The Teachings of The Teachings of Mormonism #3Mormonism #3

Many Books, Gods, Prophecies, Many Books, Gods, Prophecies, Wives, Priesthoods, Temples, Wives, Priesthoods, Temples,

BaptismsBaptisms

Many TemplesMany Temples

The first Mormon temple was at The first Mormon temple was at Kirtland, Ohio. It was similar in use Kirtland, Ohio. It was similar in use to a church building. It is now in the to a church building. It is now in the hands of the Community of Christ hands of the Community of Christ (formerly the Reorganized Church of (formerly the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).

The early Mormon temples in The early Mormon temples in western Missouri were never western Missouri were never finished.finished.

Many TemplesMany Temples

The second temple to be completed The second temple to be completed was the Nauvoo, Illinois, temple. It was was the Nauvoo, Illinois, temple. It was only used for 2 months before being only used for 2 months before being abandoned in 1946 as the majority of abandoned in 1946 as the majority of the LDS church left for Utah.the LDS church left for Utah.

The Nauvoo temple was different from The Nauvoo temple was different from the Kirtland temple. This one was used the Kirtland temple. This one was used for the new endowment and sealing for the new endowment and sealing ceremonies. It was restored in 2002.ceremonies. It was restored in 2002.

Many TemplesMany Temples

The third Mormon temple was started The third Mormon temple was started in Salt Lake City. It took 40 years to in Salt Lake City. It took 40 years to complete and is the largest of the complete and is the largest of the temples. It was dedicated in 1893.temples. It was dedicated in 1893.

In the 1870’s three other temples In the 1870’s three other temples were built in Utah (in St. George, were built in Utah (in St. George, Logan, and Manti). They were Logan, and Manti). They were actually completed before the Salt actually completed before the Salt Lake City temple was.Lake City temple was.

Many TemplesMany Temples

There are now 124 Mormon temples in 38 There are now 124 Mormon temples in 38 countries around the world with 10 others countries around the world with 10 others under construction in four more under construction in four more countries.countries.

The 124 temples include 66 temples in The 124 temples include 66 temples in the United States spread over 32 states. the United States spread over 32 states. These counts include the Kirtland temple.These counts include the Kirtland temple.

Utah has 13 temples, California 7 Utah has 13 temples, California 7 temples, Idaho and Texas 4 temples, temples, Idaho and Texas 4 temples, Washington 3 temples, and all other Washington 3 temples, and all other states have 1 or 2.states have 1 or 2.

Temple CeremoniesTemple Ceremonies

The main temple ceremonies are the The main temple ceremonies are the following ordinances: following ordinances: Baptism and Confirmation for the deadBaptism and Confirmation for the deadPriesthood Ordination for the deadPriesthood Ordination for the deadInitiation and Endowment RitualsInitiation and Endowment RitualsSealings and Marriage CeremoniesSealings and Marriage Ceremonies

Only LDS members in good standing Only LDS members in good standing are allowed in a temple. They must are allowed in a temple. They must have a temple recommend from their have a temple recommend from their bishop and stake president.bishop and stake president.

The Temple RecommendThe Temple Recommend

To receive a temple recommend from To receive a temple recommend from one’s bishop and stake president, one one’s bishop and stake president, one must do the following (among others):must do the following (among others):

Be a faithful Mormon for the past year.Be a faithful Mormon for the past year. Not be a polygamist or involved in Not be a polygamist or involved in

sexual sin.sexual sin. Tithe to the church.Tithe to the church. Keep the Word of Wisdom.Keep the Word of Wisdom. Confess sins.Confess sins.

The Word of WisdomThe Word of Wisdom

The Word of Wisdom is found in The Word of Wisdom is found in Doctrine and Covenants 89.Doctrine and Covenants 89.

It prohibits the use of wine, strong It prohibits the use of wine, strong drink, tobacco, and hot drinks.drink, tobacco, and hot drinks.

The prohibition of wine has led to the The prohibition of wine has led to the LDS Church using water in the Lord’s LDS Church using water in the Lord’s Supper.Supper.

Hot drinks are understood as coffee and Hot drinks are understood as coffee and tea, although many understand it to tea, although many understand it to include any and all drinks with caffeine, include any and all drinks with caffeine, especially Coca Cola.especially Coca Cola.

Initiation and EndowmentInitiation and Endowment

Before one can receive endowments, one Before one can receive endowments, one must go through the initiation ceremony.must go through the initiation ceremony.

The initiation ceremony involves washing The initiation ceremony involves washing and anointing and receiving one’s temple and anointing and receiving one’s temple garments. Only the undergarments can garments. Only the undergarments can be worn outside the temple and they are be worn outside the temple and they are supposed to protect the wearers.supposed to protect the wearers.

The washing and anointing with oil used The washing and anointing with oil used to be over the whole body but since 2005 to be over the whole body but since 2005 is only on the forehead.is only on the forehead.

Initiation and EndowmentInitiation and Endowment

After the initiation ceremony, one goes After the initiation ceremony, one goes through the endowment ceremony.through the endowment ceremony.

This involves watching a morality play This involves watching a morality play about the devil tempting Adam and Eve. about the devil tempting Adam and Eve. In most temples now the play is on film.In most temples now the play is on film.

Then those receiving their endowments Then those receiving their endowments are taught secret signs and tokens.are taught secret signs and tokens.

Masons often claim that the signs and Masons often claim that the signs and tokens were stolen from Masonic rituals. tokens were stolen from Masonic rituals.

Initiation and EndowmentInitiation and Endowment

In the past, those who went through In the past, those who went through temple ceremonies had to take an oath temple ceremonies had to take an oath that they would not reveal the temple that they would not reveal the temple ceremonies on penalty of death.ceremonies on penalty of death.

These “blood oaths” involved having These “blood oaths” involved having one’s throat cut, heart torn out, and one’s throat cut, heart torn out, and bowels cut open.bowels cut open.

Such “blood oaths” were removed from Such “blood oaths” were removed from the ceremony in 1990, although the the ceremony in 1990, although the undergarments still have markings on undergarments still have markings on them at the chest, navel, and knee.them at the chest, navel, and knee.

Sealings and MarriageSealings and Marriage

Another ceremony in the temples is Another ceremony in the temples is “sealing”: couples are married for “sealing”: couples are married for eternity and they may have their eternity and they may have their children “sealed” to them for eternity.children “sealed” to them for eternity.

Marriages for time may also be Marriages for time may also be performed in the temple.performed in the temple.

Non-Mormons and those not getting a Non-Mormons and those not getting a temple recommend cannot attend a temple recommend cannot attend a temple marriage ceremony. This has temple marriage ceremony. This has led to heartache for non-Mormon led to heartache for non-Mormon parents.parents.

Many BaptismsMany Baptisms

At age 8 Mormon children are baptized At age 8 Mormon children are baptized and confirmed (with laying on of hands).and confirmed (with laying on of hands).

Mormons also practice proxy baptism for Mormons also practice proxy baptism for dead ancestors.dead ancestors.

They research their genealogies to find They research their genealogies to find non-Mormon ancestors.non-Mormon ancestors.

They believe non-Mormons will be given They believe non-Mormons will be given a chance to accept their gospel in a a chance to accept their gospel in a future life if someone has been baptized future life if someone has been baptized for them in a temple ceremony.for them in a temple ceremony.

Baptism for the DeadBaptism for the Dead

The basis for this proxy baptism is the The basis for this proxy baptism is the passage in I Corinthians 15:29 where passage in I Corinthians 15:29 where Paul speaks of “baptized for (Paul speaks of “baptized for (huperhuper) the ) the dead.”dead.”

There are around 40 explanations of There are around 40 explanations of what Paul means.what Paul means.

HuperHuper literally means ‘over’ and can literally means ‘over’ and can mean ‘on account of’ as well as ‘on mean ‘on account of’ as well as ‘on behalf of’.behalf of’.

I personally think Paul meant “baptized I personally think Paul meant “baptized on account of a person who has died.”on account of a person who has died.”

Other Interesting Facts:Other Interesting Facts:Blood AtonementBlood Atonement

The state of Utah practices execution The state of Utah practices execution by firing squad because of Brigham by firing squad because of Brigham Young’s concept of “blood Young’s concept of “blood atonement.”atonement.”

Brigham Young taught that Jesus’ Brigham Young taught that Jesus’ blood was not enough to cover the blood was not enough to cover the sin of murder, that for a murderer to sin of murder, that for a murderer to be forgiven, he must have his own be forgiven, he must have his own blood shed.blood shed.

Other Interesting Facts:Other Interesting Facts:Adam-God TheoryAdam-God Theory

At one time, Brigham Young taught At one time, Brigham Young taught that God became Adam. This was that God became Adam. This was known as the Adam-God theory. known as the Adam-God theory. Orson Pratt was passed over as Orson Pratt was passed over as prophet on Young’s death because he prophet on Young’s death because he did not believe this.did not believe this.

While this was taught in the 1800’s, it While this was taught in the 1800’s, it is no longer taught and believed is no longer taught and believed today, and Mormons should not be today, and Mormons should not be accused of believing it.accused of believing it.

Other Interesting Facts:Other Interesting Facts:Spirit Children and Birth Spirit Children and Birth

ControlControl Mormons teach that the Heavenly Mormons teach that the Heavenly

Father is having spirit children by his Father is having spirit children by his wives.wives.

These children go into babies when These children go into babies when they are born.they are born.

Mormons are encouraged to provide Mormons are encouraged to provide bodies for these spirit children.bodies for these spirit children.

Birth control is thus seen as wrong.Birth control is thus seen as wrong. Jesus will not come until all spirit Jesus will not come until all spirit

children have bodies.children have bodies.

Other Interesting Facts:Other Interesting Facts:Three Levels of HeavenThree Levels of Heaven

Joseph Smith taught that there are three Joseph Smith taught that there are three levels of the heaven after the levels of the heaven after the resurrection: the celestial kingdom, the resurrection: the celestial kingdom, the terrestrial kingdom, and the telestial terrestrial kingdom, and the telestial kingdom.kingdom.

Mormon missionaries sometimes say Mormon missionaries sometimes say that those who will go to hell can be that those who will go to hell can be counted on the fingers of one hand.counted on the fingers of one hand.

The Book of Mormon teaches only The Book of Mormon teaches only heaven and hell (cf. 2 Nephi 28:21-22).heaven and hell (cf. 2 Nephi 28:21-22).

Other Interesting Facts:Other Interesting Facts:Baptismal Font in Salt Lake Baptismal Font in Salt Lake

(1912)(1912)

Other Interesting Facts:Other Interesting Facts:Book of Mormon ArcheologyBook of Mormon Archeology There is no Book of Mormon Archeology.There is no Book of Mormon Archeology.

Blacks in the PriesthoodBlacks in the Priesthood For years blacks were not allowed to hold the priesthood. In 1978 the Official Declaration—2 was approved as a revelation allowing converts to hold the priesthood “without regard for race or color.”

Questions and AnswersQuestions and Answers

As time permits . . .As time permits . . .