Nauvoo and Salt Lake Temples 4
As we close up our miniseries on the Nauvoo and Salt Lake Temples I pray both Christian and Mormon alike will take these things and go to the word of the Lord to learn more on what He has to say about them.
My intent isn’t to inflame or degrade, but to educate and hopefully prompt a healthy desire to turn to God and draw near to Him. It is only through His righteousness we are found clean and worthy enough to be in His presence and it is only through the blood of His Son, Jesus, where we can find redemption. It’s not through our filthy works in a manmade building, nor is it through any gift we might offer up to God.
My fascination with the temple symbols and their meanings came about because of what a Mormon bishop told my husband and me at our daughter Mallory’s funeral. He took his message from the Doctrines of Salvation 2:56 when he told us we’d never see her again and that she’d be given to another family in heaven because we hadn’t been married in the temple.
“If parents are righteous, they will have their children after the resurrection. Little children who die, whose parents are not worthy of an exaltation, will be adopted into the families of those who are worthy.”
I am forever indebted to that bishop. If it weren’t for his talk at Mallory’s funeral I don’t know that the teachings of the Church would’ve spurred me into action. My complacency over the years had taken me down a dark, dead end road. Her death brought me to my knees and the bishop’s words brought me to my senses.
For those who don’t think there’s a spiritual price to pay with demonic symbols, I challenge you to think about this again and look up the scriptural references we provide in this article to see what God has to say about these things.
Masonic Handclasp
Figure 17 – Hand Clasp on Salt Lake Temple
Mormon Church:
“Handclasp. Each of the center towers features a pair of clasped right hands identified as the “right hands of fellowship” cited in Galatians 2:9. In Jeremiah 31:32, the Lord uses the handclasp to denote covenant making—an act at the very heart of temple worship.” http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/saltlake
“…a pair of clasped hands, which represent the hand of fellowship and the unity of the Saints. But the clasped hands seem to have additional meanings, for surrounding the hands is an oval with rays emanating outward. The usual meaning of an aureole of light is divine sanctification or divine presence.” Page 48
http://byustudies.byu.edu/PDFLibrary/36.4Oman%20be179c67-49fc-4bb6-bf21-2ef39ec72019.pdf
““I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” Immediately beneath this inscription in the lower window arch of the centre tower appears in relief the emblem of the clasped hands, betokening the bond of brotherhood and the free offering of the right hand of fellowship.”
House of the Lord, James Talmage, pg. 148-151
Truth:
The secret handshakes in the Mormon Church are nothing more than their own rendition of the Masonic handshakes. They are exactly the same and performed in a ceremonial ritual in the endowment ceremony that makes the adherent believe they can’t be saved without knowing the secret. It’s ungodly behavior.
When using the Bible as your defense you need to use it in context. According to the Holman Bible Dictionary, fellowship means “the bond of common purpose and devotion that binds Christians together and to Christ”. The Mormons and Masons alike can’t possibly claim the Apostle Paul was referring to secret handshakes in the reference above.
The Jesus of the Bible is not the Jesus of Mormonism and the god of Masonry is Jahbulon, not Jesus. The people (Masons) taking the oath with that handshake aren’t necessarily even claiming to be Christians so why are they using the Bible and this terminology?
Again, the Mormons are trying to build an entire theological precept upon one verse from the Bible and in so doing have proven themselves to be false teachers.
You can find the transcript of the Mormon Temple Endowment Ceremony at Ed Decker’s site here:
http://saintsalive.com/resourcelibrary/mormonism/the-annotated-mormon-temple-ritual
“The Grip of the Entered Apprentice is made by pressing the thumb against the top of the first knuckle-joint of the fellow Mason, the fellow Mason also presses his thumb against the first Mason’s knuckle. The name of this grip is “Boaz”. When a candidate is imparted with this grip and its usage it is done in this manner.” First the Worshipful Master says to the candidate: “I now present my right hand in token of friendship and brotherly love, and will invest you with the grip and word. As you are instructed, he who has hitherto answered for you, will do so at this time.””
Jeremiah 1:16; “And I will utter my judgments against them touching all their wickedness, who have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands.”
Jeremiah 31:32; “Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD.”
Galatians 2:9; “And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.”
Earth stones
Figure 18 – Earth Stone on Salt Lake Temple
Mormon Church:
“Earthstones. The earthstones, located at the base of each buttress, represent the earth—the “footstool of God.” Although the earth is currently a telestial kingdom, it will transition to a terrestrial kingdom at the coming of the Millennium; and at the end of one thousand years, it is destined to become a celestial kingdom.”
http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/saltlake
“Earth stones — These are found just above the basement of the temple and at the floor of each buttress. The 36 stones are believed to symbolize the spreading of the gospel throughout the world, because they represent different portions of the globe. They also represent the telestial kingdom, the lowest of the three degrees of heavenly glory in LDS beliefs.”
Lynn Arave, November 27, 2008
http://www.mormontimes.com/article/11331/Symbolism-can-be-seen-in-architecture-of-SL-Temple
Truth:
Where do I begin…sigh…since when does something used by witches symbolize the spreading of the gospel?
Using the cross as a symbol of Christianity wasn’t pulled out of some obscure verse that goes unread by most. Jesus dying on a cross was foretold in Deuteronomy and everyone knows of it. If you’re a Christian wouldn’t you use the cross as a symbol of your faith instead of something from the occult?
Wiccans use nature and manmade things from the earth as symbols of reverence and worship for their gods. Cycles of the earth, seasons, moons, stars, planets and the sun are all part of deities they believe hold power and mysticism. Gods (sun and wildlife) and goddesses (earth and the moon) make up the pantheon of deities witches might worship.
The placement of the witch’s tools in ceremonial worship is important in order to draw and utilize their magic. Numbers, proper timing and placement of the elements they use are all essential in the witch’s rituals. A temple for a witch could be in a room, building, a grove of trees, etc.
The pattern of where the stones were placed on the temple is no different than what witches do when making their own temples.
For example, the Salt Lake Temple has 50 moonstones. They patterned the number of stones and stars upon the lunar cycle in the year they built the temple – 1878.
From the bottom up, the earth stones were placed first, then the moon stones, sun stones, cloud stones, star stones, Big Dipper, Handclasp, All-Seeing Eye, and then Moroni. Each has been placed in a certain position for a particular reason with meticulous detail.
The point to all this? The only time anything is referenced to an “earth stone” or “moon stone” is in neo-pagan religions such as Wicca. Never, ever will you see any type of thing like this in the Bible.
Between my husband, me and our kids, we’ve traveled and lived just about everywhere in the world, and everywhere we’ve been the cross is the only symbol used in true Christianity. The symbols used on the temple speak volumes about the god you worship and your integrity.
Why does the Church continue to lie to people? Yes, it’s personal for me; my entire family in Utah is being led down a road that doesn’t lead to Jesus. It’s shocking to say the least of it. My kids have lived without the benefit of having grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins to love on them and share their lives. And it’s all because of what’s represented on the exterior walls of a building in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah.
The scriptures below are just a few of the things God tells us what we should and shouldn’t be doing. It’s amazing how the Mormon teachings are the exact opposite of what God says.
Isaiah 66:1; “Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?”
Remember in the NT Jesus and the apostles Paul and Peter told us that His Holy Spirit would reside inside of us and believers are the temple of God. John 14:16-18, 23; 1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19.
Matthew 5:34-35; “But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: 35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.”
1 Peter 2:5; “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”
Hebrews 10:8-12; “Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; 9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God.”
Jeremiah 8:2; “And they shall spread them before the sun, and the moon, and all the host of heaven, whom they have loved, and whom they have served, and after whom they have walked, and whom they have sought, and whom they have worshipped: they shall not be gathered, nor be buried; they shall be for dung upon the face of the earth.”
Saturn stones
Figure 19 – Saturn Stones on Salt Lake Temple
Mormon Church:
“FYI: For Your Info”, New Era, April 1993, pgs. 34-37; “Saturn Stones are located directly below the parapet on each side of the six towers. They represent Kolob, the dwelling place of God.” http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=dffdc1de5cfeb010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=024644f8f206c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD
Ensign, January 1978, pg. 80; “Overwhelmed by the building itself, people may not realize how extensive the ornamentation is, each of which, commented President George A. Smith, “conveys a moral lesson, and all point to the celestial world…There are fifty Earth Stones weighing 3 1/2 tons apiece, fifty moon stones, several Saturns, numerous sunstones, sixty-eight star stones… Brother Nibley continues, “The temple itself is a reminder that none can receive the highest blessings without entering its portals. … Here all time and space come together; the barriers vanish between this world and the next; between past, present, and future. What is bound here is bound beyond, and only here can the gates be opened to release the dead who are awaiting the saving ordinances.”” – The Salt Lake Temple
Truth:
It’s been said that Saturn is the darkest symbol to use in all of the mystic religions. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any darker spiritually speaking, you find out you’re wrong.
For the Romans, he was known as the god of agriculture, time, and celebration. He was so important in Roman mythology that both a day (Saturday) and a planet were named in his honor. In English his name means serious and gloomy.
http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/jo/roman/saturn.htm
In Greek mythology Saturn is known as “Father Time” or Cronus, thus our English term chronology. Cronus was depicted with a sickle which he used to castrate his father Uranus. From Hesiod’s Theogony, Cronus supposedly ate his children when they were born to prevent them from taking power from him someday.
The symbol of Saturn even shows up in the 19th degree of Scottish Rite of Freemasonry where oaths are taken to the god of Masonry as they take upon themselves the “priesthood” of the Masonic Lodge. While going through this particular ritual, a robe is worn with a crimson sash across the breast representing the twelve stars of the Zodiac and the twelve tribes amongst other symbolic gestures. (Question of Freemasonry, pg. 17, Ed Decker)
In the Question of Freemasonry, Ed went on to further point out how the rituals of the Lodge portraying the Zodiac as holding the priesthood is a pathetic attempt to strip the only person who holds the priesthood of His powers – and yes, this would mean Jesus Christ!
Question: why is the Mormon Church participating in anything that has to do with the Zodiac (Saturn stones) and also portraying signs of Masonic influence on their temples if the Masons believe this stuff?
While there is no reference to the Egyptians using astrology until the middle or late period of classical history, it has been shown by Egyptologist Richard Parker that Saturn was also known as Heru, bull of the sky. (Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago).
Saturn and Ba’al worship at Carthage – “Classical sources relate how the Carthaginians burned their children as offerings to Ba’al Hammon. See Moloch for a discussion of these traditions and conflicting thoughts on the matter. From the attributes of his Roman form, African Saturn, it is possible to conclude that Hammon was a fertility god.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ba’al
http://one-evil.org/entities_gods/god_Moloch.htm
At times Saturn was known as the god of death and represented in the sun at its lowest part of the winter solstice.
Saturn, Seb, Cronos (Kronus), Repa, Remphan, Sakkuth, Kaiwan, Kiyyun, and Chiun are just different names from different cultures for the same false god. (See Holman Bible Dictionary under Chiun) God told the Israelites to stop worshipping this false god in Amos 5:26.
He was also represented by many different forms which include an “Oriental talisman”, the sun and a solar disk, and also a man with a head of a hawk, beetle or ram. He’s additionally been depicted as a phoenix, a heron, a serpent, a bull, cat, lion…
Another question for the Mormons:
Why do you have a baptismal font for dead works and why is the baptismal font sitting atop twelve bulls? If Saturn is known as Heru, bull of the sky, why is such a thing in your temples today along with the Saturn stones?
According to LDS doctrine the carved bulls represent the twelve tribes of Israel and the baptismal font is patterned after the molten sea in the original temples. The baptismal font looks like a solar disk!
The truth is that the molten sea in the Old Testament era temple was actually filled with water as a place for the priests to wash blood off themselves after sacrificing animals to God. And Solomon made the bulls to show the Israelites their only use was as a post instead of worship as they’d done under Aaron’s direction. See my article on temple furniture and the use of this here http://www.lifeafter.org/temple.asp
Now if you’re not engaged in animal sacrifices and God already told us not to have anything to do with the dead, why would you want to participate in this type of thing?
Regardless of what the Church says, God does not reside on Kolob which is a make believe word from the mind of Joseph Smith. And why would you use Saturn as a symbol of God’s residence when it’s been used all throughout the history of man to denote a false god?
The Holman Bible Dictionary says the following about heaven; “As God’s dwelling place, heaven is not a divine haven where God can isolate Himself from earth. It is the divine workplace, where He sends blessings to His people (Deut. 26:15; Isa. 63:15) and punishment on His enemies (Ps. 2:4; 11:4-7). Heaven is a channel of communication between God and humans (Gen. 28:12; 2 Sam. 22:10; Neh. 9:13; Ps. 144:5).”
Isaiah 1:13-14; “Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. 14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.”
2 Kings 17:16-18; “And they left all the commandments of the LORD their God, and made them molten images, even two calves, and made a grove, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served Baal. 17 And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger. 18 Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of his sight: there was none left but the tribe of Judah only.”
Cloud stones
Figure 20 – Cloud stones on Salt Lake Temple
Mormon Church:
“Cloudstones. High above the sunstones on the east center tower are two clouds with descending rays of light (originally planned to be one white and one black with descending trumpets.) The parallel of this symbolism is found in the Old Testament. Once temples were dedicated in ancient Israel, they were filled with the “cloud of the Lord.” At Mount Sinai, the children of Israel saw this cloud as both dark and bright accompanied by the blasting of a trumpet.”
http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/saltlake
“Cloud stones — There are only two cloud stones on the temple. They are located on the east center tower and represent the gospel piercing through superstition and the error of the world.” – http://www.mormontimes.com/article/11331/Symbolism-can-be-seen-in-architecture-of-SL-Temple
Symbolism can be seen in architecture of S.L. Temple, Lynn Arave, 27 November 2008
Truth:
The residence of God is no longer in the cloud on Mt. Sinai and the cloud is no longer in the temple in Jerusalem. The desire to portray the two different colors black/white is suspicious as well given the other carvings on the temple. Typically, having these color variations with the meaning of dark and bright/light together denotes yin yang.
The Holman Bible Dictionary also says this about the presence of God;
“New Testament Usage The primary New Testament manifestation of the presence of God is in Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, “God with us” (Matt. 1:23; John 1:14; Heb. 1:1-3). This presence did not end with the death of Christ. The risen Christ appeared to the disciples (John 21:1-14) and to Paul. Through the apostles, Paul and the disciples, Christ’s work continued (Acts 1:8; 26:12-18). The Holy Spirit is an important manifestation of the presence of God and continues the redemptive work of God. The return of Christ will bring permanence to the presence of God with His people.”
2 Corinthians 6:16-17; “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.”
Star stones
Figure 21 – pictured top row: Inverted Pentagram on Salt Lake Temple
Figure 22 – pictured middle row: Upright pentagram on Salt Lake Temple
Figure 23 – bottom row: Eagle Gate with inverted pentagram and beehive in Salt Lake City
Mormon Church:
“Starstones. Six-pointed stars represent the actual stars in the heaven. Upside-down five-pointed stars represent morning stars, compared to the “sons of God” in the scriptures. The large upright five-pointed stars may represent the governing power of the priesthood while the small upright five-pointed stars may represent the saving power of the priesthood for those who attach themselves to it.”
http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/saltlake
THE FIVE-POINTED STARS “The five-pointed star is often represented as the morning star. The descending ray of the Nauvoo Temple’s inverted five-point starstones (there is only one surviving example and it is damaged) was extended downward. Such an orientation suggests the rising morning star. This “star” is not a star at all, but the planet Venus…The starstones on the Nauvoo Temple, some with their unique lengthened ray, are a fitting symbol of Jesus Christ as the morning star. ”
http://users.marshall.edu/~brown/nauvoo/symbols.html
THE SIX-POINTED STARS “The six-pointed stars commonly represented the stars in the heavens, and clearly this was the intended purpose in placing them along the soffit, where only when persons looked upwards were they visible. There placement also on the balustrade, the highest point of the temple’s walls, also suggests that they represented the stars in heaven.”
http://users.marshall.edu/~brown/nauvoo/symbols.html
THE TWELVE-POINTED STARS “The intended use of twelve pointed-stars in the circular windows of the main body of the Temple, may suggest the priesthood, as well as the fulness of the priesthood…Those righteous leaders who hold the priesthood in its fulness are the source of power, revelation and light to the Saints,”
http://users.marshall.edu/~brown/nauvoo/symbols.html
“Star stones — Just above the cornice of the temple are five-point star stones. The eastern towers have 40 star stones. These number 12 on the central towers. They are also found on the majority of keystones.”
http://www.mormontimes.com/article/11331/Symbolism-can-be-seen-in-architecture-of-SL-Temple
Truth:
Equating Jesus to a pentagram is just about as bad as it gets. My heart breaks for people like my mother who hasn’t a clue about the meanings of the occult markings on the temples. The “saints” should only be looking to Jesus as their only source of power and revelation, not some twelve pointed star carved into the side of a building that hosts dead spirits.
As you’ll see below the meaning of stars always has to do with the spirit and elements of the earth – and this from the witch’s point of view!
“The Pentagram is a symbol of a star encased in a circle. Always with 5 points (one pointing upward), each has its own meaning. The upward point of the star is representative of the spirit. The other four points all represent an element; earth, air, fire, and water. All these things contributive to life and are a part of each of us.”
http://www.angelfire.com/id/robpurvis/pentagram.html
Also see http://wikicompany.org/wiki/911:Occult_symbolism_III for further information on occult symbolism. Six pointed stars are known by the names of “Magan star” and the “Star of Remphan”.
“Stars are a Wicca symbol because they signify the unattainable wisdom of the Creatrix, which is attainable to those who study the esoteric arts.
Stars symbolize the potential of every being to reach Divinity, with all the wisdom and magickal Power that entails.”
http://www.wicca-spirituality.com/wicca-symbol.html#star
The Holman Bible Dictionary points out that anything carved or otherwise representing something made by God is known as idolatry. “IDOL Physical or material image or form representing a reality or being considered divine and thus an object of worship. In the Bible various terms are used to refer to idols or idolatry: “image”, either graven (carved) or cast, “statue,” “abomination.” Both Testaments condemn idols, but with idols the Old Testament expresses more concern than the New, probably reflecting the fact that the threat of idolatry was more pronounced for the people of the Old Testament.”
Also noteworthy is what the Masonic Dictionary has to say about the importance of stars and numerology. The number of stars and where they’re placed on the temple is not just a coincidence.
“In Freemasonry there are many numbers of importance in a symbolic sense. Such numbers as 3, 5, 7 and 9 each have symbolic meaning to them. Some of this symbolism lies in Kabalistic notions, while others are representative of Masonic teachings.”
– Source: MasonicDictionary.com
2 Peter 2:14-17; “Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: 15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet. 17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.”
Angel Moroni
Figure 24 –Top row: Statue of Moroni, “the angel of light”, atop the Salt Lake Temple
Figure 25 – Second row: drawing of Moroni weathervane atop Nauvoo Temple
Mormon Church:
“The Angel Moroni statue — He represents the restoration of the gospel in the latter days…Missing features — Not all the symbolism originally planned for the Salt Lake Temple became a reality, either. For example, an early sketch of the temple by Angell found hanging today in Brigham Young’s guest room at Cove Fort shows that two Angel Moroni statues, one each on the east and west ends, were initially envisioned. Only an eastern statue was ever used for reasons unclear.”
http://www.mormontimes.com/article/11331/Symbolism-can-be-seen-in-architecture-of-SL-Temple
Symbolism can be seen in architecture of S.L. Temple, Lynn Arave, 27 November 2008
Encyclopedia of Mormonism, pg. 954; “From 1823 to 1829, the angel Moroni 2 appeared at least twenty times to Joseph Smith and others. Those appearances opened the way for the translation and publication of the Book of Mormon and laid the foundation of many of the Church’s most characteristic teachings. As a resurrected messenger of God, Moroni told Joseph Smith about the Nephite record on gold plates and taught him concerning the gathering of Israel, the forthcoming visit of Elijah, the imminence of the second coming of Jesus Christ, and the judgments to be poured out on the world prior to that event.”
Truth:
Below is a list of several descriptions of the angel Moroni that sits atop the Salt Lake and Nauvoo temples. Up until 1979 the introductory page of Doctrine and Covenants said;
“This took place in the early spring of 1820. In September, 1823, and at later times, Joseph Smith received visitations from Moroni, an angel of light, who revealed the resting place of the ancient record from which the Book of Mormon was afterward translated”.
They’re obviously not trying to hide their sin. Their description of Satan is much like it is in the Bible. Check out what they have to say in 2 Nephi 9:9;
“And our spirits must have become like unto him, and we become devils, angels to a devil, to be shut out from the presence of our God, and to remain with the father of lies, in misery, like unto himself; yea, to that being who beguiled our first parents, who transformeth himself nigh unto an angel of light, and stirreth up the children of men unto secret combinations of murder and all manner of secret works of darkness.”
2 Corinthians 11:14; “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.”
And to further their belief that Moroni is Satan take a look at Joseph Smith’s own testimony:
Joseph Smith’s Testimony 1:47; “After this third visit, he again ascended into heaven as before, and I was again left to ponder on the strangeness of what I had just experienced; when almost immediately after the heavenly messenger had ascended from me for the third time, the cock crowed, and I found that day was approaching, so that our interviews must have occupied the whole of that night.”
This should remind everyone of what took place between Jesus and Peter! To deny Jesus the third time with a false gospel and immediately a cock crows. I just cannot imagine the look on the Lord’s face…
Luke 22:34, 60-62; “34 And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me. 60 And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.62 And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.”
Why would you want Satan to be the spokesman of your church? I don’t know of any Christian who would want such a thing. We have to wonder what type of gospel they’re trying to deliver to the saints.
In other testimonies by Smith friends and family members, we find that Moroni was originally morphed from a toad in a box into a Spaniard ghost with his throat cut from ear to ear and had blood dripping down the front of him. This is the same angel, claims Smith, who appeared before him to deliver the plates which contained the gospel. Seriously, this is what Smith had told others about an angel from heaven visiting him.
My heart is so, so sad…
I highly recommend purchasing the book written by H. Michael Marquardt and Wesley P. Walters called “Inventing Mormonism”. The information about a toad morphing itself into a Spanish ghost can be found in their eye opening investigation of Joseph Smith and his money digging schemes. I can’t say enough about their investigative work – you’ll be sure to learn a lot from their tireless effort.
http://www.xmission.com/~research/about/contents.htm
We could list other examples of how evil this angel of light Moroni is, but at the end of the day what matters are the words of the apostle Paul in Galatians 1:6-9;
“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”
Temple Towers
Figure 26 – The Towers
Mormon Church:
“The six towers, the higher ones on the east representing the Melchizedek Priesthood and the lower ones on the west the Aaronic Priesthood, were a departure from the single-towered Kirtland and Nauvoo Temples.” – pg. 15
http://byustudies.byu.edu/PDFLibrary/36.4Oman%20be179c67-49fc-4bb6-bf21-2ef39ec72019.pdf
“On the two west corner towers, and on the west end, a few feet below the top of battlements, may be seen in bold or alto relievo, the great dipper, or Ursa Major, with the pointers ranging nearly towards the North Star. (Moral, the lost may find themselves by the Priesthood.)”
– James Talmage, House of the Lord, pg. 121
“Prominent on the Salt Lake Temple are its towers. Three eastern towers, rising six feet higher than the corresponding towers on the west, represent the three presiding high priests of the Church who constitute the First Presidency. The three western towers represent the Presiding Bishopric of the Church, whose duty it is to supervise temporal interests.” – New Era, June 1978, pg. 33, Dean R. Zimmerman
Truth:
The High Priest is represented in the person of Jesus Christ, not some granite towers or men who’ve attached the title to their own names. The book of Hebrews tells us Jesus is high priest of the temple God created, that being mankind and not a temple built with human hands.
Hebrews 8:1-2; “Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; 2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.”
The true believers “find themselves” through the identification of Jesus, not men here on earth. Man’s heart is deceitful (Jer. 17:9) as are the symbols on the temple – they’re even using symbols that tell you they are used for deception! Why would you want to follow a sinful person here on earth?
With all the towers representing different priesthood powers, the bishopric, first presidency and high priests, one has to wonder where the Lord fits into all this.
Where is a sign of the cross that Jesus humbly walked to and allowed Himself to be sacrificed upon for your sins?
1 Corinthians 1:18; “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”
Figure 27 – Square and Compass
Mormon Church:
“There exists no account for reason of the placement of the square and compass on the weather vane. One scholar has suggested that, since the compass, which is used to draw circles, points towards the bowl of the sky, and that the square, which is used to draw squares, points towards the earth, that the combination of the two symbols respresent [sic] the powers of God in creating the bowl of the starry heavens and the four corners of the earth (Brown and Smith, Symbols in Stone, p. 105).”
NAUVOO TEMPLE EXTERIOR SYMBOLISM, By Lisle Brown
http://users.marshall.edu/~brown/nauvoo/symbols.html
Truth:
The square and compass that once sat atop the angel Moroni weathervane on the Nauvoo temple served only one purpose. It was a proclamation that Mormons were indeed aligning themselves with the oaths and precepts of the Masonic Lodge. It is nothing more than a symbol of the pride they hold in their hearts for the lies they tell.
As you can see in the Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, use of the symbol of the square and compass is to promote deception.
Encyclopedia of Freemasonry; “Square and Compasses…It will be universally understood, or misunderstood, as having a Masonic significance; and, therefore, as a trade-mark, must constantly work deception. Nothing could be more mischievous than to create as a monopoly, and uphold by the poser of lacy anything so calculated as applied to purposes of trade. To be misinterpreted, to mislead all classes, and to constantly foster suggestions of mystery in affairs of business…”
3 John 1:7-8; “Because that for his name’s sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. 8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.”
Big Dipper
Figure 28 – Salt Lake Temple – Notice the Saturn stones above the Big Dipper and the sun stone beneath.
Mormon Church:
“Big Dipper. High on the west center tower is a depiction of the Big Dipper, a constellation used by travelers for thousands of years to find the North Star. It is an appropriate symbol for the temple where patrons come to get their bearings on the journey home.”
http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/saltlake
“Constellations — Above the windows on the west central tower are representations of Ursa Major and the Big Dipper. Angell once wrote that Ursa Major and its pointer toward the North Star symbolize that the lost may find themselves by the priesthood.”
http://www.mormontimes.com/article/11331/Symbolism-can-be-seen-in-architecture-of-SL-Temple
“On the west central tower, above the windows, can be found Ursa Major, the Big Dipper, intended to remind those in doubt concerning the true way, that they should follow the path indicated by the priesthood. Angell recorded that Ursa Major means that the lost may find themselves by the priesthood.”
New Era, June 1978, pg. 33, Dean R. Zimmerman
Truth:
I was reminded of the greatness of God in the book Crazy Love, Pastor Frances Chan when he said; “Jesus Servant, Not Beggar. In Malachi 1:11 God says, “From the rising of the sun even to its setting My name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense is going to be offered to My name, and a grain offering that is pure: for My name will be great among the nations”.
God tells the priests that if they don’t’ want to give him excellence, others will. God says His name will be great among the nations. Right now a hundred million angels are praising God’s name; He certainly doesn’t need to beg or plead with us. We should be the ones begging to worship in His presence.”
My prayer is that my people, the Mormons, will be there worshipping in that throng of people and angels someday. What a glorious time we will have! Raising God to His rightful place in our hearts is a sure cure against the heretical belief of becoming gods ourselves someday.
I’ve not found a scripture yet that refers to Jesus as Ursa Major or that we should “find ourselves by the priesthood”. The Scottish missionary Amy Carmichael once said; “If I covet anything but the dust at the foot of the cross I know nothing of Calvary Love”. It is apparent the Mormon Church hasn’t a clue about Calvary Love.
Why would you refer to the Creator of all things to one of the things He created?
Ursa Major has been known throughout history in many cultures as a bear. In Greek mythology Zeus’ wife turned Callisto (originally a nymph) into a bear because of jealousy. In India each of the stars in the Big Dipper represents a beloved sage while in Theosophy it’s believed the energy of Ursa Major goes from each of the stars on down to the human race.
Regardless of what the different cultures have said down through history, one thing has always stood firm and true; God’s word. The Lord has consistently warned His people to stay away from worshipping, believing in or paying homage to things He has created. Our total adoration and desire for guidance must and should always go to Him who gave His only Son.
Exodus 20:4; “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.”
May the good Lord bless those who have taken their time to read and ponder through this study. If you’re a member of the LDS Church know that we pray for you each and every day. We hope you will come to know the Jesus of the Bible, just as we have done.
With Love in Christ; Michelle Grim
Jude 1:24-25; “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.”
Ed Decker
http://www.saintsalive.com/eds-blog/islam-and-the-gods-of-the-seventh-century
Jim Spencer
http://www.mazeministry.com/resources/books/sepulchers/whited.pdf
H. Michael Marquardt
http://www.xmission.com/~research/about/contents.htm
Bill McKeever
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