Oakland Mormon Temple

Mormon Secrets

Truth About Temples

Some people claim that there are “secrets” within Mormon temples because of the unwillingness of some members to discuss what goes on. Let me explain why some people do not with to discuss temples the way that has been done throughout this page. Mormon temples are holy places set apart by the Lord, and are to be held as sacred. When members of the Mormon Church enter LDS temples, they make a promise that they will not openly discuss certain aspects of the temple outside of the temple doors, even with other members of the LDS church. This is not an attempt to hide anything that is being done, but rather is part of an effort to keep what is done in temples sacred and special. This site has taken great lengths to try and explain the rituals of the Mormon temple while respecting that sacred nature.

The primary purpose of this section is to help both Mormons and non-Mormons understand how to discuss the temple outside of its doors. If you are curious and have questions, how do you ask a member of the LDS church in a way that is respectful? If you are a member being asked, how do you answer questions without going too far?

Questions About Temples

To those with questions, be patient and understanding. Be considerate if those whom you are questioning don’t feel comfortable discussing the material. If they are open to discussion, though, feel free to ask why they do what they do and their own personal feelings about it.

To you who are receiving questions, be open and honest; the work done in temples is important and people are curious. There is nothing wrong with discussing the purposes of the ordinances and the ideas behind them. Since it can be difficult to explain the endowment, you may feel more comfortable showing them a copy of the applicable sections of the Pearl of Great Price. We have promised not to discuss the actual symbols and promises, but we can do our best to answer those questions presented to us. Feel free to review the sections on this site regarding the different ordinances. There are also resources available by the Church. President Boyd K. Packer’s book, “The Holy Temple” is also very useful.

About the Oakland Temple

The Oakland California Temple

Painting Courtesy of Steevun Lemon

The Oakland California Temple was the 15th Mormon temple built by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (13th temple still standing). Its construction was first announced in April of 1924 in a special semi-annual conference that the Mormon Church holds. The actual funding of the temple was done by donations from the local members of the church. Then President Heber J. Grant asked if members could donate $500,000. The response from local members was both immediate and enthusiastic, contributing a total of over $750,000.

The Oakland area has been continually racked by natural disasters including one of the most devastating earthquakes to ever hit North America in 1989. Miraculously, the Oakland Temple escaped relatively undamaged. It continues to stand high over the beautiful coastal city as a testament that God is not far from any of us.

A beautiful architectural symbol, the two friezes on the North and South sides of the temple portray Jesus Christ: in one frieze He is with His apostles from times of old; on the other frieze He is appearing to the ancient people in the Book of Mormon. This could be said to symbolize how the Book of Mormon and the Bible work together to declare that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

The Temple Presidency

Facts about the Oakland Temple

What do Mormons Believe?

The Necessity of Jesus Christ

“We believe in God the Eternal Father, and in His son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.” This is the first of thirteen basic beliefs that Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon Church, once wrote to a reporter who asked what Mormons believe. We believe in an all-knowing, all-powerful God who loves us and wants us to succeed. He created us and has a plan for us to one day return to live with Him.

Because our sins made returning to God impossible, it was necessary for a Savior to be provided. This Savior is our Lord and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. “For God so loved the world that He sent his only begotten son, that whosever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16, KJV). Jesus Christ conquered death and sin, so that a path could once more be opened for us to return to live with God. It is only through faith in Jesus Christ that we can be saved.

How God teaches men

In order to declare the gospel of Christ, God has called inspired men, called prophets, to teach the world. These men receive a personal witness of the Savior and are given authority to teach his gospel. This authority is called “priesthood.” The Bible contains the words of prophets who lived long ago and taught about the Savior. As the prophets teach and testify, the Holy Ghost touches the hearts of people and brings feelings of peace. This is why we feel the spirit (the Holy Ghost) when we study the Bible today. This spiritual confirmation of truth is how God confirms that the message of the prophets is true.

Throughout history God has followed this pattern of revelation to inspired men, who then teach the world, with confirmation of their words through the Holy Ghost. Sadly, people do not always accept the message of the prophets. When the people reject the prophets, this is called “apostasy,” coming from a Greek word that signifies rebellion or falling away. When we read the scriptures, we can see a history of God calling a prophet who teaches the people to repent and turn to the Lord. The people eventually turn away from the Lord and reject the prophet, and thus a period of apostasy follows.

Fortunately, God is merciful and patient, and each time that the people reject the Lord, He waits and prepares His people, and, when the time is right, He sends His messengers again to declare His words and restore His gospel.

The Church in Christ’s day and the Apostasy

When Jesus Christ lived on the earth, He taught the people the gospel, and called apostles to continue to teach them when He left. Ultimately, those apostles were violently rejected, and within a century much of the church Christ had established was crippled by apostasy from within and persecution from without. A careful reading of the New Testament shows the struggles and the frustrations of the apostles as they were surrounded by unrighteousness from both the “believers” and non-believers. The apostles were rejected and killed, and the priesthood authority that the Lord had given to them was gone from the earth. While there were still some righteous members who lived, the people as a whole had become wicked and the fullness of the gospel with the priesthood authority, was forced from the face of the earth. This was prophesied of in the Old Testament by the prophet Amos:

“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it.” (Amos 8:11-12, KJV)

And again in Isaiah:

“Which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away. Why, when I came, was there no man? When I called, was there none to answer?” (Isa. 50:1-2, 21st Century KJV)

The Church Restored through Joseph Smith

For seventeen hundred years the Lord waited for the people to return to him. He prepared them and waited for a time in which he could once again restore the fullness of his gospel to the earth. Finally, the time came. In 1820 a young boy went into the woods to ask God which church was true. In his own words, this is his account:

“I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon meÖ When the light rested upon me I saw two personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other–This is my Beloved Son. Hear him!” (JS-H 1:16-17, emphasis theirs)

Through this marvelous visitation, Joseph Smith received a personal witness that God the Father and Jesus Christ live. From this and subsequent visits and revelations he was taught the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ and how Christ’s church should function. He was called as a prophet of God. Angels visited the earth, including John the Baptist and Peter, James and John, Jesus’ ancient apostles, who gave to Joseph Smith the same priesthood authority they had possessed.

The Book of Mormon

As further confirmation of the divinity of the work Joseph Smith was called to do, the Lord revealed a record of ancient scripture which had been recorded on the American Continent. Joseph Smith was given power to translate this record, titled The Book of Mormon, which contains the writings of prophets who lived and taught in the Americas at the time the Bible was being written in Jerusalem. The Book of Mormon contains many beautiful truths about our Savior Jesus Christ, and stands with the Bible as a second witness that Jesus was more than just a man: He was the very Messiah prophesied of in times of old, and He is our Savior and Redeemer.

Because it was translated by the power of God, the Book of Mormon also serves as a witness that Joseph Smith has been called by God, for if the Book of Mormon is a true record inspired by God, than Joseph Smith must also be a prophet. By knowing that Joseph Smith was a prophet, we can also know that the church he was led to organize is Christ’s Church today.

The Church Today

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes called the Mormon church) is led today by a prophet of God and twelve apostles, who receive revelation from God on how His church should be run. Thus we see that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He continues to follow the pattern He followed in Bible days, and He teaches us today in much the same way He taught the Children of Israel, or the early Christians of the New Testament.

Also, as in ancient times, the Lord has promised that we need not rely on the words and testimonies of others to know that the Church of Jesus Christ has been restored. We have each been promised that we can receive our own witness that this is true. One such promise is located at the end of the Book of Mormon, and states:

“Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder them in your hearts.

“And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

“And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.” (Moroni 10:3-5)

The Church of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is that church. The Lord promises us today as in times of old that the Holy Ghost will confirm truth to us. If you will pray about the things which you have read and ask the Lord, “Is this true?” He will answer you by bringing feelings of peace into your heart through the power of the Holy Ghost. “That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” (1 Cor 2:5, KJV) When you feel these feelings, follow them and visit the official church website to find out where the local church meets or contact your local missionaries through the telephone book, and tell them you want to learn more.

Mormon Temples to help the Dead

Why Those who have Passed On Need us

One major purpose of Mormon temples has to do with those who have died and left this world. After we die, we are not taken immediately to meet God. The day will come when all men will stand before the throne of God to be judged of their sins, but before that day, there is much to do.

To fully understand this function of temples, one must realize that it is only in and through the name of Jesus Christ that man can be saved. “There shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent.” (Book of Mormon, Mosiah 3:17). That being said, there are billions of people who have lived on this earth without ever hearing the name of Christ, or coming to understand the sacrifice he made for them. Would God be just in condemning them for not believing in someone of whom they had never heard? And yet, without faith in Christ, they cannot be saved.

To satisfy this paradox and prove God once again both infinitely just and infinitely merciful, God has created a plan to help these people. After we die we go to a place called the Spirit World. Here, those who have died faithful in Christ continue their ministry to teach those who have never heard the gospel. In fact, after Christ’s death and before his resurrection, He Himself came to these people and declared to them that he had died for them as well. (1 Peter 3:18-19, 4:6).

Necessity of Ordinances

Salvation is open to all who repent, but “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5) Baptism is not open to those who have passed on from this life. Without bodies, they cannot perform the essential ordinances (Link to Perfecting the Saints) the Lord requires of them. So, once again proving the infinite justice and mercy of the Lord, these ordinances are offered in Holy Temples. Baptism for those who have passed away is often called baptism for the dead.

Ordinances for the Dead

All of the ordinances offered in the temple for living members of the LDS Church are also performed by proxy for those who have passed on. This means that someone “stands in” for the person who has died. Baptisms are also performed by proxy for these people who have passed on. Because we have no way of knowing who will or will not accept the gospel of Jesus Christ, these ordinances are done for everyone who has passed on (though we have been encouraged by the Church to keep this work within our own family lines. It’s this very reason that makes members of the church so active in genealogy). To have a family member who has passed on baptized by proxy does not commit them to that baptism, it merely gives them the opportunity to accept or reject the ordinance as they choose. Temple Marriage or Sealings and Endowments are also performed for those who have passed on (Link to Perfecting the Saints).

This aspect of temples truly shows us the majesty and greatness of God, and proves to us that He loves all of His children, and invites all to come unto Him.

Mormon Temples to Help the Living

The Holy Temple

When members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are asked what they think the mission of the Mormon Church is, perhaps the most frequent answer is “Bringing all unto Christ by perfecting the Saints.” To fully understand this goal, one must remember that in the LDS Church all of the members are referred to as “saints.” In other words, one purpose of the LDS church is to help its members in their struggle to follow the perfect example set by Jesus Christ.

So how do Mormon temples help in this mission? There are two important answers. The first is on a personal level, in that temples are places set apart from the world allowing increased influence of the Holy Ghost. Only members of the Mormon Church who are keeping certain minimum standards of conduct and have a strong faith in Jesus Christ are allowed to enter the temple. While this may be disappointing to some, both inside and outside of the Church, it serves an important purpose. Each of us is entitled to feel the Spirit of the Lord in our lives as we are prompted by it to be righteous, or change our lives when we are not; but the further one is from the Lord’s path, and the more he or she ignores the promptings of the Spirit, the less he or she is able to feel that Spirit. By only allowing people into the temple who are meeting certain standards and who are firm in their faith in the Lord, the temple becomes a place where the Spirit of the Lord can freely dwell. In this way LDS temples serve as a kind of sanctuary to those who attend them, providing a place that has been kept more pure than the average home or even chapel. They are places for prayer, thought, reflection, and revelation.

Ceremonies and Rituals of the Temple

The second purpose that Mormon temples serve in helping the members of the LDS Church is that special ceremonies take place inside the temple. These are holy and sacred ceremonies that are called ordinances. Ordinances are symbolic rituals that are performed as a way to signify covenants made with God. In Old Testament times the ordinance of sacrificing of an animal to God in the temple was often performed. The actual sacrificing of the animal did nothing for the people, but was a symbolic reminder of the sacrifice that would one day come through the Lord Jesus Christ. While animal sacrifice was done away with after the death and resurrection of the Eternal Sacrifice, Jesus Christ, the New Testament indicates that ordinances, and the covenants they represented, did not cease. Matthew 26:26-28 gives us the following account:

“And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” (Matt 26:26-28)

The apostles ate bread and drank water that was symbolic of the sacrifice which Christ was about to make for them. This same ritual, or ordinance, is practiced by many Christians to this day. The ordinance goes by many different names, such as the Eucharist or the Lord’s Supper, but it is essentially the same ordinance that was instituted in New Testament times.

As was mentioned before, ordinances are not only to remind us of an event, but additionally are a sign of covenants made with the Lord. A covenant is a two way promise. When we are baptized we make a covenant with the Lord that we will strive to follow the example of Christ, and repent of our sins. In return, the Lord promises that if we keep our part of the covenant, he will forgive us when we come to him with our mistakes and a sincere heart, with a real desire to change.

Sealings and Endowments

Inside the temple there are primarily two ordinances that are performed for the members of the Mormon Church. These ordinances are very sacred and holy, so we do not discuss their details outside of the temple, even with other members of the Church. It is important, however, to know what they are and why they are done.

The first of these ordinances is often called, “sealing.” This is where faithful Mormons are sealed together in a special type of marriage ceremony. A sealing is different from a typical marriage, though, primarily because it is performed by a different authority than a civil marriage. When a couple is married civilly, they are married by authority of their government. A representative of the State tells them that in the eyes of the State, they are married until their death. This is all that the government can promise, since it is all they have jurisdiction over. In the temple, however, people are married by the authority of God (Link to restoration of the priesthood). The Lord promises them that if they keep their vows to each other and to him they can be together, not just in this life, but for “time and all eternity.” Children are also sealed to their parents through this authority.

The second of these ordinances tends to be less well known or understood, even by some members of the Mormon Church. It is the Temple Endowment. An “endowment” is a gift, generally given by a higher power. Indeed, the Endowment in the temple is a gift from God to help us understand who we are, where we came from, and where we are going. It also helps us understand what we should do in our lives to prepare to meet God, and how Jesus Christ offers each of us ft of salvation. This information is taught in the Temple Endowment in a highly symbolic way. Because of the sacred nature of these symbols, we will not discuss them directly, but the information is contained almost completely in the Mormon book of scripture known as the “Pearl of Great Price.” In fact, the best way to prepare for the Endowment is to read the Pearl of Great Price and pray to understand it as fully as possible.

During the Endowment we also make covenants with the Lord to obey his commandments, however these covenants are more specific then the ones that are made at baptism (to keep God’s commandments). The Endowment is a gift, because it gives us knowledge and the promise of blessings to come. Ultimately, all of these blessings are available to us only through the salvation offered by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. These ordinances are necessary for us, but it is Jesus Christ who brings salvation, and through faith in Him alone can we be saved.

Inside Mormon Temples

The Mormon Temple serves several important roles. The primary mission of the church is to help everyone accept Jesus Christ and one day return to our Heavenly Father. The temple helps in this mission by helping to important groups of people: people who are alive, and people who are not.