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.

Earth Life, a Parent’s Perspective

One thing I love about being a parent is that it helps me understand God better.  I think that’s one of the reasons He organized us into families: so that we could experience being parents—with all the challenges and miraculous love—and relate to Him in that way.

Insights from Being a Parent

A while ago I took my toddler to a popular fast food Play Place.  It was his first time there and I thought he’d enjoy the experience, but I couldn’t play with him because I also had a small baby.  Sending him alone and watching from a distance made me wonder what it felt like for Heavenly Father to send us away to Earth.  Keep that thought in mind as you read my account:

• Before I set my child loose, I showed him the whole play structure and pointed to where he would need to go to reach the ultimate destination: the slide.  I knew he was capable of reaching his destination if he would follow my guidance.
• Once he was inside, he didn’t have the same perspective.  Vision was much more limited and he couldn’t remember where to go.  He was easily distracted and took some wrong turns.
• My boy could only see the areas immediately surrounding him, but from where I stood, I could see the entire play structure and beyond.
• I watched him the entire time (shadows in the tunnels) even though he couldn’t see me, except for a few glimpses he caught through windows.
• At one point, I sent a messenger to him—someone who was familiar with the structure whom he could trust to take him to the slide.
• Knowing he was lost, I went to the bottom of the slide and called to him.  He listened and followed the sound of my voice all the way to the end where I was waiting for him.  We were happy to be together again, and he was happier from having the experience.

As much as I love my children, I know Heavenly Father loves them and me even more.  He wouldn’t turn us loose on Earth without a plan.  He watches us with great interest.  He speaks to us, answers our calls.  Sometimes he sends messengers.  He provided a model (Jesus Christ) for us to follow and revealed a map (scriptures)showing the path.  He looks forward to our return.  Following His plan will make us happier than anything else.

Heaven and Earth

If you’re not familiar with the doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, here’s a summary of what we call The Plan of Salvation or The Plan of Happiness.  We are all spirit children of our Heavenly Parents.  Our spirits are eternal; we lived before coming to Earth.  Father created a plan for us to be able to live on Earth and gain bodies.  Earth life would be challenging because we’d be away from Him and because we’d experience mortal bodies for the first time.  He knew we would sin so He provided a Savior, Jesus Christ.

Jesus agreed to come to Earth as an example for the rest of us.  He was perfect and showed us the way to return to Father again.  He suffered terribly as though our sins, sorrow, and sickness were His.  It’s incomprehensible but true.  (This is what we call the Atonement.)  He died and rose again, overcoming death and making resurrection possible for all of us.  When we accept the Savior’s sacrifice, repent, and are baptized; He makes our burdens light and cleanses us of our sins.  If we endure this life faithfully, then we will be able to live in God’s presence forever.  It will be different from before we lived on Earth, because of the added joy of having bodies and because many of us will live together in families from marriage on Earth.

Got Spirit? The gift of the Holy Ghost

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23

The Holy Spirit, or Holy Ghost, can influence all of God’s children at critical times in their life.  It might be a time when they are seeking to know if God exists, if He knows and loves them.  It might be to bring peace during times of turmoil, a warning when there’s danger, or joy in the midst of beauty.  It might be a still, small voice or a strong feeling that leads them to do something right and important.  The Spirit’s main role before baptism is to testify of truth.

After a person is baptized into the church, they are given the gift of the Holy Ghost.  This means that they can always have the Holy Ghost with them, as long as they are faithful in keeping their baptismal covenants and repentant when they falter.  It’s like opening the window to Heaven from a little peak to full view, having the Holy Ghost as a constant companion.  It gives the person full access to the cleansing power of Christ’s Atonement—like a refining fire, purging sinful tendencies, making them more Christlike.  This gift allows for so much more—more knowledge, more desire and ability to serve, more good feelings.  It’s wonderful!

I’ve been singing this song with the children at church and I love it.  It’s entitled The Holy Ghost.


     When Christ was on the earth, He promised he would send 
     The Holy Ghost to comfort us, our true, eternal friend. 
     The Holy Spirit whispers with a still small voice. 
     He testifies of God and Christ and makes our hearts rejoice.
     And when we are confirmed by sacred priesthood pow’r, 
     The Holy Ghost is giv’n to us to guide us ev’ry hour. 
     Oh, may I always listen to that still small voice. 
     And with his light I’ll do what’s right each time I make a choice.

Preaching to Believers

I had a nice conversation at the park yesterday with a Christian woman who has slightly different faith than mine.  We both really value the Bible and whole-heartedly believe Jesus’s claim: “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).  The whole conversation was so positive and I felt a kinship to this woman because of our common belief in Jesus Christ.

That’s why it seemed so funny when before leaving, my new friend offered me some reading material about prayer and trusting in God.  It didn’t surprise me because I’ve visited with members of her church before and received similar pamphlets, but I did wonder why she was giving this to me as though she needed to convince me when I already believed.  She clearly believed that her church had something to offer me, that my faith was lacking something significant.

I often think this is how other Christians feel when approached by exuberant members of my church.  After all, we’re not the only ones who believe in Jesus Christ and have real spiritual experiences.  So why do we promote our faith, our church, so much?  Particularly, what do we have to offer to those who already believe in Christ?  Here are my three best answers:

1. Pure truth
2. Priesthood blessings and ordinances
3. The Gift of the Holy Ghost