Elder Gong: Come to the Lord in His Holy House
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Elder Gerrit W. Gong shares three temple doctrines and five ways to build a personal temple culture, from bringing family names to never calling a temple “big or small.”
In his October 2026 general conference address, Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles invited Latter-day Saints to worship and rejoice in the house of the Lord, grounding his message in temple doctrine and what he called personal temple culture. He opened with a riddle: why did the temple workers cross the road? To help the people on the other side.
Three doctrinal foundations
- Families, forever. Heavenly Father's work is for us to return to Him, united as families. Temple marriages are meant to last, held together by covenant commitment and nourished by prayer, scripture study, Church attendance and service.
- Moral agency. We choose our relationships, and God will not require anyone to be sealed in a relationship he or she does not choose. Elder Gong said temple work for family members with whom we have had hard relationships can soften hearts and bring forgiveness and peace.
- The Holy Spirit of Promise. Ordinances and covenants become binding in time and eternity when the Holy Spirit of Promise confirms them as we honor them.
Five elements of temple culture
- A temple dedication is a beginning; the spiritual blessings matter even more than the beautiful building.
- As temples come closer, the spirit of temple sacrifice can show up in new ways: attending more often, bringing family names and serving as patrons and ordinance workers.
- Everything in every temple testifies of Jesus Christ, and ordinances are faithfully performed and recorded.
- Temple worship is a sacred privilege, not an entitlement. He urged members never to describe a temple as big or small, because ordinances and covenants are neither.
- Where possible, consider saving for and buying your own ceremonial temple clothing, so children and grandchildren can see your love for your covenants.
Elder Gong closed by returning to his riddle, testifying that temple ordinances protect, bless, heal and unite loved ones on both sides of the veil.
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