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House of Glory: Finding Personal Meaning in the Temple
When the Lord instructed the Saints in Kirtland to build a temple, he said, "Establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God" (D&C 88:119). Michael Wilcox identifies the blessing that temple work brings to our everyday lives. He discusses the temple as a house as learning where we can understand the most powerful principles of the gospel and receive inspiration for our families and ourselves. He explains how the temple is a house of refuge where we can escape the trials and troubles of the world. He defines the phrase "house of order" and talks about how the temple as a house of glory, describing the wonderful experiences that come to those who serve there, and especially to those who labor for their kindred dead.
146 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 1995
49 people are currently reading
980 people want to read
About the author
S. Michael Wilcox
53 books143 followersS. Michael Wilcox is an instructor at the institute of religion adjacent to the University of Utah. A frequent speaker at Brigham Young University Education Week, Michael also conducts tours of the Holy Land, Church history sites, Europe, China, and Central America. He received a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Brigham Young University, a master’s in media from the University of Arizona, and his Ph.D. from the University of Colorado in educational philosophy. He is the author of House of Glory and When Your Prayers Seem Unanswered.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews
January 27, 2009
This is a great book about the temple. Lots of great quotes. I've got to get to the temple more often... it's only 10 minutes away I have no excuse!
Susa Young Gates once asked her father, President Brigham Young, how it would ever be possible to accomplish the great amount of temple work that needed to be done. “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.”
"If the veil were lifted off the face of the Latter-day Saints and they could see and know the things of God as they do who are laboring for the salvation of the human family who are in the spirit world..., this whole people, with very few, if any, exceptions, would lose all interest in the riches of the world, and instead thereof their whole desires and labors would be directed to redeem their dead." Wilford Woodruff
"We must go home, ponder, pray, prepare and then return".
“To the man or woman who goes through the temple, with open eyes, heeding the symbols and the covenants, and making a steady, continuous effort to understand the full meaning, God speaks His word, and revelations come." - John Widstoe
"How high in our priorities have we placed the temple?"
Susa Young Gates once asked her father, President Brigham Young, how it would ever be possible to accomplish the great amount of temple work that needed to be done. “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.”
"If the veil were lifted off the face of the Latter-day Saints and they could see and know the things of God as they do who are laboring for the salvation of the human family who are in the spirit world..., this whole people, with very few, if any, exceptions, would lose all interest in the riches of the world, and instead thereof their whole desires and labors would be directed to redeem their dead." Wilford Woodruff
"We must go home, ponder, pray, prepare and then return".
“To the man or woman who goes through the temple, with open eyes, heeding the symbols and the covenants, and making a steady, continuous effort to understand the full meaning, God speaks His word, and revelations come." - John Widstoe
"How high in our priorities have we placed the temple?"
June 20, 2020
So so good. Never thought I’d be reading it at a time when temples around the world are closed due to a pandemic. The day when we can return to our temples can’t come soon enough.
June 10, 2023
For members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, temples are special and sacred places. Inside these houses of worship we go on a symbolic journey to learn more about Jesus Christ, His plan for our lives, and how we can come closer to Him. I love temples and am grateful for their presence in my life. I cherish deeply the opportunity I have to go.
I picked up this book hoping to learn and understand more about the symbolism of the temple to get more out of my temple worship. While this book did not outline the meaning of specific symbols of the temple - the way I thought it might - it increased my desire to worship in temples more often and to learn for myself, through the Spirit, about the symbolism therein.
For endowed members of Christ’s restored church, this book will help you understand the significance of the rites and rituals performed in temples. It will motivate you to go more, which will, in turn, lead to a greater understanding of the importance of the work happening therein. For members of other faiths (or people who don’t subscribe to a faith tradition at all), I’d still recommend this book to help you understand why Latter-day Saints place so much emphasis on temples as well as to help you feel more committed to learning more about your own beliefs and improving your own relationship with divinity.
I especially liked the parable of the keys on page 90. This helped me understand the importance of family history work, something I have never really gotten excited about before. Out of everything I got out of this book, that understanding might have been the most important.
This isn’t the end all be all book about temples, I’m still searching for that one. But it’s a good book. I’ll reread it someday and I’d recommend it to anyone.
I picked up this book hoping to learn and understand more about the symbolism of the temple to get more out of my temple worship. While this book did not outline the meaning of specific symbols of the temple - the way I thought it might - it increased my desire to worship in temples more often and to learn for myself, through the Spirit, about the symbolism therein.
For endowed members of Christ’s restored church, this book will help you understand the significance of the rites and rituals performed in temples. It will motivate you to go more, which will, in turn, lead to a greater understanding of the importance of the work happening therein. For members of other faiths (or people who don’t subscribe to a faith tradition at all), I’d still recommend this book to help you understand why Latter-day Saints place so much emphasis on temples as well as to help you feel more committed to learning more about your own beliefs and improving your own relationship with divinity.
I especially liked the parable of the keys on page 90. This helped me understand the importance of family history work, something I have never really gotten excited about before. Out of everything I got out of this book, that understanding might have been the most important.
This isn’t the end all be all book about temples, I’m still searching for that one. But it’s a good book. I’ll reread it someday and I’d recommend it to anyone.
July 5, 2017
Wonderful book! I highly recommend listening to the audio! So many great insights to help you understand and appreciate the temple more fully!
January 9, 2022
Too general to be useful. I love this author but didn't find this resource particularly helpful for my personal studies.
February 24, 2021
Loved it! But it made me really miss the temple. I want to revisit this book when we’re able to go again!
February 19, 2018
This made me think about how I view the temple.
March 14, 2020
To be fair, my first “reading” was listening to the audiobook, which isn’t even the book! It’s a series of four recorded lectures that add to just over 4 hours. I am working on reading the actual book now, and recording them separately.
My second reading is the actual book. The book definitely brings the feelings of the Holy Ghost, and I also really enjoyed the many references to the Old Testament and the book of Doctrine and Covenants. I felt encouraged to read those books and gain more of the spirit of God.
My second reading is the actual book. The book definitely brings the feelings of the Holy Ghost, and I also really enjoyed the many references to the Old Testament and the book of Doctrine and Covenants. I felt encouraged to read those books and gain more of the spirit of God.
June 19, 2018
I reacted to House of Glory similarly to most other books on Mormonism or religion in general — I love and am moved, uplifted, and encouraged by the content, but am never overwhelmed by the writing style. That being said, House of Glory is a clear and concise explanation of why Mormons build temples, how important the worship is that’s done there, and the innumerable blessings that can come from attending temples.
S. Michael Wilcox has an obvious skill for interpreting and explaining scripture, and I found his insights on ancient scripture fascinating and inspiring. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking to increase their understanding of LDS temples, either from s spiritual or educational perspective.
S. Michael Wilcox has an obvious skill for interpreting and explaining scripture, and I found his insights on ancient scripture fascinating and inspiring. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking to increase their understanding of LDS temples, either from s spiritual or educational perspective.
October 6, 2009
Well, I'm motivated to attend the temple more often! I enjoyed Michael Wilcox's scriptural insights and touching stories. He does add a lot of insights into why we attend the temple and how to get the most out of it.
My favorite quote from the book (which is actually a quote of CS Lewis):
"It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you can talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship. ... It is in light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations - these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit." (p125)
My favorite quote from the book (which is actually a quote of CS Lewis):
"It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you can talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship. ... It is in light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations - these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit." (p125)
June 26, 2008
This book and especially the book review with the author, opened my mind to new ideas and most importantly taught me new ways to learn. I'm so impressed by the authors incredible knowledge.
December 14, 2010
This was a very thought provoking book and it has changed me for the better. It is worthy of re-reading multiple times.
January 22, 2011
This is a very enlightening truth on our Temples and our worship in them. Wilcox has given us a greater understanding of the meaning of th eTemple and its necessity in out way of life
July 6, 2024
Loved reading and studying this book!
December 5, 2021
This book is a transcription of a four-part lecture series on the temple. I love the way Michael Wilcox seeks, thinks, and explains spiritual truths. I loved learning about the beautiful blessings of the temple, the importance of learning how to learn from symbols, and important questions to ponder. I was especially touched by the stories he shared in the third talk. Overall, this book added to my understanding and opened my eyes to many things I have missed.
-When going through the temple you have to look at everything through the “lens of symbols” -“We need to learn how to learn through the use of symbols.”
-Why symbols? “Because symbols can mean different things to different people at different times in their lives. It continues to give as our lives and circumstances change, and as our wisdom increases. As we face trials or joys, we’ll find as we go back to the temple that the symbols take on added, deeper meaning and they will feed us continually.”
-“It’s as if the Lord is up there looking down saying “I would love to give you some information, but I know it will mean more to you if you ask for it.”
-“Some of the people for whom you will do the work today lived hard and bitter lives. Many of them died believing God forgot them, but today you will show them God has not forgotten them. He does not forget any of His children. Their names will be spoken in His house many times and you will show them, and God will show them through you, He remembers them.” (Each name will be spoken 12-13 times)
-“Not only do we do temple work to show we remember our ancestors, but we do it to show that God remembers His children also.”
-“Temple work teaches us the importance of the individual like nothing else we do in the church.”
-Susa Young Gates once asked her father, President Brigham Young, how it would be possible to accomplish the great amount of temple work that needed to be done, and he answered her: “There will be many inventions of labor-saving devices, so that our daily tasks will be able to be performed in a much shorter time. This will leave us the time for temple work.” “Now the inventions have come, and I anticipate they will continue to come, we simply must learn to use some of the time that is saved by those inventions for the purpose God intended.”
-“It was made known to me that the righteous dead on the other side of the veil were exercising their faith. And that in answer to their prayers the missionaries were sent to one of their descendants in the flesh. And that descendant in the flesh then had the opportunity of doing temple work for their ancestors.” –Melvin J. Ballard
-“Put all your love, your life together, your compromises, your forgiveness, your joys, your shared sorrows, put it in that [spiritual] jar and at the end of a full life together you will bring it to me. And you will want to keep all that love and all that life, and I will put the seal on it so you can preserve it for eternity.”
-“And though my temple report card probably says ‘greater growth needed in all areas,’ I love the Teacher, and for Him I will try to do everything that I possibly can so that I can progress. Our love for God helps us to stay in the order that He wants us to be in.”
-When going through the temple you have to look at everything through the “lens of symbols” -“We need to learn how to learn through the use of symbols.”
-Why symbols? “Because symbols can mean different things to different people at different times in their lives. It continues to give as our lives and circumstances change, and as our wisdom increases. As we face trials or joys, we’ll find as we go back to the temple that the symbols take on added, deeper meaning and they will feed us continually.”
-“It’s as if the Lord is up there looking down saying “I would love to give you some information, but I know it will mean more to you if you ask for it.”
-“Some of the people for whom you will do the work today lived hard and bitter lives. Many of them died believing God forgot them, but today you will show them God has not forgotten them. He does not forget any of His children. Their names will be spoken in His house many times and you will show them, and God will show them through you, He remembers them.” (Each name will be spoken 12-13 times)
-“Not only do we do temple work to show we remember our ancestors, but we do it to show that God remembers His children also.”
-“Temple work teaches us the importance of the individual like nothing else we do in the church.”
-Susa Young Gates once asked her father, President Brigham Young, how it would be possible to accomplish the great amount of temple work that needed to be done, and he answered her: “There will be many inventions of labor-saving devices, so that our daily tasks will be able to be performed in a much shorter time. This will leave us the time for temple work.” “Now the inventions have come, and I anticipate they will continue to come, we simply must learn to use some of the time that is saved by those inventions for the purpose God intended.”
-“It was made known to me that the righteous dead on the other side of the veil were exercising their faith. And that in answer to their prayers the missionaries were sent to one of their descendants in the flesh. And that descendant in the flesh then had the opportunity of doing temple work for their ancestors.” –Melvin J. Ballard
-“Put all your love, your life together, your compromises, your forgiveness, your joys, your shared sorrows, put it in that [spiritual] jar and at the end of a full life together you will bring it to me. And you will want to keep all that love and all that life, and I will put the seal on it so you can preserve it for eternity.”
-“And though my temple report card probably says ‘greater growth needed in all areas,’ I love the Teacher, and for Him I will try to do everything that I possibly can so that I can progress. Our love for God helps us to stay in the order that He wants us to be in.”
August 9, 2017
I really would give this book 2 or 2.5 stars, but I feel bad giving any religious book low stars :) . First I should clarified that I listened to the audio version of this book.
It wasn't that I didn't learn things from this book, there were some interesting thoughts and realizations that come to me from this book. But, I was looking for a little more depth and this went on pretty long with things that seemed to scratch the surface. He brakes the book into 4 purposes of the temple, which I liked and brought up some really valid points and things we need to do to really understand the temple. He talks, very, very, verrrrrry slowly in the book. I had to bump the speed up, plus he would kind of really hit a point on the head over and over. So, you knew where he was going, far before he actually got anywhere. But again, he had good points and did have a few really great stories. I wouldn't read it again, but I think I will listen to it again on high speed so I can write down I valued. But that would be it for me.
It wasn't that I didn't learn things from this book, there were some interesting thoughts and realizations that come to me from this book. But, I was looking for a little more depth and this went on pretty long with things that seemed to scratch the surface. He brakes the book into 4 purposes of the temple, which I liked and brought up some really valid points and things we need to do to really understand the temple. He talks, very, very, verrrrrry slowly in the book. I had to bump the speed up, plus he would kind of really hit a point on the head over and over. So, you knew where he was going, far before he actually got anywhere. But again, he had good points and did have a few really great stories. I wouldn't read it again, but I think I will listen to it again on high speed so I can write down I valued. But that would be it for me.
January 30, 2019
If I could give this audio book 6 out of 5 stars I would. Wilcox gives four 1-hour lectures on the temple as a house of learning, a house of refuge and healing, a house of glory and thanksgiving and a house of order and fasting. A wonderful blend of scripture, personal stories and statistics thrown in as well. In the first lecture he said some great things about symbolism which have helped me to make more frequent and better connections from scriptural stories and temple symbols to my life and present conditions. Symbolism is everywhere. This will be worth a few revisits in the future as I believe I will be reminded of many important things as well as pick up some concepts and ideas that I missed the first time through. I took some good notes in my Evernote folder.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2021
I read this book in snippets over a long period of time, so I imagine there are lots of parts I have forgotten. But I marked a couple quotes that I really liked:
“I think it is significant and revealing of the Lord’s character that we must do so little to be able to receive so much.”
“Love is the secret to obedience. It gives us the strength to keep our covenants and to try even harder when we fail.”
“I think it is significant and revealing of the Lord’s character that we must do so little to be able to receive so much.”
“Love is the secret to obedience. It gives us the strength to keep our covenants and to try even harder when we fail.”
September 25, 2023
As the title suggests, I hoped this book would help me get to the temple. I read it in a single Sunday afternoon. And when I put it down, I said to myself, "I've got to get to the temple." Mission accomplished.
While this book didn't plumb the deep doctrine or reveal shocking mysteries, it did its job. The prophetic promised blessings and gentle invitations from a loving and masterful institute teacher were enough to get my lazy but faithful butt in gear.
While this book didn't plumb the deep doctrine or reveal shocking mysteries, it did its job. The prophetic promised blessings and gentle invitations from a loving and masterful institute teacher were enough to get my lazy but faithful butt in gear.
February 2, 2024
As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, there is a sacred peace that accompanies the work and worship that takes place in the temple. Wilcox explains the vital role of temples in our lives and the lives of our ancestors. Learning to understand the symbolism and messages given in the temple is incremental - and centered on Jesus Christ. Each time we visit the temple our relationship with Him can be strengthened.
November 30, 2025
Of the three books by S. Michael Wilcox that I have read, I would rate this book by itself with only four stars. It is a review of temple blessings that becomes motivating in Part 5: House of Glory, where it is made definite that such blessings are realized only by thoroughly sincere covenant-keeping. One must put effort into temple worship to receive the blessings. Taking the best of my personal analysis of Michael's other two books, and applying it to this book and to my own personality, my rating of this book increases to at least 4 and 1/2 stars. Chapters 14 and 21 are definitely 5 stars. His writing in these three books is very honest about what he knows, does not know, and what he wonders about regarding life on the other side of the veil. He has effectively taught me about things eternal.
November 9, 2017
I think the positive reviews and things I had heard from people raised my expectations a little to high for this book. Yes there were a few good quotes here and there in the book but nothing ground breaking. Maybe I was looking for something from this book that didn’t exist In the first place. I don’t know if I would really recommend this to a friend.
October 4, 2019
Listened to the talk given by Bro Wilcox. He gave some really instructive insight into the temple and the ordinances and symbolism within that holy house. Without desecrating the sacred nature of the temple, he taught about some things that I hope to see as I continue to worship in the temple throughout my life.
October 24, 2019
totally LDS, this book centers on the meaning of the temple in lives of committed members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It starts out with the doctrinal and more abstract, but ends with concepts illustrated with personal stories that really touch the heart and mind and spirit.
November 11, 2019
Love, love, love it! I love the Old Testament stories, his personal experiences, quotes from General Authorites and his insight and wisdom have truly enhanced my own temple experience. Will definitely read it again and again.
This is not just for newbies. I've been to the temple well over a hundred times and I learned a lot from this book ... I highly recommend it!
This is not just for newbies. I've been to the temple well over a hundred times and I learned a lot from this book ... I highly recommend it!
February 8, 2018
This is a book that now that I’m finished, I could immediately start again. There is so much to take in, but in a very engaging format. So worth the time for those seeking ways to thoughtfully ponder the Temple.
February 26, 2019
His insights and experiences with attending the temple and doing family history work were lovely and uplifting. His challenge for the reader is to work on going to the temple with more focus and purpose.
January 29, 2020
This was a wonderfully inspiring book not only about the temple, but also family history work. It helped me see them both in a new light and brought greater meaning to the work I do finding and preparing family names, and taking them to the temple.
June 1, 2020
Doctrinalmente correcto. Sin entrar en terrenos blandos. Sin uso de misticismos. Se ciñe a lo que corresponde al hablar del Templo.
Tiene muchísimo contenido que invita a frecuentar el templo y atraer sus bendiciones a nuestras vidas. Ese es su eje.
Tiene muchísimo contenido que invita a frecuentar el templo y atraer sus bendiciones a nuestras vidas. Ese es su eje.
April 12, 2021
I read one chapter per month starting summer 2020 after the temples were closed due to COVID. This was a nice reminder of the symbols in the temple and helped me remember ordinances and promises made there.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews