Does Satan Have any Influence in a Temple?


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My family was baptized into the church back in 1997, when I was eleven years old. Now at the time, I remember learning some very basic concepts relating to the temple, one of which was that the temple is the only place where Satan cannot enter. It seemed logical at the time, but now, fifteen years later, I can't find anything scriptural or doctrinal on the matter. So is this actually something we believe or was it conjecture on the part of those that explained it to me back then?

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I think Satan only has influence in the temple if we take him inside with us. Satan flees from light and righteousness, and so if all within the temple are humble and holy, he will not abide there. But if someone enters the temple with unrighteous desires, thoughts or actions, Satan can easily accompany him (see Job 1).

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I know what you mean. I picked up the same teaching somewhere but I have no clue where. I too have looked and been unable to find anything doctrinal in nature would states such protection.

While the adversary can tempt us without the aid of an external stimulus, it's obvious to me that he succeeds more when there is one.

Isn't it harder to tempt someone to drink alcohol when there isn't any around? Isn't it harder to tempt someone to think unchaste thoughts when there's no one dressed immodestly?

Of course that doesn't mean the adversary doesn't try, it's simply much less effective without corresponding physical stimuli.

Could not the same be said for the Lord as well? While the Lord can entice us to do good without the aid of an external stimuli, isn't it easier for him when nearby there is stimuli which invites to do the same?

If someone tells us they love us, aren't we more likely to express love in return? If someone talks about the Lord and bears their testimony, are we not more likely to ponder the divine?

In the temple then we have a place where the physical stimuli used by the adversary are not present and those used by the Lord are. This then would limit the effectiveness of the adversary in tempting one within and increase the effectiveness of the Lord in enticing one to be righteous.

While I do not know whether such protection was available originally and was lost over time by unclean members entering or whether such protection was never intended I can say this:

I know for a fact that such complete protection is not currently available in the temples I have visited and my knowledge is not based off of me inviting them in either.

Individuals will disagree regarding whether or not evil spirits can enter yet my caution remains the same. Do not blindly accept all spiritual communication received in the temple as of God.

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I know that when I first went to recieve my endowment I had been told that evil had no place in the temple and I would not encounter it at all. There was, however, a time in the endowment where a warning of sorts was issued, and when that happened I felt evil shudder over me. I don't want to describe it in detail, but I'm sure that those of you who are endowed know the place I am talking about. I was so surprised to feel that, I even took my escort aside later and asked her about it. It really confused and scared me. So based on that I would say that evil can enter the temple. But I don't think that it has a free run of the place. It has to be invited in somehow. At least that is what I feel.

I kinda hoped that I wouldn't be able to have depression/suicidal thoughts in the temple, but that isn't true either. I have been very suicidal, even in the temple.

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My family was baptized into the church back in 1997, when I was eleven years old. Now at the time, I remember learning some very basic concepts relating to the temple, one of which was that the temple is the only place where Satan cannot enter. It seemed logical at the time, but now, fifteen years later, I can't find anything scriptural or doctrinal on the matter. So is this actually something we believe or was it conjecture on the part of those that explained it to me back then?

I'm still trying to figure out HOW Satan has influence anywhere, temple or not.

Any ideas?

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Oh, yes many. Quite a few. Some of which I am completely sure on and others where my understanding is incomplete.

That the adversary has power to influence mortals we know. The actual means and operations of how he accomplishes such aims has not been revealed.

I could share with you the insights I've gained but I won't do so. Partly because I wouldn't do so unless completely confident in their accuracy and partly because I'm not sure that such information should be shared.

Alma 12:9 And now Alma began to expound these things unto him, saying: It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him.

This isn't a portion granted unto the children of men. Although what I have learned hasn't been received with a command to not impart it, I would be hesitant in doing so without confirming such injunction was not in place.

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It is the House of God where He can literally dwell. He cannot be in unholy places, so no the whole point to the temple is that it is holy ground, meaning that evil is not allowed there. If you are on holy ground and have evil thoughts, it is because you brought them with you.

When you are in the temple you are out of the world. The world is where Satan is. That is why the temple is sometimes referred to a refuge, both present day and in the scriptures.

Pres. Monson referred to it as a "sacred santuary" in a recent talk The Holy Temple?a Beacon to the World - general-conference The world can be a challenging and difficult place in which to live. We are often surrounded by that which would drag us down. As you and I go to the holy houses of God, as we remember the covenants we make within, we will be more able to bear every trial and to overcome each temptation. In this sacred sanctuary we will find peace; we will be renewed and fortified.

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It is the House of God where He can literally dwell. He cannot be in unholy places, so no the whole point to the temple is that it is holy ground, meaning that evil is not allowed there. If you are on holy ground and have evil thoughts, it is because you brought them with you.

When you are in the temple you are out of the world. The world is where Satan is. That is why the temple is sometimes referred to a refuge, both present day and in the scriptures.

I was just about to say the same thing based on Elder Packer and Elder Talmadge's books. :) The Temple is the literal House of God, so no Satan cannot enter therein. The thoughts we may have in there are brought in with us, we are still the same people with the same thought process whether in the temple or on the street. Satan would not be welcomed by the Master of the house, nor would he feel comfortable there.

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I'm sorry that I can not agree with you Jayanna and Mamas_Girl. When I wrote what I wrote, it was after asking in prayer if I should do so and receiving a confirmation that yes, I should so testify.

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My family was baptized into the church back in 1997, when I was eleven years old. Now at the time, I remember learning some very basic concepts relating to the temple, one of which was that the temple is the only place where Satan cannot enter. It seemed logical at the time, but now, fifteen years later, I can't find anything scriptural or doctrinal on the matter. So is this actually something we believe or was it conjecture on the part of those that explained it to me back then?

He can go anywhere we take him. I am guessing he has less power there than anywhere.

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Yet I conclude that there must be more to that story than Joseph indicated.

Satan was given power to kill Job's flocks and family as well as cause illness. Satan normally doesn't have the power to outright kill someone.

Perhaps there is an explanation that would explain how his family gave Satan power over them to the point of being able to kill them.

I suppose that in the pre-existance we did give Satan the power to appear to us and to tempt us for this would be in accord with what Joseph taught. Yet if we gave these powers, who is to say whether or not he has been given others.

I don't see how we can safely conclude in all circumstances that the power Satan exercises over us is due to decisions here and not decisions before coming here.

Another example would be a spirit child knowingly coming and being born of someone who is an alcoholic and drug abuser. They know in coming that they would be giving the adversary greater power over them to tempt them to follow suit because of the actions of their parents.

To me the way I reconcile this matter is to state, "Satan has no power over us to cause us to sin except that which we give him".

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Some have mentioned that we bring Satan in with us because of our thoughts and desires. Does every negative thought come from the devil? Is he the source of every negative desire that we have? If and when he is bound, will evil be eradicated?

We can be in the temple and have immoral/negative thoughts. Does this mean Satan is automatically there with us?

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I'm sorry that I can not agree with you Jayanna and Mamas_Girl. When I wrote what I wrote, it was after asking in prayer if I should do so and receiving a confirmation that yes, I should so testify.

You didn't testify of anything. What you wrote was not a testimony. The fact that Pres. Monson and Elder Talmage and a plethora of temple dedications disagree with you, indicate to me that you might not trust those impulses that occur to you in the temple considering what spirit you might bring with you there, but I can trust my communications with my Father, and have frequently made significant life-altering decisions after praying in the Celestial room with my spouse. The Holy Spirit which I have sought and communicated with in that place, has never led me astray or born bad fruits.

Without that there is no point to having a Celestial room, it would be no different from any room in any building anywhere. Not only do I have 2 or 3 witnesses (that are Apostles) that tell me, I have many of personal experiences that have assured me that the temple is the house of God.

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