A detailed historical analysis examines how Latter-day Saint temple worship has evolved from Joseph Smith's original framework through nearly two centuries of changes, according to a piece published on Wheat and Tares. The article draws on historian Jonathan Stapley's concept of "cosmological priesthood" to trace shifts in temple ordinances and their theological implications.

The analysis argues that early temple liturgy introduced a collaborative, relational model of salvation rather than an individual hierarchical one, and documents how that framework has adapted through multiple revisions to ordinances, architecture, and theological emphasis.

The piece situates temple ritual changes within broader developments in LDS theology and practice, examining what the evolution of these ceremonies reveals about changing institutional priorities and theological understanding over time.