Current renovations on the historic Salt Lake Temple include a reinforced foundation that will make the building strong enough to withstand earthquakes.

Likewise, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with “solid and immovable” spiritual foundations will stand strong amid spiritual earthquakes, the church’s President Russell M. Nelson said last general conference.

“Please believe me when I say that when your spiritual foundation is built solidly upon Jesus Christ, you have no need to fear,” Nelson said. “As you are true to your covenants made in the temple, you will be strengthened by His power.”

Temples are central to strengthening one’s spiritual foundation, according to Nelson.

“The temple lies at the center of strengthening our faith and spiritual fortitude because the Savior and His doctrine are the very heart of the temple,” the church president said. “Everything taught in the temple, through instruction and through the Spirit, increases our understanding of Jesus Christ.”

Nelson has made temples a focus of his time as president of the church. Here are 12 moments in the four years of his presidency that illustrate his emphasis on temples:

Women’s session invitation

Nelson invited the women of the church to “establish a pattern of regular temple attendance” during the women’s session of general conference on Oct. 6, 2018.

“This may require a little more sacrifice in your life,” Nelson said. “More regular time in the temple will allow the Lord to teach you how to draw upon His priesthood power with which you have been endowed in His temple.”

This was one of four invitations he extended to women as part of a plea “to shape the future by helping to gather scattered Israel.” The other three invitations were to participate in a 10-day fast from social media, read the Book of Mormon by the end of the year and participate fully in Relief Society.

Pioneer temple renovations

Nelson announced plans to “renovate and update the Salt Lake Temple and other pioneer-generation temples” as he closed general conference on Oct. 7, 2018.

“With the passage of time, temples are inevitably in need of refreshing and renewal,” Nelson said.

Renovations are currently in progress on the St. George, Salt Lake and Manti temples.

Youth temple recommends

The First Presidency announced Dec. 14, 2018, that young men and young women would become eligible for limited-use temple recommends in January of the year they turn 12 starting in 2019, allowing some 11-year-olds to attend the temple. The announcement was part of a letter to church leaders on changes to age-group progression for children and youth.

“Obtaining a limited-use temple recommend for young women and young men will continue to be individual matters, based on worthiness, readiness, and personal circumstances,” the First Presidency wrote in the letter.

Temple session changes

Nelson implemented changes to temple instruction sessions in January 2019.

“Details associated with temple work have been adjusted periodically, including language, methods of construction, communication, and record-keeping,” the First Presidency said in a statement on temples on Jan. 2, 2019. “Prophets have taught that there will be no end to such adjustments as directed by the Lord to His servants.”

Sealing waiting period

The First Presidency announced May 6, 2019, that couples married civilly would no longer need to wait a year to be sealed in the temple.

“Where possible, leaders should encourage couples to be both married and sealed in the temple,” the First Presidency wrote in a letter to church leaders. “Where a licensed marriage is not permitted in the temple, or when a temple marriage would cause parents or immediate family members to feel excluded, a civil ceremony followed by a temple sealing is authorized.”

Ordinance witnesses

Nelson announced a policy change Oct. 2, 2019, allowing all endowed church members with current temple recommends to serve as witnesses for temple sealings, extending the opportunity to women.

He also announced all members with current temple recommends, including limited-use recommends, could serve as witnesses for proxy baptisms, extending the opportunity to women and youth. Any baptized member may now serve as a witness for a living person’s baptism outside the temple as well.

“We are joyful about these changes,” Nelson said following the announcements in a general conference leadership meeting. “Imagine a beloved sister serving as a witness to the living baptism of her younger brother. Imagine a mature couple serving as witnesses in the temple baptistry as their grandson baptizes their granddaughter for and in behalf of a dear ancestor.”

Recommend interview questions

Nelson read a list of updated temple recommend interview questions, with verbiage modified in 11 questions, during his closing general conference address on Oct. 6, 2019.

“Individual worthiness to enter the Lord’s house requires much individual spiritual preparation,” Nelson said. “I testify that such preparatory work brings innumerable blessings in this life and inconceivable blessings for the life to come.”

Ceremonial clothing adjustments

The First Presidency announced adjustments to ceremonial temple clothing in a letter to church leaders on Jan. 17, 2020.

“These clothing adjustments do not change temple doctrine or symbolism but are designed to enhance members’ experience in the temple and make the ceremonial clothing easier to put on, care for, and afford,” the First Presidency wrote in the letter.

Pandemic shutdown, reopening

The First Presidency announced a temporary suspension of all temple activity, and later a cautious phased reopening of temples, in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The presidency announced March 15 that temples worldwide will gradually resume more normal operations, including eliminating face masks and capacity restrictions.

“Thank you for your patience during restricted temple operations that occurred because of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the First Presidency wrote in a letter to church leaders. “We are eager to return the temples to full operation as soon as possible.”

Hosanna Shout

Nelson led the church in the Hosanna Shout on April 5, 2020, in a worldwide solemn assembly during a special general conference commemorating the 200th anniversary of Joseph Smith’s First Vision.

“We felt that it would be appropriate to rejoice together by participating in the Hosanna Shout,” Nelson said. “It is a sacred tribute to the Father and the Son, symbolizing the reaction of the multitude when the Savior made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem.”

Online prayer roll system

The First Presidency announced Aug. 25, 2020, a new online system allowing church members to submit names to be placed on temple prayer rolls.

“Members are invited to place the names of those in need on what is known as the ‘prayer roll’ of the temple,” said a church news release about the announcement. “Members then unite their faith in asking Heavenly Father to bless those persons whose names are on the prayer rolls.”

New temple announcements

Nelson has announced 83 new temples during his presidency, as of last general conference. There are now 265 temples announced, under construction or operating throughout the world.

“Please make time for the Lord in His holy house,” Nelson said before announcing 13 new temples at the end of last general conference. “Nothing will strengthen your spiritual foundation like temple service and temple worship.”

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