D&C 109

In the dedicatory prayer of the Kirtland Temple, the Prophet Joseph Smith prayed -

"...that no unclean thing shall be permitted to come into thy house to pollute it;
21 And when thy people transgress, any of them, they may speedily repent and return unto thee, and find favor in thy sight, and be restored to the blessings which thou hast ordained to be poured out upon those who shall reverence thee in thy house." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 109:20 - 21)

Shortly after the dedication, the Lord explained -

"...I will appear unto my servants, and speak unto them with mine own voice, if my people will keep my commandments, and do not pollute this holy house." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 110:8)

The Lord welcomes all to the temple that are worthy in that they do not pollute His holy house. But in that -

"...as all men sin..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 109:34)

He does not exclude them for -

"...when thy people transgress, any of them, they may speedily repent and return unto thee, and find favor in thy sight, and be restored to the blessings..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 109:21)

As His people "speedily repent and return", He promises that their sins will be -

"...blotted out forever." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 109:34)

Is there not a greater promise and blessing. It is through sincere repentence, worthiness, and solemnity that we -

"...reverence thee in thy house." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 109:21)

President Joseph F. Smith taught of reverence -

"Self-respect requires, among other things, that one shall behave like a true gentleman, in a house of worship. No self-respecting person will go to a house devoted to the service of God to whisper, gossip and visit; rather, it is one’s duty to put on self-restraint, to give one’s undivided attention to the speaker, and concentrate the mind upon his words that his thoughts may be grasped to one’s benefit and profit." (Gospel Doctrine, p. 334.)

Elder Bruce R. McConkie also taught -

"...the most decorous conduct—unmarred by loud laughter, unnecessary conversation, untoward actions of any sort, or even by evil thoughts—is essential to reverencing the Lord’s sanctuary. And what is said of his temples is also true of his meetinghouses." (Mormon Doctrine, p. 652.)