2 Samuel 11–12; 1 Kings 3; 6–9; 11: Lesson 79
1 Kings 6–9
“Solomon Builds the House of the Lord”
Visit “Studying the Scriptures” to help prepare yourself spiritually to learn.
In our day, temples are becoming more accessible around the world, but it has not always been that way. With the construction of Solomon’s temple, the Israelites finally had a permanent house of the Lord. The temple was a place where the Savior Himself would “dwell among the children of Israel” (1 Kings 6:13). The Savior’s promise is also being fulfilled in our day as temples dot the earth. This lesson can help you deepen your understanding that the temple is the house of the Lord.
Study the Scriptures
Imagine your friend Angela sees a picture of a new temple being built in your area and asks you why your Church builds temples. She then asks how a temple is different from the Church’s other buildings? Think about how you would respond.
After the dedication of the Praia Cape Verde Temple, Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:
The temple is literally the house of the Lord. Let those words sink gently into your soul. It is His house. (“The House of the Lord—Recent Messages from Prophets, Apostles, and Other Church Leaders,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org, Aug. 13, 2023)
Take a moment to follow Elder Andersen’s invitation to let this truth sink gently into your soul as you respond to the following question in your notebook:
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What does it mean to you that the temple is the house of the Lord?
As you study today, invite the Holy Ghost to help deepen your understanding of the temple as the Lord’s house. Throughout the lesson, add what you are learning to your notebook.
Watch the video “Temples through Time,” from time code 0:00 to 2:00, in order to help you visualize Solomon’s temple.
After seven years of construction, Solomon’s temple was finished and dedicated.
The Bible contains detailed accounts of how ancient Israelites dedicated their tabernacles and temples to set them apart as sacred places. Latter-day Saints have likewise dedicated temples and other sacred spaces for use in the Lord’s work, beginning with the Kirtland Temple. (“Temple Dedications and Dedicatory Prayers,” Church History Topics)
Read the following passages from the dedicatory prayers of Solomon’s Temple and the Kirtland Temple. Mark the blessings Solomon and the Prophet Joseph Smith sought from the Lord.
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1 Kings 8:29–30, 36–39 (King Solomon’s prayer)
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Doctrine and Covenants 109:10–13, 15, 22, 24–26 (Joseph Smith’s prayer)
Take a moment to tag these passages as “temple blessings.”
Review the following study options. Complete one or more. Then complete the “Now What?” section at the end of the lesson.
Option A
What blessings can the temple offer me?
President Russell M. Nelson shared some additional blessings the temple can offer. Add the additional blessings to your notebook.
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. Everything taught in the temple, through instruction and through the Spirit, increases our understanding of Jesus Christ. His essential ordinances bind us to Him through sacred priesthood covenants. Then, as we keep our covenants, He endows us with His healing, strengthening power. And oh, how we will need His power in the days ahead. (“The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 93)
Temple dedicatory prayers are received by revelation and preserved in the records of the Church. The dedicatory prayer for each operating temple can be found by selecting the temple from the Temple List at ChurchofJesusChrist.org. After you have selected a temple, you will find a link to the dedicatory prayer near the bottom of the page, under “Milestones.”
Choose a temple dedicatory prayer from the Temple List. Identify blessings sought from the prayer. Record those blessings in your notebook. Then respond to the following questions:
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How can the blessings offered by the Lord’s house help you in your life?
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What do these blessings teach you about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?
Option B
How can I give my best for the house of the Lord?
Significant effort and sacrifice have always been required to build the house of the Lord. To study the ancient building of temples, read the following two accounts of temples being built:
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1 Kings 6:21–22, 29–32 (King Solomon’s temple)
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2 Nephi 5:15–16 (Nephi’s temple)
What stands out to you about the building of these temples?
At the open house for the Richmond Virginia Temple, Elder Kevin R. Duncan of the Seventy said:
This is the house of the Lord. [He] has spared no expense in giving us the most beautiful earth that we have to live on. And because we’re building His house, we strive to give our very best—our very best craftsmanship, the very best materials that we can. (“Virginia’s First House of the Lord Opens Its Doors,” Mar. 20, 2023, newsroom.ChurchofJesusChrist.org)
In your notebook, identify what you can do to be prepared to enter the Lord’s house. Describe what effort and sacrifices you could make to honor the Lord and His house.
Now What?
Think about how the lessons you learned today could help someone like Angela better understand the purpose of temples.
Create a text message or email that could help Angela. Answer the following questions to help you prepare your response:
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Why does the Church build temples?
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How is a temple different from other church buildings?
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Why do you want to attend the temple now and in the future?
Share Your Thoughts
Lesson Purpose: To help you deepen your understanding that the temple is the house of the Lord.
Share one or more of the following with your teacher or class:
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The blessings you identified from the dedicatory prayers you studied.
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The text message or email you prepared.
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Something specific you did to achieve the purpose of this lesson.
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Any questions this lesson raised for you. How will you try to find answers to your questions?