The light on the hill

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

- Matthew 5:14-16, KJV

I was here today:

This beautiful building in Logan is a temple to God. It's different than a church meetinghouse (most church meetinghouses are called "templos" in El Salvador, leading to some confusion about what "temple" means to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). Temples are often built on hills in token of Jesus' teachings, recorded in Matthew chapter 5.

The temple is a place where worthy people complete ordinances. An ordinance is a formal act a person takes to show his/her dedication to God. God has commanded us to complete several ordinances, including baptism, confirmation and marriage. Therefore, the temple is all about bringing us closer to God.

To preserve the sacredness of the temple, each person must have a special recommend to enter. Anyone can qualify to get a recommend. God explained the requirements in a revelation to the prophet Joseph Smith:

And again, by way of commandment to the church concerning the manner of baptism—All those who humble themselves before God, and desire to be baptized, and come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits, and witness before the church that they have truly repented of all their sins, and are willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end, and truly manifest by their works that they have received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of their sins, shall be received by baptism into his church. (Doctrine and Covenants 20:37)

I was also here on Friday:

The Salt Lake City Temple is one of the most well-known LDS temples.