Attending a Temple Dedication (Ogden Utah Temple)

On each of our meetinghouses, we proudly display the words "Visitors Welcome".
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.

Visiting a Mormon Church: What to wear?

So, what should you wear if you visit a Mormon Church?

Well, technically, you can wear whatever you want. You aren't going to be turned away.

Most people like to have some guidelines so that they don't stick out, though. Unlike many Christian churches today that have adopted a 'come as you are' casual worship culture, most Mormons wear 'Sunday Best' (think business attire), even children. How you dress for worship often reflects your respect for God and your attitude toward faith.

Men:
Most men wear slacks with a white shirt and tie. Suits and sport coats or blazers are also common. You will see men wearing colored or even patterned button-down shirts with or without ties, but white is the standard. If you wear a hat, please remove it when entering the chapel.

Women:
Most women wear dresses or skirts that reach at least to the knee and tops that cover the shoulders.  Dress pants are rarely seen, but acceptable.  Dress styles range from more casual knit skirts and t-shirts to structured business-like suits and blouses.

Children:
Young children don't typically dress as formally as their parents. For boys, colored or patterned button-down shirts or polo shirts are quite common, but you will also see boys wearing suits or white shirts and ties. Teenage boys usually dress like the adult men.  Girls usually wear dresses or skirts like the women.

Examples of typical 'Sunday Best':

What if I'm attending an activity, not a worship service?
'Sunday Best' is only worn for Sunday worship services. If you were invited to attend a congregation activity, community event, youth group, or other non-worship activity, you can wear whatever you want. Most Mormons wear jeans and t-shirts to non-Sunday activities held at the church, unless a special type of dress might be needed (i.e. dances or sports)

*All photos in this post courtesy of the LDS Church (https://www.lds.org/media-library/images/)

Temple vs. Church - What's the Difference?

Originally this blog was meant to discuss just Mormon temples, but I have found the need to bring up church buildings as well. Regular Mormon church buildings (sometimes called 'meetinghouses', 'chapels', 'ward houses', or 'stake centers') are different than Temples. A church is where regular Sunday worship happens. (Click here to learn more about the difference between the two!)

There are several thousand Mormon church buildings around the world. Churches are very similar in purpose to any other Christian church - they are used for Sunday worship, Sunday School, weekday activities, scout troops, youth groups, service projects, community events, weddings, funerals, etc.  In areas with a larger Mormon population, one church building is often shared by two or three congregations.  Churches are almost always open to the public, and tours are available anytime if you are interested, simply contact the local members or missionaries. (I will be posting a virtual tour in the future)

Here are examples of Mormon church buildings (a.k.a. meetinghouses, chapels, etc)

A Mormon church in the United States

A Mormon church in Guatemala

A Mormon church in the United States

A Mormon church in Ireland

 

Temples, on the other hand, are quite rare. There are only about 150. They are rarely open on Sunday (currently only the Hong Kong China temple opens on Sunday). They are only open to members who have been recommended by their local leaders. They are only used for small ceremonies, not large worship services or classes.  They are considered the most sacred places on earth for Mormons.

Here are examples of Mormon Temples:

Mormon Temple in Ghana

Mormon Temple in Brazil

Mormon Temple in Taiwan

Mormon Temple in Denmark

 *Photos in this post courtesy of the LDS Church (https://www.lds.org/media-library/images/)