Symbolism and the Temple

“Symbols constitute the language of creation. All creation is eloquent at speaking truth to us through its symbols. But, it is important to remember that symbolism is a language, nothing more. It is by looking beyond language that we understand.”
--Po Tai

"Spoken words are the symbols of mental experience, and written words are the symbols of spoken words."
--Aristotle 'On Interpretation', 16, a. 2.

"God created the world in the image of the world above; all which is found above has its analogy below...and everything constitutes a unity."
--Jewish Wisdom


Rich symbolism adorns the exterior of the Salt Lake Temple, depicting mankind's journey from mortality into the eternal realms. Perhaps Elder J. Golden Kimball expressed it best when he stated: "When I think about that building, every stone in it is a sermon to me."(J. Golden Kimball, "Elder Jonathan Golden Kimball," Conference Report April 1915: 78–79.)
See link above (Salt Lake Temple) for a summary of some of the symbolism of that temple.

Multiple Meanings of Religious Symbols, Part 1-2




Also see:
*Temple Imagery in the Epistles of Peter
Mosaic Tabernacle as an Aaronic Temple
Understanding Scriptural Symbols