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“Brother MacDonald, I can almost see in vision a white temple of the Lord high upon those hills, an ensign to all the world travelers as they sail through the Golden Gate into this wonderful harbor….”
-George Albert Smith
The House of the Lord
High on the hills overlooking San Francisco stands the Oakland temple. With a certain majesty it seems to say, “I the Lord am watching all that you do.”
George Albert Smith once prophesied “A great white temple of the Lord will grace those hills, a glorious ensign to the nations, to welcome our Father’s children as they visit this great city.”
Indeed, I can hardly seperate my memories of San Francisco, a city I fell in love with long ago for its beauty, from my memories of visiting the Oakland California Temple
The purpose of this site is to introduce visitors to Mormon Temples, and to the Oakland Temple specifically. Many people I have met have questions as to what goes on inside a Mormon Temple,... Read the rest of this article »
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.... Read the rest of this article »
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... Read the rest of this article »
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... Read the rest of this article »
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... Read the rest of this article »
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... Read the rest of this article »
