My Answers to Three Questions about the Washington D.C. Temple on the Capital Beltway

The view of the Washington D.C. Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints rising above the trees on the Capital Beltway has been an unmistakable sight for commuters and visitors to the city for five decades.

Yet, I recently thought that many of the millions of people who have driven past this remarkable building may have some basic questions about why it exists.

With this in mind, I want to share three simple answers to questions you may have about temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

1. What Is a Temple?

A temple is a holy place and a sacred space. It is a point of intersection between our life on earth and eternity. The temple is the house of the Lord, Jesus Christ.

2. What Happens in the Temple?

In the temple we learn about the nature, attributes, and character of God. We learn about God’s plan of happiness, the redeeming power of Jesus Christ, and the purpose of life. We make sacred promises to love God and to serve one another.

3. Why Do We Build Temples?

We build temples as a testament to the immortality of the human soul. We build temples to make available remarkable blessings to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and to the communities in which temples are constructed.

The Primary Function of the Temple

Our hearts are changed by the truths we learn in the temple about God and Jesus Christ — and by the promises we make to love and serve. We focus less on what we want and more on aligning our will with God’s.

The primary function of the house of the Lord is for us to be transformed and become new creatures in Christ.

A Change from the Inside Out

Often in the world, change is attempted from the outside in. Many believe that changing a person’s circumstances is the best means of changing a person.

God, however, typically works from the inside out. If we let Him, God can change our hearts — and then we are blessed with capacity and strength to change our circumstances.

In the holy temples, what we learn and promise to do changes us from the inside out, enabling us to become more devoted disciples of Jesus Christ.

— Elder David A. Bednar, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

From April 28 to June 11, 2022, all are welcome to free open house tours of the Washington D.C. Temple. Schedule your visit.