Anciently, the blowing of ram’s horns announced holy days and convocations associated with temples and temple worship (see Lev. 23:23–25; Num. 29:1–6). Correspondingly, the Lord commanded Moses to make two special silver trumpets, which were sounded at various sacred events that took place at the temple (see Num. 10:3, 10).
In the latter days, images of trumpets are featured on various temples, including the Nauvoo Illinois Temple, which has two trumpets situated above each of the sunstone images on the temple’s exterior. The first Nauvoo Temple featured a weather vane with an angel blowing a trump. This image, perhaps, is reminiscent of the most iconic trumpet image affiliated with latter-day temples—the one held by Moroni, which is represented with the statue that stands atop temples.
In the scriptures, a trumpet signals the declaration of an important event (see Alma 29:1; Rev. 1:10; D&C 88:105–6). The trumpets of latter-day temples sound the coming forth of the gospel; additionally, the trumpets call us to attend the temple.