Temples have been built by revelation from Jesus Christ in our day, as they were in days of old. They're beautiful Houses of the Lord, and are dedicated to Him. They are not of man, but of God, designed by inspiration and revelation given to prophets, seers, and revelators in our day. Patterns existing anciently continue to exist, and have been restored in their fulness in our day.
Hezekiah, Isaiah, Solomon, and many others saw the continual need and had real longing to enter the temple. Isaiah rushed into the House of the Lord , if you recall, just before the Northern Kingdom was about to go into captivity as a judgment for their sin. He went many times for instruction and to be in the presence of God. Hezekiah took many specific questions and the threats surrounding him to God in the temple, asking for His guidance. Solomon dedicated the temple and prayed for his people there.
Likewise, in our day, do I and other Mormons who worship in temples and participate in sacred (not secret) temple rituals or temple ceremonies, long to be in the presence of the Lord in His house. There is an abundance of His Spirit there, and there He confers special endowments of power and light and knowledge. There we make covenants or promises to keep us centered in Jesus Christ in daily living, and to receive whatever grace is needed to fill in the gaps of our earthly resources as we meet challenges and overcome difficulties, progressing spiritually to increased levels of perfection and ultimate reunion with God, the Savior and redeemed loved ones eternally.
We build temples for many reasons, including the following:
- The Lord has restored them in our day. His gospel is on the earth. It is His Church and He is building it His way, bringing back the pure doctrines and everything that pertains to the way of life and happiness.
- To receive instruction from the Lord regarding His pre-mortal, mortal and post-mortal plan of happiness, salvation, and eternal life.
- To make promises to Him to keep the highest laws of the gospel, and in return, receive special increased endowments of spiritual protection, guidance, ministering of angels, and gifts that enable us in our daily efforts to be disciples of Jesus Christ.
- To stand as proxy for those we love who have died, who also need the blessings of the gospel in their lives–including baptism, marriage for eternity.
- To marry for eternity, and not just for time, by the power of the priesthood restored to the earth in our day. Mormon marriages are sealed forever, as long as though who make their promises adhere to them.
I hope you’ll learn more about the nature and purpose of LDS temples, temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Please share your questions with us.
Next: Inside Mormon Temples
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