Temples Today
Five New Temples to be Built
President Monson announces the construction of five more temples around the world – near Kansas City, Philadelphia Pennsilvania, Calgary Canada, Rome Italy, and Cordoba Argentina. This brings the number of temples around the world which are operating, in planning or under construction, to 145.
Ye Are the Temple of God
Provo Utah Temple. © 2003, Rick Satterfield. LDSChurchTemples.com. Used with permission. (Click for a larger view)
When I attended the FAIR Conference a couple months ago I was privileged to meet Hannah Rebekah, who is a reader here and also among many forums and blogs in the Bloggernacle. This morning she was kind enough to forward me some thoughtful words about the temple, written by Tom Kelly in the Ensign a number of years ago, that have greatly impacted her throughout her life, and which she has shared with many. My post about how we should make our homes a temple reminded her of these words, that we should also strive to make ourselves into temples. As Hannah remarked about the author, “I think [he] was really inspired in his views and his comparisons and I love how he wove everything together so beautifully…”
Ye Are the Temple of God
Last winter I was facing some deep challenges. Wanting to get close to the Lord, I walked up to the Provo Temple one evening. As I gazed at that lovely, sacred edifice, I reflected upon the words of Paul: “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God?” (1 Cor. 3:16.) I found myself pondering the significance of these words. In what sense is a person like a temple? What changes would I need to make in myself to be worthy to be called a temple of God?
A temple becomes a temple when it is dedicated. It is not the house of the Lord until it is given unto Him.
A temple is beautiful. Looking at it lifts and edifies. It is spotless and dignified.
A temple is calm and still. Peace and quietness reign within.
A temple is a place of worthiness—no unclean thing may enter therein.
Engraved deeply into the wall of the temple are the words, “Holiness to the Lord.”
A temple is a house of service. Its whole purpose is to provide those things that are truly essential for the happiness of God’s children.
The spire of the temple rises skyward. The righteous, on seeing the temple, lift their eyes to heaven.
A temple is built by sacrifice, by diligent and patient labor.
A temple is, above all, a home for God the Father, his son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. The house of the Lord is a sacred place, worthy of their presence.
With such thoughts in my heart, I look at the temple and then at my own life:
Am I dedicated to the Lord?
Does my appearance lift and edify?
Am I peaceful and calm within?
Are my mind and heart open only to worthy thoughts and feelings?
Is “holiness to the Lord” engraved upon my soul?
Am I engaged in vital service to God’s children?
Do I lift my eyes toward heaven?
Am I willing to build myself by sacrifice, toil, and patience?
Does the Spirit of God dwell in me?
In short, am I becoming a temple of the Most High God?
(Tom Kelly, Brigham Young University Sixteenth Branch, BYU Fifth Stake, “Ye Are the Temple of God,” Ensign, Dec. 1976, 59, link.)
San Salvador El Salvador Temple Groundbreaking
San Salvador El Salvador Temple. © 2008, Intellectual Reserve. All rights reserved. (click for larger view)
The announcement of the building of the San Salvador, El Salvador, temple was particularly moving for me since that is where I served my mission (’00-’02). The closest temple for members in the country when I served there was the Guatemala City Guatemala Temple. Making the trip to Guatemala typically took members years of saving, a week long trip in a bus, and usually only happened once in a lifetime. This temple will be a great blessing for them.
LDSChurchTemples.com reports that the temple groundbreaking ceremony took place just a few days ago on September 20, 2008. Elder Don R. Clarke from the Quorum of the Seventy, and president of the Central America area, presided at the meeting. Photos of the ceremony can be seen here. The temple will be dedicated in 2010 or 2011.
See the approximate location of this temple. If you know more precisely where it will be going, please let me know.
The Seal of Melchizedek – Part 4
Satellite photo of the San Diego California Temple with the “Seal of Melchizedek” overlayed 13 times. I particularly like the symbol used in the skylight of the atrium in the center of the temple.
To continue my research I wanted to know as accurately as possible the story about this symbol, the “seal of Melchizedek,” as it was used in the San Diego Temple. I couldn’t find a good account online, so I decided to go to the source. Who better would know than the design architect of the temple? So I gave him a call. [Read more…]