A few summers ago, I was interning in Washington, D.C., during the open house for the Washington D.C. Temple. During the second week of the internship, our religiously diverse group of interns toured the temple.
I was a bit nervous going into the tour. Because Latter-day Saint teachings and practices are often mocked in the popular media, I wasn’t sure what assumptions my fellow interns might already hold. Would I be the weird coworker now?
Despite my initial fears, the experience could not have been better. During the tour, my fellow interns asked me all kinds of interesting questions. Some of them were deeply touched by our doctrine of eternal families. Others were impressed by the striking portraits of Christ, particularly the giant painting “His Return” by Dan Wilson. They were fascinated by our lifestyle, doctrines, and ordinances.
Their questions also helped me look at the truths of the restored gospel with new insight. As a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I had taken many of these truths for granted. For instance, the enormous endeavor to provide every person who has ever lived with the opportunity to receive the gospel and its ordinances is a startling project of divine love and justice that I sometimes forget in everyday worship. My colleagues’ questions and perspectives illuminated my own beliefs, making them even more meaningful to me.
In every room, symbol, and painting, we can ask ourselves how we see Christ there.
I have often reflected on how the temple open house sparked a summer of dialogue and helped me gain greater insight into my own faith. As the 2027 Salt Lake Temple Open House Celebration approaches, I hope we realize how significant this opportunity is, whether we visit in person or virtually. I believe there are several things we can do to make the experience more meaningful.
5 Ways to Make the Most of the Open House
1. Invite friends to attend.
Inviting people to visit the open house might feel uncomfortable, especially if they do not share our beliefs. But I found that many people are genuinely curious and thrilled to have the opportunity to attend. As I learned from my own experience, touring with friends of other faiths offers new insights.
2. Learn the layout and plan the trip.
While the temple is the focal point, there are lots of other things to do, see, and experience on Temple Square that you won’t want to miss. Many buildings will be open to the public; I’m personally looking forward to visiting the Relief Society Building. Temple Square will also be full of performances throughout the celebration. You might consider identifying the exhibits, multimedia presentations, and performing groups you can see during your visit.
3. Participate in and learn about all the temple ordinances.
Participating in all the ordinances of the temple, where possible, can help us to remember the powerful sequence of the covenant path and the vital importance of each part of the temple. For those who have not yet received temple ordinances (and even for those who have), studying each temple ordinance can help us to better appreciate the symbolism and sacredness involved in the ordinance rooms.
4. Study and practice teaching gospel truths simply.
During my temple tour, friends frequently asked me questions about the temple and our beliefs about Jesus Christ, the priesthood, ordinances, and the plan of salvation. Sometimes we become so accustomed to teaching these concepts to fellow Latter-day Saints that we forget how to be conversant with friends of other faith backgrounds. During a temple tour, when friends ask questions, they probably don’t want long or complicated answers. We can practice teaching our beliefs in a simple, accurate, and sincere way in advance to make the temple tour a better experience for those who join us. The lesson outlines in chapter three of Preach, My Gospel can be great to study and discuss during Family Home Evening or in gospel study groups.
5. Focus on Christ.
With all that’s going on during a temple open house, it’s easy to become enamored with the architecture, artwork, and landscaping. But all of these beautiful elements are there to invoke remembrance that the temple is the holy house of the Lord.
In every room, symbol, and painting, we can ask ourselves how we see Christ there. The open house celebration theme “Rejoice in Christ” reminds us that this is not just an open house; it is a celebration of what Christ has made possible.
During the launch event for the theme and tour reservations, I had the chance to ask Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson about the theme. President Johnson also serves on the executive committee for the Salt Lake Temple Celebration. She said, “Rejoice in Christ . . . beautifully says, in just a few words, what we’re hoping people will feel when they’re here.” She went on to say, “We hope they will feel to rejoice in Jesus Christ as they learn more about the love and the peace and the hope that he offers each one of us.”
I look forward to rejoicing with Christ with friends and family as we tour the Salt Lake Temple in 2027. I hope you’ll join me.
