The Mormon Temple
Seven weeks after Joseph joined Mason, he introduced the endowment in May 1842.
The Temple in the Bible
1. There were no ordinances for the dead in the temples of the Old Testament.
Since Christ is said to have started the work for the deceased only after his earthly death, this is not surprising at first.
2. OT references to future ordinances for the dead are questionable.
The alleged prophecies in the OT regarding later work for the dead and the preaching of the gospel in the spirit world can hardly be related to this on closer inspection.
Isaiah 61:1
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; for the Lord has anointed me. He sent me to bring good news to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and liberty to the captives...
As verse 4 makes clear, it is about the political imprisonment of that time and not about the afterlife. In the NT, the scripture is also given a reference to spiritual imprisonment. According to Luke 4:21, however, this has already been fulfilled through the ministry of Jesus.
Obadiah 1:21
Deliverers go up Mount Zion to judge the hill country of Esau. And the Lord will reign as king.
As a rule, only the first part is quoted, but not the second part, where it speaks of judgment - that is, nothing to do with the redemption of the dead.
Malachi 3:23-24
But before the day of the Lord comes, the great and terrible day, behold, I will send Elijah the prophet to you. He will turn back the hearts of fathers to their sons, and the hearts of sons to their fathers, lest I come and destroy the land.
By 'fathers' the Jews understood Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. In this respect, the verse deals with the fact that the covenant of God is established again through Elijah. This was fulfilled with the mission of John the Baptist, as Luke reports:
He will go before the Lord with the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of the fathers back to their children and lead the disobedient to righteousness, thus preparing the people for the Lord. (Luke 1:17)
Until 1842 there was no connection between Elijah and work for the dead. Here, too, it is primarily about improved relationships and a return to the bond of Israel:
Therefore renounce war and preach peace, and be diligent in turning the hearts of children to their fathers, and the hearts of fathers to children, and again, the hearts of Jews to prophets, and prophets to Jews, lest I come and all strike the earth with a curse and all flesh be consumed before me. (D&C 10:67-68)
3. The NT does not speak of a state between death and resurrection as a spirit world
Instead, it speaks only of sleep in scriptures that speak of the afterlife and before the resurrection. Whatever exactly that means.
The parable of Lazarus in Luke 16 is a parable and should not be taken as an explanation of the state between death and resurrection.
Luke 23:43
Jesus answered him: Amen, I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.
According to 2 Corinthians 12:4, Paradise is the place of the righteous after the resurrection and not a transitional place.
The Mormon Temple and the Freemasons
Until the Mormons arrived in Nauvoo, Illinois, the temple endowment did not exist in the form it exists today. In the Kirtland Ohio Temple, other rituals were used (Backman & Cook eds. Kirtland Elders' Quorum Record (1985), p.25-p.26):
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Wash with soap and water
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Washing with water and perfumed whiskey (see Word of Wisdom, Benefits of Alcohol, D&C 89:7)
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Anointing with oil and blessing
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sealing of the blessing
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Washing of the feet and face
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taking the sacrament
That was to change when Joseph Smith became a Mason on March 15, 1842, and advanced to the 2nd and 3rd (highest) degrees the next day. On May 4, 1842, the Mormon leader instituted the new endowment. The new ceremony resembled the Masonic rites in many respects, particularly as far as the signs, symbols and hand movements were concerned. It is evident that Smith borrowed the ideas for the new endowment from Masonic rites.
If Freemasonry had the original Temple Ceremony, but modified over time, why doesn't the Mormon ceremony more closely resemble an earlier form of Masonic ceremony, which would be more correct than the exact same version that Joseph Smith received in Nauvoo in March 1842 met?
Freemasonry has no connection with Solomon's Temple. Although it is a rumor in the Church, supported by the testimonies of early Mormon Masons and prophets such as Heber C. Kimball, it has never been official Church teaching. It is a myth that the endowment originated in Solomon's temple or that Freemasonry passed portions of the endowment down the centuries from Solomon's temple. Solomon's temple was about animal sacrifices. Freemasonry has its origins in stone craftsmen in medieval Europe - not 950 BC in Jerusalem. If there is no connection to the Temple of Solomon, what is so divine about a man-made medieval secret brotherhood and its rituals?
Why did the church remove the blood oath penalties and the five points of fellowship at the veil from the 1990 endowment ceremony? Both 100% Masonic rituals? What does this say about the temples and endowment ceremony when 100% pagan Masonic rituals were included from inception? What does it say about the Church when it removes something that Joseph Smith said he restored and would never be taken from the earth again?
The temple work in contradiction
Sealings of the dead contrary to D&C 132:16
Therefore, when they are out of the world, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage, but are destined to be angels in heaven; and these angels are ministering servants, to minister to those who are worthy of increased and exceedingly greater and everlasting weight of glory.
Exaltation through the sealing in the temple, D&C 132:19
19 And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marries a woman, by my word, which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, and this is brought up by the Holy Spirit of promise sealed them by him who is anointed and whom I have appointed to this power and to the keys of this priesthood, and it is said to them, Ye shall come forth in the first resurrection, and if it is after the first resurrection then in the next resurrection, and shall inherit thrones, kingdoms, authorities and powers, dominions, and every high and low—then it shall be written in the Lamb's book of life, that he shall commit no murder whereby innocent blood shall be shed, and if they abide in my covenant and commit no murder whereby innocent blood would be shed, then whatever my servant has granted them shall be done to them....
Then the contradiction in D&C 132:26
Truly, truly, I say unto you, if a man marries a woman according to my word, and they are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise as I have ordained, and he or she commits any sin or transgression of the new and everlasting covenant, and blasphemies of every kind, and if they do not commit murder, thereby shedding innocent blood, yet they shall come forth in the first resurrection and enter into its exaltation; but they shall be bruised in the flesh, and shall be delivered up to the blows of Satan unto the day of redemption, saith the Lord God.
But how is that supposed to work exactly? Satan will cast off on some other planet like Mars or Jupiter. And then all evil sealed ones come there in a kind of torture cellar, where they will be tortured physically, i.e. in the flesh? Interesting that after the resurrection we can still suffer fleshly pains despite having a perfect, immortal body. Perhaps the nerve cells are only temporarily activated. Worse than these inconsistencies is the idea that suffering is supposed to have a redeeming effect. Or does God only do this because a universal law says that one must suffer for sins? Or because otherwise the righteous would complain if there were no punishment for sinners? I don't like punishment as an educational tool. Ultimately, no amount of beating will make people good and loving as a result. At most, they behave in a certain way out of fear of punishment. This idea also stems from the now revoked teachings of Joseph Smith and subsequently Brigham Young in particular of blood atonement, according to which apostate members can only be saved by the shedding of their blood (for the Atonement of Jesus Christ was no longer sufficient for this), which resulted in the murder of several apostates , enemies of the Church, and even several members who had committed adultery in Utah.
Another result of this idea is the teaching of some church leaders after Brigham Young that the children of sealed couples who land in the celestial kingdom are also saved even if they have apostatized. And of course the apostate children have to suffer for their sins for a while - no matter what the meaning of that is. But there must be punishment. Again, one must not question this teaching more deeply, for example, whether this is fair to the children who were not fortunate enough to have had faithful Mormon parents. Or do all people end up in the celestial kingdom after all? However, this again contradicts verse 22, according to which only a few find the way to exaltation and the continuation of life. As verse 19 explains, this is a continuation of the seeds. So only someone who is sealed with a partner can father spirit children and is then a god:
Then they will be gods because they have all power and the angels are subject to them. (Verse 20) So exaltation means being able to beget children without end and to be able to have subjects. Becoming gods is no longer emphasized quite as much, because it has caused many accusations of blasphemy and arrogance. So there are many gods, but we only worship our particular 'producer god'.
Modifications to the Mormon Temple Ceremony
In 1987 it was noted that temple attendance was declining. A large-scale survey of approximately 3,400 members in the United States and Canada on temple work was conducted. Following the survey, major changes were made to the endowment ceremony in 1990, including:
1. The Protestant minister paid by Lucifer to preach false doctrine has been removed.
2. All penalties and emotes for Slashing Neck, Chest, and Belly have been removed.
3. Wives' promise to obey their husbands has been changed.
4. The foot-to-foot, knee-to-knee, chest-to-chest curtain position has been defused.
5. The words "Pay Lay Ale" meant to mean "O God, hear the words of my mouth" have been removed.
The reasons for changes 1-4 are obvious, while the Pay Lay Ale thing isn't quite so obvious.
According to Joseph Smith, "pay lay ale" was to be revealed words of the pure language of Adam. This is problematic for at least two reasons:
1. The words bear a striking resemblance to the Hebrew phrase "pe le-El": "mouth to God." It is very likely that Joseph picked up these words while studying Hebrew.
2. Linguists, laugh your ass off at the claim that 6, 12, or 100,000 years ago there was an original, pure language that bears a striking resemblance to Hebrew.
Various changes to the endowment ceremony were also made in 1845, 1877, 1883, 1893, 1919-27, in the 1960s and after 1990. These included, among other things:
1. Oath of revenge for the assassination of Joseph Smith was removed in the 1920's.
2. Second anointing only for a few selected members.
3. No more rebaptism for living members in the temple after 1905.
4. No more baptisms for healing in the temple from about 1895.
5. No more full ablutions.
6. Temple endowment for the deceased only from 1877.
7. Sealing of blacks as Joseph's maidservants forever (done in 1894, revoked in 1895, and reconfirmed in 1902).
8. No more adoptions to prophets.
9. No more kiss after vicarious sealing from 1927
10. Various changes to garments and qualifications for temple recommends.
The Mormon Temple Interview
Only members who are "worthy" are allowed into the temple. Every two years, therefore, members must endure two temple interviews. Once with their local bishop and then with the stake president. Only after these two authorities have successfully verified their worthiness do members receive a temple recommend that is valid for two years and allows them to enter the temple. The questions in these interviews are very personal. The interviews are tools that allow leaders to uncover possible sins and problems and take appropriate action. Only an indoctrinated person would submit to such an interrogation. The psychological pressure is therefore very great.
The interview is conducted with the local bishop/branch president and the stake president and consists of the following questions:
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Do you have a firm faith and testimony in God the Eternal Father and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost?
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Do you have a testimony of Christ's Atonement and His role as Savior and Redeemer?
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Do you have a testimony of the Restoration of the gospel in these latter days?
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Acknowledge the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the prophet, seer, and revelator and as the only man on earth whoHolds and is authorized to exercise all priesthood key powers?
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Do you recognize the members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve as prophets, seers, and revelators? Do you recognize the other General Authorities and the local authorities of the Church?
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Do you live the law of chastity?
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Is there anything in your behavior toward members of your family that is not consistent with the teachings of the Church?
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Do you support, associate with, or endorse groups or individuals whose teachings or actions are consistent with those established by the Church of Jesus Christ of theincompatible with or opposed to accepted Latter-day Saints?
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Are you striving to keep the covenants you have made, attend your sacrament meeting and your priesthood meeting, and live in harmony with the laws and commandments of the gospel?
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Are you honest in your dealings with those around you?
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Do you pay full tithing?
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Do you obey the Word of Wisdom?
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Do you have financial or other obligations towards a former spouse or your children?obligations? If yes, are you up to date on this?
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If you have already received the temple endowment:
Are you keeping the covenants you made in the temple?Instruction in the endowment and according to the covenant you made in the temple? Do you wear the garment both night and day -- according to the instruction at the endowment and according to the covenant you made in the temple? -
Are there any sins or transgressions in your life that are associated with aPriesthood authority should have been cleared but has not been cleared?
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Consider yourself worthy to go into the house of the Lord and there to the holyparticipate in actions?
Mormon Temple Underwear
After members have passed through the temple, they are no longer allowed to wear normal underwear. The garment today consists of a lower and upper part (but there are also one-piece suits), on which symbols of the Freemasons (e.g. squares, compasses) are sewn. The underwear is designed to ensure "chaste" clothing. Short skirts and dresses with wide necklines are no longer wearable. The woman (but also the man) is curtailed here in their freedom. The garments must be worn day and night and may only be removed for washing. Extreme members have even believed in the past that ungarmented intercourse produces "unclean" children. The appearance of the garment has also changed over the years. In the 19th century it was a one-piece suit with long sleeves and trouser legs. Members believe that wearing underwear offers them protection from Satan's temptations. However, some members are also convinced that the underwear offers them physical protection. In addition, there are the wildest and most hair-raising stories, especially among missionaries, where members are said to have survived accidents and pistol shots only because of the garment. Hence the term magic underwear.
The clothing is also intended to commemorate the covenants of the temple, especially chastity.
Mormon temple clothing
Special clothing is required for the endowment. This consists of different parts such as:
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apron
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robe
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sash
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cap or veil
This attire is donned during the ceremony.
