Why The Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints Build Temples ~

The Kirtland Temple was the first temple built in the Early Days of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  A short history of this temple can be found here. 

 Due to persecution the Saints left Ohio and moved to Missouri and short time later they were again fleeing from Missouri where they settled in Nauvoo, Illinois. There they build the Nauvoo Temple. They were again expelled from the state and a short time later they started west where they hope to worship their God in peace.  

The Nauvoo Illinois Temple was rebuilt and dedicated in 2002 and you can read about the history of this temple here.

This is the temple where my husband and I were married and sealed for Eternity~

The First Temple to be started after the Saints came west following their expulsion from Nauvoo, Illinois was the Salt Lake Temple. It took the Saints 40 years to build this beautiful temple. You can learn about the History of the Salt Lake Temple Here and Here.
Why does the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Build Temples? I have had this question asked of me many times through the years. 

The Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints have built beautiful temples throughout the world to do sacred ordinances for the living and the dead. We will soon be dedicating our 150th temple at the Provo City Center Temple in March. 

Here are a few thoughts on why we build these lovely temples.
"Temples are literally houses of the Lord. They are holy places of worship where the Lord may visit. Only the home can compare with temples in sacredness. 
Throughout history, the Lord has commanded His people to build temples. Here are pictures of two of these ancient temples.

Here you can read about Ancient Temples ~

Today the Church is heeding the Lord's call to build temples all over the world, making temple blessings more available for a great number of our Heavenly Father's children. 
The principal purpose of temples is to provide the ordinances necessary for our exaltation in the celestial kingdom. Temple ordinances lead to the greatest blessings available through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. All we do in the Church - our meetings and activities, our missionary efforts, the lessons we teach and the hymns we sing-should point us to the Savior and the work we do in Holy Temples.  
When we first go to the temple we receive the temple endowment. We receive instructions and we make covenants to live righteously. 
Another temple ordinance is Celestial Marriage. We believe that in the temple we can be sealed as husband and wife forever if we are faithful to the covenants that we make. 
The children that come into our families are born under that covenant or if adopted a can be sealed to their parents in the temple. 
People who have died without essential gospel ordinances may receive those ordinances through the work done in temples." ( True To The Faith; A Gospel Reference; pg.170-171). 
"Temple work is the evidence that God has extended to every individual who has ever lived upon the earth, and who will ever be born into this mortal experience, the blessings and opportunities of salvation , immortality, and eternal life. The Lord's holy house is a place of peace, safety, and love. It is a place where the Spirit resides. It is a place of instruction in the ways of the Lord. It is a place of sacred covenants that open the gateway to the presence of the Father and the Son in the everlasting eternities." ( Essential Gospel Teachings by Richard J. Allen;  pg. 355.).
.....There is no greater work than helping people come unto Christ. This is our work and our glory ; to help Heavenly Father in bringing to pass His eternal plan of happiness - the immortality and eternal life of His children. Family history and temple work is the culmination of His plan. For the Lord has said: "This is eternal lives - to know the only wise and true God, and Jesus Christ, whom he hath sent. I am He. Receive ye, therefore, My law" (D&C 132:24.). ( Essentials Gospel Teachings by Richard J. Allen; pg. 356.). 

My eternal companion and I have served in two temples as temple ordinance workers for a total of 13 years.  This has been one of the sweetest and most sacred experiences we have had as a couple.  Here are the photos of those two temples; the Spokane Washington Temple and The Jordan River Temple. 

Here is a short article on how the church pays for the building of  temples.

All of the Temples that we worship in and the Chapels that we meet in through out the world are paid from Tithing funds. Tithing funds also pay for other things. There are no paid clergy in our church. All assignments and callings are non paid positions of service. 

Hope you all enjoyed learning a little bit more about why we build temples.