What do you think?
Rate this book
Temples Rising: A Heritage of Sacrifice
In their poverty, the early Kirtland Saints were commanded to build a temple, “a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God” (D&C 88:119) so that the Lord could endow His people “with power from on high.” (D&C 95:8). After abandoning Kirtland and that holy house, they built again in Nauvoo, only to watch the temple burn as they left it behind. Upon arriving in the Great Basin, they quickly laid plans for more temples in Salt Lake City, St. George, Manti, and Logan. Time after time, they faced opposition and sacrifice, yet they continued to build, dedicate, learn, and worship. Why did these temples remain so important to the Saints and to the Lord in spite of roadblocks? In Temples Rising, respected LDS historian Richard Bennett explores the line-upon-line development of temple worship, built under extremely difficult circumstances and at great personal sacrifice, including the sacrifice of plural marriage, in order to save temples. Written for the general membership of the Church, this engaging account of historical events shares the story of how temple worship unfolded in a gradual process of revelation and restoration.
352 pages, Audiobook
Published January 1, 2019
10 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
June 10, 2019
We listened to this audiobook on a trip from North Carolina to Atlanta, Georgia. We were taking our third child (our son Ben Jr.) to the temple for his preparation to serve a full time two-year mission. I expected to get some spiritual uplift and some good information. What I received was much more. I’m amazed at the extent of information and church history of the modern-day temples that is contained in this book.
December 13, 2019
Lots of really great incites into the history of the early temple buildings, including the sacrifices, politics, issues with polygamy, and the things that had to happen in order for the work of salvation to continue.
September 8, 2020
very interesting
April 8, 2020
This was one of those books that after reading I just had to have in my library. There were so many eye opening things in this book that I had never pieced together or know about. For instance adoption. I'm not talking about adopting a baby into your family, but adopting grown adults into prominent leaders families to help ensure ones salvation. Some leaders would try to get as many members adopted into their family as possible. Even Brigham Young didn't have a true understanding of how this adoption, done in the temple.
Other things were baptisms of healing done in the temple. And the true order of prayer performed on the way to Utah, outside of the temple. Also some sealings done outside of the temple. Women ministering and blessing other women. A quote from the book on this: There seems little question that those women who had received their temple blessings in Nauvoo felt a special empowerment not to exercise priesthood authority per se--which they never claimed to hold--but to exercise faith in that priesthood for the benefit of all.
Sealings families to families didn't happen for years. Wilford Woodruff was very instrumental in bringing this practice to the temples.
The timeline of the building of the temples is all throughout this book.
One other fact that I found interesting was that before one would go to the temple they would abstain from sex for at least a week!
The first ordinance was the washing of the body from head to foot in soap and clear water (sometimes whiskey); the second was the anointed of one's head with perfumed consecrated oil and with it the sealing of promised blessings; and, in the spirit of fasting , prayer, and the partaking of the sacrament, the third ordinance was that of the washing of feet.
This book is packed with facts and I loved it. The book is highlighted all over. Highly recommended!
Other things were baptisms of healing done in the temple. And the true order of prayer performed on the way to Utah, outside of the temple. Also some sealings done outside of the temple. Women ministering and blessing other women. A quote from the book on this: There seems little question that those women who had received their temple blessings in Nauvoo felt a special empowerment not to exercise priesthood authority per se--which they never claimed to hold--but to exercise faith in that priesthood for the benefit of all.
Sealings families to families didn't happen for years. Wilford Woodruff was very instrumental in bringing this practice to the temples.
The timeline of the building of the temples is all throughout this book.
One other fact that I found interesting was that before one would go to the temple they would abstain from sex for at least a week!
The first ordinance was the washing of the body from head to foot in soap and clear water (sometimes whiskey); the second was the anointed of one's head with perfumed consecrated oil and with it the sealing of promised blessings; and, in the spirit of fasting , prayer, and the partaking of the sacrament, the third ordinance was that of the washing of feet.
This book is packed with facts and I loved it. The book is highlighted all over. Highly recommended!
September 11, 2019
A good history of the beginning days of temple building up through the finish of the SLC Temple. I gained a greater appreciation of the individuals and sacrifices made and especially the influence of Willford Woodruff. It was also interesting to learn of things practiced then but not now (baptisms for health reasons, sealing by adoption instead of ancestry to name a couple). This book also gave a good review of polygamy and its cultural impact as well as challenges. I've heard the argument that polygamy was abolished so that Utah could receive statehood. This is a very small part of the overall picture. This book lays out a variety of reasons behind the 1890 Manifesto, the chief reason arguably that it was either to be continued temple work in the future or polygamy going forward. One could not be had while keeping the other. Another interesting bit was that the endowment used to be four hours long. I'm assuming that may have included the initiatory ordinances, which really wouldn't add that much time regardless.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2021
An interesting, if not terribly engaging, account of the early history of modern-day temple building and temple worship.
In the beginning, were a lot of stories rehashed here from other sources. It wasn't until the Saints started moving west, some in Winter Quarters, but mostly once they settled in Utah, that I began to learn something new about temples. (I feel like there are other, better accounts of the Kirtland and Nauvoo era temple information. The Saints books, for instance.) I learned a great deal about the work done once the Saints were established and began laboring for family and friends on the other side and the revelatory evolution that happened in the first 70 years or so if this last dispensation.
I do wish there had been more anecdotes about the real people who worked on and in the temples and who sacrificed so much for the building of them.
In the beginning, were a lot of stories rehashed here from other sources. It wasn't until the Saints started moving west, some in Winter Quarters, but mostly once they settled in Utah, that I began to learn something new about temples. (I feel like there are other, better accounts of the Kirtland and Nauvoo era temple information. The Saints books, for instance.) I learned a great deal about the work done once the Saints were established and began laboring for family and friends on the other side and the revelatory evolution that happened in the first 70 years or so if this last dispensation.
I do wish there had been more anecdotes about the real people who worked on and in the temples and who sacrificed so much for the building of them.
March 18, 2024
Excellent! I loved learning more about how temple ordinances were performed in the early days of Kirtland and Nauvoo and how they transitioned to the more familiar ones of today. I never knew how much temple work still happened between Nauvoo and St. George, with the Saints performing limited ordinances on the trek west and in the Endowment House in Salt Lake before the temple was constructed. It was very interesting to read about the circumstances that led to the Manifesto declaring polygamy a thing of the past and how it was very closely tied to the Saints' ability to continue temple work. Very educational!
August 19, 2021
If you like history, this book is for you.
I learned much about the early temples of the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
I found it dry and difficult to read in some parts. The author went into much more detail than the average person would want to know.
This would make a good textbook.
I learned much about the early temples of the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
I found it dry and difficult to read in some parts. The author went into much more detail than the average person would want to know.
This would make a good textbook.
July 12, 2019
This is a fine history of the development of both temples and temple work beginning with the restoration. The author carefully avoids speaking of sacred aspects of the ordinances while clearly covering the development of general practices, etc. A fine history.
August 12, 2019
Not the most interesting book I’ve ever read, but I did learn a lot about the history of temples and how the early saints were learning the gospel of Jesus Christ line upon line. And, though they didn’t always get things right, they made adjustments and continued to move forward in the faith.
June 1, 2020
This book tells the incredible story of temple building from 1820 to 1900. I learned all kinds of things I didn't know. It was a perfect companion to Saints 1&2. I see temple work in a new light after listening to this book.
August 3, 2025
LDS Temple History
Well-researched and well-written volume. Fascinating and informative. Many things that I was not aware of which enrich the temple worship experience. Highly recommend.
Well-researched and well-written volume. Fascinating and informative. Many things that I was not aware of which enrich the temple worship experience. Highly recommend.
September 10, 2025
This book covers the progression of temple doctrine in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. If you are in to history and the progression of ideas/doctrine, you’ll love it. It’s a very fun read.
June 23, 2019
I learned quite a few things but there is also a lot of superfluous information included. I would have rated it 5 stars if the book was more focused.
August 20, 2019
There's a looooot of Church history in this book and it all centers around temples. Read my full review for the Deseret News here: https://www.deseret.com/2019/8/12/208...
June 25, 2020
I have listened to it twice just to soak up new information. It is great to learn more about something I love-the temple. Good read as we study the Saints 1 and 2 volumes.
August 24, 2022
Very informative. A wonderful history of Temples.
May 28, 2023
Such a wonderful and thoroughly researched book. I found it completely fascinating.
August 18, 2025
An incredible history of things I’ve never heard or know before. Tons of primary sources that bring to life this extraordinary work of salvation. Left a deep impact on me.
July 6, 2019
I learned so much while reading this book! If you want to understand the historical and doctrinal context for the early temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, then this book is a must-read! Beginning mainly with the Kirtland temple and going up to the death of Wilford Woodruff, this book talks about the continuing revelation regarding the ordinances of the temple.
The author compares to revelation regarding the temple and its ordinances as something being revealed over time, not something presented as a perfectly wrapped package. At the end the book, the author draws parallels between the first seventy years or so of the Church with changes made in the Church today. This books helps expand the reader’s insights into the history of change of church policy and procedure.
Several “Mormon Myths” that I have been taught growing up were dispelled in this book, but in their place I learned true historical facts. I learned more about the compassion of the Lord and his prophet towards a destitute people who longed so much for the blessings of the temple, but without a House of the Lord to obtain them. I learned about the mindset and dedication of the early saints, and also of the disappointment that even back in the early days of the Church there were many whose names were on the records, but would not engage fully in the work.
I also loved the distinction made between spiritualism and temple work. Spiritualism seeks to establish contact with the dead. Temple work is aimed at saving, redeeming, and exalting the dead. We don’t seek to contact the spirit world, although occasionally some contact occurs. But if contact with the spirit world is a person’s focus, then they are not focused on the things of God. Temple work is selfless. It should be performed selflessly. Although it may be the 1,000th time for a faith member of the Church to perform an ordinance for the dead, it is the very first time for that person. Such a thought should influence our attitude, behavior, preparation, and participation in temple ordinances.
The author compares to revelation regarding the temple and its ordinances as something being revealed over time, not something presented as a perfectly wrapped package. At the end the book, the author draws parallels between the first seventy years or so of the Church with changes made in the Church today. This books helps expand the reader’s insights into the history of change of church policy and procedure.
Several “Mormon Myths” that I have been taught growing up were dispelled in this book, but in their place I learned true historical facts. I learned more about the compassion of the Lord and his prophet towards a destitute people who longed so much for the blessings of the temple, but without a House of the Lord to obtain them. I learned about the mindset and dedication of the early saints, and also of the disappointment that even back in the early days of the Church there were many whose names were on the records, but would not engage fully in the work.
I also loved the distinction made between spiritualism and temple work. Spiritualism seeks to establish contact with the dead. Temple work is aimed at saving, redeeming, and exalting the dead. We don’t seek to contact the spirit world, although occasionally some contact occurs. But if contact with the spirit world is a person’s focus, then they are not focused on the things of God. Temple work is selfless. It should be performed selflessly. Although it may be the 1,000th time for a faith member of the Church to perform an ordinance for the dead, it is the very first time for that person. Such a thought should influence our attitude, behavior, preparation, and participation in temple ordinances.
December 8, 2019
This book was extremely well sourced, which I appreciated. Dr Bennett included lots of the religious experiences of the early saints, but they were referenced with contemporary and first hand sources so I knew I wasn’t reading folklore. I also appreciated several new insights. It was good to include several rank and file church members who usually don’t receive much of a voice. The only thing I was left wondering was how the higher ordinances played into the picture of temple development and worship.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews