If you’ve ever seen an LDS temple, chances are you’ve wondered what it is and what goes on inside. Or you may have even heard some rumor about the “strange” or “mysterious” rituals that take place there. Growing up a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I’ve probably heard them all; and I’d agree with anyone who said that some of them are, well…pretty weird.
The truth is, there are a lot of misconceptions about LDS temples, including the idea that what goes on there is some big secret. On the contrary, an entire section of the church’s official website is devoted to answering questions about temples and what happens inside them. But my purpose here is not to review all of the FAQs of temples; there are plenty of other resources offering that kind of information (a few of these are listed at the bottom of this post). Instead, I’d like to take a more personal approach by sharing some of my own experiences inside the temple and the blessings that have come through those experiences.
Participating in Baptisms for the Dead
My first experience
inside the temple occurred when I was 12-years-old and went with my youth group
to perform “baptisms for the dead” in the Orlando, Florida temple. Now before you
get any strange ideas, let me say that we do not baptize corpses in
temples (that’s one of those strange rumors). Rather, we are baptized on behalf of our ancestors who died
without that ordinance. Then, those waiting on the other side have the opportunity to accept
or reject it.
I don’t remember a lot
about that first experience, but I do recall a strong feeling that what I was
doing was right. Coming out of the water, I understood for the first time what
the ancient prophet Obadiah meant when he referred to “saviors on Mount Zion”
(see Obadiah 1:21). Christ taught that baptism is essential for salvation (John 3:5). But being a merciful, loving God, the Lord has provided a way for
those who, through no fault of their own, never received baptism while on the
earth. In latter times, just as in biblical times (see 1 Corinthians
15:29), He has “authorized baptisms to be performed by
proxy for them.”[i]
What a great honor and responsibility to participate, even as a young man, in
an ordinance that very literally offers salvation to another individual. Working alongside the Lord in His work to save His children—that’s what really
happens in temples.
Receiving My Endowment
Several years and
youth trips later, I went to the temple, this time in Washington, D.C., for
another purpose—to receive my endowment. The temple endowment is a beautifully
simple, but symbolic ordinance where “we are taught about the purpose of life,
the mission and Atonement of Jesus Christ, and Heavenly Father’s plan for His
children.”[ii] As
part of the ordinance, we make covenants to keep His commandments and live according to His plan. We then “gain a
glimpse of what it will be like to live in His presence” as we pass from the
ordinance room to the celestial room (for images of these rooms, see Inside the
Temple).[iii]
As long as I live, I will never forget the feeling I had when I passed from the ordinance room and saw my parents smiling, waiting for me in the celestial room. I was overcome with a flood of emotion as I embraced them, reflecting on the symbolism—that someday, through God’s grace and the Atonement of Jesus Christ, I may pass from this life to see my loved ones awaiting my arrival on the other side and live with them for eternity in God's presence. Learning about our potential and committing to live God’s plan—that’s what really happens in temples.
Being Sealed to my Family
As an adult, I have returned to the temple many times to participate in additional ordinances, including proxy endowments for my deceased ancestors. But two of the most sacred and meaningful experiences of my life have come in connection to the sealing ordinance. I first participated directly in a sealing in February 2011, when my wife and I were sealed (or married) in the St. Louis, Missouri temple “for time and all eternity.” Then last January, after finalizing the adoption of our darling daughter, we were blessed to take her with us to the temple in Houston, Texas to be sealed as a family.
During those sealings, I knelt across an altar from the love of my life and, with her and my daughter’s
hands in mine, we made additional covenants together. In return, we were promised that if we were true and faithful to the covenants
we made to each other and to God that day, we would be together as a family not
just in this life, but also in the next. In my short time on this earth,
nothing has quite compared to the sweet joy and excitement I felt during those
two experiences. Knowing that not even death can separate me from my family is
one of the greatest blessings and comforts in my life; and one that I and others who have been to the temple desire all to receive.
Incidentally, that is one of the major reasons we send missionaries to
share the message of the restored gospel throughout the world.
Binding families together, in happiness, for
eternity—that’s what really happens in temples.
Additional Resources:
Additional Resources:
- LDS Temple website
- The Holy Temple, by President Boyd K. Packer
- Salvation for the Dead, June 1992 Liahona
- Blessings of the Temple, President Thomas S. Monson, April 2015 General Conference
- Temples and Work Therein, Elder David B. Haight , October 1990 General Conference
Joseph Harrison is the proud father of an adorable little girl (with two more on the way!) and the husband of an incredible and accomplished
wife. He has a bachelor's degree in business administration and worked
for several years in management consulting before coming to Texas
A&M, where he is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in strategic management.
His passions include his family, the scriptures, serving others, teaching, and
college football. His favorite teams include Clemson and Texas A&M — Go Tigers & Gig 'em Ags!
