Mormon temples or temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (or the Mormons) are sacred structures. Each is dedicated as a house of the Lord, a place of holiness and peace shut apart from the world. Ordinances are performed inside the temple that can be performed nowhere else – which may be one reason why many people outside the Church think of temples as “secret.”  They are indeed sacred, and that which is sacred is set apart.  Only members of the Mormon Church who are worthy to hold temple recommends are allowed inside.  However, before a temple is dedicated, set apart, nonmembers may walk around inside and ask questions.

The purpose of a temple is to bring people closer to God – and to things eternal.  The Guide to the Scriptures explains, “the Lord has always commanded his people to build temples, holy buildings in which worthy Saints perform sacred ceremonies and ordinances of the gospel for themselves and for the dead. The Lord visits his temples, and they are the most holy of all places of worship.”  Temples were of great importance in the Bible, in both the Old and New Testaments.  Solomon was commanded to build a temple, a holy place unto the Lord.  Jesus drove the moneychangers out of the temple as He would His Father’s house.

Mormons believe that there are six essential ordinances needed for salvation and exaltation. The ordinances must be performed in the following order, and are baptism, confirmation (receiving the Holy Ghost), priesthood ordination (for men), washing and anointing, endowment, and sealing. Baptisms can be performed outside the temple, as can confirmation and the ordination of the priesthood.  Washing and anointing, endowment, and sealing must be done in the temple.

Mormons do believe, also, in the salvation of the dead, which is why they are well known for genealogy work.  They believe that if their sacred ordinances are performed vicariously for the dead, the dead will have the opportunity to accept or reject the gospel and the ordinances.  The dead still have their agency – they still have a choice.  Performing the ordinances in the behalf of the dead gives the departed spirit an opportunity, but it does not force them.  Many did not have the opportunity in life.

When any of the six sacred ordinances are performed for the dead, they must be performed in the temple. As a final clarification, a living person stands in on behalf of the person who has passed away. Latter-day Saints do not baptize, ordain, seal or perform any other ordinance with corpses.

Baptism is done by immersion — this makes a person a member of the Church.

Confirmation involves receiving the Holy Ghost – by the laying on of hands.  It also confirms membership in the Church.

Priesthood ordination confers priesthood power and authority.

Washing and anointing is a spiritual cleansing.

The Endowment teaches members about the plan of salvation. The word endowment literally means gift. This ordinance is a gift of knowledge.  The endowment also involves a series of covenants – made between God and the Church member.

Sealing is an ordinance that binds a man and wife and their children together for eternity.  Mormon marriages (or eternal marriages) are actually sealings.