<< HE DID EXPOUND ALL THINGS UNTO THEM >>
3 Nephi 22–26

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(1.) "STAKES" OF ZION:
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The original "Temple" was the camp of Israel. Banners identified the eleven tribes which surrounded the tribe of Levi who, in turn, surrounded the Lord’s habitation. In addition to the stakes identifying each tribal area, the stakes around the tabernacle had curtains creating a presence of sacred privacy, a habitation for the Lord. "Look upon Zion, the city . . . not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed . . ." (Isaiah 33:20)

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(2.) SALEM BECOMES TEMPLE SITE:
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Later, when the Jebusite city of Salem came into the hands of King David, it became the City of David, Jerusalem. He purchased the threshing floor of a Jebusite for the future House of the Lord.

Later, through the modern-day restoration of the gospel, buildings were erected as Houses of the Lord. ". . . laying the foundations of the great latter-day work, Including the building of the temples and the performance of ordinances therein for the redemption of the dead . . ." (D&C 138:53-54)

In the future, temples will return to the Stakes of Zion, and, in fact, some cities will become temples. So, in addition to the title "Houses of the Lord," there will be "Cities of the Lord."


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(5.) JEWS PRAY FOR TEMPLE RESTORATION:   
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In year 70, Titus destroyed the temple and the city of Jerusalem. Ever since, religious Jews have prayed at each meal and at other times for the rebuilding of the temple. Three traditions have developed: First, some think the temple with the Messiah will come from heaven (prefab?). Second, few Jews think of destroying the present Moslem Dome of the Rock shrine and the nearby Al Aksa mosque and build the temple as last remembered. Third, the late Rabbi Abraham HaKohen Kook referred to a tradition of a "latter-day Joseph" quoting the twelfth century Rabbi Moses Maimonides, who said about a latter-day Joseph, ". . . to him will be given the keys of the gathering of Israel, he will restore Temple worship."

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(6.) KEYS AND TEMPLE WORK RESTORED:    
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Latter-day Saints claiming to be descendants of ancient Joseph testify that the keys of the gathering of Israel and temple work have been restored. They also know that the Jews will build the temple in Jerusalem. When Latter-day Saint President John Taylor showing Baron Rothschild a Latter-day Saint Temple, Rothschild asked, ". . . what do you mean by this temple?" President Taylor answered, ". . . One of your prophets said --The Lord whom ye seek shall suddenly come to his temple . . . sir, will you point me out a place on the face of the earth where God has a temple?" Rothschild said, ". . . Do you consider that this is that temple?" President Taylor answered, "No, sir, it is not. . . . The Lord has told us to build this temple so that we may administer therein [ordinances] for our dead and also to perform some of the sacred matrimonial . . . covenants that we believe in . . . which are among the . . . most ennobling principles that God ever revealed to man."

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(7.) "JOSEPH" AND "JUDAH" TEMPLES?     
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Rothschild asked, "Well, then, this is not our temple?" President Taylor responded, "No. . . . you will build a temple, for the Lord has shown us . . . that you Jews . . . will be gathered to old Jerusalem,   . . . will build a temple there; and . . . the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple." (Gospel Kingdom, John Taylor, Page 293) It becomes obvious that both Jews and Latter-day Saints have "temple" and "gathering" perceptions. In order to fulfill our prophetic destinies we must learn more about each other. The Latter-day Saints can already lead out in learning more about Judah and his customs and ancient religious procedures. The gift of the spirit with the learning of the Jews will assist in expounding the very teachings given to our ancient forefathers so that we can understand them and apply them to our present and future lives.