The Temple and the Plan of Happiness

Temples are part of Heavenly Father's plan for His children.

In temples we make sacred covenants with God. These covenants are sacred promises between us and God. In temples we are endowed with priesthood power, receive personal revelation, perform ordinances for our deceased ancestors, and are sealed to our families for eternity.

All of this is possible because of Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice.

The Temple Reminds Us of Jesus Christ

Everything in the temple points to Jesus Christ and His great love for us.

What symbol is on the ground and what does it represent?

The design is called a compass. Why would someone need to use a compass? For a hint see Alma 37:44.

Holiness To The Lord - The House Of The Lord

Holiness to the Lord, the House of the Lord is written on every temple. The words remind us that the temple belongs to the Lord. It is His house, and it's a holy place.

The words "to the Lord" help us think about direction. When we come to the temple, we are moving closer to Jesus Christ and following Him.

The Master Healer

Jesus is sometimes called living water because He helps us feel clean and whole.

Long ago in the Bible, priests prepared to serve God in the temple by washing in pools of water before entering.

Today, the fountain reminds us that by choosing kindness, honesty, and following Jesus, we keep our hearts pure and ready to feel close to Him.

The Lord wants everyone to come to the temple, and He invites all to prepare to enter.

The temple is a special and sacred place. Before a new temple is dedicated there is an open house where everyone is invited to come see what is inside. Before the Sacramento Temple was dedicated, 198,367 people visited during the open house.

After a temple is dedicated, only Church members with a temple recommend, who are trying to follow Jesus and keep His commandments can go inside. This helps the temple stay peaceful and holy. It is a place where we can feel very close to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

The motif of a rose is used throughout the Sacramento Temple. You can see roses on the big door handles and on the pretty floor covering just inside the entrance.

Cornerstone of Our Faith

When a new temple is built, a special stone called a cornerstone is placed in the building.

It reminds us of Jesus Christ, who is called the "chief cornerstone" in the scriptures (Ephesians 2:20). That means He is the most important part of the temple and our lives.

Baptistery

Just beyond the cornerstone is the baptistery.

Jesus taught that we must be born of water and of the Spirit to enter the kingdom of God (John 3:5). That means that baptism is very important. But what about people who never had the chance to learn about Jesus or be baptized while they were alive?

A long time ago, Christ's apostle Paul asked, "Why are they then baptized for the dead?" showing that this was something early Christians did to help others (1 Corinthians 15:29).

Today people who hold a temple recommend may go to the temple and be baptized for ancestors who have passed away.

This is a loving way to help others. The people for whom we are baptized still get to choose. They do not have to accept the ordinance of baptism, but our service in the temple gives them the opportunity.

Helping others return to God through baptism is one way we show love and follow Jesus.

Celestial Room

The room at this end of the temple is called the Celestial Room.

It is a quiet, peaceful place where people can spend time thinking and praying, reading the scriptures, or visiting quietly with one another.

It is a very reverent and sacred space where we can think about Jesus, feel God's love for us, and seek His guidance and direction.

The Sealing Ordinance

A long time ago, Jesus gave special power to His apostle Peter and said, "Whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven" (Matthew 16:19).

In the temple, a husband and wife can be married for eternity and parents can be sealed to their children by that same priesthood power. This occurs in an ordinance called "sealing." This is an ordinance for the living and for the dead.

One of the greatest blessings of the temple is that our family relationships do not have to end when someone dies.

Because of Jesus Christ, when we worship in the temple and keep the covenants we make with God, we can be with the people we love forever.

Sealing rooms are located on both sides of the temple.

Who is the statue on top of the temple and what is he holding?

That's the angel Moroni!

He's holding a trumpet because he's announcing something very important: Jesus Christ will come again!

Just like a trumpet gets people's attention, Moroni's message is meant to be heard by everyone all over the earth.

Fun Fact:

The tall steeple on the temple is 131 feet high. That's higher than a 10-story building!

Jesus Christ Will Come Again!

"Regular worship in the house of the Lord increases our capacity for both virtue and charity. Thus, time in the temple increases our confidence before the Lord. Increased time in the temple will help us prepare for the Second Coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ."

President Russel M. Nelson, April 2025

Try a fun activity!

With a friend, stand on opposite sides of the archway, both of you facing the corner wall.

Now take turns talking with each other.

Even if you are whispering, your friend will still hear you clearly.