Interfaith Relations
Holy Places


“Holy Places,” Muslims and Latter-day Saints: Beliefs, Values, and Lifestyles (2021)

“Holy Places,” Muslims and Latter-day Saints

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Ka’ba

The holiest site in Islam, the Ka’bah (the black structure in the center of the plaza), is located in Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Holy Places

Muslims and Latter-day Saints visit holy places and participate in sacred rituals. Doing so helps them follow God’s guidance and receive His mercy and blessings.

Muslims

A culminating event for every Muslim who is physically, mentally, and financially able is making a pilgrimage to the House of God, or Ka’bah, in Mecca. This sacred journey is also known as the Hajj. The Hajj is a deeply spiritual and rewarding experience that promotes unity among Muslims throughout the world. Muslims participate in rituals that include testifying of God’s Oneness, repenting, and asking for God’s forgiveness. These rituals reinforce the need to submit to God’s will by overcoming personal ego and removing the symbols of earthly social status, wealth, and pride.

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temple

Latter-day Saints believe temples are the house of God. This temple is located in Salt Lake City, United States

Latter-day Saints

For Latter-day Saints, a highlight of earthly progression is to make covenants with God in His temple. Latter-day Saints believe the temple is a house of God and have built hundreds of temples throughout the world. In the temple, the clothing and rituals symbolize that all worthy women and men are equal before God. The ordinances and covenants teach Latter-day Saints to understand the purposes of God, to obey His commandments, to treat their fellow beings with compassion, and to prepare for life after death. In temples, family bonds can be made to last for eternity.