^{Image Courtesy of Kylee Ann Photographer}

You’ve probably seen one—gleaming white, standing tall with a golden figure at the top. Maybe you've driven past one in your town or seen photos online. But why do members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints build temples? And what happens inside?

Let’s talk about it, simply and sincerely.

Temples are not just places of worship—they are sacred spaces where members of the Church come closer to God, make sacred covenants, and feel peace in an increasingly noisy world. While we meet weekly in regular chapels for Sunday worship, temples are different. They’re quieter, more personal, and deeply spiritual places with a specific purpose.

A Place for Promises That Last Forever

The heart of temple worship is about eternal things—especially eternal families. One of the most cherished reasons we build temples is so that couples can be sealed (married) not just “till death do us part,” but for time and all eternity. Children can also be sealed to their parents, making the family bond eternal, not temporary.

We believe that these sealing ordinances are performed by priesthood authority restored through Jesus Christ—and that they bind families together forever, even after death.

A House of the Lord

On the outside of every temple, you’ll see these words engraved:
“Holiness to the Lord – The House of the Lord.”

Temples are quite literally considered the Lord’s house. A place where we go to draw closer to Him through quiet prayer, sacred learning, and promises made with God.

Inside, members participate in ordinances that help them grow spiritually, including:

• Baptisms for deceased ancestors
• Instruction about God’s plan for His children
• Sealing ceremonies for marriages and families
• Personal worship and quiet reflection

Everything inside a temple points us to Jesus Christ—His love, His sacrifice, and His invitation to follow Him home.

It’s About Love—Not Exclusion

Because temples are so sacred, entrance is reserved for members who have prepared spiritually and received a recommend from their local Church leaders. This can sometimes feel confusing or even hurtful to family and friends who aren’t able to attend a temple wedding.

That’s why many Latter-day Saint couples hold a separate ring ceremony after their sealing—so everyone can feel included, loved, and part of the celebration.

We want you to know: exclusion isn’t the intent. Reverence is. The temple is a deeply personal place, and we treat it with honor and care. It’s because we love the Lord so much that we try to keep His house holy.

A Growing Global Symbol

There are now over 300 temples announced, under construction, or operating around the world. Each one is a symbol of faith, family, and the hope that through Jesus Christ, everything can be made eternal.

We build temples because we believe life continues after death—and that love does too.

Transcript

“I can go the temple and feel close to God. I can feel holiness.”

“The temple, I think, is the great metaphor on Earth for what Heaven will be like.”

“If you understand why we build temples, you must understand first that we believe in revelation and in the restoration of the Gospel. And to ‘restore’ means to bring back something that was lost. Not a new invention, but a restoration of that which was known anciently.”

“I am both interested and delighted to see so much of ancient religious tradition, particularly biblical tradition, taken up into the religious structures and rituals of the Mormons. Someone who does not know much about temples and Mormons building temples should be directed to the Bible. I feel that the Mormon experience of the temple has sort of restored that meaning to the word “temple.” 1 Corinthians 15, where Paul speaks about those who baptize themselves for the dead and obviously takes for granted that, A, there were people who did so, and he has no complaint about it. Now, with the Mormons, we have it again as a practice. It’s a beautiful thing. I could think of myself as taking part in such an act. Extending the blessings that have come to me in and through Jesus Christ. That’s a beautiful way of letting the eternal mix into the temporal, which, in a way, is what Christianity is about.”

“In the Holy Temple, the precious plan of God is taught. It is here that eternal covenants are made. The temple lifts us. It exalts us. It stands as a beacon for all to see and points us towards celestial glory. It is the house of God. All that occurs within the walls of the temple is uplifting and ennobling. The temple is a place of tranquility. It is a place of kindness and love and light.”