Church News - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Why Mormons Build Temples

Published: Thursday, March 12, 2009

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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has posted several informational videos on YouTube, including one titled "Why Mormons Build Temples."

(Click here to watch the YouTube video)

"In the holy temple, the precious plan of God is taught," said Church President Thomas S. Monson during the three-minute clip. "It is here that eternal covenants are made. The temple lifts us. It exalts us. It stands as a beacon for all to see and points us to celestial glory. It is the House of God. All that occurs within the walls of the temple is uplifting and ennobling. The temple is a place of tranquility. It is a place of kindness, and love, and light."

President Boyd K. Packer of the Church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said that temples are part of the full restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. "If you understand why we build temples, you must understand first that we believe in revelation and in the restoration of the gospel," he said. "And 'to restore' means to bring back something that was lost – not a new invention, but a restoration of that which was known anciently."