What Did Non-LDS Visitors Say about the Panama City Temple During the Open House?

During July 2008 Virginia and I were privileged to be heavily involved in the open house and dedication of the Panama City Panama Temple.  Under the direction of the Central America Area Presidency and the Area Public Affairs Director, the temple brought unprecedented publicity for the Church in Panama.  There were many favorable press reports and TV interviews.  There was none of the visible opposition that has been seen at other temple open houses and dedications. 

 

 

The Church was still relatively small in Panama, and the country itself had a population of only about three million, so local leaders first predicted an open house attendance of about 20,000.  But by the time it ended, over 32,000 had passed through the building. 

The first day of the open house featured a press conference and tours for members of the press and for neighbors of the temple.  Three members of the press asked for visits from the missionaries and three others asked for additional literature.  Many left favorable comments, including one who said, “This indeed is the house of the Lord!”  One radio announcer on his program the next day after the press tours was telling everyone that they just had to go see the Mormon temple.   

 

The next two days were devoted to tours for VIP’s.  Among them was the First Lady of Panama.  She reportedly commented favorably on our organization and had tears in her eyes in the celestial room.  Those close to the event said when the group entered, she was the only one smiling, while her associates and the press corps looked like they were going under duress.  But when they came out of the temple, all were smiling!  One reporter who had planned to stay outside with his camera went in when someone offered to watch his camera.  When he came out he exclaimed to his colleagues, “You don’t know what you missed!”  The president of the country had been unable to attend the open house with his wife due to other commitments.  After the dedication he asked if he, too, could go see the temple.  He had to be told that was no longer possible. 

 

 

We saw the hand of the Lord at work on multiple occasions in helping things work out well, when often we didn’t see how they could.  Someone told me that one visitor had a dream the night before of a place she had never seen and didn’t recognize, but when she got to the temple baptistery she said that was precisely what she had seen in her dream.  Another reportedly felt the presence of departed family members and the assurance that they were well. 

But none of the mini-miracles were more dramatic than the feelings expressed by those who left written comments following the tour.  Due to our role in the open house, we had access to them.  Five thousand visitors left comments, almost uniformly positive.  They didn’t always know what they were feeling or why, but they knew they had been in a special place.  Some 1,500 specifically asked for visits from the missionaries.  Here is a selection of the best comments, translated into English:

Comments from visitors

  

• “Everything was very beautiful and moving. I felt close to God and I hope in the future to be part of the family of the Lord.”  (Catholic visitor)

 

• “It is super beautiful, in spite of the fact that I’m not of this church or religion. It’s the best thing I’ve seen in my life.”  (Evangelical visitor)

 

• “It seems to us the most special place we’ve ever visited. I felt the presence of our Creator.”  (Catholic visitor)

 

• “I liked it very much and I want to be sealed to my family for eternity.” (No religion)

 

• “I’d like to be part of the Mormon family. I want to be a member.”  (No religion)

 

• “It was very pleasant being in the temple. I felt a great joy that I can’t explain.”  (Religion not stated)

 

• “I liked the temple very much, because it has a very beautiful spirituality. It seems as though one is in glory next to our Father.”  (Catholic visitor)

 

• “It is something wonderfully splendid. There are no words to describe how beautiful and marvelous this magical place is.”  (Evangelical visitor)

 

• “It’s the most beautiful place I have seen in my life. I never imagined I would enter such a wonderful temple as this one is.  It’s like being in a dream.”  (Catholic visitor)

• “I’ve never seen anything in my life to equal it. I congratulate you for giving Panama such a temple.  I’m impressed.  I loved it.”  (Catholic visitor)

 

• “The temple seemed to me something beautiful and sacred, and I would like very much to participate in it and be a member.” (Catholic visitor)

 

• “It’s the most beautiful temple I’ve ever visited, not only with a material beauty but a beauty of the hearts of the people who attended us.” (Evangelical visitor)

 

• “It was really special. To be inside is to feel oneself in the presence of the Lord.  One can feel an inner peace, and the details and symbolism are significant and help us feel special.”  (Catholic visitor)

 

• “In the main room [Celestial room] one feels a very special peace.” (Jehovah’s Witness)

 

 

• “Brethren, one feels very strongly the presence of the Lord in the temple. I wish I had known about you in my youth.  I wish you many blessings and much success.  Congratulations!”  (Catholic visitor)

 

• “It is a very beautiful place. When one is in the Celestial room one feels a kind of warmth.  A memorable and unforgettable experience.  Thanks!”  (Catholic visitor)

 

• “It is the house of God. It’s like being in heaven.  It’s truly special.”  (Catholic visitor)

 

• “It’s the first time I’ve been in such a place and it seemed extraordinarily incredible to me. I had never been in such a place.  I have no words to describe what I felt.”  (Catholic)

 

• “I liked very much the [press] conference as well as the tour of the temple. I had never been in such a beautiful temple.  Truly it is the house of God.”  (Catholic reporter)

 

• “Very beautiful and peaceful. I could feel the presence [of God] as I walked through the temple.”   

 

• “Very, very beautiful!!” Just going in one feels the peace we all so much are looking for.  I congratulate you.  I think it is unique in all of Panama.”  (Catholic visitor)

 

• “It is truly a work worthy of being the temple of the Lord. The Celestial room gives you the feeling of being in heaven.”  (Catholic visitor)

 

• “I think that the temple with its interior design represents exactly the kind of place the Lord Jesus could make contact with mankind.” (Catholic visitor) 

 

• The building is marvelous. I truly felt I was in a special place—heaven.”  (Evangelical visitor)

 

• “Everything was very lovely. The peace I felt was wonderful.  The temple is the most peaceful and sacred place I have ever known.”  (Catholic visitor)

 

• “The temple filled me with happiness and energy. It’s different from all other houses of worship.  I’d like to have more information.”  (Catholic visitor)

 

• “Everything was very lovely, neat, and very biblical. I’d like to learn more about the doctrine.”  (Lutheran visitor)

 

• “It was impressive, very beautiful. I’ve never seen anything to equal it.”  (Adventist)

 

• “This visit has seemed to me like an encounter with our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Catholic)

 

• “Your temple seemed a thing of great beauty, especially the “Celestial room.” I felt as though I were in the presence of God.  It made me think:  If heaven is something similar, I’ll have to work to become better each day.”  (Catholic visitor)

 

• “I was amazed. From the moment I arrived I felt something in my heart—peace.  I am very interested in knowing more about this gospel.”  (Catholic; son is a member)

 

• “It’s a very lovely place, and one feels the presence of God. I’d like to be baptized to be closer to my Lord.  It is a very special building and we have to know that God is with us.”  (Religion not indicated.)

 

• “If every visitor to this temple felt what I felt inside, it would be something extraordinarily beautiful and healthful, and we’d be the closest it is possible to be to the Lord.” (Catholic visitor)

 

• I really felt good. I felt a peace in my heart and soul.  The temple is very beautiful, and someday I would like to be married in the temple.  (Christian)

 

• I liked it a lot, and I want to be sealed to my family for eternity. (No religion) 

 

• It’s a thing of beauty. If heaven is like that, I want to go now!  (Catholic)  

 

• I loved it. Inside the temple one truly feels a unique peace and tranquility that I hadn’t felt for a long time.  I was feeling very stressed by school, by homework, but after visiting this temple all that went away.  (Religion not indicated)

 

• Inside the temple one feels an incredible spiritual peace. Does this mean something?  (Catholic)

 

• I liked the opportunity our Lord gave me to meditate in the celestial room. I know that my God has a purpose for my family and for me.  (Catholic)

 

• From the moment I entered the temple of God I felt an extraordinary inner peace. (Catholic)

 

• It was really an unforgettable tour, since I truly felt a spiritual contact with our Savior. Furthermore, I loved everything I saw in the temple, especially the baptismal font and the celestial room.  (Catholic)

 

• Your temple is the most beautiful thing I’ve seen in my life. It gave me the sensation of being in the very house of the Lord.  One feels great peace.    (Catholic)

 

• The temple is the most wonderful thing I’ve ever seen. It’s a place where one truly feels the presence of the Lord.  The peace you feel there is something unique.

 

• Very lovely. In the celestial room I felt something I couldn’t describe.  I liked it very much.  Thanks for the invitation.

 

• A magnificent work, as good as the Lord himself. An ideal place to meditate, reflect, and talk with God.  (Catholic)

 

• It was extremely beautiful, and I loved it very, very much. The peace I felt in this place is incomparable.  I thank you very, very much.  (Catholic)

 

• It’s a very beautiful place. When you enter the celestial room, you feel a kind of warmth.  A memorable and unforgettable experience.    (Catholic)

 

• The tour was very nice, and I enjoyed the specific details about your church. Thanks for this opportunity.  I think I’ve found the true church of Christ.  (Christian)

 

• I’m very interested in what I have to do to be part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (Catholic)

 

• There are no words to explain the beauty I’ve just experienced. I feel an immense desire to come back. (Catholic)

 

• Everything was very nice, and I’d like to know if there is some special way to become part of your movement or if anyone can be part of you.  

 

• Never in my life had I entered such a marvelous place, which made me feel that I was truly in the house of the Lord Jesus. It has been a blessing.  (Baptist)

 

• Everything was so extraordinary and beautiful that I felt a great thrill as I went through. I prayed—I don’t know if it’s right, but I said, “If eternity is like what I saw, I’m not afraid of death.”  (Catholic)

 

• It’s the most beautiful and peaceful thing I’ve seen up till now. It gives me an inner peace I had never felt before and I would love it if the open house could continue forever.  (Catholic)

 

• Very beautiful! When I entered the celestial room, I felt an energy—something very strong.  I didn’t want to leave!

 

• I had never felt like I felt when I was in the temple. I could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in a marvelous way.  (Ex-evangelical)

Concluding thoughts

I have thought how ironic it is that not all Latter-day Saints—not even all recommend holders—feel the same excitement about the temple as was expressed by these non-member visitors.  Perhaps we need to try to see the temple as though we were entering for the first time.  Maybe even a silent prayer would be in order that we might feel each time we enter the same peace, joy, and inspiration that caused such enthusiasm in so many who toured the Panama Temple.   

 

Of course, the greatest beauty of the temple is not in its architecture or furnishings, but in what it represents, and in the sacred instructions given and ceremonies performed there.  Those who are not LDS may wonder why they cannot enter our temples once they are dedicated.  The simplest answer, of course, is that they can!  Everyone is invited to study the message taught by Mormon missionaries.  All are welcome to join the Church.  Immediately following baptism, a new member may attend the temple to participate in baptisms for the dead.  A year later, he may participate in all the ordinances (ceremonies) of the temple, including sealing to his or her spouse for all eternity.  In a future blog post we will expand upon what we do in LDS temples and why everyone will want to participate once they understand the purpose for which we build them.