What five things did Hugh Nibbley teach us about the temple?

This is one of six episodes in our podcast series based on the book entitled Hugh Nibbley observed.

Elder Marion D. Hanks once joked that, as president of the Salt Lake Temple,

he had been asked some questions so deep that only

Hugh Nibbley and the Almighty might know how to answer them. His remark, though made in a light-hearted

vein, underscore the love and trust church leaders and members have in his temple scholarship.

What can we learn about the temple from Hugh Niblebley? Let's look at a few highlights.

Before leaving on his mission in 1972, Hugh Nibbley received his temple blessings in the Salt Lake

Temple. Speaking of his endowment, he remembered, quote, I was very serious about it, and the words of

the initiatory, part of the endowment, I thought those were

the most significant words I ever heard spoken, end quote. Admitting that his first visit to the

temple had left him in something of a daze, his return to the temple after his mission was an

overwhelming experience. Quote, at that time, I knew it was the real thing.

Oh boy, did I.

End quote.

Nible remained a devoted participant and student of the temple throughout his life.

His writings drew on his extensive knowledge of the ancient world

and illuminated many aspects of restored temple ordinances.

Nearly everything he wrote about from the mid-1970s onward had something to do with the temple.

First, Nibley famously said that the temple is a scale model of the universe

for the purpose of taking our bearings on the universe and in the eternities.

What did he mean by that?

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