The temple is, according to Ben, a sanctuary, and the "last safe place left on the Island". Richard led the Others to the Temple, under Ben's command.

Later, Ben told Alex to flee to the Temple, fearing that the people from the Kahana will kill everyone they find. He gave her a map, showing the location of the Temple. Karl asked Ben why the rest of the survivors could not go, and Ben said that it is "not for them". Alex, Karl, and Rousseau left, heading for the Temple, but were ambushed along the way.