Temple Promises Bind Us to God and Each Other

Because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we can live with our loved ones and with God again after this life. We can choose to follow Him by making covenants, or promises, with Him.

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What Is a Temple?What Is a Covenant?We Make Covenants in the Temple Common Questions

What Is a Temple?

Temples are holy and sacred places. We consider temples to be the houses of the Lord Jesus Christ. They are different from local church buildings where we hold Sunday worship services and other activities. Temples are dedicated to God’s most sacred work.

Temples are full of symbolism. For example, those attending the temple wear simple white clothing to symbolize purity and equality before God. Temples are a holy, peaceful refuge where followers of Jesus Christ can connect more deeply to Him.

Most importantly, temples are places where we can make sacred covenants with God.

What Is a Covenant?

We can strengthen our relationships with God and receive special blessings from Him through covenants. A covenant is a sacred promise between God and His children. God gives the conditions for the covenant and then gives us the choice to accept them.
Let’s use baptism as an example.

When we are baptized, we promise God we will serve Him, keep His commandments, and take Jesus Christ’s name upon us. If we do these things, God promises to forgive our sins, bless us with His Holy Spirit, and give us eternal life in His presence.

We renew the covenants we make at baptism as we take the sacrament, also called communion, each Sunday at church. This sacrament is patterned after the sacrament of the Last Supper that Jesus introduced to His Apostles before His death.

After baptism, adult members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can make additional covenants with God in the temple. These covenants and promises strengthen their relationships with Him and bring even greater blessings.

We Make Covenants in the Temple

Endowment

The word endowment  means “gift.” In the temple endowment, adult Church members make solemn covenants, including promises to obey God’s commandments and dedicate their time and talents to the Lord’s work. In return, members receive blessings such as greater knowledge of God’s plan, increased strength to follow Christ’s example, and the opportunity to live with God forever.

Sealing

One of the great joys of the gospel of Jesus Christ is the promise that family ties can continue beyond our mortal lives. In the temple, families are connected or “sealed” together for eternity.

During a marriage sealing ceremony, a husband and a wife kneel across an altar to make covenants with each other and with God. They promise to honor and love one another completely and commit to follow the teachings and example of Jesus Christ. In turn, they are promised that their marriage and family will endure forever.

Young couple stands outside the Ogden Utah Temple. They are looking out at the temple in the background with the Angel Moroni being almost top center of the image. He is wearing a dark blue suit with white collared shirt. She is in a white dress. It is late afternoon/early evening.

Work on behalf of deceased ancestors

We believe in a just and merciful God who would not deny any of His children the blessings of eternity because of circumstances they can’t control.

In the temple, we perform baptisms, endowments, and sealings on behalf of ancestors who did not have the opportunity to receive those ordinances before they died. In this work, someone who is alive acts as a substitute or proxy on behalf of someone who has died.

These sacred ceremonies are performed only in temples. We believe our ancestors can choose to accept or reject this offering made in love for them.

Common Questions

How is a temple different from a regular church building?

Churches are used for Sunday worship services, weekday youth activities, social gatherings, and other community events, while temples are specially set apart for sacred service and ceremonies.
You can spot a temple by the words “The House of the Lord” on the building, whereas a regular chapel will have the words “Visitors Welcome” and “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” on the outside.
Whereas group interaction and community building are a big part of what happens in chapels, temples have a special reverence. In temples, people are quiet and contemplative to maintain respect for the Lord.

Can I go inside a temple?

You can sometimes go inside a temple! When temples are first built, or after they undergo extensive renovations, open houses are held for the public. Also, many temples have visitors’ centers, waiting areas, or grounds that are open to anyone.

After a temple is complete, it is dedicated for sacred worship. Because of the holy nature of the work done in temples, the temple is then open only to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who have prepared themselves for the experience.

While you might not be able to enter a temple right now, all of God’s children are invited to learn more about the gospel of Jesus Christ and enter into the covenant relationships that will allow them to fully participate in the blessings of the temple.

What are temple weddings like?

During a short, simple ceremony, a bride and groom join hands across an altar. They covenant with God that they will honor and love one another completely and commit to follow the teachings and example of the Savior. In turn, they are promised that their marriage and their family will endure forever.

Couples married in the temple often celebrate with family and friends afterward with a wedding reception or other cultural tradition. Couples who were previously married in civil ceremonies outside the temple (such as those who joined the Church after they were already married) can experience the blessings of being sealed in the temple as well.

Your Family Can Be Together Forever

Missionaries can teach you more about how the blessings of baptismal and temple covenants—including the promise of an eternal family—can be a part of your life.