Understanding Temple Symbols Through Scripture, History, and Art

by Jack M. Lyon

Would you like to gain more from your temple attendance? More knowledge and power? More help for your daily life? Understanding Temple Symbols helps us think about the temple in new and different ways—discovering unexplored avenues of learning, opening doors we hadn't noticed before, and deepening our understanding of the symbolism used in the Lord's House. Our temple experience is rooted in symbols, and to understand those symbols is to receive more fully the endowment of knowledge the Lord desires to give us. Author Jack M. Lyon provides guidance as we learn to recognize how temple symbols answer such questions as the What is the meaning of covenants and offerings? How did God create the world, and what can we learn from his methods? What is the tree of life? What was the forbidden fruit? What is our condition in the lone and dreary world? Who are the Lord's messengers, and how can we know them? How does the temple teach and testify of the Savior and what he has done for us?

Whether you have just begun attending the temple or are well seasoned in temple worship, Understanding Temple Symbols offers intriguing new insights about the House of the Lord, making connections between the temple and the scriptures for all who seek further light and knowledge.

Genres: Religion, Lds, Nonfiction, Church, Spirituality, Inspirational, History

160 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 5, 2016

About the author

Jack M. Lyon, managing editor at Deseret Book Company, helped compile the two-volume Best-Loved Stories of the LDS People and other books in the Best-Loved series. He and his wife, Anne, have four children and have two grandchildren and reside in West Valley City, Utah.

Reviews

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give the text three stars, but I give the art five stars. It's a great coffee table book for the medieval and renaissance art alone.

In this book, Lyon (who is the managing editor at Deseret Book) shows echoing symbols in art and literature throughout the centuries from the earliest Christians to modern-day LDS temples. There are some surprising passages from ancient times that mirror what I might have considered contemporary language. There are a handful of genuinely inspiring insights, and several pages of what I would consider long stretches. Comparing the father's embrace of the prodigal son with other embraces in the scriptures by Elijah, Elias, and Paul seemed more like filler than doctrine.

The premise of the book illustrates that before Guttenberg invented the printing press and society became largely literate, people understood Biblical stories through images and symbolism. The 15th Century painting "Adoration of the Magi" by Fra Angelico and Fra Filippo Lippi seems gaudily decorated, but Lyon points out that ancient peoples would have understood the images we might see as unnecessary; a peacock roosting above the manger symbolizes the Resurrection because anciently its flesh was seen as incorruptible; the Christ child appears to have a rattle in hand, but it is actually a pomegranate, it's seeds representing a multitude of blessings; various colors of robes represent things like royalty and loyalty; unfinished buildings in the background represent the fall of Babylon. From this point of view, the book is a fascinating study.

For endowed LDS members, this book probably offers the most interest, although I'd keep expectations low. It might offer some enlightenment, and cause the reader to ponder things in a new way, but it won't unlock any sealed doors.

[Mark Murdock · Rating 1 out of 5]

100% not my cup of tea. Completely contrary to the way my brain is wired. Clashes with the fabric from which I am cut. Half or more of the text is scriptures/quotes but the author does not draw any conclusions or points from these inclusions. Don't lead a reader to a conclusion and then fail to state it. The other half of the text is broken into 1) statements from the author which I largely disagree with and 2) narrowly applicable, conflicting suggestions for how to understand temple symbols.

Humans find patterns where there are none. Symbolism anywhere (including the temple) is as subjective as anything. I think the only purpose or use of symbology in the temple is to get your mind into a state of pondering and suggestion where revelation may distill upon your mind. Any symbol has no intrinsic meaning except what you attach to it, and there's no rhyme or reason for learning lessons from symbolism. They are at best analogies that are somehow sticky to our human minds but break down extremely quickly if you try to apply them to anything.

[Ramona · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a gorgeous book that will be enjoyed and returned to again and again. Lush, thick, beautiful pages filled with artistic pieces and photographs give you a lot to look at as you read the wonderful commentary on symbols and gestures used historically to portray pure worship.

LDS temple goers may often worship out of habit, and while worshiping out of habit isn't a bad thing to do, when we take the time to learn a little more about the significance of our acts they can become more meaningful and have more power to change and inspire us. This book will give a you wonderful platform to do that from. A long time reader of symbolism and rituals I appreciated that this book is a much more visual approach in it's references. Why do we learn of the creation, of prayer, of approaching heaven and sanctifying ourselves? When did such lessons become vital to man in his search for God? How have these lessons been relayed to men in the past and how do we approach them now?
These are some of the things I have pondered as I have studied from this book, referred to the art and scriptures, and reflected on it's ideas. I highly recommend this book to anyone wishing to gain a little more insight on the meanings of their temple worship. It is presented in a beautiful and reverent manner.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an interesting approach! The author focuses mostly on religious artwork (primarily not from LDS artists) and the symbolism in that artwork. Then the author recites scriptures and quotes from the apostles to give some insights into this religious symbolism. For the most part, the author doesn't spell out exactly how that relates to the temple...the reader is able to draw their own parallels. One thing I liked was learning about the significance of the number 5...such as on the star of David which relates to making covenants but also refers to the 5 wounds of the Savior..and how prevalent the number 5 is in the temple. Another shows a sculpture where the Lord is reaching down and lifting someone into heaven. That touched me because the Lord lifts us figuratively and literally through His Atonement...as he heals, strengthens, enables us in life and as we will be resurrected due to His resurrection. Another part I liked talked about the importance of gaining knowledge about a wide variety of subjects because our earthly knowledge can also help us understand things of the spirit. Hugh Nibley said, "There is no part of our civilization which doesn't have its rise in the temple." The book says, "Any time we are able to compare one thing with another, we better understand them both, so the more we know, the more we can know."

[Sharla Moody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the art connection and the photos

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the use of art and scripture to give some deeper understanding of the temple.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read. Made me open my mind to things I hadn't thought of previously. Can't wait to go to the temple again and ponder some of the symbols.

[Jennifer Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely book with beautiful artwork and insights into religious and artistic symbolism on subjects such as the creation of the world, Christ's atonement, Adam and Eve, and our mortal journey through a fallen world back to the presence of our Father. Each page was lovely and gave me so much to carefully examine and contemplate. Ordinarily, I would have been furiously scribbling in the margins, but I just couldn't deface the beautiful glossy pages! I'm rereading the book now and plan to write my notes in my journal this time to capture my thoughts.

Reading this gave me a lot to think about as I attended the temple last week. I think it would be an especially interesting and helpful read to those who are preparing or have recently gone to the temple for the first time. Although it is directed to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), it could also be interesting to those who appreciate fine art and are interested in religious studies.

[Barbara Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

BEAUTIFUL book!!! I learned so much. Their was so much I had never seen previously. I love the temple even more.

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It gave me a few insights into the temple I hadn't thought of before. I loved the author's tie of the temple with all the different art pieces.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two-and-a-half-stars. The artwork was lovely. There was not much new that hadn't already been touched on by earlier articles and books.

[Skye Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. So beautiful. There is nothing I love more than the deep richness of symbolism. This book goes through the vast depth of meaning and symbolism of the temple, but also of life. It shows that all things are a typifying of Christ, and that He is the Creator of all things, including our knowledge and understanding. I love this quote from Italian monk Giovanni Giocondo where he says:

"There is nothing I can give you which you have not got; but there is much, very much, that, while I cannot give it, you can take. No heaven can come to us unless our hearts find rest in it today. Take heaven! No peace lies in the future which is not hidden in this present little instant. Take peace! The gloom of the world is but a shadow. Behind it, yet within our reach is joy. There is radiance and glory in the darkness, could we but see; and to see we have only to look...

Life is so generous a giver, but we, judging it's gifts by their covering, cast them away as ugly or heavy or hard. Remove the covering, and you will find beneath it a living splendour, woven of love, by wisdom, with power. Welcome it, grasp it, and you touch the angel's hand that brings it to you. Everything we call a trial, a sorrow, or a duty; believe me, that angel's hand is there; the gift is there, and the wonder of an over-shadowing Presence. Our joys too: be not content with them as joys; they too conceal diviner gifts.

Life is so full of meaning and of purpose, so full of beauty beneath its covering, that you will find that earth but cloaks your heaven. Couragae then, to claim it: that is all! But courage you have; and the knowledge that we are pilgrims together, wending through unknown country home."

I highly recommend this book to lovers of symbolism, history, religious studies, and Jesus Christ.

[Susan Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always feel a little guilty giving "church" books a lower rating, but honestly, I didn't learn a whole lot from this. I just don't think he presented anything new. The artwork was beautiful, however.

[Becky Roper · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is written for an LDS reader with an understanding of the LDS temple and it's symbols and gestures. There were no great flashes of knowledge to be had here, but a few inspirations to think about. All cultures and times have truths that can be shared, and this book shares some of the early Christian art and it's symbols, tying them to our current uses. Favorite quotes: "The celestial world has it's own culture, which is not the same as ours" and "If you have learned a foreign language, you have probably found that you now better understand the grammar of your own native tongue. . . . Any time we compare one thing to another, the better we understand them both, so the more we know the more we can know." I appreciate the insights, and getting out of my own thoughts on the subject.

[Skylar Hatfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved looking at the illustrations in this book, and being reminded that the truths taught in the LDS temple today are eternal. I loved seeing that my ancestors, while not knowing the entire truth of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, had access to some truths depicted in the sacred art available to them. I wish modern artists were more interested in symbolic representation of light and truth.

[Exponent II · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book and it's review created a debate on our blog! Please go to the blog and read our review! Be sure to read the comments!

http://www.the-exponent.com/book-revi...

[Trpusey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brillant. My copy is underlined, highlighted and dog-eared. I really need to re-read this every year. The historical symbols relating to the temple found in scriptures, art and other places was just fascinating.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book! Reading it gave me so many things to ponder, and new ways to look at common religious themes. I loved the included artwork

[Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short book about the LDS temple experience and some of the symbolism represented there. Much of the artwork shown in the book was beautiful, including stunning paintings by a number of world-renowned artists. The book did a wonderful job of showing how many symbolic elements of temple worship are themes that have been used, represented, and understood for hundreds of years. In our fast-paced world of instant access to information and strong desires for immediate gratification, we don't often take enough time to deeply ponder the meaning of religious symbols and ceremonies. As a result, I think we are missing out on a lot of meaningful insights and inspiration. This book represents an invitation to slow down for a moment to consider the historical context, religious meaning, and elevating purpose of temple symbols to uplift and strengthen our faith and our lives.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I have had it on my shelf for a good month and kept putting off reading it because I thought it would be difficult to read and not as informative as I had hoped but I was pleased by what was in it! As all books about temple symbols this one doesn't go into details about the temple ceremony, which is appropriate, but it does use a lot of Old/New Testament scriptures and examples plus some pretty stunning artwork from all over the world and from all stages of time from 400AD-1800's AD. I feel that my understanding and appreciation for other religions and theologians from the time of Christ has been deepened and if nothing else I was able to think a bit farther beyond my own LDS opinions and theories!

[Annika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though I expected more epiphanies I still greatly appreciated this text. I never would have been exposed to these bits of history or these pieces of art unless I had picked up this book. I am in awe at how connected we are as a human family, through centuries of time we continue to reflect on the same symbols. Symbols that ultimetly lead us to God. Take a look through history, work on connecting together the art and scriptures he presents, then return to the House of God for an enlightened experience.

A quote shared in this book, from Italian monk Giovanni Giocondo, 1513, "Life is so full of meaning and of purpose, so full of beauty beneath its covering, that you will find that earth but cloaks your heaven. Courage, then, to claim it: that is all! But courage you have..."

[Sirpa Grierson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully designed book that integrates art and scripture that speak to the careful reader. I have a growing collection of books on the history and symbolism of temple worship and this slim volume is a new favorite due to the artwork. Of course, I love the quotes by Hugh Nibley as well!

The quotation on page 141 by Italian Monk Giovanni Giovanni speaks to my reader soul:
“Life is so full of meaning and purpose, so full of beauty beneath its covering, that you will find that earth but cloaks your heaven. Courage, then, to claim it: that is all! But courage you have; and the knowledge that we are pilgrims together, wending through unknown country, home.”

[Sandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book took me forever to read. I got it because President Nelson asked all the women in the church to visit the temple frequently or to read more about it. I cannot visit as often as I would like since it is a three hour drive so I decided to learn more. I really didn't get this book at all. The art work is beautiful and fascinating. That is why I gave the book two stars. The text was confusing to me and I just couldn't follow it. I am not a stupid person. I just couldn't see the whys or whats or wheres. I was hoping to underline and study and learn. I only underlined one passage. I am sure others would appreciate it more than I.

[Synthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since we shouldn’t discuss much of what happens in the temple outside the temple, the author presents historical symbols & their meanings, medieval/renaissance artwork, states traditions that other religions have, etc. and often has to leave it at that, leaving you to piece together the connection and reason as to why it was included in the book. It was fun to sit and ponder in my head the connections instead of simply reading someone else’s words explaining it. I took so many notes and pics and can’t wait to get into the temple again so I can make even more connections!

[Amanda Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I saw many complaints that the writing wasn’t as “concrete” and direct as others hoped, but I thought that was part of the beauty of it: the reader can reflect on what they already know and add to their understanding through pondering the application. Personally, there were several things pointed out in this book that made parts of the temple endowment “click” that I have been pondering and seeking understanding of for years. The author did a fabulous job of discussing temple symbols without treading on the sacred.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible! This book should be in everyones home. This is the kind of book that you find on a bookshelf in someone’s living room. A book that is passed on through the family. It has SO much good information. I seriously can’t believe how much MORE I learned of the Temple and ordinances and God and history... the art. My goodness! The art was beautiful and I loved that it was included! This just is a very good book and I’m definitely keeping it in my family collection of books!

[Michele Hermansen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was not quite what I expected it would be. It had some very nice pictures and explained the symbolism of each piece relating to the temple. What I was really expecting was a lot more doctrine. But at the end of the book the author says what is really true, the greatest teacher is the Spirit while we are in the temple.

If you’re interested in art, you'd probably enjoy it more. Take a look at Deseret Book before buying if you have any questions.

[Katie Bigelow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and thoughtful explanations of temple symbols and its connections to art throughout the history of man. I learned a lot about art, symbols, and made many connections about the temple that I had never made before. I would have given this book 5 stars if it didn't include false doctrine about Adam & Eve. Other than that, I highly recommend this book to all endowed members of the LDS church.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned so much from this book! Understanding Temple Symbols is full of scriptures, quotes from general authorities, and religious art (images and explanation). It is careful not to cross the line into revealing sacred things, yet is very clear for anyone who has ever attended the temple. I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to understand what they learn in the temple a little bit better.

[Kierra · Rating 4 out of 5]

The artwork is really what makes this book stand out. It’s a lovely approach to teach the temple through art and culture, and the beautiful iconography brings insight that may not be as easily accessible in other ways. I don’t think there is anything revelatory about the doctrines and symbols taught, but there are many beautiful reminders taught in the parallels of the art the author chose. Glad I had the kindle edition to be able to zoom in and really enjoy the beautiful artwork.