I had a marvelous time with our children. We chased each other around and rolled in the fall leaves. Later I went to my meeting. I probably would have forgotten that experience were it not for the lesson that she wanted me to learn.

The next morning about 4:00 a.m., I was awakened as I felt two little arms around my neck, a kiss on the cheek, and these words whispered in my ear, which I will never forget: “Dad, I love you. You are my best friend.”

If you are having that kind of experience in your family, you are having one of the supernal joys of life.

Click here to view the full talk.

The Eternal Blessings of Marriage

Video of this talk by Elder Richard G. Scott

I Hear the Savior’s Voice

        If I had been a little child when Jesus lived on Earth,
        I would have liked to walk with Him and listen to His words.
        But as I search the scriptures I can hear His words of peace,
        And if I listen with my heart I hear the Savior’s voice.
        (If I Listen With My Heart, new Primary song.)

Last night, I spent some time looking at a painting of Jesus (as a boy) teaching the Elders in the temple and tried to imagine being there and learning directly from Him.  It probably wasn’t the same for everyone there, but hopefully they were all better because of the experience.  I’ll bet those who benefited the most were the ones who had been studying and pondering the scriptures beforehand.

Actually, I think it probably wasn’t too different from the experiences we can have now reading the scriptures and praying for understanding.  After all, we have the Savior’s words from His prophets and the Comforter  who was promised would come to teach all things (John 14:26).  Each of us has unique experiences learning from the scriptures and the Holy Ghost, unique but always good.

It’s hard to believe that anyone could have met the Savior and rejected Him, but some did.  Of course, I hope that I wouldn’t have been part of that crowd, but I think it’s also a mistake to criticize them too harshly.  Some of them were very good Jews, and I mean that in a good way.  They knew the scriptures well, they obeyed the law and lived righteously.  But somehow, even though the prophets had foretold His coming, they didn’t understand.

I think the crucial mistake is that they were so sure in their minds that they hardened their hearts against Jesus and refused to recognize Him as the Messiah.  This is why I can’t point fingers, because I’m such a know-it-all myself.  It’s a constant struggle—trying to be humble and teachable, to “listen with my heart.”  But when I do, I am filled with peace . . . and light and truth and love.  It’s wonderful!

I love this description of gaining divine knowledge:  “Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.  Now behold, this is the spirit of revelation; behold, this is the spirit by which Moses brought the children of Israel through the Red Sea on dry ground.”  (Doctrine and Covenants 8:2-3)

My faith is strengthened when I learn things that way, in my mind and in my heart--when my understanding is clear and I feel good, too.  My faith is strengthened when the things I learn naturally lead me to live more righteously and serve better.  Such good fruits can only come from the good tree.  All goodness comes from Jesus Christ.  He is our Savior and Redeemer, the Messiah who was chosen before the foundation of the world.  He beacons all the come unto Him.