LDS Temples
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) has numerous temples located around the world. These temples serve as sacred spaces where members of the LDS Church can perform special religious ceremonies, including marriages, baptisms for the dead, and other ordinances that are considered essential to salvation.
LDS Church temples are different from regular meetinghouses or chapels that are used for weekly worship services. Temples are typically larger, more ornate, and are not open to the general public. Only members of the LDS Church who have a valid temple recommend, which is obtained by meeting with the church members bishop, and stake president, are able to enter and participate in temple ceremonies.
The design of LDS temples varies depending on the location and local culture, but they typically include a white exterior, an angel Moroni at the top point of the temple, and beautiful landscaping. The interior of the temple is decorated with beautiful artwork, intricate carvings, and other ornamental features, each one unique. Each temple is a sacred and holy place, and members of the church are expected to dress modestly and behave reverently while inside.
LDS Church temples are considered essential to the church's teachings and practices. The church believes that through temple ordinances, individuals can be sealed to their families for eternity, enabling them to be together in the afterlife. The church also teaches that temples are a place where members can receive personal revelation and guidance from God. Thomas S. Monson, a prophet of the church, explained, "Each [temple] stands as a beacon to the world, an expression of our testimony that God, our Eternal Father, lives, that He desires to bless us and, indeed, to bless His sons and daughters of all generations."
Why are LDS Temples Important?
LDS temples are considered to be extremely important to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for several reasons:
- They are considered to be sacred spaces where individuals can come closer to God: Latter-day Saints believe that a temple is a place where they can feel the presence of God more strongly. By participating in temple ordinances, they believe they can make covenants with God that will help them become more like Him.
- They provide a place for members to perform essential religious ceremonies: The ordinances performed in LDS temples, such as baptisms for the dead, sealings, and endowments, are considered essential to salvation. Members believe that by participating in these ordinances, they can receive blessings and make eternal covenants with God.
- They serve as a physical representation of the church's beliefs: LDS temples are often built in prominent locations and are designed to be visually striking. They serve as a reminder of the church's teachings and beliefs, both to members and to those outside of the faith.
- They offer a sense of community: Because only members of the church who meet certain criteria are allowed to enter the temple, it creates a sense of community among members who share a common faith and set of beliefs. Temples also provide opportunities for members to serve one another by performing temple ordinances on behalf of their ancestors.
- They provide a place for personal revelation: Members of the church believe that they can receive personal revelation and guidance from God while inside the temple. This can help individuals make important decisions and receive direction in their lives.
Temple Locations
There are currently 315 temple locations located around the world, with more being either built or announced at General Conference. Once a temple is announced, it will then have an exterior rendering released, then be built, have an open house where the public is able to enter, and then the building will be dedicated by a general authority.
Each temple has a visitors center, which is an on-site information center, for people to learn more about the temple. If you are not able to enter the temple, this is a great place to learn, with missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints there to answer any questions.
Our Temple Paintings
Our temple paintings capture the beauty of the LDS temples. Each temple holds a special meaning to each member who enters. Whether it be the first temple you entered when you were 12 to do baptisms, the temple you received your endowment, the temple you were married in, or the temple that reminds you of home, these temples are sacred to all church members who enter.
Our Church Paintings include:
Q&A
How many Latter-day Saint temples are there?
There are currently 315 temple locations around the world. Each temple is unique but they all perform the same sacred ceremonies.
What does the interior of the temple look like?
The interior of the temples varies between locations, however, they all include paintings and remind you of Christ and the covenants you make in the temple.
How Does the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints design its temples?
Each temple location is received through revelation of the prophet. They then design the temple based on the location. According to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints newsroom article, they say, "To create a look and feel that is just right for a specific temple, architects solicit a number of sources. For example, as the Church has designed its future temple in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Williams says his team met with locals to “understand the nature of the people, the country that they live in, Latter-day Saints that are there and how we can better fit the temple” to them."
Where can I find paintings of Temples lds?
Create a temple painting with Paints for Saints. Shop our temples here.
What is a good gift for a person who just took out their endowment or Sealing?
For someone who has just been sealed or received their endowment, a great gift would be a paint-by-number of the temple they received this sacred covenant in. Shop our paint-by-numbers here.