Lessons on the Temple
Lesson No. Fifty-Five

 Temple Worship is Evidence of the True Church

Temple worship is unique to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – “Whenever the Lord has had a people on the earth who will obey his word, they have been commanded to build temples where the ordinances of the gospel and other spiritual manifestations that pertain to exaltation and eternal life my be administer” (LDS Bible Dictionary, Temples).
 

Temple building is always opposed by Satan – Whenever a temple is built there is opposition from the adversary.  Less than two months before he was martyred the Prophet Joseph Smith said, “We need the temple more than anything else” (Journal History of the Church, May 4, 1844).  If we need the temple so much no wonder Satan gives such great opposition. Brigham Young said:  “When a new temple is built the bells of hell ring; I like to hear them ring.”

Temple worship was restored by Joseph Smith precept upon precept – The Book of Mormon came literally “line upon line”, and temple worship was restored “precept upon precept.”  Joseph, like all of us, received insights and revelation when he was in tune and prepared to receive them. 

In Kirtland in 1836 Joseph saw his brother Alvin in the celestial kingdom.  He “marveled how it was he had obtained an inheritance in that kingdom, seeing that he had departed this life and had not been baptized for the remission of sins.  Thus came the voice of the Loud unto me, saying: All who have died without a knowledge of this gospel who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God” (D&C 137:5-7).  

Joseph’s life built up to a great crescendo.  In Nauvoo during the last three years of his life Joseph gave 78 discourses mostly about the temple and after life.  But even then he never revealed everything he knew.  He told the saints he could have taught them a hundred times more about life after death if the Lord permitted it, and if the people were prepared to receive it.

The Lord reveals temple doctrine as we are prepared and able to receive it – In 1894 Wilford Woodruff introduced the current practice of sealing members to their own ancestors.  This change he said was the result of continuous revelation.  Living prophets have continued to restore many important aspects of Temple worship:

-        President Joseph F. Smith was given the revelation of the redemption of the dead recorded in D&C 138.

-        President Spencer W. Kimball gave Official Declaration 2 making all people eligible for temple blessings.

-        President Gordon B. Hinckley built more and smaller temples which made temples more accessible.

-        President Russell M. Nelson has accelerated temple building, clarified the temple endowment, and emphasized the importance of temple worship. 

Our understanding of the importance of the temple comes precept upon precept as we regularly worship in the House of the Lord – Near the end of his life the Prophet Joseph noted:  “I spent the day instructing in the principles and order of the Priesthood, and so on to the highest order of the Melchizedek Priesthood….and there is nothing made known to these men but what will be made known to all the Saints of the last days, as soon as they are prepared to receive, and a proper place is prepared to communicate them…therefore let the Saints be diligent in building the temple knowing assuredly that all these things…are always governed by the principles of revelation” (HC 5:1-2).