Who is Allowed In The Temple?
This article was contributed by a local member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The views expressed may not represent the views and positions of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For the Church's official site, visit churchofjesuschrist.org.
By Matteo Bizzotto and Kyden Wilson
The temple has always been a very sacred place. In Biblical times, access to the temple was often limited to the priests, and only the high priest was allowed into the innermost rooms of the temple. Anciently, only one person from each generation was considered worthy to perform these rituals at a time.
Today, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints still consider the temple to be an extremely sacred place. Through my own experience, I have found that God, as our Loving Heavenly Father, wants to be a part of each and every one of our lives. As such, I believe that each of us has a right and responsibility to make covenants, or promises to God, inside the temple.
Every baptized member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who prepares themselves to be fully worthy may enter the House of the Lord. Everyone has the divine potential to someday enter the temple if they follow preparations that will help them to understand the promises made there. Before entering, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are asked to get a temple recommendation, which can be received through a short interview with the leader of the congregation one belongs to.
When The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints builds a temple, the structure is not considered completed until after a member of Church leadership gives a dedicatory prayer. Before the temple is dedicated, there is often an open house. During this time anybody and everybody is allowed to walk through the temple with a tour guide! Most open houses give hundreds of thousands of people the opportunity to see the inside of a temple for the first time. During the open house, pictures of the temple are taken and posted online to share the beauty of the temple with anybody who would like it.
