Can Apostles’ wives serve in any Latter-day Saint temple?

Question

Gramps,

If I recall correctly, the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles can officiate in temple sealings because they hold all the priesthood keys. From the at logic, they can also officiate endowment sessions, initiatories, baptisms, and, for sure, receive patrons at endowment sessions’ veils. So my question is this: can the First Presidency’s and the Apostles’ wives, as well as the Relief Society general presidency, also help assist in temple work when visiting another temple?

Samuel

Answer

Samuel,

The answer helps illustrate an important principle in the Lord’s Church. While priesthood keys, priesthood authority, Church callings, and temple assignments all work together, they are not the same thing. Understanding the difference helps us appreciate the order the Lord has established in His temples.

The President of the Church is the only person on earth authorized to exercise every priesthood key in its fullness. Members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles also hold all the priesthood keys, although they exercise those keys under the direction of the President of the Church. Dallin H. Oaks explained:

“Priesthood keys are the authority God has given to priesthood leaders to direct, control, and govern the use of His priesthood on earth.”

Because Apostles hold these keys, they may dedicate temples, perform sealings, ordain priesthood holders, and oversee every aspect of the Church’s work as directed by the President of the Church. If an Apostle happened to visit a temple, it would be entirely appropriate for the temple president to invite him to officiate in ordinances, receive patrons at the veil, or assist in other ways. He already possesses the necessary priesthood authority to do so.

Temple ordinance workers, however, serve under a different kind of authorization. They are not simply volunteers who decide to help whenever they are present. Both men and women who serve in temples are called, trained, and set apart to perform specific assignments within their respective temples. Whether someone assists with initiatories, serves as an ordinance worker during the endowment, receives patrons at the veil, or performs another responsibility, they do so because they have been officially assigned to that sacred work.

That distinction becomes important when considering the wives of the Apostles. An Apostle’s wife is undoubtedly experienced in temple worship and may even have served as an ordinance worker at some point in her life. Yet simply being married to an Apostle does not automatically authorize her to function as an ordinance worker whenever she visits another temple. Unless she has been called, set apart, or specifically assigned to serve there, she would normally attend the temple as a patron, just like everyone else.

The same principle applies to the Relief Society General Presidency. These remarkable women hold worldwide leadership responsibilities and exercise real authority in their Church callings. President Dallin H. Oaks taught:

“We are not accustomed to speaking of women having the authority of the priesthood in their Church callings, but what other authority can it be?”

That statement reminds us that women exercise authority through the priesthood when they are set apart for their callings. At the same time, serving in a general Church calling does not automatically make someone a temple ordinance worker in every temple worldwide. Temple service is organized under the direction of each temple president, who presides over that temple by delegated priesthood keys. As a result, even members of the Relief Society General Presidency would ordinarily participate as patrons unless they had received a specific assignment or authorization to serve.

Of course, there are occasions when General Authorities or General Officers participate in special temple events, such as temple dedications or other unique assignments. In those situations, they act under the direction of those who hold the appropriate priesthood keys. Those circumstances are exceptions granted through proper authorization, not because someone occupies a particular Church position.

This orderly pattern reflects one of the Lord’s consistent teachings throughout the scriptures. Paul reminded the Saints, “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33). Likewise, the Lord declared, “For all things must be done in order” (Doctrine and Covenants 28:13). Those principles are clearly evident in temple worship.

Sometimes people wonder why someone with extensive Church experience can’t simply step in and help when needed. The answer isn’t about experience or worthiness. Rather, it reflects the Lord’s pattern of governing His Church through priesthood keys, delegated authority, and carefully organized assignments. Every ordinance worker receives training and serves under the direction of the temple presidency so that sacred ordinances are performed consistently throughout the world.

Whether a temple is located in Utah, Brazil, Japan, Ghana, or the Philippines, members can worship with confidence knowing that the ordinances are administered according to the same revealed pattern. That consistency is one of the blessings that comes from the Lord’s orderly way of governing His Church.

So, returning to the original question, could an Apostle officiate in temple ordinances while visiting another temple? Yes. Because he holds all the necessary priesthood keys, he may do so when acting under the direction of the President of the Church and in harmony with the temple presidency. Could his wife or members of the Relief Society General Presidency simply assist with temple ordinances because of their relationship or calling? Generally, no. Like other temple ordinance workers, they would normally need to be called, assigned, or otherwise authorized to serve in that particular temple.

Far from being a restriction, this beautiful pattern reflects the Lord’s wisdom. Every person who serves in the temple does so under proper authority and in accordance with divine order. From an Apostle to a newly called ordinance worker, everyone serves within the framework that the Savior has established. That order not only protects the sacred nature of temple ordinances but also gives every worshipper confidence that wherever they attend the temple, the work is being carried out exactly as the Lord intends.

Gramps