Andrew C. Skinner's "Temple Worship" is illustrated by an Al Rounds painting that depicts the Bountiful Utah Temple on a hillside above a wide valley soaked in sunset colors.
It's an appropriate image for a book that expands temple principles well beyond the walls of the sacred structures.
Skinner divides "Temple Worship" (2008 Deseret Book) into 20 different "truths," within which readers will find a blend of simple principles, solid doctrine, inspiring narratives and insightful gospel scholarship to go along with abundant historical references, a dose of apologetics and the author's genuine enthusiasm for the subject.
The result is a book that provides both reverence and perspective, where readers will gain an understanding of and appreciation for the expansive nature of temple ordinances. The author skillfully weaves these insights through individual hearts, back through the ages and onto eternity.
Skinner traces temple ordinances to ancient prophets and explains how the endowment was "not made up" by modern church leaders. Throughout several chapters, he addresses the magnitude of the sealing power, and how its effect on families is more than just "metaphorical." The same power that seals husbands and wives, he writes, also controls the elements and is "inextricably connected" to the Millennium.
Skinner also examines the correlation between the temple and doctrines such as deification, the plurality of gods, translation, heavenly visitations and sacrifice.
The book is comprehensive in its sources, appealing to both ancient texts and contemporary history. Skinner provides a good mix of scriptural references and quotations from modern prophets, but also includes examples from apocryphal texts, non-LDS theologians from past centuries and even a carved stone panel found on the wall of an open-air temple in Karnak, Egypt. Skinner also dissects several words, using Greek, Hebrew and Latin translations that enhance meaning.
"Temple Worship" is not an elementary look at the subject. But Skinner, the current executive director of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship at Brigham Young University, presents deep doctrine and substantive scholarship without excess intellectualism. He successfully establishes the simple truths before exploring more complex meanings.
Because the book deals with 20 different principles based on the same subject, at an average of eight pages per chapter, there is some repetition. However, there are enough unique insights within each chapter to pull readers back into the text, including several memorable vignettes. Skinner's account of being instructed by President Harold B. Lee in the Salt Lake Temple is one of several stories that will stick with readers.
"Temple Worship" is enriching both intellectually and spiritually, and a powerful reminder of the scope of blessings that extend well beyond the actual temple.