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Let's Talk about Temples and Ritual
Throughout history, God’s covenant people have always participated in ritual worship to remind themselves of God’s love and to enable them to walk a pure, holy, and godly path. One of the ancient practices that the Lord restored through Joseph Smith is the building of temples and administering the accompanying ordinances and covenants. But even though Latter-day Saints understand that ordinances and covenants are necessary for salvation, many―including those who attend the temple regularly―struggle to understand the practice of temple worship. In this book, Dr. Jennifer Lane draws on scripture and the history of ancient and modern temples to share how, in the temple, we can find redemption through Christ. The book also explores the relationship between Freemasonry practices and modern-day temple rituals, the significance of the temple garments, and why the administration of ordinances has changed over time.
Worship in the house of the Lord can help us find answers to questions deep in our hearts. As this book illuminates, through the ordinances and covenants of the temple, Latter-day Saints can come closer to Christ and the abundant life that He offers.
Worship in the house of the Lord can help us find answers to questions deep in our hearts. As this book illuminates, through the ordinances and covenants of the temple, Latter-day Saints can come closer to Christ and the abundant life that He offers.
144 pages, Paperback
Published February 13, 2023
21 people are currently reading
112 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
July 18, 2023
Not exactly what I was looking for but still a good listen.
June 30, 2023
Unlike the other titles in this series (especially Paul Reeves’ and Terryl Givens’), this book is more devotional than academic. The book avoids almost entirely any kind of frank discussion about the areas of difficulty that many members of the church experience in the context of temple worship, and fails to engage in any genuine dialogue about the sincere questions that people legitimately have. As a result, the book comes across as more of a testimony borne than a discussion about difficult things.
March 25, 2023
Fantastic, timely, explanation of the historical importance of temple and ritual in broader Christianity and then more recently in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Lane’s expertise is on full display here as she explains complex ideas in fresh, accessible, enlightening new ways. I highly recommend it as a text to turn to after Anthony Sweat’s recent works.
August 25, 2023
I enjoyed listening. There wasn't anything that stood out to me, hence the 3 star rating.
June 24, 2024
4.5 stars. This is my second book in the “Let’s Talk About” series and I look forward to reading more. This one explores the history of temples and ritual for God’s covenant people to help them remember and bind themselves to Him. Each chapter answers questions related to the temple, such as “How do we learn differently from ritual worship?”, “How do temple covenants change my relationship with God?”, “How does the Lord manifest Himself in His house?”, and “How can I make sense of possible ties between temple practices and the ritual practices of Freemasonry?”. While I really liked many of the topics discussed (e.g., how He manifests Himself to us, using our agency to “embody willingness,” wearing Christ’s love as our “dearest possession,” and the example of faith and sacrifice of the early saints), overall I most appreciated that the book gave me a deeper gratitude for temples and a desire to seek my Savior and receive a greater portion of the blessings and power He offers there.
-“Yea, and my presence shall be there, for I will come into it, and all the pure in heart that shall come into it shall see God” (D&C 97:16).
-“I will manifest myself to my people in mercy in this house. Yea, I will appear unto my servants and speak unto them with mine voice” (D&C 110:7-8)… “he shall manifest himself unto them in word, and also in power, in very deed, unto the taking away of their stumbling blocks” (1 Nephi 14:1)—some of the ways he manifests Himself to us
-“Through covenants and ordinances, they were given a spiritual connection to God that provided fortitude and direction to carry on with their journey.” p. 28 … like the early saints, our covenants give us wisdom and strength beyond our own
-“The message I take from the Old Testament is that as we worship, bowing down and serving, we come to know God in an embodied sense. Rather than simply having more information about God, we learn to follow His model and start to take on His way of being.” p. 40
-“On those days when we don’t want what God wants as much as we would like, choosing to participate in the ordinances with ‘real intent,’ at least wanting to want something different, helps us embody and inhabit willingness (see 2 Nephi 31:13). By ritually embodying Christ’s willingness, we can reset our hearts to more fully want what god wants. We use our agency to open our hearts and be changed by His Spirit.” p. 54
-“’I am their inheritance; and ye shall give them no possession in Israel: I am their possession’ (Ezekial 44:28)…The Lord wants to give us Himself. To me, the gift of wearing the garment of the Holy Priesthood is being covered with the love of Christ…He wants to be our dearest possession. We can wear that love and that gift day and night for the rest of our lives.” p. 64
-“Bring with you all that you have of good and truth which you have received from whatever source and come and let us see if we may add to it.” President Hinckley p. 95
-“In this broader sense of religious truth, we certainly can live a fuller life by learning from many religions’ maps. Layering these maps together deepens our sense of the richness of the human spiritual experience and the nature of holiness.” p. 96
-“Yea, and my presence shall be there, for I will come into it, and all the pure in heart that shall come into it shall see God” (D&C 97:16).
-“I will manifest myself to my people in mercy in this house. Yea, I will appear unto my servants and speak unto them with mine voice” (D&C 110:7-8)… “he shall manifest himself unto them in word, and also in power, in very deed, unto the taking away of their stumbling blocks” (1 Nephi 14:1)—some of the ways he manifests Himself to us
-“Through covenants and ordinances, they were given a spiritual connection to God that provided fortitude and direction to carry on with their journey.” p. 28 … like the early saints, our covenants give us wisdom and strength beyond our own
-“The message I take from the Old Testament is that as we worship, bowing down and serving, we come to know God in an embodied sense. Rather than simply having more information about God, we learn to follow His model and start to take on His way of being.” p. 40
-“On those days when we don’t want what God wants as much as we would like, choosing to participate in the ordinances with ‘real intent,’ at least wanting to want something different, helps us embody and inhabit willingness (see 2 Nephi 31:13). By ritually embodying Christ’s willingness, we can reset our hearts to more fully want what god wants. We use our agency to open our hearts and be changed by His Spirit.” p. 54
-“’I am their inheritance; and ye shall give them no possession in Israel: I am their possession’ (Ezekial 44:28)…The Lord wants to give us Himself. To me, the gift of wearing the garment of the Holy Priesthood is being covered with the love of Christ…He wants to be our dearest possession. We can wear that love and that gift day and night for the rest of our lives.” p. 64
-“Bring with you all that you have of good and truth which you have received from whatever source and come and let us see if we may add to it.” President Hinckley p. 95
-“In this broader sense of religious truth, we certainly can live a fuller life by learning from many religions’ maps. Layering these maps together deepens our sense of the richness of the human spiritual experience and the nature of holiness.” p. 96
May 9, 2023
As Dr. Lane says in the introduction to this book, "The temple is a vast and deep topic." Her goals (2) for this work resonated perfectly with my own temple experience. 1) Redemption through Christ is probably MY most powerful image and experience as I serve in the temple. I try to focus on one of the five covenants (obedience, sacrifice, law of the gospel of Christ, chastity, and consecration) each time I serve in the temple. This helps me to have a tighter focus on Christ and his promises of redemption through the resurrection and the importance of repentance in the process of coming to Christ.
2) The redeeming love of Christ is the second focus of this book. Lane says, "Christ invites us to come unto Him and be perfected in Him through the ordinances and covenants of the temple." Since my husband and I have been attending the temple (serving there) every couple of weeks this year, I feel we have more fully embraced, are living, and are feeling a part of the covenants and ordinances associated with our temple service.
As President Russell M. Nelson (President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) says, "The vital role of temple ordinances moves us forward on the covenant path. The gathering of Israel is a gathering to the temple--on both sides of the veil."
I loved reading Dr. Lane's thoughts on temples and ritual. I learned and am trying to integrate my learning with my temple attendance/service.
2) The redeeming love of Christ is the second focus of this book. Lane says, "Christ invites us to come unto Him and be perfected in Him through the ordinances and covenants of the temple." Since my husband and I have been attending the temple (serving there) every couple of weeks this year, I feel we have more fully embraced, are living, and are feeling a part of the covenants and ordinances associated with our temple service.
As President Russell M. Nelson (President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) says, "The vital role of temple ordinances moves us forward on the covenant path. The gathering of Israel is a gathering to the temple--on both sides of the veil."
I loved reading Dr. Lane's thoughts on temples and ritual. I learned and am trying to integrate my learning with my temple attendance/service.
October 13, 2023
Listened to this book. Narration was good and the content broad yet specific in certain areas (garments, specific covenants) without stepping over any lines. Everything discussed in this book has been discussed or quoted by general authorities. This book helped me to think deeper and appreciate more the fact that if I keep my covenants, I will have added power from God to live right, keep his commandments, endure trials, overcome temptations and have more joy in my life. What a great takeaway for me as a result of reading this book. I believe you can experience the same and have enlightenment as to specifics you may need in your life when it comes to understanding and appreciating temples, temple work and temple covenants.
March 10, 2024
growth
The overall takeaway from this book came after understanding how temples transform us. Understanding things from a Carl Jung standpoint might help us better understand how. By being in the temple, just being there, we change. To some, the question might be “how?” Instead of always looking at conscious change, we might wonder what is happening subconsciously that is impacting behaviors. There are spiritual elements that might take time to notice. When we do notice it, the trajectory of our lives is uplifted. Thus, we see that the temple can be multifaceted in the way that it impacts our lives.
The overall takeaway from this book came after understanding how temples transform us. Understanding things from a Carl Jung standpoint might help us better understand how. By being in the temple, just being there, we change. To some, the question might be “how?” Instead of always looking at conscious change, we might wonder what is happening subconsciously that is impacting behaviors. There are spiritual elements that might take time to notice. When we do notice it, the trajectory of our lives is uplifted. Thus, we see that the temple can be multifaceted in the way that it impacts our lives.
March 18, 2024
There were some really interesting ideas in this book. I particularly liked her discussion of being oriented toward God or toward the world, and how everything we engage with in life orients us toward something. She ties this into orienteering, with analogies of compasses and maps. She also ties this to feeling disoriented.
Unfortunately, there were also some boring and repetitive parts of the book. For example, I thought it was interesting the first time she talked about taking Christ’s name and nature upon us; by the fourth time she used that exact phrase, it had lost its power.
Unfortunately, there were also some boring and repetitive parts of the book. For example, I thought it was interesting the first time she talked about taking Christ’s name and nature upon us; by the fourth time she used that exact phrase, it had lost its power.
April 10, 2023
★★★★★ Great book! Can’t wait to read it again (and I will).
★★★★☆ Good book. I am glad I read this.
★★★☆☆ OK book. Nothing special but not bad.
★★☆☆☆ Not good. Why did I waste my time?
★☆☆☆☆ Lousy. I didn’t finish.
If for whatever reason, I go back and reread a good book, I will change the rating to five-star because I read it again.
★★★★☆ Good book. I am glad I read this.
★★★☆☆ OK book. Nothing special but not bad.
★★☆☆☆ Not good. Why did I waste my time?
★☆☆☆☆ Lousy. I didn’t finish.
If for whatever reason, I go back and reread a good book, I will change the rating to five-star because I read it again.
September 9, 2023
I have loved studying temple symbolism in the past. This book concentrates on ritual. It taught me so much about faith as an action as well as the transformative power of Christ received in the temple. Baptism is only a stepping stone to greater things. The power of God is manifest in our lives through the greater yoking and gift of the Holy Ghost received in the temple.
August 18, 2024
Fantastic book that would probably be a perfect book for a person preparing to go to the temple for the first time, not to say that it didn't resonate with me after many many years of attending the temple. A book that is great reference and guidance of how to talk about the temple and some of the things that go on inside and out.
September 3, 2025
Very interesting and insightful. I listened to the audio version but would like to read a physical copy so I can ponder and study her ideas more. Backed up by scripture and modern revelation, this would enhance anyone's temple worship. Quick and accessible, I would recommend it to young and older adults alike.
November 24, 2025
3.5 stars, rounded down
I’ve enjoyed the “Let’s Talk About” series from Deseret Book. Some are better than others. This one didn’t really stand out to me, though there were some good insights, and I especially liked the map analogy. However, some parts felt slow, and I found myself zoning out a few times while listening. Still, it was a good Sunday read.
I’ve enjoyed the “Let’s Talk About” series from Deseret Book. Some are better than others. This one didn’t really stand out to me, though there were some good insights, and I especially liked the map analogy. However, some parts felt slow, and I found myself zoning out a few times while listening. Still, it was a good Sunday read.
April 5, 2023
Putting on Christ is learning to put your own will on the altar, day after day.
To receive His name and nature, we have to be willing to Let Go of what we want, when it differs from what He asks.
Offer your whole souls as an offering to Him.
Worship in the temple helps us feel God’s love
To receive His name and nature, we have to be willing to Let Go of what we want, when it differs from what He asks.
Offer your whole souls as an offering to Him.
Worship in the temple helps us feel God’s love
June 23, 2023
very motivating
I liked the descriptions of the reasons we attend the temple and also the words of the brethren in getting temples all over the world so all of God’s children have this learning and power.
I liked the descriptions of the reasons we attend the temple and also the words of the brethren in getting temples all over the world so all of God’s children have this learning and power.
December 10, 2023
This was good. It isn’t a topic I was super drawn to so I wasn’t as interested in this book as the others in the series. It had some good info, some great spiritual insights, and is a good book to add to some reading before (or after) going through an LDS temple.
January 14, 2024
Amazing that a book that is only 115 pages long can only stay on topic about 30% of the time. The rest is a rambling, repetitive mess. There was good stuff in the first 35 pages, then off we go. She did establish that she goes to the temple a lot and thinks we should too.
March 21, 2025
I liked it, but there were any really profound moments or ah-ha's. I would actually rate it 3 stars, but I think people new to the gospel and temple who haven't heard this stuff all their live's will find more value in it. I was hoping for more. Not sure what more, just more.
August 3, 2025
Very little history or other outside info. Mostly devotional in nature. I have read others in the series and was expecting more background, so maybe by bias in expectations is leading to the 3 instead of 4 stars. I thought is summed up the Temple doctrine well enough.
August 25, 2025
Well, I tried, but I did not like this book almost at all. It felt very General Conference-y and didn't meaningfully grapple with any of the reasons a seeker might pick this book up for. Disappointing.
August 2, 2023
Excellent. Listened to it and immediately bought it. Can’t wait to read it again with a highlighter and notepad.
August 12, 2023
Amazing book. I need to read and reread this book. So many things to think about.
January 23, 2024
This was very straightforward and provided good information.
February 23, 2024
I listened to the audio version which means I did not have great focus for a book that needed greater concentration. Likely would have been 4 stars if I had read it.
April 4, 2024
Informative. A good book about the importance of the temple. It was good, but not extraordinary, which is why I gave 3 stars.
June 9, 2024
Insightful
Written with clarity and inspiration, this insightful book helps us better understand temple worship in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Written with clarity and inspiration, this insightful book helps us better understand temple worship in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
July 9, 2024
I've enjoyed this series. This book is a great resource, insightful, and scholarly yet approachable. Highly recommend!
October 28, 2024
This book was so great to explain tons of detail and help me receive answers to questions I have had as well as find places I could dig a Little deeper.
December 30, 2024
Libby. Many insights about the Temple and Temple wording. I love the Temple and the beautiful peaceful feeling of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ there
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews