One problem I had was I interpreted the temple in the context of what I already understood (brought too many assumptions with me) instead of paying attention to what it was teaching. For example, we normally teach that the kingdoms of glory (telestial, terrestrial and celestial) are destinations. The temple teaches they are places we travel through on our journey back to God.

Its important to pay attention to the setting you are in and what is being taught in each setting (ie in the SLC temple what room you are in) and what goes on in relation to each room.

Understanding the symbols in the temple is about understanding the priesthood and the atonement.

For me the best way to understand the temple is to understand the scriptures especially books not normally read (for example: Leviticus, Isaiah, Revelations) but can be found all over the scriptures. I think the tabernacle in the wilderness for me is extremely helpful in understanding the temple. The reverse is also true to really understand the scriptures to me is to understand the temple.

The first scripture that I read many years ago which started me on my journey to better understand the temple was Isaiah 22:21-23. I also found much in the Book of Mormon when I started looking for it. Words were the key as mentioned above: mountain, veil, knock and many others.

The temple teaches us how to approach and talk to God… From Joseph Smith:
I wanted an exploration of all the country – Send 25 men. Let them preach the Gospel wherever they go…I want every man to be a King and Priest [so] when he gets on the mountains he may want to talk with his God. [Quote taken from Andrew Ehat’s unpublished masters thesis “Joseph smith’s Introduction of Temple Ordinances and the 1844 Mormon Succession Question” p. 152 as quoted from Joseph’s diary -See also TPJS p. 332-3, H of C p.224]

Melinda, asking questions in faith is a key reason we are here, I think. God wants us to understand more about Him and His plan and His Son. I was amazed this week right after writing this post that I got some critical doctrinal answers I was needing in my life from pondering temple truths.

Amber, thanks for commenting. I hope you will feel the Spirit as you prepare and engage in this next step in your spiritual journey.

Joyce, thanks. And Bro. Jones, I think about both what it can mean to have a childlike faith in the temple and I think that kind of humility influences a lot of people in the temple experience. But obviously I do think that like Elder Nelson said, the temple provides simple and beautiful truths as well as layers of meaning. I wonder where and how else our leaders have already given us clues that we don’t hear because we aren’t listening with spiritual ears and eyes. I am sure there are many things to continue to learn as we seek in faith. Even writing this post motivates me to do more earnest studying and temple worship.

I think this is true of the temple as well. There are many layers of meaning and experience, but unlike Sacrament meeting, we often present the temple as an experience that everyone will feel and understand in the same way. Not all have taught this–see some of the teachings of President McKay and some statements by Hugh Nibley, for example. There are parts of the temple that bring me great understanding of the Gospel. There are others that make me scratch my head. I think if we presented the temple as a place that requires work, prayer, and pondering to understand–as this blog post does–rather than a fairy castle where princes and princesses have special days (don’t get me started on the messages in Primary), we might avoid some of the frustration that some of our brothers and sisters seems to be feeling.