Perspectives

The significance of a temple

By Scott Williams
Posted 9/29/22

For members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the temple represents the most holy place of worship. It is a place of reverence, beauty, peace and revelation.  It is a place …

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Perspectives

The significance of a temple

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For members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the temple represents the most holy place of worship. It is a place of reverence, beauty, peace and revelation.  It is a place where we commit to living a life dedicated to God and his work.  

On Oct. 3 last year, our prophet and the president of the Church, Russell M. Nelson, announced that there would be a temple built in the Cody area. For members of the Church of Jesus Christ, this was exciting news. While the exact location and time frame for this sacred edifice has not been determined, members of the Church of Jesus Christ anxiously look forward to its construction. For friends who are curious, there is an abundance of information about temples that can be found at temples.churchofjesuschrist.org.  

The following is an excerpt from one of the many explanations:

Temples are different from the thousands of church meetinghouses located around the world. Meetinghouses are where Sunday worship services, youth gatherings, service projects, and other community events take place. All are welcome to join in these activities.

Temples have a more specific purpose. They are places specially set apart for sacred service and ceremonies. They are designated by the Lord and dedicated to his purposes. Temples are the only places where some priesthood ordinances are authorized to be performed. These sacred ceremonies lift and inspire participants as they make commitments to follow the teachings and example of Jesus Christ.

Receiving temple ordinances and keeping covenants unites families together for eternity. Our relationships with those we love can last forever when we honor our commitments to God. In temples, these ordinances are also performed by members of the church on behalf of those who have died without the opportunity to hear and accept the gospel of Jesus Christ. Such service extends the saving grace of Jesus Christ to all people. After a temple is dedicated, entrance is reserved for members of the church who are prepared to participate in these ordinances. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, temple worship is about refining our walk with Jesus Christ. In the temple we are instructed more fully on the absolute necessity of a Savior and the grace provided through the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. This sacrifice gives every person who does now, has ever or will ever live, a chance to have eternal life if they choose Jesus Christ and his atonement. The temple teaches us that there is personal strength and power that we gain as we fully dedicate our lives to God. The temple provides a reminder that every person is a child of God and that he loves each of them perfectly. With this perfect love, and because he is no respecter of persons, he requires all to choose him, and yet he stands at the door and knocks, waiting for us to open the door and let him in so that he can provide the way for us to overcome this world and sit down with him and his father in the Father’s throne. For members of the Church of Jesus Christ the temple points us to Jesus.  

When plans are finalized and the temple is built we invite all to come into the temple during the open house that will begin its service as a house of God. 

(Scott Williams is the bishop of Powell’s fourth ward)

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