Its spires leap almost 300 toes into the sky, and at their pinnacle, a two-ton, gold-covered angel points a clarion name to the heavens. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Washington, D.C. Temple is clad in white Alabama marble, matching different monuments across the nation's capital. However for many years it has posed one thing of a thriller to the tens of millions who stream by on D.C.'s Beltway, with some even evaluating it to "The Land of Oz."
When requested what church members assume once they hear that, Todd Christofferson replied, "We smile! But it surely's one of many causes we've got this open home. We can't get everyone who comes across the nook on the Beltway, however I hope an increasing number of will see it as one thing a lot, way more than Oz."
Christofferson and David Bednar are two of the twelve apostles, or highest-ranking elders, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They traveled from Utah to convey CBS Information' Ed O'Keefe contained in the church's hallowed Washington, D.C. temple – a spot usually off-limits to all however members of the religion.
Bednar stated, "Typically we're accused of, 'What are the key issues that you simply do within the temple?' They don't seem to be secret; they're sacred. And so we do not communicate of them casually or frivolously as a result of, to us, they're so central, so elementary and so vital to how we stay."
The temple has been underneath renovation since 2018, so non-members are briefly allowed in for development … and now, so are "Sunday Morning"'s cameras, forward of a public open home that begins later this month.
The apostles and their wives, Kathy Christofferson and Susan Bednar, ushered O'Keefe throughout an entry bridge. He requested, "Are we strolling into one other realm?"
"Yeah, symbolically," stated David Bednar. "We're leaving the world and coming into a extra heavenly place the place we find out about God."
Susan Bednar added, "We've a music that kids sing once they're younger: I like to see the temple. I am going there some day. To really feel the Holy Spirit. To pay attention and to wish."
Surprisingly, there is no hovering, cathedral-like area inside. A lot of the rooms are windowless, hushed, and intimate.
One room that does wow is the Baptistry. The baptismal font, perched atop 12 life-size oxen symbolizing the Tribes of Israel, is not for the residing, however to anoint the souls of church members' long-deceased ancestors.
O'Keefe requested, "How do they know that that is one thing that ancestor desires?"
"They do not; they simply plain do not know," stated Kathy Christofferson. "However they'll hope."
Todd Christofferson stated, "It's in a way, a free will providing to that one that within the eternities can select to simply accept it or not."
Baptism of the useless is only one observe that makes the church stand out. Established in New York State almost 200 years in the past, the Latter-day Saints had been persecuted for his or her beliefs.
Like most non secular establishments, the church has confronted criticism, from inside and outdoors, on problems with race, sexuality and gender. However the rising range amongst its almost 17 million members throughout six continents suggests their message is being obtained.
And whereas their holy scriptures are often called the Guide of Mormon, as we speak church members keep away from calling themselves "Mormons," emphasizing as a substitute what they share with different Christian faiths: a reverence for Christ.
David Bednar confirmed O'Keefe the temple's Sealing Room: "It is on this room that a man and a lady kneel at this altar, and they're sealed collectively, not simply 'til dying do you half, however for this life, and for all of eternity."
Internet additional: Contained in the LDS Temple's Sealing Room
"And that in some ways is likely one of the greatest variations between members of Latter-day Saints and different denominations, is that it does not finish in dying?" requested O'Keefe.
"Yeah, we consider that households could be collectively endlessly."
The tour ended close to the highest of the temple, within the Celestial Room, a room for quiet contemplation.
"This can be a illustration of our heavenly house," Bednar stated. "This can be a place of sunshine, of peace."
A spot of sunshine and peace – an announcement on this world, and a declaration of religion to the following.
There may be nonetheless thriller within the Washington, D.C. Temple, however within the coming weeks, if you happen to're curious, the doorways will probably be open vast.
For more information:
- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Washington, D.C. Temple
- D.C. Temple Open Home (April 28)
- "The Washington, D.C. Temple: Divine by Design" by Dale Van Atta, in Hardcover and Commerce paperback codecs, out there by way of Amazon
Story produced by Ed Forgotson. Editor: George Pozderec.
See additionally:
- 10 Questions: About Mormons ("CBS Night Information," 2007)