That's true, usually.
The only occasion in which it isn't true, to my knowledge, is in the case of Temple dedications.
The dedication of a Temple is an exciting event, and nearly every Mormon who is even remotely connected to the Temple being dedicated wants to be involved. Not only is it a chance to celebrate another building dedicated to the work of the Lord, it is a chance to hear wisdom and counsel from local and international Church leaders.
With the wonders of modern technology, this is possible!
A Temple dedication service is much like a regular worship service - there are several sermons, hymns, and prayers. All the furniture in the Temple is cleared out and replaced with hundreds of folding chairs, so that as many people as possible can fit inside the temple. But obviously it can't fit everyone, and not everyone could travel the distance required to get there even if there were space. So now, dedication services are broadcast to Stake Centers (to be defined in a future post) in the area. This way, nearly anyone who wants to participate can have the opportunity.
When a Temple dedication is broadcast (through an encrypted satellite or internet transmission), the stake centers receiving that transmission become extensions or satellite locations of the Temple, and thus are treated as Temples. Only those who are baptized and have a current Temple Recommend are allowed to enter the church building - no babies, no young children, no unbaptized visitors, none who are unworthy to attend the Temple.
Today was the re-dedication of the Ogden Utah Temple. All regular congregational worship services in Utah and parts of Wyoming were cancelled today and replaced by the live broadcast of the Temple dedication. So, no visitors allowed. We could have replaced our usual welcoming sign with a "Visitors *not* Welcome (just for today)" sign.
What happens? Why is it so super secret? As we always say with Temples, it isn't secret, it's sacred. In this case, it's just the fact that the building becomes dedicated as holy edifice. Simple as that. I will tell you right now everything that happens:
1. A couple hymns sung by a local choir.
2. An opening prayer offered by a local leader.
3. Sermons delivered by the Temple Matron and Matron's Assistants, Temple Presidency, Seventies, General Auxiliary Officers (in this case the presidents of the Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary), and Apostles. In this case we had two female and four male speakers. The only thing you might find interesting is that the speakers wear all-white from their wrists to their ankles, which we almost always wear in the temple (a future post on this). The topic focus is on the importance of the Temple.
4. The Hosanna Shout. (this is something that is quite sacred to us, and which is a tradition at the dedication of every Temple - ancient and modern. If you'd like to learn more about it and see an actual hosanna shout, the only public video and description I'm aware of is available HERE. The dedication of the Conference Center in Salt Lake City in October 2000. The actual Hosanna Shout is the last 50 seconds of the video, and an excellent introduction is given in the video or in the text transcription if you scroll down.)
5. Singing The Spirit of God
6. Closing prayer offered by a local leader.
And so, visitors - you are welcome, just not today.
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