LDS Church posts temple video on Web sites

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has added a video, "Why Mormons Build Temples," to its section on LDS.org about the depiction on HBO's "Big Love" of a temple ceremony.

The video, which runs three minutes and 14 seconds, also is posted on YouTube and includes comments from LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson, President Boyd K. Packer and Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve, and several non-LDS scholars and religious leaders.

"In the holy temple, the precious plan of God is taught," said President Monson during the short video. "It is here that eternal covenants are made. The temple lifts us. It exalts us. It stands as a beacon for all to see and points us to celestial glory. It is the house of God. All that occurs within the walls of the temple is uplifting and ennobling. The temple is a place of tranquility. It is a place of kindness, and love and light."

President Packer said that temples are part of the full restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. "If you understand why we build temples, you must understand first that we believe in revelation and in the restoration of the gospel," he said. "And 'to restore' means to bring back something that was lost — not a new invention, but a restoration of that which was known anciently."

Elder Holland said he goes to the temple to feel closer to God.

The video has been viewed more than 3,800 times on YouTube.