FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Difference between revisions of "Latter-day Saint Temples"
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|link=/Baptism for the dead | |link=/Baptism for the dead | ||
|subject=Baptism for the dead | |subject=Baptism for the dead | ||
| − | |summary= | + | |summary=What is baptism for the dead? Is there any evidence baptism for the dead is an authentic ancient Christian practice? |
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|link=/Do temples always face east | |link=/Do temples always face east | ||
|subject=Do temples always face east? | |subject=Do temples always face east? | ||
| − | |summary= | + | |summary=Do LDS temples always face east? The front of the temple is the elevation where the phrase "House of the Lord" is found. Temples face whatever direction is most practical and artistically pleasing for the site they are on. |
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{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
|link=/Elias and Elijah at the Kirtland Temple | |link=/Elias and Elijah at the Kirtland Temple | ||
|subject=Elias and Elijah at the Kirtland Temple | |subject=Elias and Elijah at the Kirtland Temple | ||
| − | |summary= | + | |summary=Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon reported a vision in the Kirtland Temple on 3 April 1836 (see DC 110:1-16). They reported that they received priesthood keys from three angelic messengers: Moses (verse 11), Elijah (verse 12), and Elias (verses 13-16) Critics points out that "Elias" is merely the Greek name of the Hebrew prophet "Elijah." Thus, they charge, Joseph Smith made a fatal error by having Elias and Elijah be two different people, when they are in fact one and the same. |
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|link=/Garments | |link=/Garments | ||
|subject=Garments | |subject=Garments | ||
| − | |summary= | + | |summary=Hostile critics of the Restoration often mock the LDS practice of wearing temple garments. They refer to these ritual items of clothing as "magic underwear" in order to shock, ridicule and offend. |
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|link=/Inverted Stars on LDS Temples | |link=/Inverted Stars on LDS Temples | ||
|subject=Inverted Stars on LDS Temples | |subject=Inverted Stars on LDS Temples | ||
| − | |summary= | + | |summary=Some critics of the LDS Church claim that the inverted five-pointed star on some of its temples are a symbol of evil and thereby demonstrate that Mormonism is not really a Christian religion. |
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|link=/Ordinances revealed | |link=/Ordinances revealed | ||
|subject=Ordinances revealed | |subject=Ordinances revealed | ||
| − | |summary= | + | |summary=Critics claim that the LDS temple ordinances were either made up by Joseph Smith or borrowed, by him, from an earthly source. |
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|link=/Reports of Drunken Behavior at the Kirtland Temple Dedication | |link=/Reports of Drunken Behavior at the Kirtland Temple Dedication | ||
|subject=Reports of Drunken Behavior at the Kirtland Temple Dedication | |subject=Reports of Drunken Behavior at the Kirtland Temple Dedication | ||
| − | |summary= | + | |summary=Were there really spiritual manifestations attending the dedication of the Kirtland temple? I have heard allegations that it was in fact a drunken orgy. |
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{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
|link=/Second anointing | |link=/Second anointing | ||
|subject=Second anointing | |subject=Second anointing | ||
| − | |summary= | + | |summary=FAIR often receives questions about a temple ordinance called "the second anointing." The questions usually revolve around the following issues: 1) "What is the second anointing?" and 2) "Is this account of the second anointing that I've seen accurate?" |
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{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
|link=/Symbols on the Nauvoo Temple | |link=/Symbols on the Nauvoo Temple | ||
|subject=Symbols on the Nauvoo Temple | |subject=Symbols on the Nauvoo Temple | ||
| − | |summary= | + | |summary=I've heard there are some strange symbols on the Nauvoo and Salt Lake temples. My non-member friend claims these have an "occult" significance. Some people are of the opinion that they are Masonic. |
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{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
|link=/Why does the Church build expensive temples | |link=/Why does the Church build expensive temples | ||
|subject=Why does the Church build expensive temples? | |subject=Why does the Church build expensive temples? | ||
| − | |summary= | + | |summary=Why does the church spend so much money on temples when children are dying of starvation in other parts of the world? Wouldn’t the money spent on these buildings be better used in feeding the hungry? |
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{{SummaryItem | {{SummaryItem | ||
|link=/Work for Holocaust victims | |link=/Work for Holocaust victims | ||
|subject=Work for Holocaust victims | |subject=Work for Holocaust victims | ||
| − | |summary= | + | |summary=In 1995—after it was learned that a substantial number of Holocaust victims were listed in the Church's temple records as having been baptized—an agreement was signed between the Church and leading Jewish authorities which officially ended baptizing Jewish Holocaust victims posthumously. Controversy over the matter flared again in 2002 when it was found that there was still thousands of Holocaust victims’ names in the Church's records. The Church responded by re-enforcing its policy for temple work, which requires that members only perform proxy baptisms for ancestors to whom they can demonstrate a familial link. Furthermore, the Church established a committee with Jewish leaders to investigate why the names of Holocaust victims remained in the database. |
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Revision as of 20:26, 23 January 2011
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Contents
- 1 Mormonism and temples
- 1.1 Topics
- 1.1.1 Baptism for the dead
- 1.1.2 Do temples always face east?
- 1.1.3 Elias and Elijah at the Kirtland Temple
- 1.1.4 Endowment
- 1.1.5 Garments
- 1.1.6 Inverted Stars on LDS Temples
- 1.1.7 The role of the Independence temple
- 1.1.8 Ordinances revealed
- 1.1.9 Reports of Drunken Behavior at the Kirtland Temple Dedication
- 1.1.10 Second anointing
- 1.1.11 Symbols on the Nauvoo Temple
- 1.1.12 Why does the Church build expensive temples?
- 1.1.13 Work for Holocaust victims
- 1.1.14 Worthiness to enter
- 1.1 Topics
Mormonism and temples
==Topics
==
Baptism for the dead
Summary: What is baptism for the dead? Is there any evidence baptism for the dead is an authentic ancient Christian practice?- Refusing baptisms for the dead—
Brief Summary: I don't want proxy baptisms or other LDS temple work performed for my deceased family. What can I do to "undo" such baptisms and temple work? In the case of individuals who have recently died, members are encouraged to be considerate of the feelings of the closest living relatives: "If the person was born within the last ninety-five years, obtain permission for the ordinances from the person’s closest living relative. This relative often wishes to receive the ordinances in behalf of the deceased or designate someone to receive them. In some instances, the relative may wish to postpone the performance of the ordinances. Also, be aware that acting in conflict with the wishes of the closest living relative can result in bad feelings toward you and the Church." There is no ceremony for "undoing" a proxy baptism for the dead. (Click here for full article)∗ ∗ ∗
- Refusing baptisms for the dead—
Do temples always face east?
Summary: Do LDS temples always face east? The front of the temple is the elevation where the phrase "House of the Lord" is found. Temples face whatever direction is most practical and artistically pleasing for the site they are on.Elias and Elijah at the Kirtland Temple
Summary: Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon reported a vision in the Kirtland Temple on 3 April 1836 (see DC 110:1-16). They reported that they received priesthood keys from three angelic messengers: Moses (verse 11), Elijah (verse 12), and Elias (verses 13-16) Critics points out that "Elias" is merely the Greek name of the Hebrew prophet "Elijah." Thus, they charge, Joseph Smith made a fatal error by having Elias and Elijah be two different people, when they are in fact one and the same.Endowment
- Adam-God and the "Lecture at the Veil"—
Brief Summary: Was "Adam-God" ever taught as part of the temple endowment ceremony? I've read about something called "the lecture at the veil" that was supposedly in the endowment at one time. (Click here for full article)∗ ∗ ∗ - Changes—
Brief Summary: Latter-day Saints believe that the Temple endowment is an eternal ordinance that Joseph Smith received by revelation from God. Why, then, have changes been made to it several times since it was first revealed? God’s directives and how He deals with His people may vary according to His people’s understanding and needs. God doesn’t tell everyone to build an ark and wait for a flood. Changes sometimes occur as a result of God dealing with His children according to their changing circumstances. (Click here for full article)∗ ∗ ∗ - Freemasonry—
Brief Summary: Some critics of Mormonism see similarities between the rites of Freemasonry and LDS temple ceremonies and assume that since Joseph Smith was initiated as a Freemason shortly before he introduced the Nauvoo-style endowment he must have plagiarized elements of the Masonic rituals. This viewpoint leads them, in turn, to conclude that the LDS endowment is nothing but a variant form of Masonic initiation and therefore not from a divine source. (Click here for full article)∗ ∗ ∗ - Oath of vengeance—
Brief Summary: In nearly every anti-Mormon discussion of the temple, critics raise the issue of the "oath of vengeance" that existed during the 19th century and very early 20th century. These critics often misstate the nature of the oath and try to use its presence in the early temple endowment as evidence that the LDS temple ceremonies are ungodly, violent, and immoral. (Click here for full article)∗ ∗ ∗ - Penalties—
Brief Summary: Critics point out that a former version of the endowment used to contain mention of various "penalties" associated with the breaking of the temple covenants. They use this fact to claim that the temple encouraged violence or vengeance against those who violated its covenants, or that the Church sought to use fear to motivate members to keep their covenants, however, critics misrepresent this part of the temple ceremony, which is relatively easy to do since members endowed since April 1990 will have had no direct experience with the penalties mentioned. (Click here for full article)∗ ∗ ∗
- Adam-God and the "Lecture at the Veil"—