Question
Gramps,
Why is a recommend required to attend a temple dedication at the ward building. I would love to invite some that are less active hopeful that these meetings would inspire to work towards regular temple attendance. I understand that the dedication is a sacred occurrence and is an extension of the temple in many ways but the prayers that are given can be read online through church history sites. The temple is not officially dedicated until the final amen and then requires a recommend.
Rod
Answer
Rod,
The way it’s been explained to me is that when a temple dedication is broadcast to a ward building, the ward building becomes essentially an extension of the temple and is therefore, at least temporarily, subject to the injunction of D&C 97:15-17:
And inasmuch as my people build a house unto me in the name of the Lord, and do not suffer any unclean thing to come into it, that it be not defiled, my glory shall rest upon it;
Yea, and my presence shall be there, for I will come into it, and all the pure in heart that shall come into it shall see God.
But if it be defiled I will not come into it, and my glory shall not be there; for I will not come into unholy temples.
I don’t know exactly what sort of formal practice was used to ensure that this injunction was carried out in the Kirtland Temple. However, by the time of the dedication of the Nauvoo Temple in May of 1846, admission to the last day of the three-day dedication ceremony was limited to Church members. (It should be noted that since most of the Church had left Nauvoo in February of that year, seats for dedication services probably wouldn’t have been especially in demand.)
Gramps
