About the Newport Beach Temple
Mormons are generally unwilling to discuss what goes on inside of temples. This leads some people to mistakenly conclude that there are "secrets" inside Mormon temples. While this conclusion is understandable, it is grounded in a misunderstanding of the nature of temples. Mormons don't actually view the temple as secret. In fact, most Mormons, if asked, will point out that the temple is not secret. Before a temple is dedicated, Mormons conduct a series of public open houses where anyone—Church member or not—can visit the temple and see everything there is to see. Thousands of visitors usually tour a temple during these open houses (there were over 150,000 who attended the open houses for the Newport Beach temple).
When you attend a Mormon temple's open house, you'll see a building adorned with beautiful furniture, thick carpets, ornate fixtures, and plush surroundings. You'll also see beautiful artwork, some commissioned exclusively for that particular temple. These surroundings are not provided primarily for comfort, but because Mormons believe that a temple, as the house of the Lord, should contain only the best that the people can offer. Everything is designed to be respectful, inspiring, and reverent; to draw a person's thoughts toward God.
After the temple's open houses are completed, the building is dedicated to the Lord. The Newport Beach temple was dedicated in ceremonies at the end of August 2005. During these ceremonies faithful Mormons gathered together to offer prayers to God and sing praises to the Lord. Gordon B. Hinckley, president of the Church (and whom Mormons revere as a prophet), offered the prayers in which the temple was formally dedicated to the Lord.
When a Mormon temple is dedicated, it is dedicated to the Lord and designated or "set apart" as a holy place. Mormons believe temples are sacred; they believe that the buildings are literally the house of the Lord. Once it is dedicated, the temple is open only to faithful Mormons who meet minimum religious criteria that are in keeping with the sacred nature of temples.
When Mormons enter a temple, they promise they will not openly discuss certain aspects of the temple outside of the building, even with other Church members. This is not an attempt to hide anything that done in temples, but is an effort to keep what is done in temples both sacred and special. While a detailed discussion of what goes on in temples is inappropriate, it is fine to provide general information on Mormon temple ordinances, as is done on this Web site.