Visiting a Latter-day Saint Temple as a Visitor

Curious about that striking building with the golden statue on top, or invited to see the grounds by a Latter-day Saint friend? A temple is not the same as a regular Latter-day Saint church, and there’s a common point of confusion worth clearing up first: only members who hold a temple recommend may enter a dedicated temple. That can sound exclusive, but it isn’t meant to be — members describe the temple as sacred, not secret, and there’s plenty a visitor of any faith is warmly welcome to see and do. Here are the words that explain it.

The quick version: you can walk the temple grounds, visit a visitors’ center where one exists, and — when a brand-new temple is finished — tour the inside during a public open house before it’s dedicated. You’re also welcome at ordinary Sunday services, which are held in a different building entirely.

A temple is not the church building

Meetinghouse — the ordinary local church building where members gather for Sunday worship and activities. Anyone is welcome to attend, any week, no invitation needed. Many members simply call it the chapel.
Temple — a separate, less common building set apart for the faith’s most sacred ceremonies. There are far fewer temples than meetinghouses, and entering a dedicated one requires a recommend. If your goal is simply to experience a Latter-day Saint service, the meetinghouse — not the temple — is the place, and our guide to visiting a church service covers it.

What you can see and do

Temple grounds — the gardens and walkways around a temple are usually open to the public and beautifully kept. You’re free to walk them, take photos, and enjoy the setting even though the building itself is reserved for members.
Visitors’ center — some (not all) temples have a nearby center, open to everyone and staffed by missionaries, with exhibits about Latter-day Saint beliefs. Many display a replica of the Christus — a large white statue of the resurrected Jesus Christ with arms outstretched.
Temple Square — the best-known example: a ten-acre block in downtown Salt Lake City around the Salt Lake Temple, with visitors’ centers, gardens, and historic buildings. It’s one of Utah’s most-visited attractions and free to the public.

Open house and dedication

There is one time anyone can tour the inside of a temple:

Open house — when a temple is newly built or has been extensively renovated, the Church holds a period of free public tours (usually a few weeks) before the building is dedicated. No recommend is needed, and it’s the one chance to see the interior. These are announced publicly and open to all.
Dedication — a ceremony in which the finished temple is formally dedicated to God. After a temple is dedicated, entry is limited to recommend-holding members. So if a temple near you is new, watch for its open house — that window closes once it’s dedicated.

Landmarks you’ll notice

Angel Moroni statue — the golden, trumpet-blowing figure atop many (not all) temples, one of the faith’s most recognizable emblems.
Christus — the white statue of the resurrected Christ found in many visitors’ centers; its image also appears on the Church’s official logo.

Why can’t I go inside a dedicated temple?

It’s a fair question, and the answer isn’t about keeping outsiders away. Inside, members perform temple ordinances — sacred ceremonies such as the endowment and sealing — and they believe the building should be kept set apart for that purpose. The recommend is how the Church keeps the temple reserved for that use. Members will happily talk about what the temple means to them, even though a few specifics are kept sacred.

Invited to a temple wedding?

A Latter-day Saint sealing (temple marriage) takes place inside the temple, so guests who aren’t recommend-holding members can’t attend the ceremony itself. Don’t take it personally — it’s the same rule for everyone. Couples almost always host a reception, and sometimes a ring ceremony, where all friends and family are warmly included. If you’re unsure what to expect, just ask the couple; they’ll be glad you came.

A few practical notes

Dress: the grounds are casual — ordinary clothes are fine. There’s no dress code just to walk the gardens or visit a center.
Photos: photographing the grounds, gardens, and exterior is welcome and common. (Interiors aren’t photographed, but you won’t be inside a dedicated one anyway.)
No pressure: missionaries and staff at visitors’ centers are happy to answer questions and show you around, and you’re free to simply look and leave. You won’t be signed up for anything.

Want to experience an actual service? See our guide to visiting a Latter-day Saint church or attending a baptism. You can also browse the full Mormon Jargon dictionary of 470+ terms or suggest a term or correction.