The Holy Temple

by Boyd K. Packer

This is a comprehensive book about the LDS temple. It examines in detail the doctrines and practices which surround that holy building, and their implications for the individual Church member. Part one offers the Lord's "Come to the temple." It sets forth the requirements for preparation through worthiness, and the attitude and behavior appropriate for those attending that holy place on the first and all subsequent occasions. Part two deals with the ancient temples then turns to the central human figure in the work of the temple- Elijah the Prophet, who anciently held the keys relative to the sealing power of the priesthood. Malachi's prophecy and the human tradition about Elijah's return in the latter days are impressively set forth. Elijah's return and all that it means for the happiness and salvation of mankind are the themes of parts three and four. Following early Restoration scenes, here is the Kirtland Temple built at great personal sacrifice. Dedicated, it fulfills a major purpose in the glorious visions of April 3, 1836, the Savior himself introducing three heavenly beings who then convey priesthood keys. One of these is Elijah. Thereafter the revelations progressively develop the doctrine of temple work for both the living and the dead; under divine direction temple ceremonies are introduced and participants flock to the Nauvoo Temple; through President Wilford Woodruff the supporting work of lineage linking is clarified by revelation; and the spirit of Elijah is manifest both in and out of the Church as genealogical research and temple work blossom, temples multiply, and those beyond the veil assist those involved in the work here. The endowment with its sacred covenants and its symbolic instruction, the sealing ordinance, and other temple ceremonies are discussed sensitively and authoritatively. Written direct to the reader, this is an outstanding book on a subject crucial to every child of God.

Genres: Religion, Lds, Nonfiction, Church, Spirituality, Lds Non Fiction, Christianity

274 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

President Boyd K. Packer, the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was set apart to this position on February 3, 2008. Previously, he was Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles beginning June 5, 1994. Prior to becoming Acting President, he served as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, having been ordained an Apostle on April 9, 1970. He earlier served for almost nine years as an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

An educator by profession, his career includes service as supervisor of seminaries and institutes of religion for the Church and as a member of the Administrative Council of Brigham Young University.

Reviews

[Jaclyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly struggle to make it cover-to-cover through church books. I'd rather topic study and move on, but I read this in a couple of days this week as I found myself absorbed in learning all I could about the temple. President Packer is good about citing sources and referring you on to specific scriptures and talks. After finishing the book, I read sections in the Doctrine & Covenants and the entire Pearl of Great Price to help supplement the points he made. The book is definitely worth your time whether you're preparing to go to the temple or been a hundred times.

[Dail Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book by Elder Packer. Much is discussed about temples and our need to discover our own ancestors.

[Brad Rees · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well framed and doctrinally sound book. Great review for anyone interested in temples of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

A few lessons from this book for me to remember:

The lord has only given us instructions to enter the celestial kingdom and not much detail on the requirements for the terrestrial or telestial kingdoms.

We must have softened hearts if we are to learn the mysteries of god (alma 12:9-11).

The temple recommend questions are for the benefit of the individual to affirm their obedience and faithfulness, thereby giving the recommend real meaning in their life.

This book also provides excellent background on Elijah and his return in the latter days.

It also discusses the characteristics of a covenant people and some of the key covenants we should be prepared to make in the temple.

I recommend this book.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a hard time rating this one. It's is all good information and well-written obviously. Most of the book I felt was something I've already learned in a Sunday school lesson, but it was all information worth reviewing, and I did have my mind open to some new inspiration. It was a worthy read, but it's not a book I would read over and over again. Would highly recommend to non-LDS who want to know more about our temples.

[NaDell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was put together well to explain why Temples are so important to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and how as a member each of us can learn more about the Temple. I enjoyed reading a chapter a day and taking some time to ponder attending the Temple, especially during this COVID-19 time that we are at home more often and I can really think and prepare myself more fully to attend once the Temple is open in my area again.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Holy Temple is a Deseret Book classic, packed full of testimony building information. The book was not a light read for me, so it took me awhile to get through it, but I'm so glad that I finally did.

[Spencer Willardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most impactful books that I have read. I wish that I had not waited this long to read it. I learned so much and was reminded of things and connections that I had made, but which really were solidified. A wonderful book for those new to the temple or those, like me, who have been endowed for decades.

[Sharon Hogenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this book was excellently written, I only gave it four stars because it is a bit dated. In looking through the Deseret Book Library I saw that there is a "refreshed" version. However, the audio only did the older version, and that's what I "read" this time through.

I'm looking forward to reading the refreshed version to see what changes there are, and to perhaps study in more depth the things that it contains. According to Amazon, it is a lot shorter than the original. It will be interesting to see what changes are made.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elder Packer made learning about the temple, the history of them, why things were done a certain way in the past (the need for constant revelation, line upon line), vital role of genealogical work, importance of ordinances not just for ourselves but our ancestors, and the blessings received by going to the temple, simple to understand.

[Brett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved "Preparing to Enter the Holy Temple" which took excerpts from this work, and I was blown away with this! I love that Packer focused not only on temples and doctrines relating to them, but also family history research and it's critical role in all that occurs in the temple!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know how I'd gotten this far into my life without having read this book yet, but I'm so glad I have now. Of all the "church books" I've read in the last few months, this is my favorite and the most impactful and, in my opinion, important. If you'd like to feel inspired to go to the temple, and to participate in family history more, this book will do it, I promise!

[Bryna Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall fine, I found it referred mostly to men and their priesthood covenants and left women out for the most part— but this is an older book and things of that interest seemed to have taken off in the last 5 years in my opinion so I’m not terribly surprised. Interesting insights into Elijah. I found myself skimming after the first 1/3 and then flipping through pages and stopping at headings that slightly interested me. So I didn’t actually finish it. Cover to cover.

[Pedro · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I had read this book prior to my first visit to the temple. It's fantastic (if a little dated in some areas).

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book in college as I was considering a mission, then again later before getting married. Love learning more about symbolism in the temple.

[Sidney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. This book makes me want to be more faithful in my family-history work and temple attendance! Beautiful.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

It feels almost blasphemous, but I'm barely giving this book four stars. It really is meant for people who have not yet gone, or who have only been a few times, to the temple. The book says just about everything you can say on the subject without ever actually talking about the temple ceremonies. The beginning and end of the book are quite repetitive, however, and seem to say the same thing over and over again (e.g., the temple ceremony is sacred, not secret, and we should be anxious to do family history work).

The middle part of the book was good reading, however, and I really enjoyed it.

I learned that it wasn't until Wilford Woodruff that the sealing ceremony was to seal children to parents and parents to children, which was very interesting. I wish Elder Packer had explained more about what was done before this change was made. In Rough Stone Rolling, I read that Joseph Smith had all sorts of people sealed to him, but I didn't realize that this practice continued through the leadership of Brigham Young and John Taylor. I was confused, though, by a quote from Joseph Smith that said the point of the sealing ceremony was to link up the generations, parents to children. If Joseph Smith taught that, why was he getting sealed to people who weren't his family members? An explanation of that apparent discrepancy would also have been helpful. After all, Elder Packer devoted several paragraphs to an explanation of how Joseph's statement that temple work was the most important work we can be engaged in does not conflict with his statement that missionary work is the most important. (By the way, the explanation, which I think is really cool, is that it is all the same work: building the Kingdom of God.)

[Eric McLean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would recommend this book to anyone who is planning on going through the temple in the future or anyone who wants to know why we do temple work. The book itself is well written with plenty of anecdotes, stories, and scripture. I did find it a bit on the dull side after about 200 pages, mostly because it became very repetitive, but it is still a very good book about why we have temples. I was really interested in the parts about genealogy and found a lot of really beautiful insights there, but it was also less focused on. This book was a gift from my mission president and his wife for our wedding and I am really glad that we have finished it.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

The women in my ward (congregation) are reading this book as we look forward to the dedication of a temple here in Indianapolis. It had been a long time since I read it, and I found it very much worth reading again.
One thing that I noticed more this time was the illustrations for each chapter heading. They were done by President (then Elder) Packer himself.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this shortly after being called as an ordinance worker. I have read a few short pages before my shift each week which has given me time to ponder its beauty and approach the temple with greater reverence.

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really such an excellent book. I have loved taking my time reading this book so I can take a minute to slow down and feel the Spirit as I read. I would definitely recommend this book. I love what I have learned from it!

[Andres · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite part was when it talked about Elijah and Elijah appearing and committing the dispensation of the gospel.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so grateful for the blessings of the temple! And I cannot wait to go claim those blessings :) 10 days!

[Richard Downey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read it a couple of times, but reading it this time through the eyes of a temple worker has been a revelation, so to speak.

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been meaning to read this book for quite some time. I learned some interesting things about the temple, church history, etc.

[Giuseppe Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you had nothing to go on but his descriptions of the temple you would be able to construct a perfect copy of it.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I first read this book (in print) in the late 90s. For my second reading, I listened to it over several months as part of my 6-month study on the temple. If it weren't for my overwhelming "completion compulsion," I am sure I would not have finished as it took me a long while to get through this (while reading other things), I was bored and I wanted to get on to other things. I think it is safe to say that I liked the book LESS the second time for a few of reasons.

First of all, for the topics where I was most interested in expanding my knowledge (knowledge and application of various temple covenants), I feel like there are better contemporary options. (I recommend Anthony Sweat's 2 short books on the temple - and https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3... and https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6....) Second, there are things in this book that are outdated. One example is how couples can now combine civil marriage with temple sealings. It also praises the Indian placement program. (Yikes.) Third, this book is more heavily weighted on history of temples than I was looking for at this time.

That said, if you want more emphasis on history, this has a fair amount of that. This book also, unlikely Sweat's books, speaks more to the importance of genealogy and record keeping.

[C · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book really interesting and moving. Although, much of how the author approached the subject is very deviant from doctrinal explanations in favor of faith-promoting stories. In that sense, I was inspired but underwhelmed by the book. The stories and ideas shared were meaningful but familiar. There wasn't a whole lot here that was new (not to discredit the few new ideas presented that were really were unique and interesting). Enough worthwhile probably reference this book to others but not use it as a reference book.

In all, I found it a really insightful and even essential one-time read (especially for those who have not been to the temple and are preparing to do so). It's merits are simple and memorable enough to not necessitate or evoke the desire for a re-read. It stands as an essential LDS text but not in the way or at the level that books like "Miracle or Forgiveness", "Jesus the Christ" or even "Believing Christ" are revered, referenced, and revisited.

Thus, a member of the pantheon of great LDS reads? Sure. But a definite one-and-done, 3 stars.

[Jeff Birk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars, that's right. Very rare for me to give the highest rating to any book. The importance of the material in this book for me personally isn't possible to state. For anyone starting and/or continuing their journey in the Holy Temples of our Lord, this is a must read. Brother Packer doesn't go too deep but he doesn't stay in the shallows either. From top to bottom this book covers all the of basic (and not so basic) things we must learn and practice as saints when it comes to temple worship. This book opened my eyes to the importance of indexing. There is no temple work to be done unless indexing happens. It's been good to start doing this part of my temple and family history work. I listened to this book to get an initial read of it and will read it again in printed form in order to study, underline and ponder the parts which I need most. His treatment on sealing, ordinances and Elijah were exactly what I needed and plan to revisit.

[Jody · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want to know more about the temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, this is a great resource. If you are a member of the church, and would like some insightful history of temples, and some material to teach on classes, I recommend this book. It’s not an exciting book—not a real “page turner”—but I found some things in here that I found very interesting.

If you are looking for all the “secret things” that happen in the temples, don’t bother. Any good source won’t be divulging that information, and any book that does, isn’t a good source. Those things, as explained here, are sacred, not secret. But this book does give some incredible insight into the minds and practices of the members of the church.

[Callie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book doesn’t explain much of the symbols and meaning of word usage in the temple like I was hoping for (which makes perfect sense, it is sacred script). He did however discuss in depth the history of temples, keys of the priesthood, the spirit of Elijah and family history work. There was some repetition. There were a lot of personal stories from him or known associates, those were my favorite.

A few quotes I really like:

- it is not the building itself but the visitations of the spirit that sanctify
- Every hour spent on genealogical research, however unproductive it appears, is worthwhile.
- Some very interesting things will start to happen once you show some interest in your own genealogical work. It is a firm principle.