What
is the purpose of the temple?
To members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, the temple is the "House of the Lord." It is a sacred
building, and after its dedication only faithful members of the Church may
enter. Inside, members learn more about the purpose of life and make covenants
to serve Jesus Christ and their fellow man. In addition, they participate
in religious ceremonies that reach beyond mortality, such as baptisms on
behalf of deceased ancestors and eternal marriage.
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What
is it like inside the temple?
Many people are under the impression that the
interior of a Latter-day Saint temple is like a great hall or cathedral.
Actually, temples are made up of a number of rooms designed to accommodate
certain functions such as marriages, baptisms and instructional sessions.
Inside the temple, Church members change into simple, modest white clothing
previous to performing their temple labors. The white temple clothing is
symbolic of purity and reverence.
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Will
members of the public ever see the inside of the temple?
Yes. After the temple is completed, there will
be an organized open house (typically multiday) for the general public.
During the open house, information will be provided to explain the different
functions and ceremonies performed in the temple and answer questions. After
the open house, the temple will be dedicated to the Lord and open only to
worthy Church members.
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What
is the difference between a temple and a meetinghouse?
Regular Sunday worship, instruction and other
social and recreational activities occur in Latter-day Saint meetinghouses,
or chapels. In temples, on the other hand, faithful members receive specific
instruction about the purpose of life and their relationship to God. There
they take part in family-oriented ordinances, both for themselves and in
behalf of deceased ancestors. Sacred ordinances available only in temples
make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for
families to be united eternally.
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What
will happen to the value of the property around the temple?
As visible symbols of honor and reverence to God,
Latter-day Saint temples are built using the finest craftsmanship and materials
available. Further, they are beautifully landscaped and maintained. In all,
they are designed to complement the community and enhance the environment.
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Will
the temple cause traffic and parking problems?
No. The temple is not designed to accommodate
large numbers of people at any one time. Since temple activity is spread out over the day,
traffic flow is nominal. Ample parking is available onsite. During the groundbreaking,
open house activities, and the dedication of the temple, we will work closely
with our neighbors to minimize the impact of the traffic and parking, and
to guarantee them easy access to their homes and businesses. Unlike our
meetinghouses, temples are closed on Sundays.
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Will
the Church use this temple as some sort of a center to proselytize our community?
No. Temples are used only for the performing of
sacred ordinances and not as centers for local congregations or for proselytizing.
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