Temple Symbolism

Yesterday was the Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple dedication every temple seems to have a theme.
Circles are the theme of the Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple. As you enter the circles representing eternity are lines of circles next to each other. The next level up the circles are intersecting and at the top the intersecting circles have a circle inside the intersection. To me it represents we are each a circle. First together in a order- here a line- but not connected together. The temple is all about sealing families together and growing closer to Godhood. So the intersecting circles like bonding in atoms, like H and O becoming H2O, are sealed or bonded together. Hydrogen and Oxygen are both gases on our earth they float around in the atmosphere. We breathe in oxygen and it is carried in our blood stream to every cell. But water. Wow! It covers what % of the earth and is found flowing out in springs running over cliffs to form beautiful waterfall. We love jumping into a lake or pool or bath or shower. It is everyone’s favorite drink, it cleanses our bodies both inside and out. Is makes blood. Bonded together the uses and functions are more than I can list. Temple sealing of husband and wife creates an eternal family based on keeping God’s laws.
Thus the intersecting circles represent husband and wife sealed together. Bonded. Now synergic there is the promise of eternity together ahead of them. Sealed One plus One adds to much more than two each separate.
In water hydrogen gives one electron and oxygen receives. Oxgen has two empty holes and wants both holes filled so it takes two hydrogen atoms each with one electron to share with oxygen. There are always a giver and a receiver in bonding. Two receivers do not bond, neither do two givers. God’s laws require union of opposities—givers and receivers.
As husband and wife are sealed they are told to multiply and replenish the earth--The first commandment given to Adam and Eve as they are placed in the Garden of Eden.
The next higher circles are the intersecting circles with a circle in the intersection. This represents a child now sealed to the husband and wife.
In the temple work is done for deceased individuals. Marriages take place in proxy form for those who have died and children are sealed to parents by living proxies for those who are deceased. This makes the line of intersecting circles connect one with another. The goal is an unbroken chain back through generations being sealed together.
There is one more circle formation seen in the lights in the upper rooms. The lights in the upper rooms are beautiful 8 pointed stars but there are layers of lights. A small 8 pointed lighted star with a larger version of the same star on top of it and then another larger star and another. In the Celestial Room the chandelier is concentric layers of 8 pointed stars with small versions going up and down in concentric layers. It is incredibly beautiful. Smaller versions are repeated in each sealing room.
Concentric layers is the atom. It is a progression from small elements H to larger elements like gold. Eternity has at least two different directions. First a circle has no end. Concentric circles are also progression up to the next circle a new higher level.
We want to become as God is now but we will never be equal to God. God keeps progressing. His work and his Glory is to bring to pass our immorality and our Eternal life. God is our Father in Heaven. We as his children will always be His children. God and man are to have eternal progress.
There is an 8 level that will be completed in one circle and then we will rise to the next circle. The pattern found in the atom is the pattern of eternal progression.
May God bless you and me as we through darkness seek for light. May we “be ye therefore perfect, even as god is Perfect”. May we have less pride more love, less seeking after material substances and more seeking for spiritual. Physical and Spiritual unseparably connected bring a fullness of joy. God bless you today. I send my love. He sends more.

I have learned so much about temple symbolism from Val Brinkerhoff. He is a photographer professor that after traveling around the world taking pictures has focused on temple symbolism. He has recently published a book The Day Star Reading Sacred Architecture for a copy go to www.digitalegend.com/catalog or dial 877-222-1960.