In the present undertaking the author has been the recipient of many courtesies and much assistance from the officials of the several Temples, the Church Historian and his assistants, the general authorities of the Church, and many others. To all who have assisted in the pleasing labor his obligations are respectfully acknowledged. The photographs showing interior views of the Salt Lake City Temple are the work of the C. R. Savage Company, to whom thanks are tendered for liberal, courteous, and efficient service. James E. Talmage Salt Lake City, Utah, September 21, 1912. CONTENTS CHAPTER I. A PRE-VIEW OF THE SUBJECT. A general view of sanctuaries of ancient and modern times. CHAPTER II. SANCTUARIES IN EARLIER DISPENSATIONS. The "Testimony."--Provisional Tabernacle.--Third Tabernacle.--Temple of Solomon.--Temple of Ezekiel's vision.--Temple of Zerubbabel.--Temple of Herod. CHAPTER III. NEED OF TEMPLES IN THE PRESENT DISPENSATION. Necessity of obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.--Authority to labor in behalf of the dead.--Temples required for vicarious service. CHAPTER IV. MODERN TEMPLE ORDINANCES. Baptism for the dead.--Ordination and endowment.--Salvation and exaltation.--Degrees of glory.--Sealing in marriage.--Other sealing ordinances. CHAPTER V. MODERN DAY TEMPLES. Temple-site at Independence, Missouri.--Kirtland Temple.--Temple-site at Far West, Missouri.--Nauvoo Temple. CHAPTER VI. THE GREAT TEMPLE AT SALT LAKE CITY--HISTORICAL. Beginning of the work.--Early description.--Laying of the capstone.--Completion of the building and its dedication.--Dedicatory Prayer. {vi} CHAPTER VII. THE GREAT TEMPLE AT SALT LAKE CITY--EXTERIOR. Architectural style.--General description.--Emblematical stones. CHAPTER VIII. THE GREAT TEMPLE AT SALT LAKE CITY--INTERIOR. The Annex.--Corridors and rooms of the Temple. CHAPTER IX. TEMPLE BLOCK. The Old Tabernacle.--The Tabernacle.--General Service Plant CHAPTER X. OTHER UTAH TEMPLES. St. George Temple.--Logan Temple.--Manti Temple. CHAPTER XI. CONCLUSION. The Lesser or Aaronic Priesthood operative in ancient Temples.--The Higher or Melchisedek Priesthood operative in Temples of today. PLATES. Illustrations of Modern Temples. CHAPTER I A PRE-VIEW OF THE SUBJECT {1} Both by derivation and common usage the term "temple," in its literal application, is of restricted and specific meaning. The essential idea of a temple is and ever has been that of a _place_ specially set apart for service regarded as sacred, and of real or assumed sanctity; in a more restricted sense, a temple is a _building_ constructed for and exclusively devoted to sacred rites and ceremonies. The Latin _Templum_ was the equivalent of the Hebrew _Beth Elohim_, and signified the abode of Deity; hence, as associated with Divine worship, it meant literally the HOUSE OF THE LORD.[1]