The Salt Lake Temple Clasping Hands Motif
There is a carving of clasping hands on the Salt Lake Temple located just above the first window on the center tower of the East and West faces. The clasped hands are encircled within a depiction of beams of light.
The hand clasp motif is a symbol that references offering the "right hands of fellowship" (Galations 2:9), and is an expression of people's equal relationship within the gospel of Jesus Christ. The clasping hands is also figurative of entering into a covenant with God.
The oval ring surrounding the hands represents the eternal and everlasting nature of God's covenants because a ring has no beginning and no end. The rays of light emanating from the oval ring signify fellowshipping with God and angels; and receiving knowledge from Him. (2 Corinthians 4:6)
Making covenants and fellowshipping between members, God and angels, and receiving knowledge from God are all pertinent to temple worship.
