May 15 – The recent release of a photo of the Holy of Holies in the Salt Lake Temple has sparked a lot of discussion about the room’s use. In this room presidents of the Church can go to pray for revelation and guidance from God for the Church. Their temple in Salt Lake City, UT appears to be the only temple with a room designated as the “Holy of Holies”,
“Hidden away in the central part of the [Salt Lake] temple is the Holy of Holies, where the President of the Church may retire when burdened down with heavy decisions to seek an interview with Him whose Church it is. The prophet holds the keys, the spiritual keys and the very literal key to this one door in that sacred edifice. “(Packer. The Holy Temple, page 4)
It’s also used for one of the Church’s most sacred ordinances, the Second Anointing. In the article linked below Ask Gramps has some older pictures inside this room. Little is known about what this ordinance entails. What we do know is that it’s granted to only a select few Mormons, usually after a lifetime of faithful service to the Church. The purpose of this ordinance is said to secure a married couple’s exaltation and godhood.
I’ve linked some websites that talk about this anointing. It’s not something church leaders or members talk about so it’s difficult to get a clear understanding of what it’s about. What we do know based on the information we have is that it’s clearly not biblical. God never ordained or promised anyone they could be a god or goddess in the life to come.
From a biblical perspective, these teachings from Joseph Smith didn’t originate from scripture, but from his own imagination. God is unique, there is no one like him nor will there ever be anyone who can exalt themselves to His status.
Isaiah 43:10 “Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.”
Isaiah 45:5 “I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:”
1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus”.
We were not created to become a god and be worshiped; we were created to worship the one true God and have a relationship with him.
Isaiah 43:7 “Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.”
Psalm 100:3 “Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.”
Everything we do should be to glorify him, not ourselves.
1 Corinthians 10:31 “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
We are God’s workmanship; he created us for good works to glorify Him.
Ephesians 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
Their belief that people can work their way to godhood and become worthy of worship is deeply offensive to anyone who loves God. I know there’s hope for them to come to know Jesus, I pray for that with my whole heart.
In Christ,
Melissa Grimes
Resources:
Ask Gramps – Do modern temples have a Holy of Holies and what is its purpose?
New picture of the Holy of Holies is in this article
Here is an outline of the Second Anointing ceremony
The Fulness of the Priesthood”: The Second Anointing in Latter-day Saint Theology and Practice
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