Joseph Smith: Restorer of the Ancient Temple

As part of the “whole and complete and perfect union, and welding together of dispensations” (D&C 128:18), the Prophet Joseph Smith restored ancient truths, doctrines, and ordinances regarding God’s ancient temples.179 These truths are manifest in numerous ways in our modern temples. For example, the Prophet restored the concept of gradational sacred space, moral qualities for temple entrance, the temple as a Jesus Christ–focused institution, a large receptacle of water situated on the backs of twelve oxen, the temple as the Lord’s “house,” and the significance of sacred space. Altogether, the abundance of restored truths forms a remarkable attestation of the seership of the Prophet. In fact, Elder Widtsoe once wrote, “It may be that the temple endowment and the other temple ordinances form the strongest available evidence of the divine inspiration of the Prophet Joseph Smith.”180

A portrait of Joseph Smith Jr., from 1830 to 1844; painted by Danquart Anthon Weggeland.

We note, however, that there also exist notable differences between ancient and modern temples. For example, work for the dead did not exist in the ancient temples before Jesus Christ’s death and Resurrection.

How did Joseph Smith know to restore these ancient truths, doctrines, and ordinances? It was not from academic learning in a school or university, or from scrutinizing books or weighty tomes. Hugh Nibley asks, “Did the Prophet Joseph Smith reinvent all this by reassembling the fragments—Jewish, Orthodox, Masonic, Gnostic, Hindu, Egyptian, and so forth? In fact, few of the fragments were available in his day, and those poor fragments do not come together of themselves to make a whole. Latter-day Saints see in the completeness and perfection of Joseph Smith’s teachings regarding the temple a sure indication of divine revelation.”181

No, Joseph Smith did not learn about the temple through formal educational training. Rather, God, angels, and spirits revealed the doctrines of the temple to Joseph over a period of time; “Who instructed [Joseph Smith] in . . . baptisms for the dead. . . ? Angels and spirits from the eternal worlds.”182 Furthermore, Joseph Smith acknowledges God’s hand in all great things, “If there was anything great or good in the World it came from God. The construction of the first vessel was given to Noah, by revelation. . . . The architectural designs of the temple at Jerusalem, together with its ornament and beauty, were given of God.”183

Tabernacle of Moses/Temple of Solomon—
Correspondences with Our Temples
(Representative Examples)

Theme/Concept	Tabernacle of Moses/Temple of Solomon and Our Temples
Moral Qualities for Temple Entrance	Psalms 15 and 24 set forth the moral qualities of those who wish to enter the temple. We must have a temple recommend to enter our temples.
Dedicatory Prayer	For Solomon’s temple (1 Kgs. 8); for Kirtland Temple (D&C 109).
Sacred Ceremonies and Ordinances	These include washings, anointings, various rituals, and consecration of priesthood members (Ex. 29), and others (D&C 124:37, 39).
Built after a Divine Pattern	The Lord revealed the pattern of the tabernacle to His prophet, Moses (Ex. 25:8–9), the pattern of Solomon’s temple to King David (1 Chr. 28:11–13, 19), and the pattern of the Kirtland and Nauvoo Temples to Joseph Smith (D&C 95:14–15; HC 6:197).
Jesus Christ	The temple is a Jesus Christ–focused institution.
Large Receptacle of Water (KJV, “molten sea”), Set on the Backs of Twelve Oxen	Anciently, a large receptacle of water rested on the backs of twelve oxen in Solomon’s temple (1 Kgs. 7:23; 2 Chr. 4:2, 6); this receptacle, together with the twelve oxen, resembles the baptismal fonts that exist in our temples.
“Holiness to the Lord”	These words existed on the high priest’s crown (written in Hebrew) (Ex. 39:30). “Holiness to the Lord” is placed prominently on the exterior of our temples, almost always on the temple’s east side.
Gradations of Holiness (Less Holy to Most Holy)	The goal of graded space is to present a holiest zone for God, which was far away, in terms of both height and distance, from profane and corruptible space, persons, and objects. Our temples also demonstrate gradations of holiness.
Priesthood	Priesthood ministered in ancient and modern temples and managed the affairs therein: “I will show unto my servant Joseph [Smith] all things pertaining to this house, and the priesthood” (D&C 124:42).
Temple and Zion	In the scriptures, the concepts of temple and Zion are collocated (Ps. 20:2; 48; 76; 84; Isa. 2:3; D&C 4:32; 119:2; 124:36, 39; 133:12–13).
Atonement	See various entries in this volume.
The Temple as “House” (i.e., House of the Lord)	Ancient temples were denominated “the house of the Lord.” So, too, modern temples are named the Lord’s house.
The Temple as a Place to Worship God	Both ancient (Ps. 99:1–9; 116:17–19; 132:1–18) and modern temples (D&C 109:14, 24; 115:8) are quintessential places for humankind to worship God.
Gatekeepers	For more information, see entry “Guards, Temple (Sentinels and Angels).”
Eastward Orientation	Both ancient and modern temples emphasize the cardinal direction east.
Temple as a Place of Prayer	Twice Isaiah called the temple a “house of prayer” (Isa. 56:7; see also Ps. 27:4). Each of our temples is also “a house of prayer” (D&C 109:8–9, 16–19).
Holy of Holies	The Mosaic tabernacle, temple of Solomon (1 Kgs. 6:23–32), and Salt Lake Temple have a Holy of Holies.
Temple Is Called Holy	Both the tabernacle and Solomon’s temple were called “holy” (Lev. 16:33; Ps. 5:7; 65:4), as are our temples (D&C 109:12–13).
Sacred Vestments	Ancient temple workers wore sacred vestments (Exodus 28, 39) as they do in our temples (see churchofjesuschrist.org).
Temple Is a Place of Divine Revelation	This includes the tabernacle (Lev. 1:1; Ex. 25:21–22; 29:42–43; 30:6, 36; Num. 17:4), Solomon’s temple (Ps. 27:4), Herod’s temple (Acts 22:17), and our temples (D&C 97:15–16; 110:7–8; 124:39).
Altar	Both ancient and modern temples feature a holy altar.
Temple Is Associated with Power	Power is collocated with temple in several scriptural passages (Ps. 63:2; 150:1; Rev. 15:8; D&C 84:20–21; 109:13, 22, 35; 132:7).