Temples
Sacred building where certain ordinances are conducted; thought of as a place of revelation where heaven and earth meet, it can be entered only by Church members recommended by their local ecclesiastical leaders as meeting standards of worthiness.
Temple or House of the Lord
Ordinance performed in temples, described as a course of instructions showing the path back into the presence of God; it communicates spiritual insights and power, and includes making specific covenants or promises with God to live according to high ideals. To 'bestow a gift' and 'clothe upon'.
Endowment
Why do we make covenants with God?
Ordinances and covenants help us remember who we are. They remind us of our duty to God. The Lord has provided them to help us come unto Him and receive eternal life. When we honor them, He strengthens us.
What are the three main ordinances that happen inside the temple?
Baptisms for the dead
The endowment
Marriage ceremonies
What is a temple recommend?
A temple recommend is a certificate issued to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that allows them to enter the faith's temples and participate in sacred ordinances. The temple recommend permits Latter-day Saint to enter one of the faith’s temples. An adult member of the Church receives two interviews to receive a temple recommend—once by a member of their local bishopric, then by a member of their stake presidency (a regional leader). This recommend is valid for two years. It's considered a sign of worthiness for celestial glory and a commitment to living the Lord's laws.
Way of life set forth in the teachings of Jesus Christ, specifically embodying the power to overcome sins and become whole because of the Savior's atoning sacrifice in Gethsemane and on the cross.
Gospel or Gospel of Jesus Christ
Placing a drop or so of pure olive oil on the head of a person as a means of giving a blessing or consecrating the person to sacred service (See Exodus 40:12).
Anointing
A collection of ordinances that mark the way for us to return to Heavenly Father.
The Covenant Path
What are some of the symbols we see in the temple?
“Before going to the temple for the first time, or even after many times, it may help you to realize that the teaching in the temples is done in symbolic fashion.”
Oxen: The 12 oxen symbolize two things: the tribes of Israel and the strength and power on which God’s work rests.
White Clothing: Everyone in the temple wears white, which is another symbol. White clothing symbolizes purity, worthiness, and cleanliness and that we are all equal before Heavenly Father.
“Mirrors of Eternity”: When you attend a celestial marriage or a family sealing in the temple, you’ll notice mirrors on each side of the sealing room. These mirrors reflect images back and forth that seem to go on forever. This enduring reflection symbolizes our divine nature and destiny, reminding us that temple ordinances and covenants unite us eternally in God’s presence.
The full meaning of some temple symbols, such as those you’ll see during the temple endowment ceremony, may not be so easily interpreted. But through frequent attendance and with help from the Spirit, you will increase your ability to learn through temple symbolism, and your appreciation for the temple and its symbolic teachings will grow.
What kinds of questions are asked in a temple recommend interview?
Temple recommend interviews are held by local ecclesiastical leaders to determine our worthiness, and the questions include whether:
We have faith in and a testimony of God the Eternal Father; His Son, Jesus Christ; and the Holy Ghost;
We testify of the Restoration of the gospel through the Church;
We sustain general authorities of the Church: the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles;
We obey God’s commandments and laws;
We repent of our sins and are worthy to enter the Lord’s house and participate in temple ordinances.
A sacred agreement between God and a person or group of people. God sets specific conditions, and He promises to bless us as we obey those conditions. When we choose not to keep covenants, we cannot receive the blessings, and in some instances we suffer a penalty as a consequence of our disobedience.
Covenant
Sacred ceremonies performed in temples by which couples are promised great blessings and married for eternity as well as for this life; often called ”celestial” or “eternal” marriages; these also link children to their parents for eternity.
Sealing
What are the covenants you will make in the endowment ordinance?
Law of Obedience, which includes striving to keep God’s commandments.
Law of Sacrifice, which means doing all we can to support the Lord’s work and repenting with a broken heart and contrite spirit.
Law of the Gospel, which is the higher law that He taught while He was on the earth.
Law of Chastity, which means that we have sexual relations only with the person to whom we are legally and lawfully wedded according to God’s law.
Law of Consecration, which means dedicating our time, talents, and everything with which the Lord has blessed us to building up Jesus Christ’s Church on the earth.
_________ _____ distinguish The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from any other organization on earth. Many other organizations ___ and __ make your life better here in mortality. But no other organization ___ and ___ influence your life after death.
Priesthood keys distinguish The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from any other organization on earth. Many other organizations can and do make your life better here in mortality. But no other organization can and will influence your life after death.
Complete the following excerpt from D&C 109:8 "Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing, and establish a house, even a house of _____, a house of ______, a house of _____, a house of _____, a house of ______, a house of _____, a house of God;"
I encourage you to study that prayer, recorded in Doctrine and Covenants section 109. That dedicatory prayer, which was received by revelation, teaches that the temple is “a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God.”
This list of attributes is much more than a description of a temple. It is a promise about what will happen to those who serve and worship in the house of the Lord. They can expect to receive answers to prayer, personal revelation, greater faith, strength, comfort, increased knowledge, and increased power.
A sacred, formal act performed by the authority of the priesthood. Some are essential to our exaltation. With each of these, we enter into solemn covenants with the Lord.
Ordinance
Placing a drop or so of water on a person’s head as a part of the process of giving a blessing.
Washing
The word endow has two related meanings: “to bestow a gift” and “to clothe upon.” In this context, the temple endowment is a sacred gift whereby we are clothed with blessings from God. The endowment can only be received in His way and in His holy temple. List some of the gifts you receive through the temple endowment:
Greater knowledge of the Lord’s purposes and teachings.
Power to do all that God wants us to do.
Divine guidance and protection as we serve the Lord, our families, and others.
Increased hope, comfort, and peace.
Promised blessings now and forever.
What priesthood keys were restored in the latter days?
It is important to note that prior to the organization of the Church, heavenly messengers had conferred the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods upon the Prophet Joseph and had given him keys of both priesthoods. These keys gave Joseph Smith authority to organize the Church in 1830.
Then in the Kirtland Temple in 1836, the conferral of these three additional priesthood keys—namely, keys of the gathering of Israel, keys of the gospel of Abraham, and keys of the sealing power—was essential. These keys authorized Joseph Smith—and all succeeding Presidents of the Lord’s Church—to gather Israel on both sides of the veil, to bless all covenant children with the blessings of Abraham, to place a ratifying seal on priesthood ordinances and covenants, and to seal families eternally. The power of these priesthood keys is infinite and breathtaking.
Why are you excited to attend the temple?
Congratulations!
Some ordinances are essential to our exaltation. These ordinances are called saving ordinances. What are they and where are they performed/received?
They include baptism, confirmation, ordination to the Melchizedek Priesthood (for men), the temple endowment, and the marriage sealing.
True or False. All the saving ordinances of the priesthood are accompanied by covenants.
True
When you joined the Church, you received two ordinances—baptism and confirmation. Likewise, the temple endowment is also received in two parts.
In the first part, you will privately and individually receive what are called the initiatory ordinances. These ordinances include special blessings regarding your divine heritage and potential. As part of these ordinances, you will also be authorized to wear the sacred temple garment and covenant to wear it throughout your life.
In the second part, you will receive the rest of your endowment in a group setting. This takes place in an instruction room with others who are attending the temple. Some of the endowment is presented through video and some by temple workers. During the ordinance, events that are part of the plan of salvation are presented. They include the Creation of the world, the Fall of Adam and Eve, the Atonement of Jesus Christ, the Apostasy, and the Restoration. You will also learn more about the way all people can return to the presence of the Lord.
What is one question you still have about the temple?
We're always learning
Name at least 1 thing you learned in temple prep
Too may to list