What's the Secret?

Salt Lake City Temple

Temples. Some of you may be wondering what the big deal is about them. Why are only some people allowed to enter the temple? What are they used for? I've had these questions and more asked to me as a missionary. The other day, I was asked another question about the temple, and decided I wanted to write a blog about temples, to answer some of these questions.
In a gospel reference book, True to the Faith, it tells us a little bit about what temples are. "Temples are literally houses of the Lord. They are holy places of worship where the Lord may visit...Throughout histroy, the Lord has commanded His people to build temples. Today the Church is heeding the Lord's call to build temples all over the world, making temple blessings more available for a great number of our Heavenly Father's children."

San Jose Costa Rica Temple

Many people question why only some can enter the temple. Let me clarify, it's not to be secretive, rather it is sacred. Heavenly Father wants everyone to enjoy the blessings of the temple. He wants everyone to prepare themselves to enter temple doors.

Maybe this will help...Let's say you're finishing up your senior year of high school. You want to attend the local university after graduation. Well, how do you get into the school you want? Can you just enter the doors the first day of school and say, 'Alright, I'm here. I'm ready.' and then you're good to start? That's not really the way it works. It's a process. Up through high school, you have to put time and effort into studying and getting good grades to help prepare you for college. You also have to pass exams and fill out applications to be accepted into the school.

Billings Montana Temple

              The temple is similar. We must put forth time and effort into preparing to enter the temple doors, we need to study and attain other goals before one can enter. We need to be interviewed to deternine if we are really ready for this next step in life. And once we do we prepare and are ready to walk into the doors of the holy temple, we will be able to understand even more about the gospel, and we will be able to receive even greater blessings.

I found some answers to frequently asked questions on mormon.org as to who can enter the temple and a little about what goes on in the temple:

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has more than 100 operating temples around the world. Visitors are welcome to visit the temple grounds at all of these temples and attend open houses prior to dedication. However, only baptized members who are qualified and prepared are allowed to enter a temple after it is dedicated.

In temples, Church members participate in ordinances designed to unite their families together forever and help them return to God. In the temple, 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 4:5-6).
• Provide ordinances such as baptism for those who have died without the opportunity to receive the gospel of Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:29; 1 Peter 4:6)

An apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, speaks about temples in this video. Others describe some of the blessings they have received in the temple:

I know that the temple can be a blessing to everyone's life. We have temples to help us become closer to our Heavenly Father.