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Frank Moore Cross, the Harvard Hancock Professor of Hebrew and Other Oriental Languages, Emeritus, and not a Latter-day Saint, says this about Momron temples: “Someone who does not know much about temples and Mormons building temples should be directed to the Bible.” He continues, “I am both interested and delighted to see so much of ancient religious tradition, particularly biblical tradition, taken up into the religious structures and rituals of the Mormons.”
The Old and New Testaments include many references to temples. The children of Israel used a portable temple, the tabernacle of Moses, during their journey in the wilderness; later Solomon’s temple was built in Jerusalem, and Jesus Himself was found teaching in Herod’s temple at a young age.
Lawrence H. Schiffmann, undergraduate director of Hebrew and Judaic Studies at New York University, says, “Within ancient Judaism and in the biblical period, the idea of a temple is it’s a special place where God’s presence is always to be found.”
Referring to the sacred nature of Mormon temples, Elder David Bednar, an apostle for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, says: “There were particular special ceremonies, rites and sacraments that were administered only in this sacred, set-apart place. That was the purpose of the temples. It provided that supernal special place to be able to perform those sacred rites.”
Mormons believe their faith is a restoration of Christ’s New Testament Church, and they therefore build temples just as Christians did in ancient times. The Church has built nearly 160 temples worldwide. Mormon temples differ from the 17,000 chapels where members of the Church worship on Sundays in regular sacrament services.
Instead, Elder Bednar says, Mormon temples are places for the highest sacraments of the faith. “Everything in the temple is focused on the Lord Jesus Christ and on our Heavenly Father and the plan of happiness which He provided for us. Everything in the temple is ennobling and uplifting and edifying. There’s a great peace in the temple.”
Elder Bednar adds that Mormon temples are primarily places of learning and instruction and likens them to the Lord’s university: “We learn about our relationship with God. We learn about the purposes of our life here upon the earth. Questions such as where did we come from? Why are we here? What happens to us after we die? Those questions are addressed and answered in the instruction that’s presented in the temple. We also make promises to live honest, upright and virtuous lives.”
Before a new Mormon temple is dedicated for use by worth Church members, visitors are allowed to tour inside the temple. Visitors see the baptistry, which is used for the ordinance of baptism for the dead. Mormons believe that after death, people go to a “spirit world” to await resurrection and judgment. Spirits in the spirit world have volition and agency, plus the ability to gain knowledge. Those who enter the spirit world without a knowledge of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the “plan of salvation” are taught there, but since they are disembodied, cannot participate in physical ordinances. These ordinances are performed by proxies in the temples, so they will be available to those spirits who choose to accept them. Visitors also see an endowment room, much like a very small, tranquil auditorium where gospel lessons are taught. Visitors also see the central feature of the temple, the celestial room, which is a representation of heaven. Near the celestial room are sealing rooms, where marriages are performed. Sealing rooms have an altar at the center where bride and groom kneel and face each other. Chairs for guests line the walls. All rooms in the temple are beautiful and well appointed.
Once a temple is dedicated it is closed to the public, and open only to Latter-day Saints who keep the commandments of God. Elder Bednar says: “There are pre-requisites in many forms of life. You cannot take advanced courses in chemistry until you have mastered the basics. And the same thing is true of the Lord’s university. You have to meet the pre-requisites. Anyone can come if they are willing to abide by those commitments” (LDS Newsroom:”New Temple Reflects Biblical Parallels“)
More on Mormon Temples:
What do Mormons do in the temple?
Who can attend the temple?
Why is there so much secrecy concerning Mormon temples?
Brian — I tried to answer your comment personally, but the email you included is not correct.
Thank you for your questions at Mormon Beliefs. I’m going to make a few comments and then refer you to more detailed articles at another website.
First, the Lord says you will know His true followers by their fruits. Your original impression of Mormons is correct. They are true followers of Christ and strive to live according to His commandments and example, and that is why they are so nice and clean-cut.
Second, the original guild that came down through history and eventually became today’s “Masons” was the temple-builders’ guild. Hugh Nibley has researched back into ancient Egypt to find the guild was extant there, and the symbols for the guild and temple worship to be very ancient. They were associated with Solomon’s temple. You might enjoy reading his books.
Early leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joined the Masons, and one important reason was safety. There seemed to be some promise of physical protection. Also, Joseph Smith recognized the remnants of original ancient temple symbols among the Masons, and actually attempted to correct them, as the guild’s knowledge had dwindled and become corrupted over the centuries. I have been inside a Masonic lodge myself and found it to be devoid of the Holy Spirit. The Masonic guild is a fraternal order; the Mormon temple is Christ-oriented and all covenants are covenants with God.
In addition to following these links, I suggest you try your best to attend a temple open house before a temple is dedicated as a House of God for private worship. You will immediately sense the purity and light there, and will receive a witness that nothing untoward happens in Mormon Temples. I testify to you that this is Christ’s church, and all of its practices are pure, innocent, and holy, and have been received by revelation from Jesus Christ to modern prophets.
http://www.fairlds.org/authors/misc/ask-the-apologist-similarities-between-masonic-and-mormon-temple-ritual
http://en.fairmormon.org/Mormonism_and_temples/Symbols_on_the_Nauvoo_Temple
http://en.fairmormon.org/Mormonism_and_temples/Endowment/Freemasonry
http://en.fairmormon.org/Mormonism_and_Freemasonry
How does the Mormon belief system fall on an awakened consiousness. If there is a belief to become Christ like do you recognize the ego can’t go with?
We certainly believe that pride is sin, and that it rears its heads in many ways. Humility is its antidote and helps us recognize our dependence on God continually, for every breath and every good thing we’ll ever do or have. The Savior’s atoning grace provides strength to overcome pride and ego and selfishness. Does this answer your question? Would you like to receive a copy of The Book of Mormon and learn more about how the Lord dealt with prideful nations and individuals who lived anciently in America, and how He dealt with those who humbled themselves before Him?
Sorry about the rift in your relationship. You are correct in that we are judged one by one upon our desires, intentions, and acts while on earth. Each one of us has to stand at the bar of God and be judged by the Savior.
Acts 2 shows that the followers of Christ continued to worship in the temple with new understanding:
“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
“And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
“And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
“And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart (vs 42-46).
I am investigating mormonism right now. I dont know a lot about the bible but I see lots of references to temples in the old testament but none in the new testament. A christian friend of mine told me that Christ rent the veil of the temple at his death, meaning no more need of temples or the law of Moses. Can you give me a biblical scripture from the new testament after the death of Christ about temple worship to prove her wrong.