2021
Temple Work
October 2021


“Temple Work,” Liahona, October 2021

Gospel Basics

Temple Work

Temples are the house of the Lord. We can receive ordinances and make covenants with Him in temples. We can also perform ordinances in the temple for our ancestors.

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Barranquilla Colombia Temple

Photograph of Barranquilla Colombia Temple by Bruno Lima

Throughout history, the Lord has commanded His people to build temples. Temples are holy places where we can feel God’s love, receive ordinances, and make promises with Him. The Church is building temples around the world so more and more people can have these blessings.

The Endowment

Church members who are living righteously go to the temple to receive ordinances and make covenants, or promises, with God. One ordinance we receive in the temple is the endowment. The word endowment means “a gift.” The temple endowment is a gift from God. In this ordinance we learn about Heavenly Father’s plan for our salvation, and we make covenants to keep God’s commandments. If we are faithful to the covenants we make, God will bless us.

Sealing Families Together

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couple walking by Manila Philippines Temple

Photograph of couple walking by Manila Philippines Temple by Cristina Smith

A marriage in the temple is also called a sealing. When a couple are sealed in the temple and they keep their covenants, they will be married forever. If they have children, those children will also be sealed to them. Parents who are sealed after they have had children can have their children sealed to them. If they live righteously, they will be a family throughout eternity.

Temple Work for All of God’s Children

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Lisbon Portugal Temple baptistry

Photograph of Lisbon Portugal Temple baptistry by Leslie Nilsson

We do family history work to find out about our ancestors. We then do temple work on their behalf. We perform for them all the ordinances that the living need: baptism, confirmation, receiving the priesthood (for men), endowment, and sealing. They can then choose if they want to accept these ordinances. In this way, all of God’s children can enjoy the blessings of the gospel.

Blessings of Temple Work

If we keep the covenants we make in the temple, we will be blessed, protected, and strengthened. We will have the power of the priesthood with us. Our families will be together forever.

The temple is also a place of peace and revelation. As we do temple work, we can receive spiritual guidance and feel God’s love.