Latter-day Saints build temples because they believe God has commanded His people to create sacred places where worshippers make covenants, receive ordinances, learn of Jesus Christ, and seek blessings that extend beyond death.
A House of the Lord
A dedicated temple is regarded as a holy house of the Lord. Latter-day Saints connect modern temples with a scriptural pattern of sacred places where God teaches, covenants with, and blesses His people.
Covenants and Ordinances
Temple worship includes ordinances that are not performed in ordinary chapels. The endowment teaches God’s plan and includes covenants to follow Jesus Christ. Temple sealings unite husbands and wives and connect children to parents with the promise that family relationships can continue eternally when covenants are faithfully kept.
Jesus Christ Is Central to Temple Worship
Temple worship is intended to point disciples toward the Savior. The ordinances teach about God’s plan of salvation, the Atonement of Jesus Christ, obedience, sacrifice, consecrated discipleship, and the hope of returning to God through Christ.
Why Are Some Temple Ceremonies Limited to Prepared Members?
Before dedication, temples often hold public open houses. After dedication, participation in temple ordinances is reserved for Church members who have prepared spiritually and are recommended by local Church leaders. Latter-day Saints describe this as sacred preparation rather than secrecy: the covenants are treated as solemn commitments requiring readiness.
What About People Who Have Died?
Latter-day Saints believe God provides every person a fair opportunity to receive the gospel. In temples, living members may receive ordinances by proxy for deceased ancestors. Those ordinances are understood as an offer, not a forced conversion; the deceased retain agency to accept or reject them.