Category: Temples
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Washing and Anointing (Temple Ceremony) (Defined)
Washing and Anointing: Initiatory temple ceremony that purifies the patron who does this only once for him or herself. All other ceremonies a person does would be on behalf of deceased people. For more information, see here. Return to dictionary here.
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Temple Recommend (Defined)
Temple recommend. A barcoded card that allows a member of good standing in the LDS Church access to a temple for two years at a time. This is given only after an interview with the Mormon’s bishop if the applicant is deemed worthy. A temple recommend expires after two years. When a renewal is sought, the applicant…
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Temple Patron (Defined)
Temple Patron. Person holding a temple recommend and participating in rituals at a Mormon temple.Return to dictionary here.
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Temple Open House (Defined)
Temple Open House: A short period of time–usually two to four weeks or, in the case of the Salt Lake temple open house in 2027, six months–where a new or remodeled LDS temple is opened to the public for free tours before it is officially dedicated. Click here to download a newspaper we hand out at…
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Temple (Defined)
Temple: Sometimes called “university of the Lord.” Special buildings where members deemed worthy get married and participate in ordinances, including work on behalf of the dead. According to Mormon Apostle Bruce R. McConkie, “With temples men can be exalted; without them there is no exaltation” (The Mortal Messiah: From Bethlehem to Calvary 1:99). Apostle Russell…
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Second Anointing (Defined)
Second Annointing. A rare temple ordinance whereby a person has his or her “calling and election made sure.” Only Mormons who have received the second anointing can know for sure in this life if they will obtain godhood upon death. Not much is known about the second anointing because of the secret nature of this…
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Sealing (Defined)
Sealing: Temple ceremony binding a husband and wife together for eternity. Children who are not born in the covenant also can be sealed to parents.Return to dictionary here.
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Does 1 Corinthians 15:29 Teach Baptism for the Dead?
In 1 Corinthians 15:29, the apostle Paul wrote, “Else what shall they dowhich are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?” President David O. McKay wrote,“Not a few commentators have tried to explain away [this passage’s] true significance; but its context proves plainly…
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Ordinance (Defined)
Ordinance. Ceremony in which the Mormon makes a covenant with god. It includes baptism, sacraments, and work in the temple.Return to dictionary here.
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New Names (Defined)
New Names. Temple patrons receive a name in the temple ceremony to be used after death; only a spouse is allowed to know the other person’s new name. The names are usually based on the Bible or the Book of Mormon; every male in the temple receives the same name, and the same for the…
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Hosanna Shout (Defined)
Hosanna Shout. Done at temple dedication ceremonies. Each member takes a white handkerchief and waves it while shouting “Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna to God and the Lamb” a total of three times, sealing it each time with “Amen, Amen and Amen.” If a person has no handkerchief, then a palm raised is sufficient. This was first…
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Garments of the Holy Priesthood (Defined)
Garments of the Holy Priesthood. Sacred underwear worn by faithful temple Mormons which, they are told in the temple, “will be a shield and protection to you against the power of the destroyer until you have finished your work here on earth.” Sewn into the garments are markings that resemble the compass, square, and level of Freemasonry.…
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Endowment (Defined)
Endowment. Ceremony in a Mormon temple in which the temple patron learns about creation, the garden of Eden, and the telestial and terrestrial worlds. According to Apostle Bruce R. McConkie, “Certain special, spiritual blessings given worthy and faithful saints in the temples are called endowments, because in and through them the recipients are endowed with power from…
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Covenants (Defined)
Covenants. Two-way promises made by members with God. When the member keeps the promises, God keeps His promise of blessing. When the member does not keep the promises, the agreement is broken and God is under no obligation for eternal life (exaltation). Quoting sixteenth LDS President Thomas S. Monson, the July 2012 Ensign (“Understanding Our…
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Baptism for the Dead (Definition)
Baptism for the dead. Also known as baptism by proxy or vicarious baptism, performed in Mormon temples by living Church members on behalf of someone who is deceased. It is believed that those spirits who are baptized for will have an opportunity to receive the Mormon gospel in the spirit world, though acceptance of such…
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The Second Anointing of Modern-day Mormonism
Latter-day Saint Tom Phillips was an Area Executive Secretary for the Mormon Church in the United Kingdom when an LDS General Authority invited him to receive his Second Anointing in the Preston England Temple. On Sunday, 19 May 2002, Mr. Phillips and his wife received their “second endowment,” in the company of four additional worthy…
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What do Nancy Pelosi and the Mormon Temple Endowment Ceremony have in common?
In March 2010 Nancy Pelosi infamously said, “But we have to pass the [health care] bill so that you can find out what is in it, away from the fog of the controversy.” Her statement brought swift and strong denunciation from people all across America. To pass a law binding on all Americans before actually…
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Mormonism and Visitations from the Dead
People who have died are very important to members of the Mormon Church. The dead are a very important aspect of the Mormon gospel. The sixth President of the Church, Joseph F. Smith, taught, “We will not finish our work until we have saved ourselves, and then not until we shall have saved all depending…
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Mormon Temples: One Way
Thomas S. Monson, the current LDS president and prophet, has a Facebook page. Well, actually, a Thomas Monson Facebook page exists, but it is “not an Official church Facebook page.” The page describes itself as, “Quotes and talks from Thomas S. Monson.” A couple of weeks ago (24 June 2012) the page posted a picture…
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Experiencing the Mormon Temple for the First Time
I recently came across a web page on which a Mormon man recounted his first temple endowment experience. Following his story, he posted “sincere replies from other church members” who wrote about their own first temple experiences. The perspectives of these Mormons who were excited and ready for the spiritual experience of their lives is…