We’re excited today to talk about the temple. It’s a topic we love—one that sits at the heart of our faith—but because of its sacred nature, it can sometimes be difficult to explore openly.
Our guest today is historian Jonathan Stapley, who has spent the past two decades studying the temple and its role in Latter-day Saint life. His new book, Holiness to the Lord, is coming out this fall, and it incorporates a remarkable collection of never-before-seen archival records.
The book explores the temple’s earliest origins and the ways Joseph Smith drew on the book of Revelation and biblical archetypes to transform ordinary people into priests and priestesses through covenant, community, and ritual. Jonathan also documents the generational shifts in temple practice over time and the sacred work the temple has been doing in the lives of Latter-day Saints from the beginning to today.
We’re especially grateful that Jonathan was willing to engage some of the harder questions—things that don’t always fit neatly in a Sunday School setting, but that many of us carry quietly. He speaks candidly about temple recommends, garments, and evolving expectations around worthiness. We got to ask him about the temple’s connection to Masonic rituals (how similar are they, really?) and about how we sit with the very real pain that can come with conditional temple participation—especially when its means leaving family members behind for temple sealings.
Jonathan brings both deep scholarship and lived faith to this conversation. He helps us see the temple as a living, evolving expression of our faith—one that reflects a divine invitation to connection, transformation, and covenant belonging, and that draws us into Joseph’s bold, sacred project: to bring heaven to earth.
KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING AT THE COMPASS
Joining us for this important conversation is Dr. Matthew Gray (Phd, UNC), and archeologist and expert in antiquity. Dr. Grey is a professor of ancient scripture and the coordinator of the ancient Near Eastern studies program at Brigham Young University. He received a B.A. in Near Eastern studies from Brigham Young University; an M.A. in archaeology and the history of antiquity from Andrews University; an M.St. in Jewish studies from the University of Oxford; and a Ph.D. in ancient Mediterranean religions from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. For over twenty years, Dr. Grey has been actively involved in archaeological research relating to the world of the Bible in Israel, Jordan, and Italy. We think it will be a fascinating evening.
In-person attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions of these remarkable speakers. It’s an opportunity you won’t want to miss!
Friends of Faith Matters will get automatic access to the livestream and subsequent recordings for free. If you’re a paid substack subscriber, you’re already a Friend of Faith Matters—thank you!
GET A FREE GIFT FROM US WHEN YOU SWING BY THE COMPASS
If you’re in Utah county this month, swing by The Compass Gallery on Center St in Provo any time during business hours (12-8pm, Thursday, Friday, & Saturday) and pick up a free gift from us when you tell them Faith Matters sent you. Then stay and browse through the expansive artwork (J. Kirk Richards’ new collection Come Thou Fount launches August 22!) and check out our upcoming events while you’re there!
MORE ON THIS TOPIC FROM WAYFARE:
STUDY “COME FOLLOW ME” WITH FAITH MATTERS
What does it mean to receive further light and knowledge?
How do I take advantage of grace? What does it mean that the glory of God is light, or that Jesus is the light of the world? How can I reframe "obedience" in a way that feels healing?
What is the role of the temple? What is the purpose of covenants?
What does it mean to be wholly dedicated to the Lord? How can I make sense of my temple experience? What is Zion? Why do we make covenants?
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