What exactly is in a Mormon Temple? Why is it so secretive?

Answer 1

In the temple we do a lot of ceremonies, like marriage, baptisms for the dead, endowments(making covenants with God), etc.

It's not secretive. Once you've been a member for a year you can go in the temple as much as you want. And actually, there is a waiting room and a reception area inside most temples that non members can go in.

We don't let non-LDS people in the temple just like Jews didn't allowed non-Jews go in their temple.

Answer 2

There is NOTHING secret about our temples. It is sacred. Big difference. If we let everyone in without holding them to a higher standard, it would be like the money changers who were in the temple that Christ threw out in the New Testament. We would LOVE to have everyone live to that higher standard that we hold ourselves to so that they too can have the blessings of the temple.

Besides that, every word of every ceremony held in the temple can be found at the Library of Congress. Nothing secret about it.

Answer 3

The Mormon temple is a place where the Mormons go in order to receive and learn the sacred rites in order to "pass through the veil", or get to heaven. There's rituals involved, as well as baptisms for the dead, and some other things.

The Mormons claim the Temple is not secret, but rather sacred. Some religious scholars point to the fact that Joseph Smith (founder of Mormonism) was a Mason, and that the rites and rituals performed in the Temple closely resemble Masonic rites; which were also kept a secret from non-members.

Answer 4

The Lord has commanded His people to build temples. One such command was directed to Solomon, who proceeded to build a house of the Lord and the most sacred structure on earth. Earlier, the Israelite’s tabernacle in the wilderness served as a temple, and there was a temple in the time of Jesus Christ.

When Jesus Christ restored His Church through Joseph Smith, He again directed that temples be built. In the temple, sacred covenants are made and worthy members? are endowed with a gift of power and knowledge from on high.

In the more than 100 holy temples worldwide today, members:

-Learn eternal truths.
-Receive sacred ordinances?, including those that bind husband and wife together for eternity, as well as join children and parents ( Malachi 4:5).
-Perform ordinances such as baptism? in behalf of those who have died without the opportunity to receive the gospel?, making it possible for those who choose to accept them to return to live one day with Heavenly Father ( 1 Peter 4:6 and 1 Corinthians 15:29).

Visitors are welcome to visit the temple grounds at any temple and attend open houses prior to dedication, thereafter only baptized members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who are qualified and prepared are allowed to enter a temple after it is dedicated.

Answer 5

Psalms 31:20 Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.

Anciently the Temple was the center of Hebrew worship. It was dedicated as the House of the Lord. Those that participated in the temple wore unique attire as described in the Old Testament.

Today the Temple is once more the House of the Lord. Those who enter are under covenant to hold the ordinances of the temple as sacred. It is "a pavilion from the strife of tongues."

There are many occasions where the scriptures urge us to keep things private or 'secret'. The Savior told us to pray in our closets in secret.

Isaiah wrote "And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel."

The Book of Revelation tells us that we should keep certain gifts private and not reveal them. Should we ignore these instructions to be less 'secretive'?

Rev. 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

Answer 6

It is a building where we perform covenants and ordinances we believe are sacred... so we can't really talk about them. That is why it is secretive-- because we believe that what happens in the temple is a sacred thing in the eyes of God and should therefore be kept private. Some of the things that do happen in the temple are marriages, endowments, meditation, and performing ordinances for deceased family members.

To us, it is an extremely holy and reverent place, and not something to be discussed with others. It's kind of like the Muslims and their city Makkah... no one can enter there unless they are Muslim because it is a holy place to them. And the Free Masons, as someone else mentioned... no one really knows what they do, they keep it secret. It is because these places and practices are held in such high regard to the people involved with them.

Answer 7

The Mormon Temple is where Mormons go to do sacred ordinances for their ancestors who have passed away, to be married, to do other special ordinances. You can visit and tour a non-dedicated one for free, but once it has been dedicated, only Mormons above the age of 12, and who are worthy to, can enter into the Temple. It's so secretive because it is held in such high regard. I'm sure that Muslims don't really share what they do in their Mosques (sorry for any misspelling). It's something that you want to keep sacred.

I don't want you to convert, I'm just saying that I didn't give you the best of all descriptions.

ToryRose, on the contrary, Baptism for the Dead is not embarassing for them. According to those I've spoken to.

TO Rudy H: Why were folk's of African decent not allowed in their "Priesthood" until about 25-30 years ago? Ask them why they believe African's are black? I answered that question...please keep in mind that I am not saying I am Mormon, I just have Mormon connections...

Answer 8

I know you can visit and go into a nondedicated Mormon Temple - some even do tours, but once it's dedicated, only worthy Mormons can attend - I imagine it has to do with it being sacred.

Answer 9

There are a number of things that go in the Mormon Temple.

1. Baptisms for the dead. (Often a persons ancestors)
2. "Confirmation" for the dead. (also, often ancestors).
3. Marriage or "Sealing" of couples and children to their parents.
4. A display by actors or videos about their beliefs on the origins of humanity.
5. They dress in special clothing.
6. They learn special symbols and handshakes.
7. They meditate quietly.
8. They receive individual blessings.

There is no sex or orgies. The special clothing is modest (and looked pretty silly to me).

That's it.

Answer 10

What is the purpose of the temple?
To members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the temple is the "House of the Lord." It is a sacred building, and after its dedication only faithful members of the Church may enter. Inside, members learn more about the purpose of life and make covenants to serve Jesus Christ and their fellow man. In addition, they participate in religious ceremonies that reach beyond mortality, such as baptisms on behalf of deceased ancestors and eternal marriage.


What is it like inside the temple?
Many people are under the impression that the interior of a Latter-day Saint temple is like a great hall or cathedral. Actually, temples are made up of a number of rooms designed to accommodate certain functions such as marriages, baptisms and instructional sessions. Inside the temple, Church members change into simple, modest white clothing previous to performing their temple labors. The white temple clothing is symbolic of purity and reverence.

Will members of the public ever see the inside of the temple?
Yes. After the temple is completed, there will be an organized open house (typically multiday) for the general public. During the open house, information will be provided to explain the different functions and ceremonies performed in the temple and answer questions. After the open house, the temple will be dedicated to the Lord and open only to worthy Church members.

What is the difference between a temple and a meetinghouse?
Regular Sunday worship, instruction and other social and recreational activities occur in Latter-day Saint meetinghouses, or chapels. In temples, on the other hand, faithful members receive specific instruction about the purpose of life and their relationship to God. There they take part in family-oriented ordinances, both for themselves and in behalf of deceased ancestors. Sacred ordinances available only in temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.

The reason we don't talk about it much is that we believe we are making sacred covenants with God - and we people who do not respect our faith or beliefs mock and make fun of our actions and methods of worship. Out of respect and love of God, we do not discuss these things openly but hold them close.