The Temple: Gaining Knowlege and Power in the House of the Lord

by Ed J. Pinegar

The Atonement is the central focus of the temple and is typified in all aspects of the temple ordinances. However, we must train our eyes, ears, and hearts to recognize it and the significance and meaning behind the symbols related to the Atonement. The holy temple of the Lord is perhaps our most profound earthly link to our Father in Heaven a sanctuary of peace and perspective, of eternal covenants, and of sacred service to our kindred dead. Among its most essential functions, the temple is a haven of instruction in the doctrines of eternity. Renowned gospel scholar Ed J. Pinegar invites readers to consider the infinite importance of all aspects of temple worship and the inseparable connection of temple ordinances to the Savior s Atonement. Citing the teachings of Church leaders as well as his own personal insights and experiences as a sealer, long time temple patron, and former temple president the author instills in readers a fundamental sense of gratitude as they come to more fully realize the significance of the temple as the only way back to our Father through the Atonement of Christ the Lord.

Genres: Religion, Lds, Church, Nonfiction

272 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2014

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can see that Ed Pinegar has a testimony of the temple! I have no doubt about that, but this book was not what I was hoping for. It’s true that all things, “Every activity, every lesson, all we do in the Church, point to the Lord and His holy house”, but I wasn’t looking for an all Encompassing book about the temple. I just wanted one specifically about the temple. There was one point when I was about to nod off while listening that he started to explain how to get onto family search to do family history work!

He did say that there would be repetition, and there was, the problem was that there was 10 hours of listening. I also would have rather had the author read the book. For a novel, give me an actor, but a religious book, I want the author who has done the work to tell me in his/her voice— that helps me understand better their testimony of the book.

The best way to do this book I think would be a series of firesides or lectures done by the author. Like I said 10 hours was just too much for the specific details I was looking for.

[Kevin Hanks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written by a temple president and temple sealer, he talks about the temple in a very down-to-earth way. He emphasizes the elementary truths taught there (you are a son/daughter of God, he loves you, he wants the best for you, he's provided a path for your progression, etc.), and how the temple provides the best possible place to be taught and to learn those truths. My favorite aspect was his overall emphasis between the temple ordinances and the atonement of Jesus Christ... something I suppose I knew before, but was taught very effectively here.

Fun note: just so happened that I finished this book in the car on the way to the Louisville, KY temple for stake temple day, with my family all asleep in the car. Made me pay a bit better attention while I was there.

[Jeff Birk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whew. This was a bit difficult to endure. The first two thirds of the book seemed to be more of a basic gospel doctrine treatment than temple-centric. I understand that the author was trying to connect the atonement to the temple, which he did ok, but so much repetition made me have to listen to it on 2x speed just to help me look forward to getting done with it and on to my next book. Thankfully, the last third (ch. 21 and on) of the book got better as he seemed to get a little more specific about temple instruction and concepts, meanings, etc. I took some notes in Evernote but very few. This book made me appreciate the temple more and desire to do more temple work which is the most important thing of all in spite of the long process of getting through the book. Maybe down the road I'll read it instead of listening to in. That might make a difference. Didn't enjoy it as much as Truman G. Madsen's temple book or C. Robert Line's book.

[Brent Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has been a three plus year read for me. A very hard book to read because of all the references, that I wanted to read. And like the temple the author reuses the same scriptural references multiple times through the book. In the last two pages the same reference said see.... twice on the same page. I know repetition is a great learning tool but it was tedious. You may be wondering why I gave the book a four. It had some insights in it that I have been searching for for years and it really opened my eyes. Also I can’t blame the author or book for my slow read. I would stop and start and am not fast at reading books like this because I trace the references and tangent. But it’s done.

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book had some good basic information, but I was very disappointed in it. Brother Pinegar's testimony about the temple was strong - but it wasn't as informative as I'd hoped. I felt that parts of it were repetitious and not organized cohesively. I was rather surprised about the chapter on Family Search instructions - it didn't seem to fit in the book at all. Still, he did share some of his positive stories of his temple experiences.

[Ryceejo · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little too much; I think this would be better simplified so more members would want to read it. The chapters aren't very cohesive with each other and it's almost like a book of the author vomiting what he knows about doctrine (which is a lot).

[Gratefulscottie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was a little disappointed intros. I guess I expected more consider who the author is.
Had a lot of basic concepts and repeated itself a lot it seemed.
The flow was not there I thought.
Still I am glad I read it.

[James Biser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brother Pinegar teaches about the sacred learning opportunities available in the Temple, and maps out the blessed ordinances done there. He also discus-ses the blessings of Elijah and the practice of gene-alogy in the modern world.

[Heidi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Look, I hate to rate a religious book so low, but it was a real disappointment to me. It took me years to chip away at this. It had one sentence on the topic I'd picked it up for. I dunno, maybe some people would find it informative but it left me frustrated.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found some interesting things in this book, I liked the way he talked about the garment and the symbol of how the atonement covers us. While there was a lot of repetition, we do learn by hearing things over and over.

[Christy Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

There wasn't really anything new or extremely revelatory. It was stuff I've heard all my life. It is a 3 star book, except that there were a couple of leads that could be inspiring.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and insightful thoughts on the temple. Also, good places to start with talking to your kids before they go through the temple.

[Julianne Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too long

[Heidi Eastman Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot of info here on the temple. Another book I need to take more time to read.

[Christi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I went into this book with expectations that were too high. I was hoping to find a book that talked about some of the doctrines of the temple, the way we can apply them in our lives, and how the temple empowers and endows us. Instead I got 250 pages of dull, dry, REPETITIVE testimony. It definitely wasn't awful--the man clearly has a great testimony and has gone on a very personal journey of learning and growth through temple study and practice. But I didn't feel that most of it applied to me. It was very much HIS journey--not something everyone will take away. Several times I also felt that he took a quote or doctrine and applied it to the temple where the connection was tenuous at best. He definitely quotes most of his sources and I appreciated his pointing the reader towards other resources, but overall I was disappointed as it felt very basic and personal to him. Some of the stories didn't even necessarily apply to the temple itself. In short, the book actually left me with more questions instead of less about the temple. And it was a long read.

[Barbara Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought a copy of this book for our Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Ward Library. I decided to read it again before I put it in the library. It is such an incredible book that I need to read again and again. My love for the temple again grew by leaps and bounds.

March 16, 2016: Finished reading this book again...and took notes this time. Yet, there is still so much, I will want to read it again and again.


February 27, 2016: My love and appreciation for the temple has grown by leaps and bounds because of this book. I look forward to reading it again!

[Kari Sweeten · Rating 5 out of 5]

My love for the temple grew so much after reading this book. Ed Pinegar has such a way with words and I love how he smashes the "mystery or secrecy" idea of temples. They are sacred, beautiful, and filled with symbolism and knowledge from God.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good, I learned new things. There was only one chapter that I didn't think was necessary.