Rating reflects my appreciation that members of the Latter Day Saints allowed public tours of the new Temple in Meridian prior to its' dedication. I am not an LDS member and it will never be my faith. But I have learned from people who are of the faith how sacred are the Temples to them and once dedicated they are not open to even all Mormons but only those who are found to be, through a rigorous process, worthy enough to enter. So it was is a rare opportunity to be inside a Temple and now through November 11 (excluding Sundays) there are organized tours. After that, the Temple will be closed for cleaning, then dedicated and as a result 'sealed' and not open to anyone except certain members of the LDS faith.
Our hosts and hostesses, the "Brothers" and "Sisters" who greeted us, as one of scores of dozens of tour groups which they had perfectly organized to go into and about the Temple today, were gracious to all guests. The building is in a setting up on a hill with gorgeous views. It was intriguing to have a chance to see the inside for the rooms knowing, as a result of comparative religious studies, the significance they hold for LDS faithful.
THE HOW TO TOUR:
*Reservations are encouraged. To make them, go to the Temple tour website ( https://templeopenhouse.lds.org/ ) to choose a date and time. You'll receive an invitation to tour via email with that time assigned. While reservations are encouraged they are not mandatory, so you can just show up if you choose and take an open tour slot. No one will be turned away but without a reservation you may need to sit and wait a while for an opening.
*The tours start on time. (Hooray). From start to end about 70 minutes long.
*You will start in the church across the parking lot from the Temple with friendly greeting from young Sister missionaries and 12 minute video about the LDS faith.
*A tour guide Brother will lead you back across the parking lot to the Temple and guide you throughout. For purposes of time it is requested you hold questions until exiting the Temple into a tent set up outside to learn more about the LDS faith and the construction of the building. More Sister missionaries are there to answer questions.
*No photos are allowed inside but photos are allowed and encouraged outside. See mine as example.
*The tour is wheelchair accessible and accessible to people with limited mobility. They do not provide wheelchairs so if you have a friend or relative who needs one for distances, and this involves that, you will need to bring one.
*Accessible (AKA ADA) parking and "Green Ticket Holder" - whatever that is - parking is provided on site. All others can park at any one of four off site lots and they provide big buses to transport people to the site.
*Keep in mind you are having the privilege of touring a site which your hosts consider sacred and think about attire in advance. I'm not suggesting dress up, but the worn-thru jeans and old tee shirts of some folks touring seemed to me to not really respect their hosts, who were dressed as if to attend worship services, and the place.
*Bathrooms inside the Temple are off limits to tour guests. No exceptions. There is a bathroom to use in the community gathering building at the start of tour. Plan accordingly.
WHY TEMPLES ARE CLOSED TO ALL BUT "WORTHY" MORMONS: Mormons consider Temples the holiest of sanctuaries. As to why only certain Mormons are allowed to enter a dedicated Temple, a faith website says this: only those who are "...clean inside and out...There are two interviews with ecclesiastical leaders. They ask questions regarding how the member conducts his or her life and what he or she believes..The modern temple is the house of God, and no unclean thing can enter. Only worthy Mormons can attend the temple. Mormons worthy to enter the temple profess a belief in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. They believe that the Mormon Church is God's church on earth. They pay an honest tithe on their income. They keep "the Word of Wisdom, or law of health. They are kind to their families and honest in their business dealings."
EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED TO EVERYTHING ELSE: About 80% of my neighbors are Mormon (this part of Idaho isn't called "Little Salt Lake" for nothing) as well as several of the business professionals we have hired since moving to Idaho and this helps me understand their faith better. And, parenthetically, makes me even more ticked off with our builder who is Mormon and sure was not honest in his business dealings with us. Alas. But that's a different review for a different day. read more