Site for the planned Payson Utah Temple

On 25th January 2010, President Thomas S. Monson, prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, announced that a Mormon temple is planned for the city of Payson, Utah.  The new temple will help relieve the pressure of use on the nearby Provo Utah Temple.

The proposed temple site is on the south-west of Payson, near the I-15 highway, and when the building is completed, the temple district will encompass an area serving almost 80,000 members of the Mormon Church.

There are currently 14 other temples in operation and announced throughout the state of Utah.

The city block — known to locals as Central Square — once was home to Brigham City’s Central Elementary School. After the school was razed, a professional plaza-type development was projected for the property. A recent sign on Central Square announced the property had been sold.

The block is bordered in both directions along Main Street by retail businesses and to the west by private residences.  The Box Elder Tabernacle, completed in 1890, was gutted by fire in February 1896 and rebuilt and rededicated a year later. It was closed in 1986 for major restoration and reopened and rededicated in April 1987.

With its steeple being one of the community’s most visible landmarks for miles, the tabernacle is still used for LDS conferences, concerts and other community meetings. It was included on the National Register of Historical Places in 1971 — one of the state’s first such designated sites.

A groundbreaking ceremony was announced for July 31, 2010, at 9:00 a.m.  The public is invited to attend. The event will also be broadcast to stake centers in the temple district.

Patterned after classic designs found at the Logan, Manti and Salt Lake temples, the Brigham City temple will have a limestone exterior and face east toward the tabernacle. The temple will have two spires. The angel Moroni will reach several feet higher than the highest point of the tabernacle.  Two tiered parking will enable the temple and parking to fit on the 3-acre lot.  Attractive fencing, garden and fountain will create a tranquil setting, even though the location is downtown.

THE SCRIPTURES TEACH US

• Moses 3:24—Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife; and they shall be one flesh.
  • The unity of husband and wife brings a oneness like unto the Godhead—one in purpose, cause, and action. President Marion G. Romney provided the following commentary on the meaning of one flesh: “They [husband and wife] should be one in harmony, respect, mutual consideration. Neither should plan or follow an independent course of action. They should consult, plan and decide together”  (Ensign, Dec. 1978, p. 2.). Unity is the key. If we are not one, we are not the Lord’s” (see Doctrine and Covenants 38:27).

• Doctrine and Covenants 49:15-16—”And again, verily I say unto you, that whoso forbiddeth to marry is not ordained of God, for marriage is ordained of God unto man.  Wherefore, it is lawful that he should have one wife, and they twain shall be one flesh, and all this that the earth might answer the end of its creation;…”

Marriage is not only ordained of God but is the very institution without which the plan of salvation and the purpose for which the earth was created would have been in vain. The earth is the venue for the physical creation and testing of Heavenly Father’s children.

MODERN PROPHETS SPEAK

Perhaps our greatest concern is with families. The family is falling apart all over the world. The old ties that bound together father and mother and children are breaking everywhere. We must face this in our own midst. There are too many broken homes among our own. The love that led to marriage somehow evaporates, and hatred fills its place. Hearts are broken, children weep. Can we not do better? Of course we can. It is selfishness that brings about most of these tragedies. If there is forbearance, if there is forgiveness, if there is an anxious looking after the happiness of one’s companion, then love will flourish and blossom (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Look to the Future,” Ensign, November 1997, 67).

If you will make your first concern the comfort, the well-being, and the happiness of your companion, sublimating any personal concern to that loftier goal, you will be happy, and your marriage will go on through eternity. (“A Three-Point Challenge,” BYU Commencement Address, April 27, 1995.)

(Gordon B. Hinckley, Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1997], 328-329.)

Marriage, designed to be an eternal covenant, is the most glorious and most exalting principle of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Faithfulness to the marriage covenant brings the fullest joy here and glorious rewards hereafter. The abuse of this sacred ordinance despoils the lives of individuals, wrecks the basic institution of the home, and causes the downfall of nations. (So Shall Ye Reap, p. 106.)

Marriage, the home, and family are more than mere social institutions. They are divine, not man-made. God ordained marriage from the very beginning. In the record of that first marriage recorded in Genesis, the Lord makes four significant pronouncements: first, that it is not good for man to be alone; second, that woman was created to be a helpmeet for man; third, that they twain should be one flesh; and fourth, that man should leave father and mother and cleave unto his wife. (See Genesis 2:18, 24.)

(Ezra Taft Benson, The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1988], 534.)

Settle for nothing less than a temple marriage. In the temple we receive the highest ordinance available to men and women, the sealing of husbands and wives together for eternity. We hope our young people will settle for nothing less than a temple marriage. We hope you who are married will remember the feelings of love which led you to the altar in the house of the Lord. Our hearts are saddened as we learn of many whose love has grown cold or who through reasons of selfishness or transgression forget or treat lightly the marriage covenants they made in the temple. We plead with husbands and wives to have love and respect for each other. Indeed, it would be our fondest hope that each family would be blessed with a mother and father who express love for each other, who are deferential to each other, and who work together to strengthen the bonds of marriage. (94-11)

Eternal marriage is the most powerful principle in promoting stable homes. There is no more powerful principle of life to promote love, forbearance, and devotion in the home than that of eternal marriage. Good adjustment and performance in adult life depend largely on the quality of home life. The principle of eternal marriage is a most powerful stabilizing influence in promoting the kind of home needed to rear children who are happy and well adjusted. (72-03, p. 65)

(Howard W. Hunter, The Teachings of Howard W. Hunter, edited by Clyde J. Williams [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1997], 131.)

The prime purpose of marriage is to provide mortal bodies for God’s children. You young men must ever keep in mind that your lovely companion is possessed of finer sensibilities than you, and if your private conduct is brutal or beastly, bitterness and even disgust may drive out of her heart the affection and regard she once held for you. Both of you must remember that the prime purpose of your marriage under God’s command is to build the bridge from the eternity of spirits to mortality, over which God’s spirit children might come into mortal bodies. Your failure to remember that revealed truth will be your failure to attain the highest bliss in married life. (45-20, p. 174)

(Harold B. Lee, The Teachings of Harold B. Lee, edited by Clyde J. Williams [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1996], 239.)

IDEAS FOR DAILY LIVING

Here is a checklist of ten helpful hints for a successful marriage:

1. Love—Show your love, both verbally and by your actions.

2. Vision—Share with your spouse a common vision for your marriage. Counsel together often.

3. Flexibility—Always be willing to accommodate each other. Remember, if it is important to your mate, it is important to you.

4. Respect—Always remember that selfishness is the destroyer of all relationships; mutual respect is built on trust, commitment, and love.

5. Togetherness—Do things together—pray together, search the scriptures together, eat together, read together, play together, shop together, work together, raise your children together—in essence, whenever possible, do all things together.

6. Admiration—Look for the good in each other. You might even write a love letter listing all the reasons why you love your spouse.

7. Enjoyment—Go on a weekly date; have fun together.

8. Communication—Talk to each other: communicate your needs, desires, and wishes rather than experience unrealized expectations, which often results in negative feelings.

9. Joy—Write a list of things you and your mate can do that will bring joy and happiness to your marriage.

10. Goals—Set some goals and make some plans to achieve the “vision” of your marriage.

SOME MORE THOUGHTS ON CELESTIAL MARRIAGE

• “Commitment to one another makes a marriage strong. Love—the concern and service one gives—will make your marriage blossom.” —Anonymous
• “A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.”  —Mignon McLaughlin
• “The Vital C’s in Marriage: Communication, Consideration, Cooperation, Companionship, Commitment.” —Anonymous
• “The highest happiness on earth is marriage. Every man who is happily married is a successful man, even if he has failed in everything else.” —William Lyon Phelps

SUMMARY

Oh, the list of helpful hints could go on and on. The main thing is to care for each other. The world is full of divorce and separation, which always bring sadness to those involved. The world is also full of happy marriages and families, invariably based on commitment, tireless effort, courtesy, charity, and spiritual unity. Celestial marriage is heavenly marriage, eternal marriage—sanctioned and commissioned by the Almighty, anchored in covenant fidelity, vitalized by the Holy Spirit, infused with lasting bonds of love, and edified by the saving and enduring principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

*This article has been adapted from What We Need to Know and Do, by Ed Pinegar and Richard J. Allen.

An endowment room in the Oquirrh Temple

Because temples are sacred, and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints speak very little about what goes on inside, people are curious about the rooms and activities inside Mormon temples.  Open houses are held before temples are dedicated and sanctified as houses of the Lord.  Thousands attend these open houses to tour and learn about Mormon temples.  However, many people will never have that opportunity.  This article will be a mini-tour of the Oquirrh Mountain Utah Mormon Temple, which opened summer, 2009.  We’ll begin outside the temple, at the main entrance. 

On the exterior of the temple are engraved the words “Holiness to the Lord.”  The gardens are meant to inspire and bless those who walk through them, and anyone is invited to do so.  The Lord’s spirit can be felt in these gardens, but even more so inside the temple.  Atop the temple spire is a statue of the Angel Moroni.  Moroni was the last prophet to write in the Book of Mormon.  He visited Joseph Smith as a resurrected being and informed Joseph that the time had fully come when the words of Malachi would be fulfilled; that is, that the hearts of the children would turn to their fathers, and the hearts of the fathers to the children.  This is the purpose of temples: to bind families together for eternity in the kingdom of God. 

When one enters the temple, there is a spacious entry area with a waiting room, and sometimes a quiet room where families with young children can wait without disturbing others.  There is usually a stairway downstairs to the baptistry from here.  As one proceeds to enter the temple, there is a recommend desk, where one’s temple recommend is checked.  The recommend is a small slip of paper certifying that the member has been interviewed by his or her bishop and stake president and found worthy to attend the temple.  Mormons who are temple-worthy are active in their congregations and serve in their callings (or voluntary service positions) as they are asked by their leaders.  They pay a full tithe (10% of one’s income) and live the “Word of Wisdom” by avoiding the use of tobacco, alcohol, coffee, and tea.  They are morally clean and honest in their dealings with their fellow men. 

As one passes by the recommend des 

k, there is usually another waiting area.  Past this area are dressing rooms (one for men and one for women), a “family file” office to help visitors with preparing family names for temple ordinances, and a desk with temple clothing available to those who need it.  In all these areas, there are temple workers dressed in white, who volunteer their time to help the patrons (members) who come to the temple. 

When a patron arrives to perform an “endowment,” he or she goes first to the dressing room to change into white clothing, and then to an endowment room, which is like a very small auditorium.  There, the story of the creation is recounted and instruction is given to enable those attending to feel God’s love and empowering spirit in their lives.  Those taking part make covenants to keep the commandments of God and to follow the Savior Jesus Christ. 

Sometimes endowment rooms, sealing rooms and offices are upstairs, and there is a staircase (and elevators) for access to those rooms.  An endowment session takes about 90 minutes, and in most temples a session begins every 30 minutes.  This depends on how many patrons typically attend, and how many endowment rooms there are.  Some temples open very early in the morning to accommodate patrons’ schedules, and some even stay open very late at night on occasion. 

This photograph is taken from the front of an endowment room.   An officiator stands behind the altar, facing the seated patrons.  Behind him is a small movie screen for instructional purposes, and a curtain, through which one may enter the celestial room of the temple.  Entering the celestial room is the culmination of the endowment, and is symbolic of entering the kingdom of God. 

The celestial room is traditionally the most beautiful room in the temple.  There, patrons can sit and pray or meditate.  The spirit in the celestial room is the most peaceful, tranquil, and holy of any place on earth. 

Baptism for the Dead

Oquirrh Temple Baptistry

People who arrive prepared to do baptisms for the dead, go downstairs to the baptistry.  The baptistry has its own recommend desk.  Children over 12 years old can participate in this ordinance by acting as proxies for their deceased ancestors.  They receive “limited-use recommends” from their bishops to gain entrance to the baptistry.  A recommend to enter the baptistry therefore might not qualify a patron to enter the main parts of the temple. 

The baptismal font is usually below ground, because baptism by immersion represents death and rebirth.  Patrons change into white baptismal clothing in the baptistry dressing rooms.  The baptismal font is designed according to ancient temple custom, upon the backs of twelve oxen, representing the Twelve Tribes of Israel. 

Weddings

Weddings are performed in Mormon temples, but the vows are not “’till death do us part.”  Temple “sealings,” as they are called, are meant to be eternal.  Temple weddings are very beautiful.  The bride and groom make an appointment to have their sealing ceremony performed.  Temples have more than one sealing room, and they vary in size, so it’s necessary to reserve one that will accommodate all the guests.  Guests who wish to attend temple sealings must also have temple recommends to attend.  Guests wear Sunday-best clothes and are ushered into a marriage waiting room prior to the ceremony. 

Oquirrh Temple Sealing Room

When the bride and groom enter the temple, they are greeted and given instruction by a member of the temple presidency.  Then, they are guided to special dressing rooms.  The bride’s dressing room is especially lovely.  There, she dons the dress she’ll wear for the sealing ceremony.  Some brides choose to wear a wedding dress for the sealing, while others wear a more simple white dress.  The bride can leave her street clothes and cosmetics in the dressing room. 

When the bride and groom enter the sealing room, the guests will already be seated around the periphery of the room.  Mirrors are mounted on opposing walls, so that the reflection repeats itself an infinite number of times, symbolizing the eternal nature of the marriage covenant.  An altar is located at the center of the room, and the bride and groom kneel on either side and hold hands across the altar, while the “sealer”, or officiator, helps them with their vows and gives them counsel.  Afterwards, the bride and groom may rise and exchange rings and greet their guests. 

After the sealing, the bride and groom return to their dressing rooms.  If the bride has chosen to wear a simpler dress for the sealing, she now changes into her bridal gown for photographs.  This is also the case if the bride has chosen a gown that is not pure white.  She wears a white dress for the sealing and then changes into her gown for photographs and the reception.  The family goes outside to wait for the bride and groom to exit the temple.  The family then gathers for photographs in the temple gardens.  It’s a festive occasion for everyone. 

Oquirrh Temple Baptistry

 

Members in the Trujillo area must travel 9-10 hours to reach the existing temple in Lima.  Some days, the Lima Temple is so busy, that patrons patiently wait for hours before being able to enter.

Originally, trenches were dug every 10 to 15 feet across the property, since construction could not continue if Roman ruins were discovered.  Latter-day Saints in the area held a special fast in the hope that the site (which the Church purchased in the 1990’s) would be free of antiquities.  No antiquities were discovered anywhere on the 15 acres, yet a Roman village was discovered just 100 yards beyond the property’s boundary.

The Rome Italy Temple will be the first temple in Italy and in the Mediterranean region. For years, Italian Saints have traveled the long distance to the Bern Switzerland Temple, which now serves more stakes and districts from Italy than from any other country.  The temple will be the twelfth built in Europe.

The first Mormon missionaries arrived in Italy in the 1850’s, including Lorenzo Snow, future prophet of the Church.  The early converts (slightly over 200) emigrated to the United States, and the mission was closed.  Attempts to obtain permission for missionaries to come again to Italy were rebuffed by the Italian government in 1900.  The Church was finally reestablished in 1951, and the Church has made a movie about the first convert, Vincenzo di Francesca, who found a charred Book of Mormon in a trash bin.  It was missing its cover and title page, so at first, he had no idea what he was reading.  Italians who had converted outside of Italy returned to the country.  In 1964, there were over 200 members in Italy.

Missionaries were again allowed to proselyte in Italy in 1965.  Today, there are about 23,000 members in the country.  The Church is hoping to gain government approval granted to the Catholic Church and others.  Signed by the prime minister in 2007, the “concordate” must still be approved by parliament.

This will be the first LDS temple to be built in Pennsylvania.

Several significant events in Church history took place in Pennsylvania including much of the translation of the Book of Mormon and the restoration of priesthood authority. The Church was first established in Pennsylvania in 1839—growing to 450 members by October 1840. Membership fell following the migration of the Saints to Salt Lake but grew again as Mormon European emigrants arrived. Eventually the first stake was organized in 1960 with 1,100 members located in congregations in southeastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland. Today there are nearly 48,000 members in Pennsylvania alone (LDS Newsroom, October, 2008).

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced the site for the Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple. The specific location is 1739 Vine Street in downtown Philadelphia.

The site is adjacent to the Vine Street Expressway and neighboring Courts Building and situated diagonally across the street from Logan Square, a prominent Philadelphia landmark.

For more information on temples, see: http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/background-information/temples

To read the original press release, see: newsroom.lds.org

After dispute, Philadelphia temple site is approved.

In the early years of the Church, Mormons had attempted to build two temples in Missouri, one in Far West and one in Independence.  Both attempts were thwarted by mob violence against the Mormons.

Mormons had also settled in Kansas, but they left when the Church relocated its headquarters to Nauvoo, Illinois, and then to Salt Lake City, Utah. Church members are now found in every major city in the Midwest. Kansas City’s first stake was established in 1956. Today there are approximately 100,000 members in Missouri and Kansas organized into 21 stakes where the Church has one operating temple in St. Louis, Missouri.

Members in the Córdoba area currently travel some 400 miles to participate in temple ordinances in the Buenos Aires Argentina Temple, which serves 60 stakes and 30 districts throughout Argentina.

Membership of the Church in Argentina has grown steadily since the 1920’s.  The first members were European immigrants who requested missionaries.  There were  356, 000 Mormons in Argentina in 2006.

The Tuscany/Royal Oak train station will be within walking distance of the temple and will be completed in 2011, about the same time as the temple is due to be completed.  The Calgary Alberta Temple will be Canada’s eighth temple and Alberta’s third.

Mormons first began to settle in southern Alberta in the 1880s as contract workers on the Canadian Pacific Railroad and as farmers in present-day Cardston. By 1895, the first stake in Alberta was established, and membership in the Church has continued to thrive ever since. Today there are over 75,000 members throughout the province (LDS Newsroom, Oct, 2008).

The groundbreaking for the temple was held on May 15, 2010.