Understanding Mormon Temple Hours: When and How to Visit

Mormon temples, often associated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS or LDS Church), have specific operating hours that can vary by location. This article provides a comprehensive guide to understanding when these temples are open and how to plan a visit.

Standard Operating Hours

Mormon temples are not open on Sundays and Mondays. Instead, they operate several days a week, typically from Tuesday to Saturday. To provide the most accurate and up-to-date information, it's always best to check the official website of the specific temple you are interested in.

Individual Temple Hours

The opening hours and visitation policies can vary significantly between different locations. For example:

Nashville Tennessee Temple: Open on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday nights, Wednesday mornings, and four sessions on Saturday from 8AM to 2PM. Salt Lake Temple: Opens on Mondays from 5PM to 2PM and from Tuesday to Saturday all day.

Some temples require appointments, while others will accept all visitors. Larger temples with multiple endowment rooms may have sessions every hour, while smaller temples might have only one session per day.

Why Are Temples Closed on Sundays and Mondays?

Mormon temples are not open on Sundays because worship services on that day take place in local churches. Instead, towns with temples designate specific days throughout the week to accommodate visitors.

Special Circumstances

During the pandemic, some temples adjusted their hours and operations. It's important to verify the current schedule with the official website of the temple you are planning to visit.

Volunteer Efforts

In some areas, volunteers from local churches help manage visitor traffic, especially on Sundays. For example, in Portland, Oregon, volunteers from local congregations staff the grounds of the Portland Temple on Sundays to show visitors around the grounds and provide information.

What are Mormon Temples?

Mormon temples are not considered churches in the traditional sense. They are sacred buildings dedicated to rituals and temple ordinances that are not part of regular Sunday services. Visitors who are not members of the LDS Church are allowed to visit the grounds and explore the exterior, but not the interior.

Accurate and Respectful Information

To ensure you have the most accurate and respectful information, it's important to refer to the official name for the church and its members. Members of the LDS Church are properly called Latter-day Saints (LDS or Saints) and are not referred to as Mormons, which is a name often used in lieu of the full name.

To summarize, Mormon temples are closed on Sundays and Mondays, but operating from Tuesday to Saturday in most locations. Always check the official temple website for specific hours and any special considerations that may apply to your visit.