Temples

"What is the relationship between the ancient temple in Jerusalem and modern temples?" This was another question posed by a reader of one of  my past blogs which gave the invitation for ideas to write.

There are a lot of things to write about temples. I could talk about the time, effort, and sacrifice that goes into the building of such beautiful buildings for the Lord. I could write about how many LDS temples there are functioning around the world at this time, which is about  135. Or I could talk about how difficult it can be to erect one of these beautiful buildings, that will be dedicated to the Lord, in some parts of the world where people are unsure of their purpose.

Although if I were to write about those things, then I would not be answering the question that was posed by the reader. So here we go. How do modern LDS temples compare to Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem? Well first lets identify the purposes of a temple of the Lord as defined by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

"In the temple we are taught, we make covenants, and we are promised blessings. We receive ordinances that enable us to live in the presence of God.

One ordinance we receive in the temple is the endowment. The word endowment means “gift” or “bestowal.” As part of this ordinance, we are taught about the purpose of life, the mission and Atonement of Jesus Christ, and Heavenly Father’s plan for His children. We gain a glimpse of what it will be like to live in His presence as we feel the peaceful atmosphere of the temple.

Another temple ordinance is the sealing ordinance, in which husbands and wives are sealed to each other and children are sealed to their parents in eternal families. This means that if we are faithful to our covenants, our family relationships will continue for eternity.

In addition to receiving these ordinances for ourselves, we can receive them for our deceased ancestors. In this way, people who died without receiving essential ordinances such as baptism and confirmation, the endowment, and sealing have the opportunity to accept these ordinances." - temples.lds.org

Another example of how modern LDS temples are the same as King Solomon's Temple in the Old Testament can be found scriptures taken from both the Holy Bible and the Doctrine and Covenants:

"3 And the Lord said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually."- (1 Kings 9:3)

"1 The veil was taken from our minds, and the eyes of our understanding were opened.
2 We saw the Lord standing upon the breastwork of the pulpit, before us...
3 ...his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:...
6 Let the hearts of your brethren rejoice, and let the hearts of all my people rejoice, who have, with their might, built this house to my name.
7 For behold, I have accepted this house, and my name shall be here; and I will manifest myself to my people in mercy in this house."- (Doctrine and Covenants 110:1-7)

The Lord came to both King Solomon and Joseph Smith within the walls of the temples that were built in His name. He accepted the "House" which King Solomon and the Israelites had built for Him. He likewise accepted the "House" which was built on His behalf, and by His commandment, by the early Latter-day Saints.


Really temples are a thing of beauty and sacredness. They are a light and a beacon to the world of the importance of the Lord, and of the importance of the sacred ordinances that go on within their walls. For so many of us temples are such a blessing. They are truly a "Heaven on Earth".

This short video gives more explanations of temples and their purposes.

"2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.

3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem "- ( Isiah 2:2-3)