Welcoming Visitors: Can Anyone Attend an LDS Temple Open House?

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), also known as the Mormon Church, invites the community to attend their temple open houses. However, there are specific conditions and practices that come with visiting these sacred places. This article explores the accessibility of temple open houses, the reverence and rules observed by visitors, and the transition from open house to full usage.

What is an LDS Temple Open House?

An LDS temple open house is an event where the community is invited to tour and view the interior of the temple before it is dedicated. These events are typically a precursor to the solemn dedication ceremony, which marks the official spiritual sanctity of the temple. Visitors, including both members and non-members, are given the rare opportunity to glimpse the inner workings of this sacred space.

Conditions and Practices During an Open House

During a temple open house, visitors are guided through the interior of the temple with a specific level of reverence and dedication. Unlike a regular tour, these tours often involve a directive for confidentiality, as the temple interior is typically not accessible after the dedication.

Venues like the Eagle Mountain International Center in Utah, for example, have hosted such open houses, allowing guests to explore the temple's interiors. However, it's important to note that all photos taken, especially inside the sanctuaries, are often taken before the temple is officially dedicated. Post-dedication, non-members are no longer allowed inside.

Why Do Members Whisper Inside Temples?

Members of the LDS Church generally whisper and observe a high degree of reverence inside the temple. This behavior is rooted in the belief that temples are houses of the Lord and should be treated with the utmost respect. However, this practice seems to vary during an open house, where non-members are present.

A personal experience of one visitor highlights the variation in behavior. They recall a tour led by an LDS member where a group of about 20 visitors was given instructions to whisper. The guide explained that this was due to the house of the Lord and the need for reverence. The visitor, intrigued by this discrepancy, wondered why non-members needed to whisper but were allowed entry. After the tour, the temple was dedicated, and non-members were no longer permitted inside.

The Celestial Room

A highlight of many tours is the visit to the Celestial Room, which is often described as white and sterile looking. This room, along with much of the temple's interior, is typically painted in white and designed with a sense of purity and reverence.

Transition from Open House to Dedication

Once a temple is dedicated, it becomes a sacred space where only those holding a current temple recommend (a special authorization) can enter. A dedicated temple can then serve its members through various sacraments and ordinances that are essential to the faith.

Can People Other Than Mormons Attend?

While the open house is open to the community, this access is temporary. After the dedication, non-members are no longer permitted to enter the temple. This transition underscores the significance of the dedication ceremony in sanctifying the temple for its full use by members.

What to Expect During an LDS Temple Tour

Reverence: Visitors are expected to observe a high level of reverence, often meant to include whispering when in areas designated as sacred. Confidentiality: Photos taken during the open house are often requested to be kept confidential, as they are not allowed after the dedication. Inside View: While visitors can experience the interior before dedication, the space becomes off-limits to non-members post-dedication. Celestial Room: This white, pristine room is often a focal point of the tour, reflecting the purity and solemnity of the temple.

Related Content

If you are curious about more aspects of the LDS Church:

How Many People Can Fit in an LDS Temple: Explore the capacity and layout of these sacred spaces. What Are the Secret Mormon Rituals: Delve into the rituals and ordinances performed in the temples. Can I Go Inside a Mormon Temple: Understand the different levels of access and restrictions. Do Mormons Want Non-Mormons to Be Allowed into Their Temples: Discover the Church's policies and beliefs regarding temple access.

The LDS Church welcomes the community to experience the magnificence of their temples during open houses, but these are temporary opportunities. Once a temple is dedicated, it is exclusively for members, reflecting the church's dedication to maintaining the sanctity of these sacred spaces.