Ohio’s Mormon Temples

Ohio’s Mormon Temples

Mormon temples are central to the faith and practice of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also called the Mormon or LDS Church). Temples serve as sacred spaces where members participate in essential religious ordinances. Unlike regular meetinghouses where weekly worship services are held, temples are reserved for specific rituals aimed at spiritual growth and eternal progression.

Columbus, Ohio Temple

One of the primary purposes of temples is to provide a place for the performance of ordinances for the living and the deceased. Key ordinances include endowments, where members make sacred covenants and receive spiritual instruction, and receive Mormon garments, special underclothing that they promise to wear as a reminder of their covenants. Other ordinances include sealings, which unite families for eternity. Finally, baptisms are performed in the temple by proxy for deceased ancestors, reflecting the LDS belief in the importance of offering salvation to all of humanity.

To enter the temple and perform these ordinances for oneself or for an ancestor, a person must be a baptized member of the church for at least one year. They must also adhere to certain standards of conduct and affirm their belief in key doctrines of the church, such as living a chaste life, paying tithing, and affirming a belief in Jesus Christ. If a person does these things, they can enter the temple for a two-year period before reaffirming these standards and beliefs.  

Each temple is considered a House of the Lord, dedicated to Him, thus the people who enter the temple need to adhere to high standards of reverence and purity. The architectural design of Mormon temples often reflects this sacredness, with distinctive features such as spires pointing heavenward and some temples give prominent placement to a golden Angel Moroni statue, symbolizing the restoration of the gospel. Some former members of the church, like the author of the CES Letter, have issues with the emergence of temple ceremonies when Joseph Smith was the prophet.

Hong Kong Temple

The construction of new temples is a significant event for LDS communities, often involving years of planning, fundraising, and local dedication. Once completed, each temple is formally dedicated through a special ceremony, after which only members in good standing are permitted entry. However, prior to dedication, the public is often invited to tour the temple during an open house, providing a rare glimpse into the meticulously designed interior spaces.

In Ohio, there is one dedicated temple, one temple under construction, one temple announced and one that serves as a church historical site. The Columbus, Ohio temple was built and dedicated in 1999, however, it was refurbished and rededicated in 2023. Anyone can visit the beautiful temple grounds, but only church members can enter the temple. The Cleveland, Ohio temple is currently under construction. Once it is completed, there will be an open house where anyone can visit the temple, see its rooms, and learn about the ceremonies that take place inside. The Cincinnati, Ohio has been announced, but construction has not yet begun. 

The Kirtland, Ohio temple was the first Mormon temple. It was built in the 1800s and functioned as a precursor to modern Mormon temples. The Kirtland Temple was owned by the Community of Christ Church until recently when it was purchased by the LDS Church. Anyone can visit the temple and learn about its role in Mormon history. The next temple was built by Mormons in Nauvoo, Illinois and its function was slightly different from the Kirtland Temple. Some former members of the church have questions about the changing function of the temple in Mormon doctrine, like the questions listed in the CES Letter summary. 

Mormon Temples are distributed globally, with hundreds in operation or under construction. This reflects the international growth of the LDS Church.  They serve not only as places of worship but also as beacons of faith, hope, and divine connection for Mormons around the world. Mormon temples are found in some surprising and unique locations around the world:

There are many African temples. The Accra, Ghana Temple was dedicated in 2004 and the Aba Nigeria Temple was dedicated in 2005. The Kinshasa Temple, Democratic Republic of Congo was dedicated in 2019. One of the older temples is the Hong Kong Temple, which was dedicated in 1996. The Kyiv Ukraine Temple, dedicated in 2010, is situated in Eastern Europe, a region with a complex religious and political history. In April 2020, the President of the Mormon Church, Russell M. Nelson, announced eight temples, including one in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (at the invitation of the government), and Shanghai, China. 

These locations illustrate the global nature of the LDS Church and its commitment to providing temples for its members, regardless of geographic or cultural boundaries.