Answer

What Actually Happens in the Temple?

You may have questions about the temple because people do not usually explain every detail before you go. That silence can make the temple seem intimidating. You may wonder whether there is something you are expected to know already or whether you could make a mistake and fail.

If you feel nervous, you are not unusual. Many people feel that way before their first temple experience.

In the temple, you make covenants with God and receive ordinances through priesthood authority. You promise to follow Him in specific ways, and He promises blessings made possible through Jesus Christ. The temple is not a test you pass to prove that you are good enough. It is a place where God teaches you, makes covenants with you, and offers you greater spiritual help.

Jesus Christ Gave Authority to Bind on Earth and in Heaven

When Peter testified that Jesus was “the Christ,” the Savior told him that He would give him the keys of the kingdom. He then taught that what was bound on earth could be bound in heaven (Matthew 16:18–19).

This authority is important because temple ordinances are not simply symbolic promises made by individuals. They are performed through priesthood authority restored by Jesus Christ. Through that authority, covenants and family relationships can have eternal significance.

Temple Ordinances Are About Covenants, Not Earning God’s Love

The Church teaches that the endowment includes instruction and covenants to live according to God’s laws. It also teaches that a temple marriage can continue forever as husband and wife remain faithful to their covenants (“Temples”).

Going to the temple does not make God love you more. His love is not something you earn by being allowed to enter. The temple gives you the opportunity to make covenants and receive blessings that Jesus Christ makes possible.

President Russell M. Nelson taught in “The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation” that temple covenants give us access to God’s power. That power can help you make better choices, keep your commitments, and receive strength in daily life.

The temple is not a reward for people who have already become perfect. It is one of the ways the Lord helps you keep growing.

Covenants Have to Be Lived

Making a covenant is an important beginning, but it is not the end of your responsibility.

The Lord taught that a husband and wife must enter the marriage covenant through proper authority and then “abide” in it (Doctrine and Covenants 132:19). To abide in a covenant means to remain faithful to it over time. Temple covenants involve real choices about faithfulness, honesty, sacrifice, repentance, service, and the way you treat other people.

Why Are Some Details Not Explained Publicly?

The sacredness surrounding temple ordinances can sometimes feel like secrecy. You may wonder whether important information is being kept from you.

The Church does not treat the temple as a secret society. The basic purpose of the temple, the meaning of covenants, and the blessings associated with temple worship are available for anyone to study. Some details are not discussed outside the temple because they are sacred, not because they are intended to mislead or exclude you.

You can learn much about the temple before you attend. You can also ask your bishop, parents, or another trusted temple-worthy member questions about what to expect. You do not need to be embarrassed about not knowing everything.

What Research Helps Us Notice

David C. Dollahite and Loren D. Marks studied 28 Latter-day Saint families and examined the beliefs and practices that shaped their family life. Belief in eternal family relationships was a central theme in the study. The families connected that belief with hope, purpose, forgiveness, humility, and patience.

The study shows how beliefs about eternal families can affect everyday behavior. When people see family relationships as having lasting importance, they may be more willing to forgive, stay patient, and keep working through problems.

Questions Worth Considering

• Am I preparing to make covenants with God, or am I mostly worried about whether I will know what to do?
• Which part of temple worship or covenant keeping do I understand the least?
• Who could help me ask the questions I have been hesitant to ask?

Everything in the temple points to Jesus Christ. He is the source of the covenants, the power behind the ordinances, and the one who helps you live what you promise.