Good books about the temple

[beefche]

Do you have any recommendations on books that will help me understand the temple endowment better? I know the scriptures and The Holy Temple, by Boyd K Packer, but any other recommendations?

[skalenfehl]

Do you mean from a doctrinal perspective? Historical perspective? Other perspective? 

[Iggy]

https://www.lds.org/ensign/2012/07/understanding-our-covenants-with-god?lang=eng&icid=GCA14-R-5B-understanding

Not a book, but it was enlightening to me. More so than the student guide and teachers manual 

https://www.lds.org/manual/endowed-from-on-high-temple-preparation-seminar-teachers-manual/lesson-1-the-temple-teaches-about-the-great-plan-of-salvation?lang=eng&query=temple+teaching+manual

[beefche]

I think both. For example, I know that the temple is full of symbols. I'm curious on what symbols were used in ancient temples and what was understood for them to mean. I know that the oxen used for the current baptismal temple fonts represent the 12 tribes which has a lot of doctrinal meaning. So, I think both from a historical and doctrinal level.

I don't mind if the book is from a GA or not, but I don't want preachy-of-another-faith type of book. 

[estradling75]

Well it is not a book.. but a website with You Tube videos  http://www.vworthtemplestudy.net/

It shows temple related details from the Old and New Testament and how some other cultures religious ceremonies have large similarities... which could be distorted memories of an original.

I found it very interesting... I also found it be presented and approached as I would expect a faithful, temple worthy LDS to handle the subject of the temple.  The research seemed sound, but I am less able to evaluate that aspect.

Maybe you will find it useful

 

 

[Edspringer]

The house of the Lord - James E Talmage

Temples to dor the Earth - Richard Cowan

House of glory - S Michael Wilcox

A house of learning - M Richard Walker and Kathleen Walker

[Connie]

On 1/24/2017 at 4:44 PM, beefche said:

I think both. For example, I know that the temple is full of symbols. I'm curious on what symbols were used in ancient temples and what was understood for them to mean. I know that the oxen used for the current baptismal temple fonts represent the 12 tribes which has a lot of doctrinal meaning. So, I think both from a historical and doctrinal level.

I don't mind if the book is from a GA or not, but I don't want preachy-of-another-faith type of book. 

 

A good book on symbolism is The Lost Language of Symbolism by Alonzo L. Gaskill. It's very general and pretty comprehensive. Though not temple specific, there's definitely a lot of applicability. And i recall plenty of commentary on old testament symbolic differences as compared to more modern. It's a great one for learning more about gospel symbolism.

[Connie]

Have you ever watched a little documentary put out by the church called Between Heaven and Earth? The tagline is "religious scholars of various faiths describe ancient and modern temples." It's definitely worth a watch or a re-watch. I found it on the Mormon Channel on my Roku but can't seem to find a link for it online except as a video series on youtube.

 

Edited February 5, 2017 by Connie

[beefche]

On 1/31/2017 at 7:37 PM, Connie said:

A good book on symbolism is The Lost Language of Symbolism by Alonzo L. Gaskill. It's very general and pretty comprehensive. Though not temple specific, there's definitely a lot of applicability. And i recall plenty of commentary on old testament symbolic differences as compared to more modern. It's a great one for learning more about gospel symbolism.

He has quite a few books on the temple and the symbolism. Thanks for the suggestion.

[my two cents]

This is free to read online.  You can also google 'hugh nibley temple' and see what else comes up.
http://publications.mi.byu.edu/book/temple-and-cosmos/