Show notes
LDS Church is building temples rapidly all around the world. 300 existing or planned temples worldwide. 168 currently operating, compared to 50 thirty years ago and just 19 fifty years ago. The Bible talks a lot about the temple. Are LDS temples the same? What are they all about?How Mormons View Their Temples LDS consider temples to be “The House of the Lord”Faithful members participate in Mormonism’s highest ritesSee their temples as the most sacred buildings on earthLDS President RM Nelson: “every activity, every lesson, all we do in the Church, point to the Lord and His holy house”Thus temple is very different from a meeting-houseTemple is sacred → a seriously holy placeNot spoken ofSacred, not secretPotential to be really offensive to LDS if take this lightly / mock / make funRequires level of worthiness to enterInterview required / “temple recommend card” issuedTemple recommend questionsBecause “holy”, general public can enter only prior to temple’s consecrationThe Purpose of LDS TemplesTraining - learn how to return to heavenly FatherOrdinances - perform necessary ordinances to return to FatherThe training takes place in context of those ordinancesMake covenants (vows / commitments) in temple that you are held accountable toThis is what makes LDS temple more important than any other element of MormonismAbsolutely necessary for the LDS plan of salvation to take placeWithout temples → no way for people to be exalted in eternityReflectionTemple creates a sort of church within a church → 2 tiers of MormonismThose temple worthy, those who are not → very different experiences of MormonismA Look at Temple OrdinancesThe Endowment ceremonySeen as one of the most sacred events in a person’s lifeNormally received before serving a mission / before a temple marriageAlso available to other members if local leaders approveMust be at least 18, out of high schoolBe faithful (interview) and prepare themselvesFirst part: initiatory ordinancesIncludes rituals of washing & anointingMake certain covenants with God → to obey / sacrificeTaught secret signs needed to allow entrance into God’s presenceSecond part: group instruction / plan of salvation presentedAfter initiatory ordinances → receive and begin to wear temple garmentMembers encouraged to return to temple oftenDo the endowment ceremony for ancestorsTemple sealingsEternal marriage & family is a significant part of MormonismHighest salvation / exaltation is achieved through familiesThis kind marriage is only possible through a temple sealingChildren born or adopted into such marriages are automatically sealedChildren not “born in the covenant” can be sealed to parents laterProxy ordinances for the dead - including the 2 above but also baptism / confirmationA stated purpose of the LDS Church = “redeem the dead”Salvation requires baptism by someone with priesthood authorityFor the living, these are not performed in temples, but local meeting housesFor the dead, living people must be baptized by proxy for them if they have any hope of being savedThey have opportunity to accept or reject this in the spirit world, post-deathProxy ordinances must be done in templeReflectionsBiblically: eternal marriage is not a real thingThere is no marriage in the resurrectionMatthew 22:29-30 (NLT) Jesus replied, “Your mistake is that you don’t know the Scriptures, and you don’t know the power of God. For when the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage. In this respect they will be like the angels in heaven.Bigger picture: no ordinance is required for salvation, whether baptism, endowment, or otherwiseEphesians 2:8-9 (NLT) God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.Redeeming the dead is impossibleHebrews 9:27 (NLT) …each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgmentSo no second chance after deathTemples in the Bible vs. MormonismPurpose of OT Temple: a place where sinful people could draw near to a holy GodHence necessity of continual sacrifices made there to cover sinOther sacrifices made there to express relationship with God: gratitude, consecrationHow that’s different from purpose and function of LDS templesLDS: numerous temples worldwideBible: only one temple (at most) approvedDeuteronomy 12:5-7 (NLT) Rather, you must seek the Lord your God at the place of worship he himself will choose from among all the tribes—the place where his name will be honored. There you will bring your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, your sacred offerings, your offerings to fulfill a vow, your voluntary offerings, and your offerings of the firstborn animals of your herds and flocks. There you and your families will feast in the presence of the Lord your God, and you will rejoice in all you have accomplished because the Lord your God has blessed you.One authorized placeAlso: tells us what happened in the Temple. None of these things happen in LDS temples. They’re not the same thing at all.LDS: temples are necessary in our age to come to GodBible: temple part of the old covenant; outmoded when Jesus cameLDS: temple ordinances necessary to receive eternal life with God the FatherBible: genuine faith in Christ alone is the only requirement; NT expresses no concern that Christians far from Jerusalem had no access to temple, nor commands them to come to Jerusalem to use the temple.LDS: temples today serve the same purpose as in biblical timesBible: biblical temple included none of the distinctive rites of LDS templeLDS temples include none of the distinctive rites of biblical templeHow NT makes physical temples obsolete → the temple is the people of ChristTemple destroyed as part of the passing of the Old CovenantNT treats temple worship as outmoded at best; under God’s judgment at worstThe sacrifices practiced there to cover sin are no longer needed after the crossHebrews 10:11-12 (NLT) Under the old covenant, the priest stands and ministers before the altar day after day, offering the same sacrifices again and again, which can never take away sins. But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand.John 4:21-24 - Jesus tells Samaritan woman that a time is coming when people will not worship at Mt Gerizim OR in Jerusalem temple; but “in spirit and in truth”The people of God are now the new temple of God. Believers together are the dwelling place of the SpiritEphesians 2:20-22 (NLT) Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.1 Peter 2:5 (NLT) And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests.1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (NLT) Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.