are temples necessary?

[gruden]

I also found this interesting quote by Brigham Young that might shed some additional light on the subject:

We can, at the present time, go into the Endowment House and be baptized for the dead, receive our washings and anointing, etc., for there we have a font that has been erected, dedicated expressly for baptizing people for the remission of sins, for their health and for their dead friends; in this the Saints have the privilege of being baptized for their friends. We also have the privilege of sealing women to men, without a Temple. This we can do in the Endowment House; but when we come to other sealing ordinances, ordinances pertaining to the holy Priesthood, to connect the chain of the Priesthood from father Adam until now, by sealing children to their parents, being sealed for our forefathers, etc., they cannot be done without a Temple. But we can seal women to men, but not men to men, without a Temple. When the ordinances are carried out in the Temples that will be erected, men will be sealed to their fathers, and those who have slept clear up to father Adam. JD 16:187, Brigham Young, September 4, 1873

[Guest saintish]

yes, I agree with all you have said gruden but, all the sources you have quoted come from a time when temples are possible. In past times they were not feasible (like when there were few members or when lehi wondered in the wilderness)or when it is expedient to the lord. it does seem however that the lord prefers an actual building when at all possible.

[gruden]

yes, I agree with all you have said gruden but, all the sources you have quoted come from a time when temples are possible. In past times they were not feasible (like when there were few members or when lehi wondered in the wilderness)or when it is expedient to the lord. it does seem however that the lord prefers an actual building when at all possible.

Right. In those cases the next best thing was a mountain. Moses, Elijah and Nephi (and possibly the Bro. of Jared) were called up to a mountain for important communications. Jesus went to a mountain for the Transfiguration. The Israelites hauled around a big tent for 40 years as the center of religious service. Clearly God will make do when the situation calls for it.

Ideally we ourselves should be a temple - we can be made holy the same way. The Spirit of God then lives in us and we are one with God.