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When people see a building of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, they quickly notice that not all buildings look the same. Some are simple chapels where families gather every Sunday, while others are larger and more ornate temples that stand as landmarks in many cities. For those not familiar with the faith, this difference can be confusing. Why are there two types of church buildings? Why are chapels open to everyone while temples are reserved only for members who meet certain requirements? Understanding the difference between LDS temples and chapels is one of the most important steps for anyone investigating the Church.
For someone who is exploring the faith, this distinction explains why missionaries may invite you to attend a service at a local chapel, but also speak in reverence about the temple as the House of the Lord. Chapels are meant for weekly worship and community life. Temples are places for sacred ordinances that Latter day Saints believe connect families to God for eternity. Both buildings serve vital purposes, and both point people to Jesus Christ.
Chapels: Places of Weekly Worship and Community Life
LDS chapels, sometimes called meetinghouses, are the center of local worship. They are open to everyone. Members, visitors, and investigators are all welcome to attend. Missionaries frequently extend invitations to sacrament meeting because it is the best way to see what a Latter day Saint service is like. Chapels are accessible, warm, and designed to bring communities together in faith.
Every Sunday, chapels host sacrament meeting, the main weekly service. During this service, bread and water are blessed and shared to remind members of the body and blood of Christ, much like communion in other Christian churches. Hymns are sung, prayers are offered, and talks are given by ordinary members of the congregation rather than professional clergy. This unique model of lay ministry often surprises investigators. It highlights the belief that every member has a role in building faith and that the Church is strengthened by many voices.
Outside of Sunday worship, chapels are busy throughout the week. Youth groups meet, service projects are organized, and scripture study classes are held. Many chapels also have a cultural hall that doubles as a gymnasium. Here you might find a basketball game one night and a community dinner the next. For many families, the chapel becomes a spiritual home base. It is where sacred worship and wholesome social life come together. For anyone learning about the Church, a chapel is the best entry point because it is open to all and provides a first glimpse into how Latter day Saints live their faith.
Temples: Houses of the Lord for Sacred Ordinances
Temples are very different in both purpose and spirit. While chapels are open to the public, temples are considered the House of the Lord and are reserved for sacred ordinances that Latter day Saints believe are essential for eternal life. Once a temple is dedicated, only members who are living faithfully and who hold a temple recommend may enter. This is not meant to exclude people, but to preserve the holiness of the space. Members prepare spiritually to be there because it is the most sacred worship the Church offers.
Inside temples, ordinances are performed that do not take place in chapels. The endowment teaches about God’s plan of salvation and invites members to make covenants to live righteously. Eternal marriage, also called sealing, unites husbands and wives not only for this life but for eternity. Children are sealed to their parents as part of this eternal family connection. Latter day Saints believe these covenants bind families together forever. Temples are also where baptisms for the dead are performed, giving ancestors the opportunity to receive ordinances by proxy. These practices are supported by biblical teachings such as baptism for the dead in 1 Corinthians 15:29 and the authority given by Christ in Matthew 16:19.
The feeling of a temple is profoundly different from a chapel. Chapels are filled with the life and activity of a congregation, while temples are quiet, reverent, and peaceful. Members describe them as a place apart from the world, a spiritual refuge where God’s presence can be felt. Every detail of a temple is designed to lift thoughts toward Jesus Christ. For an investigator, it is enough to understand that temples represent the holiest worship in the Church and that their purpose is eternal.
Why the Difference Matters
The difference between chapels and temples is more than architectural. It reflects two different aspects of worship. Chapels are about weekly renewal while temples are about eternal covenants. Chapels prepare individuals through regular worship, while temples seal those commitments in the presence of God. For members, the rhythm of weekly chapel services builds faith and discipline, while temple worship deepens that faith and extends it beyond mortality.
For investigators, knowing the difference clarifies why you will always be invited to come to a chapel first. Chapels are open, welcoming, and accessible to anyone who wants to learn more about Jesus Christ. But temples are also central, because they show the eternal vision of the gospel. They represent the belief that life is not only about this world, but about eternal families. Families can be together forever through covenants made in the temple. To understand temples is to understand the eternal purpose of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints.
Both types of buildings are rooted in scripture. In the Old Testament, the tabernacle of Moses and Solomon’s temple were set apart as holy places. In the New Testament, early Christians gathered in homes and meetinghouses. The Latter day Saint model reflects both traditions. Chapels are like the early gathering places of believers. Temples are like the sacred houses of God where ordinances are performed. Together, they provide both weekly nourishment and eternal perspective.
Common Questions for Investigators
FAQs for Investigators: Temples and Chapels
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Why are temples closed to the public? | Temples are open for public tours only before they are formally dedicated. After that point, they are reserved for sacred ordinances and covenants. Latter day Saints believe that the temple is the House of the Lord, and therefore it is set apart from the everyday world. This is not meant to be a barrier, but rather a way to preserve the holiness of what happens inside. Just as ancient Israel had holy places like the tabernacle and temple where God’s presence was felt most strongly, modern temples serve a similar role for Latter day Saints today. The invitation is open to all to prepare spiritually and live in harmony with God’s commandments so that they too can enter. |
| Do Latter day Saints still go to chapels once they can go to temples? | Yes. Chapels remain central to the weekly life of every Latter day Saint, even for those who attend the temple regularly. Chapels are where members meet every Sunday to partake of the sacrament, renew their covenants, and strengthen one another through talks, hymns, and fellowship. While the temple provides eternal ordinances and covenants, the chapel provides the weekly nourishment that helps members stay faithful. The two complement each other rather than compete. A faithful member will continue to worship in the chapel each week while also attending the temple whenever possible. |
| Which is more important, chapels or temples? | Both are essential, but they serve very different purposes. Chapels are where members gather for weekly discipleship, much like early Christians did in their homes and meeting places. Temples, however, are where sacred ordinances for eternity are performed. Chapels keep faith alive from week to week, while temples anchor that faith in eternal promises. One cannot be understood without the other. The Lord designed both for His people, so to ask which is more important is like asking whether prayer or scripture study matters more — both are vital to a strong and enduring faith in Christ. |
| Can anyone attend a chapel service? | Yes. Anyone is welcome at an LDS chapel. Missionaries often encourage investigators to attend sacrament meeting because it is the best introduction to Latter day Saint worship. Visitors can join in singing hymns, listening to talks given by ordinary members, and partaking of the sacrament if they wish. Chapels are open to the community, and attendance is free and voluntary. For many who are investigating the faith, their first real impression of the Church comes from attending a Sunday service and experiencing the warmth and fellowship of the congregation. |
| Why are temples considered sacred? | Temples are dedicated as the House of the Lord, which makes them different from ordinary places of worship. Latter day Saints believe that in the temple they make covenants directly with God and participate in ordinances that have eternal power. The temple is where marriages are sealed for eternity and where families are bound together forever. Because of this eternal purpose, members approach the temple with deep reverence. It is a place of peace, holiness, and closeness to God, far removed from the distractions of the world. For investigators, understanding the sacred nature of the temple helps explain why entrance requires spiritual preparation and a recommend. |
| What happens inside a chapel on Sunday? | On Sunday, the central service in a chapel is sacrament meeting. Members gather as a congregation to sing hymns, pray, partake of the sacrament, and hear sermons given by fellow members. There are also Sunday School classes for adults, youth, and children. The emphasis is on community worship and learning together. Unlike some churches, there is no professional paid clergy. Instead, lay members are asked to give talks, teach lessons, and lead music. This creates a spirit of shared responsibility and fellowship. For visitors, it provides a chance to see the Church in action as an active and caring community of believers. |
| What ordinances are performed in temples? | Temples are where the most sacred ordinances in the Church are performed. These include the endowment, which teaches God’s plan of salvation; eternal marriage sealings, which unite husbands and wives for eternity; and baptisms for the dead, which allow living members to be baptized on behalf of their ancestors. Each of these ordinances points to the eternal nature of God’s plan and the belief that families can be together forever. These ordinances cannot be performed in chapels. They belong to the temple because of their eternal and binding nature. |
| Why do members need a recommend to enter a temple? | A temple recommend is a small card given to members after an interview with their bishop or branch president. It certifies that they are striving to live God’s commandments, sustain the leaders of the Church, and keep themselves spiritually prepared for temple worship. This ensures that those who enter the temple do so with reverence and purity of heart. The recommend system is not meant to be restrictive but to maintain the sanctity of the temple. It helps ensure that those who participate in temple ordinances are ready to keep the covenants they will make with God. |
| Do Latter day Saints believe temples are in the Bible? | Yes. The Old Testament records the building of the tabernacle of Moses and Solomon’s temple, both of which were sacred places where God’s presence was manifest. The New Testament also makes reference to holy places and to Christ’s body as a temple. Latter day Saints see modern temples as a continuation of this biblical pattern. They are not a new invention but a restoration of the ancient practice of setting apart holy places for God’s most sacred work. For those investigating, this shows that LDS temples are deeply rooted in scripture, not simply tradition. |
| How do temples and chapels both point to Jesus Christ? | In chapels, members remember Jesus Christ each week through the sacrament, where bread and water symbolize His body and blood. Talks and lessons focus on His teachings, and fellowship is built around His example. In temples, every ordinance centers on Him. The atonement of Jesus Christ makes eternal covenants possible, and temple worship is designed to bring members closer to Him. Chapels build faith in Christ in everyday life, while temples connect that faith to eternity. Together they testify that He is at the center of all Latter day Saint worship and belief. |
Conclusion
LDS chapels and LDS temples are not competing buildings. They are partners in spiritual life. Chapels are where faith grows week by week through worship, fellowship, and service. Temples are where faith finds its eternal expression through sacred covenants that bind families together and bring souls closer to God. For someone investigating the Church, recognizing the difference opens the door to deeper understanding. You are invited to attend a chapel service and experience worship for yourself, and you are also invited to learn about temples and the eternal hope they represent.
At the heart of both chapels and temples is Jesus Christ. In chapels His sacrifice is remembered through the sacrament. In temples His atonement makes every ordinance possible. Both buildings point to Him as the Savior of the world and the source of eternal life.
