What I Learned at the Manti Temple Open House

By Hollie Wells

A few weekends ago, my husband and I had a day completely free of any plans, errands, or obligations. We decided to take a little getaway down to Manti to see the temple open house; it being the first weekend the temple was open to the public. There were no available appointments, so we were unsure of how busy it would be, but decided to press on anyway. We waited in a slow-moving line sloping up that grand hill for two and a half hours before we got inside, and here are a few things I learned, felt, and observed in the process: 

The Endowment 

Older temples like this one teach and show the flow of the endowment ceremony in such a physical, visual way. It is a wonderful way to deepen your understanding of the progression through the creation, fall, and atonement of Christ. You are lifted to higher covenants as you ascend stairs to a higher floor. You can visualize your progression through mortality as you physically make your way through the muraled rooms. If you want to understand the endowment better, I think even looking at pictures of this temple and contemplating what is taught in each room will help you understand if you cannot see the temple in person for yourself. 

Gathering Saints 

When looking at the two long, snaking lines of people waiting to get inside the temple, I was reminded of the story of the Saints gathering at the Nauvoo temple before they trekked west, desperate to receive their ordinances. It was a little chilly for me that day, I was very pregnant and not entirely comfortable standing in a line for that long. But, those chilly February days and nights in Nauvoo probably held a few more uncomfortable two-and-a-half-hour (or much longer) waits. I was filled with gratitude for how accessible the temple is for me right now. 

Members of the church today are just as dedicated to their temples and receiving their ordinances as they were then. This same spirit was present as I waited and talked with my fellow saints around me in Manti. 

Consecration 

I was taught over again what consecration means. This building is a masterpiece of architecture and craftsmanship. I was completely in awe of the small and grand details that presented themselves around each corner. Everything was crafted so carefully and intentionally.

What was truly special was the spirit of consecration and worship that accompanied these fine works of art. It was done for the glory of God and no other purpose. These Manti saints gave so much time and so many materials to the building of this great House of the Lord. 

I was also reminded what consecration really means when I was informed that the temple’s stone was quarried out of the very hillside that it is constructed on. The Lord accepts what we have and makes it holy if we give it to Him. And He makes it much grander than we could on our own. In a loaves and fishes kind of way, those saints just used what was available to them and that is all the Lord asks of us— and He will construct us into magnificent vessels, worthy of His Spirit.