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Temple Worship: 20 Truths That Will Bless Your Life
In this inspiring, practical book, Andrew Skinner shows how the temple represents the "ultimate" in our worship, how temple ordinances are tied to the Atonement, how temple blessings apply to all--especially to those who walk life's road alone--and how the temple prepares us for exaltation. Weaving in personal experiences and statements from modern prophets, he bears witness hat the sealing ordinances are a source of great comfort and security, that temples are places of personal revelation, and that unseen faces attend us there. This book will permanently change your feelings about the temple and help you enrich your experiences there.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published October 10, 2007
42 people are currently reading
295 people want to read
About the author
Andrew C. Skinner
43 books23 followersAndrew C. Skinner was born and raised in Colorado. He attended the University of Colorado where he earned his B.A. degree in history. He then earned an M.A. degree from the Iliff School of Theology in Jewish Studies and a Th.M. degree from Harvard in Biblical Hebrew. He did graduate work at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Israel. His Ph.D. was awarded from the University of Denver in Near Eastern and European History, specializing in Judaism.
Brother Skinner taught four years at Ricks College, and has filled three assignments at the BYU Jerusalem Center where he served as a faculty member and taught Near Eastern Studies. Since September 2000 he has served as the Dean of Religious Education at Brigham Young University. Prior to his current appointment, he served as chair of the department of Ancient Scripture at BYU. He is the author or co-author of over 100 publications including Jerusalem: The Eternal City; New Testament Apostles Testify of Christ; Discoveries in the Judaean Desert: The Unidentified Fragments from Qumran Cave 4 (which is an analysis of all the unidentified Hebrew and Aramaic Dead Sea Scroll texts); Scriptural Parables for the Latter Days, and Gethsemane.
He served a full time mission for the LDS Church from 1970-72 in the California Central Mission and served as Branch President at the Missionary Training Center in Provo. He has also served as a bishop in Colorado and Utah and currently serves as a member of the Correlation Evaluation Committee of the Church.
He and his wife Janet Corbridge reside in Lindon, Utah, and they are the parents of six children.
Brother Skinner taught four years at Ricks College, and has filled three assignments at the BYU Jerusalem Center where he served as a faculty member and taught Near Eastern Studies. Since September 2000 he has served as the Dean of Religious Education at Brigham Young University. Prior to his current appointment, he served as chair of the department of Ancient Scripture at BYU. He is the author or co-author of over 100 publications including Jerusalem: The Eternal City; New Testament Apostles Testify of Christ; Discoveries in the Judaean Desert: The Unidentified Fragments from Qumran Cave 4 (which is an analysis of all the unidentified Hebrew and Aramaic Dead Sea Scroll texts); Scriptural Parables for the Latter Days, and Gethsemane.
He served a full time mission for the LDS Church from 1970-72 in the California Central Mission and served as Branch President at the Missionary Training Center in Provo. He has also served as a bishop in Colorado and Utah and currently serves as a member of the Correlation Evaluation Committee of the Church.
He and his wife Janet Corbridge reside in Lindon, Utah, and they are the parents of six children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
July 7, 2008
I was hoping this book would be more personal than it was. I enjoyed the later chapters and did learn a few things I didn't know. I was looking for a book that would help inspire me to attend the temple more often...I suppose I need a historical book on temple worship. I think the most effective way to have more meaningful temple worship is to take your own ancestors' names to the temple. I have felt the spirit and the spirit of Elijah much more when I do this.
This book was a bit disappointing. It's a nice read--but I think there are better books about the temple out there. I'll keep searching.
This book was a bit disappointing. It's a nice read--but I think there are better books about the temple out there. I'll keep searching.
March 27, 2022
I loved this! It's one that I want to go back and review often. So many good insights on the covenants and the ordinances in the temple and how to better apply them in your life. If you have any questions about the temple, I encourage all to read this book!
September 28, 2010
I can't seem to get enough LDS nonfiction and the books keep presenting themselves to me....guess that's a gimme working in a library in small town, Utah.
The temple has been on my mind a lot lately and then yesterday BAM! there's a book on the subject literally placed into my hands. I'm so grateful to be blessed to be able to read and to soak up every ounce of learning that I can...and the blessings that come from it.
Matt. 5: 6 " Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled."
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The insights in this book helped change my attitude about temple worship and see more of what my focus should be...I have recommitted myself to attending the temple more often and with a greater desire to serve those who have passed on before. I have felt the Spirit of Elijah drawing me to family history work many times in my life....and it is important that I heed and answer that call. This book did what any good book will do... cause one to reflect on one's own life and in so doing, create a desire to do better and to be better.
The temple has been on my mind a lot lately and then yesterday BAM! there's a book on the subject literally placed into my hands. I'm so grateful to be blessed to be able to read and to soak up every ounce of learning that I can...and the blessings that come from it.
Matt. 5: 6 " Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled."
----------------
The insights in this book helped change my attitude about temple worship and see more of what my focus should be...I have recommitted myself to attending the temple more often and with a greater desire to serve those who have passed on before. I have felt the Spirit of Elijah drawing me to family history work many times in my life....and it is important that I heed and answer that call. This book did what any good book will do... cause one to reflect on one's own life and in so doing, create a desire to do better and to be better.
October 2, 2014
This book was inspiring. I gave it 4 stars because I found it to be about 80% "stuff I already sort-of knew or understood" and 20% "wow, that's cool! I never thought of that before!" - so, it was definitely worth the read. Made me think about some important things, and encouraged me regarding a couple of topics (such as consecration).
It's overall an easy read (I read the first 40% over a couple of weeks, waited for a few months, then read the last 60% in less than a week). I do think it is best consumed by the already-endowed.
It's overall an easy read (I read the first 40% over a couple of weeks, waited for a few months, then read the last 60% in less than a week). I do think it is best consumed by the already-endowed.
June 24, 2013
Excellent book about the blessings of the temple. I learned a lot of things reading this book and especially enjoyed the quotes from early church leaders. I was particularly struck by the fact that the Nauvoo Temple was open for only eight weeks, yet those who officiated there felt they were "amply repaid for all our efforts to build it." It caused me a lot of reflection about my own commitment to the temple. A very worthwhile read!
December 18, 2008
Very good read. Very easy to understand and insightful review and explanation of gospel principles taught in the temple and why they are so important for us to know. Focus is on understanding a little more The Atonement. Uses a variety of sources that are not generally used. A book I will definitely review/read again.
June 18, 2011
I really enjoyed reading this book. Has helped give me lots to think about the temple and all of the symbolism contained in it. I plan on reading this book again in about 6 months so I can get more out of it since there was a lot of good information. I am glad I took the time to read this great book.
March 30, 2009
This book answers questions about the temple that I didn't know I had. It is also great insight to anyone that wants to know a little more about what happens inside those mysterious "LDS" Temples. I found it enlightening.
February 1, 2015
For a book to get five stars, I want to feel like it changed my life for the better. This book gave me a few "pearls", insights into temple worship that really enriched my understanding of it.
February 7, 2012
Temple Worship was a fabulous book. I asked my wife to get it for me for my birthday last year and am so glad I did. It's brought my closer to my Lord Jesus Christ. I understand more about the history of temples for the last several thousand years and the importance of the temple in my life.
July 23, 2011
I read this in preparing to go to the temple and it's amazing. It definitely gave me new perspective on the temple and I learned a lot of new things. Everyone should read this.
January 25, 2016
I love the temple and its blessings and peace and purpose! This book shares some nice insights and reminders about the importance of the temple. It talks about eternal life, covenants, priesthood, Jesus Christ, the Atonement, sacrifice, eternal families, gathering, protection, worthiness, heaven, revelation, learning, purpose, love. It helped me remember how so much of our time and energy here and now should be spent in the eternal work and blessings of temples - it's why we're here!
Here are a few of my favorite quotes:
"Perhaps all of us get caught up at one time or another in the thick of thin things, but I believe that when we're reminded of the blessings and realities of eternity as only the temple can remind us, our sights are lifted, we refocus on what matters most, and the Spirit of the Lord teaches us things known only to Deity (p. 7)."
"Without doubt, the temple is the great symbol of the Lord's kingdom and our membership in it. But it also seems to me that the temple is the great symbol of the foreordained plan of exaltation. Temples are parallel to patriarchal blessings and a complement to them. Both outline the course and direction the Lord charted for us in our premortal existence. Both are intricately tied to revelation....Both are designed to reveal our path back to the Father....There are times in our lives..when heaven whispers to us that we are understood and loved and attended to by the Great Parent of the universe. Temples provide a sanctified environment for that to happen (p. 26)."
"No one is denied opportunities or privileges for any reason except choosing to disobey the commandments. All must make the same covenants and receive the same ordinances. No exceptions and no privileges! All will be blessed (p. 33)."
"The temple reflects reality (p. 38)."
"'I think that vicarious work for the dead more nearly approaches the vicarious sacrifice of the Savior Himself than any other work of which I know. It is given with love, without hope of compensation, or repayment or anything of the kind. What a glorious principle (President Gordon B. Hinckley, p. 53).'"
"Being sealed together as husband and wife and children is not just a nice thing to do, not just the customary pattern to follow. Being sealed together as an eternal family is the very order of heaven. It is the kind of life our Heavenly Parents live. In other words, the family isn't just the basic unit of society; it is the basic unit of eternity (p. 68)."
"The purpose for which temples are constructed is also the same purpose for which this earth was created--establishing and nurturing eternal families (p. 89)."
"Marriage is an act of faith. Those who have the appropriate opportunity in mortality to marry ought to act upon it. Those who do not must have faith that it will happen some day. Earth, family, temple, sealing power, and celestial glory all go together. They are inseparably connected. Ultimately and eternally, this earth will become the everlasting abode of those who have been sealed together as families (p. 95)."
"To Adam was given Eve, a helper 'meet' for him, that is, perfectly suited, worthy, precisely appropriate for him. Or, in the words of President Joseph Fielding Smith, 'a help who would answer all the requirements, not only of companionship, but also through whom the fulness of the purposes of the Lord could be accomplished regarding the mission of man through mortal life and into eternity.' Therefore, the union of both Adam and Eve 'was required to complete man in the image of God (p. 102).'"
"All those who gain exaltation in the celestial kingdom 'receive the fullness of the power, might, and dominion of that kingdom. They overcome all things. They are crowned as priests and kings [priestesses and queens] and become like [God].' That is the essence of everything we learn in the Lord's temples (p. 105)."
"The Lord's purpose in gathering the Saints in every dispensation has been for the building of temples in which to administer his ordinances (p. 117)."
"We were acquainted with temples in our premortal heavenly home, and now they serve as a point of contact with everything that was good and right before we entered this fallen world (p. 118)."
"It makes sense that temple worship and the Millennium go hand in hand. Temples symbolize peace, especially the Prince of Peace. Temples belong to him. The Millennium is the great era of peace because it will be ruled over by the Prince of Peace, whose work will be completed in those houses dedicated to him (p. 126)."
"The temple protects us by increasing our perspective on mortality as well as on eternity. Teachings presented in the temple clearly identify the enemy of all righteousness, he who is the adversary of our Heavenly Father and the opponent of his plan....The temple and its ordinances protect each of us from the attacks of the adversary (p. 132)."
"'Every foundation stone that is laid for a Temple, and every Temple completed according to the order the Lord has revealed for his holy Priesthood, lessons the power of Satan on the earth, and increases the power of God and Godliness, moves the heavens in mighty power in our behalf, invokes and calls down upon us the blessings of the Eternal Gods, and those who reside in their presence (President George Q. Cannon, p. 133).'"
"'Sometimes our minds are so beset with problems, and there are so many things clamoring for attention at once that we just cannot think clearly and see clearly. At the temple the dust of distraction seems to settle out, the fog and the haze seem to lift, and we can 'see' things that we were not able to see before and find a way through our troubles that we had not previously known. The Lord will bless us as we attend to the sacred ordinance work of the temples. Blessings there will not be limited to our temple service. We will be blessed in all of our affairs (President Boyd K. Packer, p. 136).'"
"President Young stressed that we have an obligation to search our family histories back as far as we can. At the point where we can go no farther, we are entitled to the help of heaven (p. 143)."
"The Internet is a miracle and the Lord's invention to hasten his work in our day. It is part of the help from heaven promised in our day. Through its operations it is as though angels and ancestors beyond the grave are able to step forward, as President Young prophesied, and tell us things we did not understand as well as give us the names of forefathers long forgotten (p. 144)."
"'Sister Susa Young Gates...once asked her father [Brigham Young] how it would ever be possible to accomplish the great amount of temple work that must be done, if all are given a full opportunity for exaltation. He told her there would be many inventions of labor-saving devices, so that our daily duties could be performed in a short time, leaving us more and more time for temple work. The inventions have come, and are still coming, but many simply divert the time gained to other channels, and not for the purpose intended by the Lord (Archibald F. Bennett, p. 145).'"
"'Oh elder, do not ask if he has ever been here. This is his house--and he walks these very halls (President Harold B. Lee, p. 152).'"
"What a promise! These are not idle words: 'all the pure in heart that shall come into it [the temple] shall see God (p. 154).'"
"The Prophet understood that preparation precedes power (p. 163)."
"The temple educates us on eternity (p. 172)."
"'The Temple is the Lord's University (President Gordon B. Hinckley, p. 173).'"
"'Elder, dress like you are going before the Lord (p. 177).'"
"'A religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation; for, from the first existence of man, the faith necessary unto the enjoyment of life and salvation never could be obtained without the sacrifice of all earthly things. It was through this sacrifice, and this only, that God has ordained that men should enjoy eternal life; and it is through the medium of the sacrifice of all earthly things that men do actually know that they are doing the things that are well pleasing in the sight of God....It is vain for persons to fancy to themselves that they are heirs with those, or can be heirs with them, who have offered their all in sacrifice, and by this means obtain faith in God and favor with him so as to obtain eternal life, unless they, in like manner, offer unto him the same sacrifice, and through that offering obtain the knowledge that they are accepted of him (Lectures on Faith, p. 185).'"
"Thus, the closer we come to God, the more we desire to do what he desires, the more nearly our prayers become, 'I don't care what I want, Lord; I only care what Thou wants.' The nearer we approach God through mighty faith, the more desirous we are to give him everything we possess, everything we own and everything we are--time, talents, and resources--until we arrive at the point where we will give him the ultimate thing we have to give, the one and only thing that is truly ours (because everything else is already his): our individual agency, our will, our thoughts, and desires (p. 185)."
"'The submission of one's will is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on God's altar. The many other things we 'give,' brothers and sisters, are actually things He has already given or loaned to us. However, when you and I finally submit ourselves, by letting our individual wills be swallowed up in God's will, then we are really giving something to Him! It is the only possession which is truly ours to give! Consecration thus constitutes the only unconditional surrender which is also a total victory (Elder Neal A. Maxwell, p. 186)!'"
"In the temple we learn about our true identity and our place in our Heavenly Father's plan (p. 191)."
"Temple worship changes our perspective in many ways. We begin to care less about the things of the world and much more about the things of God (p. 200)."
Here are a few of my favorite quotes:
"Perhaps all of us get caught up at one time or another in the thick of thin things, but I believe that when we're reminded of the blessings and realities of eternity as only the temple can remind us, our sights are lifted, we refocus on what matters most, and the Spirit of the Lord teaches us things known only to Deity (p. 7)."
"Without doubt, the temple is the great symbol of the Lord's kingdom and our membership in it. But it also seems to me that the temple is the great symbol of the foreordained plan of exaltation. Temples are parallel to patriarchal blessings and a complement to them. Both outline the course and direction the Lord charted for us in our premortal existence. Both are intricately tied to revelation....Both are designed to reveal our path back to the Father....There are times in our lives..when heaven whispers to us that we are understood and loved and attended to by the Great Parent of the universe. Temples provide a sanctified environment for that to happen (p. 26)."
"No one is denied opportunities or privileges for any reason except choosing to disobey the commandments. All must make the same covenants and receive the same ordinances. No exceptions and no privileges! All will be blessed (p. 33)."
"The temple reflects reality (p. 38)."
"'I think that vicarious work for the dead more nearly approaches the vicarious sacrifice of the Savior Himself than any other work of which I know. It is given with love, without hope of compensation, or repayment or anything of the kind. What a glorious principle (President Gordon B. Hinckley, p. 53).'"
"Being sealed together as husband and wife and children is not just a nice thing to do, not just the customary pattern to follow. Being sealed together as an eternal family is the very order of heaven. It is the kind of life our Heavenly Parents live. In other words, the family isn't just the basic unit of society; it is the basic unit of eternity (p. 68)."
"The purpose for which temples are constructed is also the same purpose for which this earth was created--establishing and nurturing eternal families (p. 89)."
"Marriage is an act of faith. Those who have the appropriate opportunity in mortality to marry ought to act upon it. Those who do not must have faith that it will happen some day. Earth, family, temple, sealing power, and celestial glory all go together. They are inseparably connected. Ultimately and eternally, this earth will become the everlasting abode of those who have been sealed together as families (p. 95)."
"To Adam was given Eve, a helper 'meet' for him, that is, perfectly suited, worthy, precisely appropriate for him. Or, in the words of President Joseph Fielding Smith, 'a help who would answer all the requirements, not only of companionship, but also through whom the fulness of the purposes of the Lord could be accomplished regarding the mission of man through mortal life and into eternity.' Therefore, the union of both Adam and Eve 'was required to complete man in the image of God (p. 102).'"
"All those who gain exaltation in the celestial kingdom 'receive the fullness of the power, might, and dominion of that kingdom. They overcome all things. They are crowned as priests and kings [priestesses and queens] and become like [God].' That is the essence of everything we learn in the Lord's temples (p. 105)."
"The Lord's purpose in gathering the Saints in every dispensation has been for the building of temples in which to administer his ordinances (p. 117)."
"We were acquainted with temples in our premortal heavenly home, and now they serve as a point of contact with everything that was good and right before we entered this fallen world (p. 118)."
"It makes sense that temple worship and the Millennium go hand in hand. Temples symbolize peace, especially the Prince of Peace. Temples belong to him. The Millennium is the great era of peace because it will be ruled over by the Prince of Peace, whose work will be completed in those houses dedicated to him (p. 126)."
"The temple protects us by increasing our perspective on mortality as well as on eternity. Teachings presented in the temple clearly identify the enemy of all righteousness, he who is the adversary of our Heavenly Father and the opponent of his plan....The temple and its ordinances protect each of us from the attacks of the adversary (p. 132)."
"'Every foundation stone that is laid for a Temple, and every Temple completed according to the order the Lord has revealed for his holy Priesthood, lessons the power of Satan on the earth, and increases the power of God and Godliness, moves the heavens in mighty power in our behalf, invokes and calls down upon us the blessings of the Eternal Gods, and those who reside in their presence (President George Q. Cannon, p. 133).'"
"'Sometimes our minds are so beset with problems, and there are so many things clamoring for attention at once that we just cannot think clearly and see clearly. At the temple the dust of distraction seems to settle out, the fog and the haze seem to lift, and we can 'see' things that we were not able to see before and find a way through our troubles that we had not previously known. The Lord will bless us as we attend to the sacred ordinance work of the temples. Blessings there will not be limited to our temple service. We will be blessed in all of our affairs (President Boyd K. Packer, p. 136).'"
"President Young stressed that we have an obligation to search our family histories back as far as we can. At the point where we can go no farther, we are entitled to the help of heaven (p. 143)."
"The Internet is a miracle and the Lord's invention to hasten his work in our day. It is part of the help from heaven promised in our day. Through its operations it is as though angels and ancestors beyond the grave are able to step forward, as President Young prophesied, and tell us things we did not understand as well as give us the names of forefathers long forgotten (p. 144)."
"'Sister Susa Young Gates...once asked her father [Brigham Young] how it would ever be possible to accomplish the great amount of temple work that must be done, if all are given a full opportunity for exaltation. He told her there would be many inventions of labor-saving devices, so that our daily duties could be performed in a short time, leaving us more and more time for temple work. The inventions have come, and are still coming, but many simply divert the time gained to other channels, and not for the purpose intended by the Lord (Archibald F. Bennett, p. 145).'"
"'Oh elder, do not ask if he has ever been here. This is his house--and he walks these very halls (President Harold B. Lee, p. 152).'"
"What a promise! These are not idle words: 'all the pure in heart that shall come into it [the temple] shall see God (p. 154).'"
"The Prophet understood that preparation precedes power (p. 163)."
"The temple educates us on eternity (p. 172)."
"'The Temple is the Lord's University (President Gordon B. Hinckley, p. 173).'"
"'Elder, dress like you are going before the Lord (p. 177).'"
"'A religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation; for, from the first existence of man, the faith necessary unto the enjoyment of life and salvation never could be obtained without the sacrifice of all earthly things. It was through this sacrifice, and this only, that God has ordained that men should enjoy eternal life; and it is through the medium of the sacrifice of all earthly things that men do actually know that they are doing the things that are well pleasing in the sight of God....It is vain for persons to fancy to themselves that they are heirs with those, or can be heirs with them, who have offered their all in sacrifice, and by this means obtain faith in God and favor with him so as to obtain eternal life, unless they, in like manner, offer unto him the same sacrifice, and through that offering obtain the knowledge that they are accepted of him (Lectures on Faith, p. 185).'"
"Thus, the closer we come to God, the more we desire to do what he desires, the more nearly our prayers become, 'I don't care what I want, Lord; I only care what Thou wants.' The nearer we approach God through mighty faith, the more desirous we are to give him everything we possess, everything we own and everything we are--time, talents, and resources--until we arrive at the point where we will give him the ultimate thing we have to give, the one and only thing that is truly ours (because everything else is already his): our individual agency, our will, our thoughts, and desires (p. 185)."
"'The submission of one's will is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on God's altar. The many other things we 'give,' brothers and sisters, are actually things He has already given or loaned to us. However, when you and I finally submit ourselves, by letting our individual wills be swallowed up in God's will, then we are really giving something to Him! It is the only possession which is truly ours to give! Consecration thus constitutes the only unconditional surrender which is also a total victory (Elder Neal A. Maxwell, p. 186)!'"
"In the temple we learn about our true identity and our place in our Heavenly Father's plan (p. 191)."
"Temple worship changes our perspective in many ways. We begin to care less about the things of the world and much more about the things of God (p. 200)."
July 30, 2017
It took me forever, but I finally finished this one. There were some really amazing insights about the temple here that led me to start a temple book for copying out quotes about the temple that I can use for reference.
June 1, 2020
Good book with a lot of quotes and scripture references on the temple. Author goes through 20 different areas that we are blessed by temple worship. All good thoughts, but would not say that it is too enlightening. Very good reference book and ways to teach those not familiar with the temple
October 18, 2024
A friend had actually recommended another book written by this author. When searching for the recommended book I discovered this one so bought both. What a blessing!!! Love this book and look forward to reading it again. I learned so many new sacred and treasured gems.
February 23, 2017
Very interesting but deep and factional gave me things to think about
August 24, 2017
This book was amazing.
August 9, 2018
I think I underlined about 10% of this book! Great read!
September 15, 2019
I love reading and rereading about the temple. Life is so hectic that it's great to have a reminder of things that are a priority.
March 29, 2020
Amazing!!
May 21, 2020
This was such an interesting book with lots of thoughtful insights. I highly recommend taking the time to read through and ponder this one.
February 14, 2022
Great insight into temple worship
January 28, 2012
A good summary of what one can get out of dedicated temple service. I didn't necessarily find anything earth-shattering (I think part of me was hoping to find some "new" doctrine or explanation I hadn't heard before); but perhaps some definite thought-provoking insights and commentary. One particular quote that struck me was sparked by a question brought before a prophet in the early days of the Church: With all the family history work and temple ordinances that need to be done, how on earth do people have time to do it all (because they spend so much time doing the daily necessities like farming, cooking, cleaning, etc)? His reply: In the future the world will have invented so many things to make life convenient and free up peoples' time that they will have plenty to spare to do this work. It's funny how we often feel like we don't have time for anything, let alone getting to the temple frequently. Yet.....we really do have the time. It's all about priorities and perspective.
This book does really pinpoint why we have temples as latter-day saints and why we need to go often. A good read for anyone who's gone to the temple once or a million times.
This book does really pinpoint why we have temples as latter-day saints and why we need to go often. A good read for anyone who's gone to the temple once or a million times.
June 3, 2010
I really was amazed by this book. I read it in just a little over a week. It was simply amazing. The way that Andrew C. Skinner quickly and succinctly relates specific stories, scriptural references, and historical information to explain doctrines related to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Each chapter highlights a different philosophical idea related to the Temple. Two of the most powerful ideas for me were the idea that the same power that Christ and his apostles and the prophets have used to control the physical world is the same power that activates the ordinances in the Temple. This means that in a very real way we can be physically changed by the covenants we make in the temple. This book gave me a whole new vision and idea of the temple. I can't wait to get back to the Temple again after reading this.
Each chapter highlights a different philosophical idea related to the Temple. Two of the most powerful ideas for me were the idea that the same power that Christ and his apostles and the prophets have used to control the physical world is the same power that activates the ordinances in the Temple. This means that in a very real way we can be physically changed by the covenants we make in the temple. This book gave me a whole new vision and idea of the temple. I can't wait to get back to the Temple again after reading this.
June 4, 2015
I've known about this book for years but have not had an opportunity to read it. I wasn't that enthused about it because books of this type are usually all form and no substance. But a man in my ward said he had read this and really enjoyed it and I trust his opinion, so I asked him to loan it to me.
The book turned out to be incredible. Well worth anyone's time who wants a better understanding and perspective of the temple. Brother Skinner did a remarkable job capturing the essence of the blessings of the temple. Anyone, no matter how much or little experience they have with the temple, could benefit from this book
The book turned out to be incredible. Well worth anyone's time who wants a better understanding and perspective of the temple. Brother Skinner did a remarkable job capturing the essence of the blessings of the temple. Anyone, no matter how much or little experience they have with the temple, could benefit from this book
February 12, 2013
There wasn't any mind-blowing, way-off-the-top stuff in this book; rather, it was a great review of basic truths related to the temple, what we can learn there, the role the temple has in our lives, and the blessings that can come from attending the temple. The subtitle "20 Truths That Will Bless Your Life" summarizes it well. Reading this book was like attending the temple in that reading it had the same affect on helping me step out of the world and remember what matters most in life (i.e. family and our relationship with Jesus Christ). Definitely recommend everyone read it.
September 9, 2014
This book was an interesting quick read. It is designed to go through 20 chapters, each talking about some aspect of the temple or temple ordinance/ceremony. It moves quickly and so sometimes it feels like it glosses over things or tends towards the generic. Other times it seems to assume based on (perhaps) the author's background knowledge or beliefs, but doesn't necessarily prove those points I felt. However, it was so quick that I'd still recommend it. It's is a good basic overview of things it would be good to study more in-depth through other sources.
May 21, 2008
This book has great information. But, it is a book that you need to ponder about while you are reading. It is not a book to read for fun but to learn. I tried to read it right before bed. That is not a good time. I want to reread it a chapter at a time and then apply the principles from that chapter.
September 23, 2008
When I first started this book I thought, "How can I not give it 5 stars?" But it is honestly an amazing book!
Though I've attended the temple hundreds of times this book taught me so much and made me realize I need to pay better attention (and feel more gratitude) whenever I attend.
Read it with a highlighter.
Though I've attended the temple hundreds of times this book taught me so much and made me realize I need to pay better attention (and feel more gratitude) whenever I attend.
Read it with a highlighter.
May 9, 2009
So I did like this book but it wasn't a book that I couldn't put down. I got some good info and I learned a few things though. I would recommend reading it but you're not going to be blown away. At least I wasn't.
I went to the Temple this week and the temple president said this was a great book to read so I'm starting it.
I went to the Temple this week and the temple president said this was a great book to read so I'm starting it.
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