Lessons on the Temple
Lesson No. Five
The Temple is Sacred
Sacred Vs Secret – When we attended the University of Utah Susan was a member of the Alpha Chi sorority and Larry was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. There are superficial similarities between the temple and a fraternity or a sorority as their rituals are not shared outside. In a fraternity or sorority members pledge to keep the ritual secret. In the temple members pledge to keep it sacred. There is an important difference. A fraternity or sorority ritual is not shared outside because it is secret. The temple is not shared outside because it is sacred.
The mysteries of God are sacred and include the things of the temple – The “mysteries of God” as used in the scriptures refers to things that must be revealed by the Lord, and are therefore sacred. They cannot be discovered in a library or in laboratory.
Alma 12:9-11 teaches doctrine which can be applied to the temple: “It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him.
“And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full.
“And they that will harden their hearts, to them is given the lesser portion of the word until they know nothing concerning his mysteries; and then they are taken captive by the devil….Now this is what is meant by the chains of hell” (Alma 12:9-11).
Conclusion – President Hinckley explained the sacredness of the temple in a sermon entitled Keeping the Temple Holy (Ensign, May 1990, p. 49). He applied what is taught in Alma 12:9-11 to the temple. “Entering the temple is a privilege to be earned and not a right that automatically goes with Church membership. How does one earn that privilege? By obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel.”
President Hinckley explained the reason not to discuss the sacred things of the temple outside: “I remind you of the absolute obligation to not discuss outside the temple that which occurs within the temple. Sacred matters deserve sacred consideration. We are under obligation, binding and serious, to not use temple language or speak of temple matters outside…. Please, brethren, do not discuss outside of the temple that which occurs in the temple. While there, you are at liberty to do so. If you have questions, you may speak with the temple president or one of his counselors. But when you leave the doors of the House of the Lord, be true to a sacred trust to speak not of that which is holy and sanctified. Said the Lord, “Remember that that which cometh from above is sacred, and must be spoken with care, and by constraint of the Spirit.” (D&C 63:64.) And again, “Trifle not with sacred things.” (D&C 6:12.)
Testimony – In D&C 6:12 and 63:64 the Lord uses the word sacred. In the scriptures the word sacred always applies to things of the Lord. Conversely, the word secret is often used in connection with the things of the world. While our experience in our fraternity and sorority was a positive thing in our lives (it was how we met and where we made many friends) it was not sacred. To us the temple is sacred and its teachings are eternally precious.