House of the Lord

Among the many faiths of the modern day, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is especially distinguished as a builder of temples. In this, it follows the pattern of ancient Israel, creating sacred spaces devoted wholly to God. Naturally, such devotion to temple building has prompted questions from both within and outside the faith: Why do Latter-day Saints construct temples? What takes place inside? What is their purpose in God’s plan? To answer these questions, Elder James E. Talmage (1862–1933), noted apostle, scholar, and author of doctrinal classics such as Jesus the Christ and Articles of Faith, wrote The House of the Lord (1912). His purpose was to provide authentic information concerning the doctrines, ordinances, and sacred significance…