When Christians talk with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), one of the biggest differences that comes up is the Mormon temple. To Mormons, the temple is “the House of the Lord” where the most sacred ordinances are performed, including eternal marriage, baptisms for the dead, and endowment ceremonies. These rituals are considered essential for exaltation in the highest level of heaven.
But are temples still necessary today? And do the practices inside Mormon temples align with the Bible? The short answer is no. Scripture makes it clear that the Old Testament temple system was temporary—meant to point forward to Jesus Christ—and that with His death and resurrection, the need for a physical temple and priesthood has ended. Let’s explore why Mormon temples are not biblical and why Christians can rest in the finished work of Christ.
1. The Temple Was Fulfilled in Christ
The Old Testament temple was central to Jewish worship. It was the place where God’s presence dwelt, sacrifices were offered, and priests mediated between God and His people. Yet the New Testament reveals that these things were shadows pointing to Christ (Colossians 2:16–17).
Jesus declared that He Himself was greater than the temple (Matthew 12:6). In John 2:19–21, He even referred to His own body as the true temple. This means the temple system was never the final destination—it was always meant to point to Jesus, who is God dwelling among us (John 1:14). Once He came, the Physical temple became obsolete.
2. The Sacrificial System Ended at the Cross
Sacrifices in the temple were required under the Old Covenant, but they were temporary, pointing to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus. The book of Hebrews explains that Christ entered the heavenly temple once for all by His own blood (Hebrews 9:11–14). His sacrifice perfected forever those who are being sanctified (Hebrews 10:10–14).
When Jesus died, the temple veil was torn from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51). This powerful symbol meant that access to God was no longer restricted to priests in a holy building. Through Christ, all believers now have direct access to the Father (Hebrews 4:16). There is no need for a temple or repeated rituals—Jesus finished the work.
3. The Church of Believers Is Now God’s Temple
Under the New Covenant, God does not dwell in buildings made by human hands (Acts 7:48). Instead, He dwells in His people. Paul wrote, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16–17). Individually, each believer’s body is also described as a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19–20).
This truth overturns the LDS focus on physical temples. Christians don’t need to go to a special building to find God—He lives in us. The temple is no longer a location; it’s a people.
4. Christ Is Our High Priest, Not Mormon Priests
One of the main reasons for the temple in Israel was the priesthood. Priests acted as mediators, offering sacrifices on behalf of the people. Mormonism attempts to revive this idea by claiming that their priesthood authority (Aaronic and Melchizedek) is necessary for salvation.
But the Bible tells a different story. Jesus is our eternal High Priest who lives forever to intercede for us (Hebrews 7:23–28). His priesthood is perfect and unchangeable. There is no longer a need for earthly priests or mediators. Instead, all Christians are part of the “royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:5, 9).
5. Salvation Is by Grace, Not Temple Ordinances
At the heart of Mormon temple worship is the belief that rituals are required for salvation—baptism for the dead, marriage sealings, and endowments. But the Bible says salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works or ceremonies (Ephesians 2:8–9; Titus 3:5).
Jesus declared on the cross, “It is finished” (John 19:30). This means there is nothing left to add. No ritual can complete what Christ has already done. Temples that require ordinances for salvation undermine the sufficiency of His sacrifice.
6. No Biblical Basis for Mormon Temple Practices
Mormon temple rituals have no support in Scripture. Eternal marriage contradicts Jesus’ teaching that there is no marriage in the resurrection (Matthew 22:29–30). Baptism for the dead, practiced by Mormons, is never commanded or explained as a saving ordinance in the Bible (Hebrews 9:27).
In fact, Paul excluded himself and the believers he spoke to when he referenced those outside the church who practiced it in 1 Corinthians 15:29. Even the secrecy of Mormon temple ceremonies runs counter to Jesus’ teaching, who openly proclaimed the truth (John 18:20). The gospel is not hidden behind veils or passwords—it is freely offered to all.
7. The Church Is Now God’s Dwelling Place
The New Testament makes clear that the temple has been replaced by the church—the community of believers. Paul says, “You are… members of the household of God… Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure… grows into a holy temple in the Lord” (Ephesians 2:19–22).
Jesus also prophesied that the Jewish temple in Jerusalem would be destroyed (Mark 13:1–2), which happened in AD 70. Nowhere does the New Testament suggest a need for rebuilding a physical temple for worship. God’s dwelling is in His people, not in buildings.
8. The Eternal Future Has No Temple
Finally, the Bible looks ahead to the new heaven and new earth. John writes in Revelation 21:22: “I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb.”
The temple was always a temporary symbol. In eternity, we will dwell directly with God and the Lamb. The glory of Christ Himself will be the focus, not a building or man-made rituals.
Conclusion: Jesus Is Enough
Mormon temples are built on the idea that Christ’s work was unfinished—that we still need rituals, ordinances, and priesthoods to reach God. But the Bible teaches the opposite: Jesus is enough. He fulfilled the temple, ended the sacrifices, became our High Priest, and made us God’s temple by His Spirit.
There is no more need for temples because in Christ we already have everything we need: forgiveness, access to God, and eternal life.
