Light, Quintessential place of

The Lord’s temples are quintessential places of light. President Packer shared this important insight: “The house of the Lord, bathed in light, standing out in the darkness, becomes symbolic of the power and the inspiration of the gospel of Jesus Christ standing as a beacon in a world that sinks ever further into spiritual darkness.”193 In point of fact, the Psalmist prayed that God’s light and truth would bring him to the temple: “Send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy mountain, and to thy tabernacles” (Ps. 43:3, translation by author). In multiple ways the temples are places of light:

(1) The light of God’s presence: The light that emanates from God’s presence, when He visits His holy temples, marks the most significant of all illuminations that are associated with temples—ancient and modern. When the Lord visited Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland Temple, “his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun” (D&C 110:3).

Rome Italy temple at sunset.

(2) The endowment itself is a source of light: Mercy R. Thompson, from Nauvoo, explained, “I received my endowments by the direction of the Prophet Joseph, his wife Emma officiating in my case. In his instructions to me at that time, he said, ‘This will bring you out of darkness into marvelous light.’”194 Millions of worshippers who enter the temple receive light, glory, and intelligence when they receive the endowment.

(3) Supernatural light: Anciently God sent a “pillar of fire” to accompany ancient Israel and the tabernacle, which gave ancient Israel direction “to go by . . . night” (Ex. 13:21). During our dispensation, some individuals witnessed “a bright light like a piller of Fire resting upon the [Kirtland] Temple.”195 Eliza R. Snow provided this description: “A sense of divine presence was realized by all,” and “on subsequent occasions” there was “a pillar of light . . . several times seen resting down upon the roof.”196

(4) Architectural symbols depict light: A number of our temples feature images (made of stone or stained-glass windows) of the sun, moon, and stars. The images are variegated; for example, some star images portray five-, six-, eight-, ten-, or even thirty-two-pointed stars.

(5) Formal ceremonies manifest light: Two examples are the laying of the southeast cornerstone, which designates the corner where “there is the most light,”197 and the dramatization of the Creation narrative, which emphasizes light: “God said, Let there be light: and there was light. . . . God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven. . . . God made two great lights” (Gen. 1:3, 14–16).

(6) Natural light: Inspired temple architects utilize natural light (via stained, etched, and art glass) to illuminate various areas of the temple’s exterior and interior, to the end that light flows upon worshippers.

(7) Artificial light: Temple architects also utilize artificial lights to illumine sacred spaces for the benefit of men and women worshipping therein. Anciently, the tabernacle menorah’s seven branches of light illuminated the holy place; in modern days, decorative lamps and magnificent chandeliers serve temple attendees.