Mormon Temples

What prophets have to say about Mormon Temples

Freiberg-Tempel

Mormon temples (temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) are special buildings dedicated to the Lord Jesus Christ. Worthy members of the Mormon Church may enter in them to receive sacred ordinances and make special covenants with God. Mormon believe that these ordinances and covenants are necessary for the salvation of individuals, as important as the ordinance of baptism. However, these special ordinance need to be performed in the temples of the Lord.

Mormons also go to the temple to learn more about the plan of salvation and about Heavenly Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. In Mormon temples we can gain a better understanding of our purpose in this life and of our relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus. In the Mormon temples we are taught about our premortal life, the meaning of the life on this earth, and what expects us after death.

Temple Ordinances Seal Families Together Forever

All temple ordinances are performed by the power of the Melchisedek priesthood. Through this power, ordinances performed on earth are sealed, or bound, in heaven. The Savior taught his Apostles, “Whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven” (Matthew 16:19; see also D&C 132:7).

Only in the temple can people be sealed together forever as families. Marriage in the temple joins a man and woman as husband and wife eternally if they honor their covenants. Baptism and all other ordinances prepare us for this sacred event.

When a man and woman are married in the temple, their children also become part of their eternal family. Couples who have been married civilly can receive these blessings by preparing themselves and their children to go to the temple and be sealed to each other.

Our Ancestors Need Our Help

The atonement of Jesus Christ assures each of us that we will be resurrected and live forever. But if we are to live forever with our families in Heavenly Father’s presence, we must do all that the Savior commands us to do. This includes being baptized in the His Church and receiving the ordinances of the temple.

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), have each been baptized by one having the proper priesthood authority. Each of them may also go to the temple to receive the saving priesthood ordinances performed there. But many of God’s children have not had these same opportunities. They lived at a time when the gospel was not available to them.

Heavenly Father wants all of his children to return and live with him. For those who died without baptism or the temple ordinances, he has provided a way for this to happen. He has asked members of His Church to perform ordinances for their ancestors in the temples. Temple work is a form of missionary work.

Family History

Mormons (Latter-day Saints) are encouraged to participate in family history activities. Through these activities we learn about our ancestors so that we can perform ordinances for them. Family history involves three basic steps:

1. Identify our ancestors.

2. Find out which ancestors need temple ordinances performed.

3. Make certain that the ordinances are performed for them.

Most Mormon churches have family history consultants who can answer questions and direct us to the resources we need. If a ward does not have a family history consultant, the bishop or branch president can provide direction.

Mormon Temples: what Mormon Prophets have to say about them

This section of the site includes talks by Mormon prophets about Mormon temples. It is a valuable source of correct principles and official doctrine of the Mormon Church conveyed in a simple language accessible to all people. We invite you to consider their teachings.