July 28, 2005

  • What are Temples?

    Salt Lake City Temple:

    © 2002, Rick Satterfield.    Temples are different from the regular churches (what we refer to as Meetinghouses, Ward Buildings, and Stake Centers) that we meet in weekly. Unlike the churches, which we use for Sunday services and community events like Boy Scout meetings, temples are reserved for sacred occasions.

    Temples are where Latter-day Saints can be married for time and all eternity. They are also where we make sacred covenants called "endowments" during which we promise to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are also able to perform ordinances (sacraments) like baptism on behalf of those who are dead in the temple. The souls of these deceased can then choose to accept (or not accept) the ordinance that they did not have a chance to participate in during their life on Earth. Because of the sacred nature of the covenants that are made in the temple, only those prepared to make those covenants should enter the inner temple sanctuaries. The Redlands Temple:

    © 2003, David J. Vilt.    Of course, visitors are always welcome to any of our meetings or weekly services in any of our churches.

    The architecture and the paintings and murals in the temple always refer to the grace and majesty of Jesus Christ. Everything we do in the temple refers back to the eternal nature of the family, the divinity of the human soul, and of the atonement of Jesus Christ. I have personally felt the power of sacred prayers from the temple. I have witnessed miracles that are a direct result of those prayers. To me temples have always been sacred symbols of comfort, peace, joy, love, and faithfulness. They are symbols of the eternal family, our identities as children of God, and the forgiveness of sins, all of which come together in our Lord, Savior, and Creator Jesus Christ. The temple is truly His Holy House.

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