Incorporated into the external structure of each temple constructed and dedicated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are these words, “Holiness to the Lord” and “The House of the Lord.”
While serving a mission with Sister Linford in the Freiberg Germany Temple a few years ago, I had occasion to ponder, while preparing a spiritual thought, concerning what is intended when we read in the scriptures that a temple is a “house of the Lord” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:137) or a “house of God” (D&C 88:119). The answer came with power and clarity. He has been there. By this, I do not mean just that His influence may be felt there or that the Spirit of God may be felt testifying to the truthfulness of the work being accomplished in His far flung temples. Both of these observations are obviously true. What I mean simply is that He has personally spent time in each and every one of His temples at least once. When we mortals speak of a dwelling as being our house, is it not correctly assumed by our listeners that we have spent time residing there unless, of course, the context of the discussion concerns itself with the subject of investment property? Being aware of the understood intent of our usage of the words “our house” or “our home,” the Lord uses this same phraseology in revelations to His prophets in order to communicate His intended purpose to us in a manner we may understand.
It was for this very reason that when we closed the Freiberg Temple for the night, each and every evening, that everything was in its place. Never did we leave a task undone that pertained to the order and cleanliness of the building and its contents with the thought of finishing the task the first thing in the morning. If fresh clothing and linens were taken into the temple during days the temple was closed to the members, the temple missionaries put every item away in its intended place, ready for use when the temple opened next. If the Lord chose to come to His House while we were not there, He would find it in the best condition humanly possible. While the temple was in regular use, we encouraged the members to be orderly in their habits and concerned about their reverence in word and action.
In light of this understanding, I found the following of personal interest. Brother Skinner had the opportunity along with other newly called missionaries to be instructed in the Salt Lake Temple by President Harold B. Lee. During the question and answer portion of the meeting, “President Lee called upon a young elder. He stood and said: ‘On the outside of the temple it says this is the house of the Lord. Do you think he has ever been here?’ I did not then realize how bold a question that really was. As a nineteen year old, overwhelmed by all I had experienced those last few days, I thought it was a pretty good one. President Lee closed his scriptures, put them aside, looked at the young missionary, and said (as nearly as I can recollect): ‘Oh, elder, do not ask if he has ever been here. This is his house--and he walks these very halls.’” (Andrew C. Skinner, Temple Worship, 152).
President Lee’s answer to that young missionary should not be surprising to us if we understand the role temples and other very holy places have played down through the history of this world. It is in these places that the Lord has manifest His will concerning His Saints and made available the most holy of ordinances necessary for the exaltation of the faithful living down through the dispensations of time. Only since the Savior’s resurrection, have these ordinances been available to the faithful dead. “Saints of all ages have had temples in one form or another. There is evidence that temple worship was customary from Adam to Noah and that after the Flood the holy priesthood was continued; therefore, we have every reason to believe the ordinances of the temple were available to those entitled to receive them.” (Elder David B. Haight, “Personal Temple Worship” Ensign, May 1993, 24 as quoted in Temple Worship, 115). Given then the obvious connection that exists in our temples between this and the unseen world, Brother Skinner’s words are a beautiful summation: “Truly, dedicated temples of the Lord are portals to heaven” (Temple Worship, 168).
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