To members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, temple ordinances are sacred.
Their deep respect for the temple – a representation of the house of the Lord – causes them to speak reverently and sparingly about temple ordinances.
In fact, Mormons often err on the side of caution and are a little too hesitant to explain what goes on in the temple. But while they do not repeat verbatim the words used in temple ceremonies, there is a lot that Mormons can openly share about temple ordinances.
Temple Recommends
Before a temple is dedicated, anyone of any faith can visit a temple open house and take a tour of the interior. After dedication, however, temple ordinances begin and only members of the LDS church with current temple recommends can enter.
In a temple recommend interview with church leaders, members are asked about their obedience to commandments and their testimonies of and loyalty to the gospel of Jesus Christ. They are not required to be perfect but they are expected to be striving to keep the commandments, be free from serious moral sins, and accept the teachings of the church. If this is the case a temple recommend is issued, signifying their worthiness to attend the temple.
Baptisms for the Dead in LDS Temples
Members ages 12 and up are eligible for limited-use recommends to be baptized for the dead in temples.
In a ceremony similar to a typical LDS baptism for a living person, participants are baptized by a priesthood holder by immersion in behalf of someone who has died. They are then confirmed in behalf of that person.
The goal is to give the opportunity of temple blessings to every soul who has ever lived, but each soul can decide whether to accept or reject the ordinances performed on their behalf.
Latter-day Saint Temple Initiatory
Immediately prior to receiving a temple endowment, a person is washed and anointed with oil (just a small drop).
The ceremony is mostly symbolic in nature. It promises blessings of being cleansed from sin, and the conditions on which members can expect these blessings to be fulfilled. At the end of the temple initiatory, people receive their temple garments. These are to be worn under their clothes day and night from then on.
As church leader Boyd K. Packer explains, the garment fosters modest clothing choices but more importantly it “represents sacred covenants… [and] symbolizes our deep respect for the law of God.”
Mormon Temple Endowment Ceremony
Adults with current temple recommends can receive their temple endowments. The word "endow" means to enrich or give to another something valuable and long-lasting. What people receive in the endowment is instruction about the creation of the earth and the Lord’s purposes for humankind. The endowment is a vital ceremony for Mormons.
During the endowment ceremony, people make covenants – or two-way promises – with God. They promise to honor commandments, observe laws of chastity and fidelity to spouse, and devote their talents and resources to the Lord. Ceremonial clothing is worn during the endowment, and most temples play a video about the creation and the covenants being made.
Church leader James E. Talmage explains that “with the taking of each covenant and the assuming of each obligation a promised blessing is pronounced, contingent upon the faithful observance of the conditions.” After the endowment ceremony, participants enter the celestial room. This is a beautiful white room for quiet reflection and prayer.
After people have received their endowments, they can return and receive endowments by proxy for men and women who have died.
LDS Temple Sealing Ceremony
The sealing ceremony is often called "temple marriage" or "celestial marriage." In and only in the temple, brides and grooms are joined as a family by someone with priesthood sealing authority, which is binding on earth and in heaven. They kneel across the altar from each other to be married.
The future children born to the sealed couple are said to be born in the covenant, which means that they are automatically “sealed” to the parents. They will remain a family unit for all eternity, not just until death do they part. Elder Packer calls the sealing ordinance the "crowning blessing” of the temple.
In the case that a family has already married civilly and possibly had children, they can visit the temple to be sealed as a family. The ceremony is much like a marriage, with all participants kneeling at the altar.
Mormon temples are regarded as houses of the Lord where sacred ordinances are performed to instruct people and bind families together for eternity. Mormon temple ordinances are not meant to be mysterious or secret, but sacred. For that reason they are discussed sparingly outside the walls of the temple.
Source:
Preparing to Enter the Holy Temple by Boyd K. Packer.
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