How to Make the Temple Part of Your Family Culture

By Lauren Madsen

Through God’s mercy and priesthood power, the ordinances of the temple bind families together for eternity. As families we can create a culture centered around Christ and the blessings of His holy house. Our children’s love for the temple can grow as they grow, long before they are able to go inside to participate in ordinances for themselves and others. Here are just a few ideas to help families:

Display temple artwork in your home

Whether we choose photos, paintings, replicas, or other temple decor in our homes, it is important for our family members, and those who visit our homes, to know how much the temple means to us. President Spencer W. Kimball said, “It would be a fine thing if … parents would have in every bedroom of their house a picture of the temple so [their children] from the time [they are] infant[s] could look at the picture every day [until] it becomes a part of [their lives]. When [they reach] the age that [they need] to make [the] very important decision [concerning going to the temple], it will have already been made.”

Bring children to the temple grounds

Children don’t have to enter the temple to feel the Spirit of the temple. After several days of looking at pictures of temples on the computer, my mom asked our daughter Sydney, just a toddler, if she would like to see the temple close to her home. My mother remembers, "Syd loved talking about the temple pictures. We drove up to the Draper temple one day. I parked the car, and then I turned around to talk to her sitting in her carseat and I said,  ‘Isn’t it beautiful?’  Syd had tears running down her cheeks. I could tell she felt something.” 
 
I love that every week as I serve at the baptistry recommend desk, I welcome the same diligent group of seven. A mother brings her six children to the temple every Thursday morning. Two of those children are too young to do baptisms, so they sit quietly with their mother and read in the waiting area while their brothers and sisters perform ordinances for their ancestors. 

Last summer my kids and I tried to visit a different temple once a week while they were out of school. (We live in Utah, so this worked for us, but wouldn’t work for everyone!). Even though my sons were not old enough for proxy work, we all traveled to the temple together and the boys and I would spend time outside on the grounds while we waited for their sisters. 

Teach children to use Family Search and Billion Graves

Registering for a Family Search account is simple, and although complex research may be beyond their abilities while they are young, children can help index records. Registering with Billion Graves is quick and easy. You can then volunteer to transcribe photos of headstones, or verify information another user has already transcribed. Help younger children understand that they can still play a role in proxy work. 

Share your feelings about serving in the House of the Lord

Make conversations about the temple a normal part of family life. True, there are some things too sacred to share, but many things are not. This page on the church website is a helpful resource that includes a basic overview of the endowment, and a list of each of the covenants made.  You can also talk to your children about how you feel in the temple and how the temple blesses you personally. 

Creating a Christ-centered and temple-focused family culture in our homes need not be overwhelming. There are many ways this can be done, and I have mentioned just a few. We can keep things simple and intentional, and it will all be worth it to prepare our families and the world for the second coming of the Lord. Elder Neil L. Andersen promised: “In this day of confusion and commotion, I testify that the temple is His holy House and will help preserve us, protect us, and prepare us for the glorious day when, with all His holy angels, our Savior returns in majesty, power, and great glory.”