Temples, Categories of

The scriptures identify several categories of temples, which may be divided into three groups:

Group 1: Temples Built by God

Temple Category	Representative Examples
Gardens	Garden of Eden, Garden of Gethsemane, and Garden Tomb
Mountains	Sinai, Transfiguration, Simeon, and Shelem
Temple in Heaven	As described by John and others

Group 2: Temples Built by Women

Temple Category	Representative Examples
God as Temple	Jesus Christ is a holy temple; Mary was His mother
Man/Woman as Temple	Men and women are holy temples of God, grown and birthed by women
Jesus, Saints, Apostles, and Prophets	As described by Paul in Ephesians 2:19–22

Group 3: Temples Built by Mortal Builders

Temple Category	Representative Examples
Structures built by mortal builders	Tabernacle of Moses, Solomon’s temple, Ezekiel’s temple, modern-day temples

All categories of temples are designed to serve God’s divine purposes and exist for the salvation of the human family. There is a formal connection among all temple types—God (Himself a holy temple) reveals sacred laws and rituals to His children (who are holy temples) within holy temple buildings or within natural temples. That is to say, temple buildings and natural temples accommodate God and His children in spaces that are holy, or separate, set apart from the world.