For Latter-day Saints, the temple holds the same place of importance that the cross holds for Christians. It is viewed as the gateway to eternal life. Many LDS families display a picture of a temple in their homes as a reminder of their ultimate goal—exaltation.
Temples are distinct from regular meetinghouses. They are considered the House of the Lord, where the most sacred ordinances necessary for eternal life are performed, such as the endowment ceremony and celestial marriage (sealing). These ordinances, performed only in temples, are believed to be essential for exaltation in the celestial kingdom:
“The principal purpose of temples is to provide the ordinances necessary for our exaltation in the celestial kingdom.” (True to the Faith, p. 170)
The majority of temple work, however, is done on behalf of the dead. Mormons perform baptisms, endowments, and sealings by proxy for those who did not receive these ordinances in life, believing that such work allows the deceased to progress toward exaltation in the spirit world.
Entry to the temple is restricted. Only members deemed “worthy” by their leaders receive a temple recommend, renewed every two years. Worthiness includes paying a full tithe, keeping the Word of Wisdom, and following the teachings of the Church. Inside, participants wear white clothing to symbolize purity and equality, and sacred garments as a reminder of temple covenants.
While LDS members sometimes refer to the temple as a place of worship, it is not a place for congregational worship services. It is reserved for performing ordinances, making covenants, and participating in ceremonies considered essential for eternal progression.
Biblical Christianity teaches that the Old Testament temple pointed to the separation between God and humanity caused by sin and the need for a perfect sacrifice. When Jesus died, the temple veil was torn in two (Matthew 27:51), signifying that his once-for-all sacrifice had removed that separation. Through Christ, believers now have direct access to God and are themselves called his temple (1 Corinthians 3:16).
