Symbolism in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Sacred Symbolism

Sacred Symbolism

Main articles: Temple (LDS Church) and Endowment (Latter Day Saints) See also: Temple garment

All of the symbolic elements involved in the LDS temple endowment ceremonies are considered to be very sacred and are thus not discussed publicly. Two symbolic ideas that are discussed in temple open houses before they are dedicated are as follows:

• Members who enter the temple change in private lockers into white temple clothing to remind them of leaving outside the cares of the world, and of becoming one with each other by being dressed in similar clothing that symbolizes purity and "holiness to the Lord."
• Each temple includes a baptismal font similar to the "molten sea" described in Solomon's Temple (1 Kings 7:23-26). The font is placed below ground level, signifying a place of symbolic burial of the carnal individual and a renewal of life as a "born again" individual who has covenanted and become clean through the atonement of Jesus. The font is placed on twelve oxen, three facing each direction, symbolizing the twelve tribes of Israel whose descendants are scattered throughout the earth. The LDS belief is that as each baptism for the dead occurs, the person being represented by proxy may accept the baptismal ordinance in the Spirit world and thus be joined with the House of Israel in an eternal covenant with Jesus.