Lessons on the Temple
Lesson No. Eighty-Eight

Tents (Our Lives) Towards the Temple

Introduction – In 2013, when the Church acquired additional property next to the Louisville Kentucky Temple, we began to have requests from Boy Scouts and other young men and young women groups to use this property for camp outs.

These youth groups located their camp about two hundred feet from the temple. They would pitch their tents with the door of the tent facing toward the temple and discuss the account of the people of king Benjamin who pitched their tents towards the temple. (See Mosiah 2:1-7) In some groups, one of the adult leaders would dress-up like king Benjamin, stand on a ladder, and address the youth by quoting king Benjamin from the Book of Mormon.

The symbolism of “tents towards the temple” is profound – “In King Benjamin’s day families pitched their tents toward the temple away from the world, just as their Israelite ancestors had pitched their tents around the tabernacle in Sinai (Exodus 33:8-10)….We would be wise to follow the example of the Nephite people of Christ by orienting our tents (our lives) toward the temple and the Conference Center to hear the words of the prophets and the words of God – the words of eternal life” (Commentary on Book of Mormon, Ogden & Skinner, Mosiah 2:5-8).

It is very impressive at night to see the Louisville Kentucky Temple as it shines brilliantly as a beacon in the darkness. Anyone who looks on this scene can’t help but notice the beauty of the brilliantly lit temple contrasted against the darkness of the night.


Tents toward Sodom, this is symbolic of the world – The Old Testament contains the story of Abraham and his nephew Lot. Both were members of the true Church and both had made covenants with God, but this is where the similarity ended.

“And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan (the land of Sodom and Gomorrah), that it was well watered everywhere….and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom” (Genesis 13:10, 12, emphasis added). Lot was looking for a life of ease consistent with the values of the world, but as a result lost his family (See Genesis 19).


Tents toward Salem, this is symbolic of the temple – Abraham settled in the rocky area of Canaan, where the city of Salem (later Jerusalem) and the temple was located. Melchizedek was the king of Salem and a “great high priest” (D&C 107:2). He held the keys of the priesthood and the sealing power. Abraham desired a life of service and an eternal family.

“Abraham received the priesthood from Melchizedek” (D&C 84:14). This certainly included the ordinances of the temple and eternal marriage with his beloved wife Sarah. Now he could receive “great knowledge,” become a “greater follower of righteousness,” a “father of many nations” (meaning endless posterity), and “a prince of peace.” He could more readily “receive instructions from the Lord,” and receive and keep the greater commandments that are associated with the high priesthood and the temple. (See Abraham 1:2) Sarah and Abraham shared all of these blessings.

None of this is possible if our tents (our lives) are pitched toward the world.

Testimony – The world tries to sell the idea that happiness is found in a life of ease and seeking to satisfy the appetites of the flesh. The gospel teaches that happiness is found in keeping covenants and in service to others. Like Abraham and Lot whether we pitch our tent (our lives) toward the temple or toward the world makes all the difference for each of us and for our families