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Houses of the Lord

What are temples?

Temples are holy places of worship where we come closer to God.

Temples are literally houses of the Lord. They are places where individuals can go to make sacred promises with God, feel His spirit, and escape from the hectic demands of day-to-day life.

Why do Latter-Day Saints have temples?

Temples are where we make special promises with God that bring us closer to Him.

Temples have been around for a long time. Moses had a tabernacle, Solomon built a beautiful temple, and Jesus taught at the temple in Jerusalem. Today, temples are built all over the world.

In over 140 temples worldwide, faithful members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints find opportunities for peaceful reflection and for learning more about God’s plan of happiness.

Inside temples, couples can be married for eternity, not just “’til death do you part.” Members of the Church can also perform baptisms and other ordinances for their loved ones who died without receiving these blessings.

The blessings of the temple

The temple is also where we can receive the greatest blessings God has to offer us.

Because each temple is the House of the Lord, we can feel a special closeness to God when we visit. This feeling can provide hope when we have challenges and direction when we need guidance in our lives.

The temple is also where we can receive the greatest blessings God has to offer us, including the opportunity to live with our families forever, even after we die. We can also honor and serve our deceased loved ones by providing these blessings to them as we act on their behalf.

Temples are different than meetinghouses

Members of the Church worship in meetinghouses around the world, and visitors are always welcome to participate.

Regular meetinghouses might include a neighborhood chapel or even a rented space in a city building. In any case, these meetinghouses are where members of the Church gather together regularly for Sunday worship services and weekly activities.

A temple is different from other church buildings. Inside the temple, people make special promises with God. These promises include keeping the commandments, being good husbands and wives, and sharing what we have to help take care of each other.

Unlike meetinghouses, entrance into the temple is only open to members of the Church who have prepared themselves to make sacred promises with God.

Temples aren’t special because they look pretty from the outside. Instead, it’s about what happens in the hearts of the people inside, because that’s where God does His most important work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I go inside a temple?

Only members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints with an active temple recommend are currently allowed to enter the inside the temple itself. Everyone, regardless of religion, background, or beliefs, is more than welcome to enjoy the peaceful fountains and gardens, take a tour in the Visitors’ Center, attend devotionals and performances, and join us on Sunday for uplifting worship services.

Can I visit the temple if I'm not a member?

Yes. While you can’t go inside the temple itself, you’re more than welcome to enjoy the fountains and gardens, take a tour in the Visitors’ Center, learn about the life of Christ through art and murals, attend devotionals and performances, and join us on Sunday for uplifting worship services.

What's it like inside a temple?

What is a temple endowment?

The endowment ordinance “consists of a series of instructions and includes covenants to live righteously and follow the requirements of the gospel.” The member makes promises to follow the standards of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

What is a temple wedding like?

Families are central to God’s plan for our happiness, and marriage is meant to last beyond “’til death do you part.” In the temple, husband and wife are united forever. This marriage ceremony is called a temple sealing because the couple is joined together for this life and for eternity.

The bride and groom promise to honor and love one another completely and commit to follow the teachings and example of Jesus. In turn, they are promised that their marriage and their family will endure into the next life.

Marriages performed in the temple are considered eternal and continue beyond death. However, this forever lasting marriage is conditional upon both the husband and wife staying faithful to the promises they make in the temple and keeping the standards of Christ’s teachings.

Why do some people call it the Mormon Temple or LDS Temple?

A common nickname for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is “mormon.” Another common nickname is the “LDS Church.” Thus people sometimes refer to their local temple as the “mormon temple” or “LDS Temple.”

The nickname “mormon” stems from a book of scripture we have called The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Learn more about The Book of Mormon.

While the term “Mormon Church” has long been publicly applied to the Church as a nickname, it is not an authorized title, and the Church discourages its use. Thus, we ask that you please avoid using the abbreviation “LDS” or the nickname “Mormon” as substitutes for the name of the Church.

When referring to Church members, the terms “members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” or “Latter-day Saints,” are preferred.