In May 1977, President Spencer W. Kimball spoke to a general conference audience and referred to “a solemn prayer circle.”239 Almost a decade later, Jeffrey R. Holland wrote of “the prayer circle of the First Presidency and Council of the Twelve.”240 That the prayer circle is conducted in the temple was made clear by President N. Eldon Tanner: “As the First Presidency enters this room at ten o’clock on Thursday mornings, we shake hands with all members of the Twelve, then change to our temple robes. We sing, kneel in prayer, and then join in a prayer circle at the altar.”241
Hugh Nibley has provided evidence for the existence of a prayer circle in ancient times, especially among early Christians.242 The exact nature of a prayer circle, of course, is too sacred to discuss outside of the temple. For the symbolism of the circle, see entry “Circle.”