Ready Always / Who we are / Temples

Why can’t I go inside your temple? What’s the big secret?

1

The hallway answer

About 15 seconds

“It’s not secret, it’s sacred. Our regular churches are open to anyone, any Sunday. Temples are special places for promises with God, so you go in when you’re prepared. But when a new temple opens, there’s an open house anyone can tour.”

Then ask them: There might be an open house near us. Want to go if one comes up?
I want the real answer ↓
2

The real answer

About 5 minutes

The Church explains the difference: meetinghouses are for Sunday worship and activities, and “all are welcome.” Temples “have a more specific purpose.” They’re places for ordinances like the endowment and eternal marriage, and for baptisms on behalf of people who have died.

For the Strength of Youth explains why a recommend is needed: “The temple is the Lord’s house, and He sets the standards for entering it.” The ordinances “are so sacred that they require special spiritual preparation.” It also says no one has to be perfect: “Nobody is perfect. God asks you to be honest and willing.”

Before a temple is dedicated, the Church holds a public open house so anyone can walk through. Members don’t discuss certain details of temple ceremonies outside the temple because they’re sacred, but the purpose of the temple, which is to draw closer to Jesus Christ and unite families forever, is openly taught.

Scriptures to know. Tap to read.

Isaiah 2:2-3Come to the mountain of the Lord’s house
2And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. 3And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. Read in Old Testament, Connected →
Psalm 24:3-4Who shall stand in His holy place?
3Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? 4He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. Read in Old Testament, Connected →
D&C 97:15-16The Lord’s glory is in His house
15And 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; 16Yea, 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. Read in Doctrine and Covenants, Connected →
3

Go deeper

Research room

What’s behind the question

Being told you can’t go somewhere naturally makes people feel excluded or suspicious. Explaining the open house, and the difference from a regular church, helps a lot.

OfficialWhy Latter-day Saints Build Temples ↗OfficialTopics and Questions: Temples ↗OfficialFor the Strength of Youth: Temple ordinances and covenants ↗OfficialTemple open houses and dedications ↗Find a public open houseFaithful scholarshipFAIR: Latter-day Saint temples ↗

Source labels: Official = published by the Church. Scripture = the standard works. Faithful scholarship = independent Latter-day Saint researchers. Helpful, but not official.

4

For me

Think it through
  1. What am I doing now to prepare for the temple?
  2. Why does sacred feel different from secret?
  3. Which ancestor could I do temple work for?
Act in faithWhat do I already know and believe here?
Eternal perspectiveHow does God’s plan change how I see this?
Good sourcesWho could I ask: a parent, a leader, the scriptures?

Notes stay on this page while it’s open and aren’t saved or sent anywhere.

5

Practice this one

Pick a reply

Friends also ask

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Weak Things is an independent site, not an official website of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Answers are written to match the Church’s published teachings, and every answer links to its sources.

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