In Mormonism, the veil is a symbolic barrier that separates God’s presence from his children. In temple ceremonies, it represents the division between mortal life and eternal life with Heavenly Father. Faithful members hope to one day “pass through the veil” to enter God’s presence, both figuratively and literally.
The idea also extends beyond the temple—Latter-day Saints sometimes speak of the “veil of forgetfulness,” placed over their minds when they left the pre-mortal existence, meaning they cannot remember their life before birth.
Biblical Christianity teaches that the Temple veil represented the separation between sinful humanity and a holy God. Only the high priest could enter beyond it—and only with the blood of a sacrifice (Leviticus 16:15–16). When Jesus died, “the curtain of the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom” (Matthew 27:51), showing that his sacrifice removed the barrier between God and mankind forever. Through faith in Christ’s finished work, believers now have direct access to God.
Free Witnessing Tract: Our free tract explores the biblical meaning of the temple veil, why it once blocked access to God, and how Jesus’ perfect sacrifice changed everything. Use it to help your LDS friends understand that through Christ, we no longer need temples or ordinances to be in God’s presence—we are welcomed in because of Jesus alone.
