Phoenix LDS Temple.....All Are Welcome

We have a very unique opportunity in Phoenix right now.  Our temple is complete and will be dedicated in just one month.  When I say, 'our temple' I'm referring to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, shortened to LDS and nicknamed Mormons. After the dedication, it will be available for those members of the LDS faith who demonstrate a high standard of living.  Prior to the dedication, it is open for public tours.  Anyone and everyone is welcome to take a tour.  

There are 143 LDS temples all over the world, in Africa, Europe, Asia, the Isle of the Pacific, and of course both North and South America as well.  In addition, there are 15 temples under construction and 12 more announced to begin construction in the near future.  Temples are different than the buildings we hold Sunday worship in.  In temples we learn ancient truths that were taught in ancient temples such as Solomon's Temple in the Old Testament.  These  truths are necessary to return to live with God after this life.  The work we do in the temples and these truths were restored to our day by heavenly messengers to the Prophet Joseph Smith.  We have learned that Jesus Christ taught that baptism by the proper authority is necessary to return to live in heaven again after we die.  There are many people who have lived on the earth who have not had that opportunity to learn of Jesus Christ or be baptized by that proper authority.  In the temples, we're able to perform that ordinance on behalf of those who could not or did not do it for them selves while they were living.  We do family history research, searching out the names of our ancestors.  We then take those names to the temple and do baptisms and other ordinances on behalf of our ancestors.  We believe that they, in a state of existence in life after death, have the opportunity to accept or reject that work performed for them.  We are a temple building people because the service done in the temples is crucial to the progression toward eternal life.

The Phoenix temple is very near and dear to my heart.  I have the marvelous opportunity to be one of many tour guides helping with the open house.  My friend Becky and I did our 1st shift a few days ago.  I want to share a few things.  On one of my tours, there was a little girl about age 6 I'm guessing.  I am also guessing she and her family are members of the LDS church, at least it seemed that way.  She was right on my heels the whole time.  I had to hold her back a few times.  I just wasn't going fast enough for her.  In every room we went into, she asked, "Is this the room they get married in?"  In our faith we believe that marriage and families are eternal and not just 'until death'.  Jesus Christ gave Peter the power to bind in heaven and on earth.  That same power has been restored to the earth and the marriages performed in the temple are 'sealed' for all eternity.  Children are also 'sealed' into this family unit.  Those who were previously married outside of the temple, and later demonstrate a desire and a commitment to live the higher standard, can have the same ceremony, making their family eternal.  This little girl had been taught well and she wanted to see where this all took place.  When we finally arrived at the room where marriages are performed, she was beaming.  It warmed my heart.  On another tour, there was a man who came by himself.  He was glued to the video that was shown before we actually went inside the temple.  He hung on every word.  Inside the temple he was incredibly attentive to every bit of glorious beauty that surrounded us.  It would be fair to say that he came searching for something.  I hope he found it!  

For us, the temple is the house of the Lord.  It is the closest place to heaven on earth.  Only the finest of materials are used and the workmanship is no less than perfection.  The feelings felt inside the temple are personal, spiritual, uplifting, and edifying.  Answers to life's questions can be sought and received there.  

If you would want the opportunity to tour this marvelous building, to see and feel why we hold temples so dear, the open house will continue until November 1st, 2014.  Reservations are free, and can be obtained on the following link.  This link also contains general information about the open house and the temple in general.

http://mormontemples.org/phoenix

Once dedicated, as mentioned above, the temple is available to all those LDS members who meet certain requirements.  The opportunity to meet those requirements is available to all.  Our temples are not exclusive.  Rather they are for the world to do a world wide work necessary for all mankind to return to live in heaven again with God.  The requirements to enter and learn these things and do this work first for ourselves and then for others who have died are set forth by a loving God.  Those requirements demonstrate a deep commitment to keep the sanctity of His holy house.  All are welcome to meet those requirements and show that desire and commitment.