In my church -- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes referred to as the Mormon church) -- the temple is considered the most sacred place on earth. A place of love and beauty, as one of our children's hymns proclaims --
I love to see the temple, I'm going there someday. To feel the holy spirit, to listen and to pray. For the temple is a House of God, a place of love and beauty. I'll prepare myself while I am young -- this is my sacred duty.
I love to see the temple, I'll go inside someday. I'll covenant with my Father, I'll promise to obey. For the temple is a holy place where we are sealed together. As a child of God I've learned this truth -- a family is forever.
All who have qualified themselves and are worthy to enter the temple may do so. Qualifications include first and foremost being a baptized member of our church, but in general it means that one is keeping the commandments and trying their best to follow in the Savior's footsteps. Inside the temple, church members participate in sacred ordinances, make sacred covenants with God, and can have their marriages and families "sealed" together for all of time and eternity.
Whenever a new temple is built, however, the Church opens it up for a limited time to be viewed by any and all who have the desire to come and see it. After the Open House period is over, the temple will be dedicated to the Lord and from then on open only to those who have qualified themselves for entry and hold a current temple recommend.
In the temple we learn more of God's plan for us and receive answers to the age-old questions that nearly everyone ponders at some point in their lives. Who are we? Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where do we go when this life is over? To learn more about why we build temples in our Church, you can turn to this link. In addition, here are some Commonly Asked Questions about Temples: (taken from a handout at the Open House)
Q. What is the purpose of the temple?
A. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints consider the temple the house of the Lord. Inside, Church members learn more about the purpose of life and make covenants to serve Jesus Christ and other people. In addition, they participate in ordinances such as baptism and eternal marriage for their deceased ancestors.
Q. What is the inside of the temple like?
A. The interior of the temple does not resemble a great hall or a cathedral. Instead, it contains a number of rooms, each designed to accommodate certain ceremonies, such as marriage, baptism, and instructional sessions. Church members participating in these ordinances change into simple, modest, white clothing. The color white symbolizes purity and reverence.
Q. Can the public see the inside of the temple?
A. Yes. After the temple is built, the general public is invited to an open house that usually runs several days. At that open house the public can ask questions, and the different functions of the temple are explained. The temple is then dedicated and open only to Church members in good standing.
Q. What is the difference between a temple and a meetinghouse?
A. Meetinghouses, or chapels, accommodate regular Sunday worship in addition to social and recreational activities. Inside temples, faithful members participate in family-oriented ordinances both for themselves and on behalf of deceased ancestors. These ordinances, performed only in the temple, make it possible for families to be united eternally.
As for me, going to the Kansas City Temple Open House with my own little family was a treasured experience in spite of the troubles and trials that surrounded it. I am so grateful that my children were able to go inside and feel the beauty and peace around us. After talking with each of them afterwards, it was interesting to see which rooms were their favorite -- Ethan loved the baptistry, Grace really loved the first instructional room with its beautiful mural on the wall, and Sophie loved the Celestial Room where we were able to stay for a moment in silence before moving on to the next area. My favorite room was the sealing room. While inside I felt the Spirit so strongly. Our family is forever. Because Scott and I knelt across an altar to be married in the Salt Lake Temple nearly 10 years ago, we are bound and sealed for eternity. Because of the covenants we made, each child in our family is sealed to us as well. Our family is eternal because of the blessings of the temple and I am so, so grateful.
20 April 2012
{The following links provide an outside perspective on the Temple Open House. To see pictures from inside the temple you can check out this video from CNN and in this article from the Huffington Post an Episcopalian priest gives her take on the experience she had as she toured the Temple.}
5 comments:
Beautifully written Jessica. Do you remember the open house for the Baton Rouge temple when we got home late that night and while we were reflecting on the experience, somebody heard our garbage cans knock over and our van was stolen for the 3rd time out of our driveway?
On a more spiritual note, I also remember later when the temple was dedicated, we were invited at the last minute to be in the celestial room where Pres. Hinckley was about to preside over that special meeting. We were told that there were only 2 seats left and as I glanced at all of you, I easily decided that I would rather stay with my children and offered the 2 seats to a VERY excited couple behind us. I will never forget sitting with all of you in the waiting area that day as we listened to the music and dedicatory prayer for our wonderful temple.
i missed the baton rouge open house!!! :( i was out at byu still and i think it cost too much to fly home. i was super bummed about that. this was the first open house i've ever been to.
i remember you telling me those stories, though. i wish i could have been there with all of you!
that's right...I forgot you were not with us. That was also the open house that my parents came to and Emily and Freddie were part of the youth group that escorted them. I missed them because I was driving other youth home from the morning schedule. But, I do remember that I got up early the next morning (without my van) to rent a small car because I was to meet my sister, Susan, for an early tour. It all worked out wonderfully. This makes me want to go look for pictures.
miss you and love you!
Awesome post. I love that last picture of your (not so) little family in front of the temple. Ps going with maw maw and paw paw through the temple was one of the top ten experiences of my life. It was very sacred. It was one of the few times early in my life when I actually recognized that I was feeling the spirit. Mom, I wish you could have seen maw maw. I've never seen her so in awe and I remember her tears rolling down her eyes while watching a short movie on the temple. I remember paw paw was very reverent while soaking it all in as well. I'm sure it was just a glimpse of what you will experience with your parents and family in the life to come.
Freddie I dont think i've heard that story in that much detail. that is wonderful. I love temple open houses. I've been to Baton Rouge, Redlands, CA, and Newport Beach.
it was interesting to hear which rooms were the kids favorites...b/c each answer fits there personalities PERFECTLY! I am like you, and my favorite room especially during temple open houses has been the sealing room. I always feel the spirit strongest there.
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