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Archive for the ‘Temple Ceremonies’ Category

Are LDS Temples The Happiest Place On Earth?

  Earlier this month Jana Riess with RNS published an article about the latest changes to LDS temple ceremonies.

When I read about the fourteen changes I couldn’t help but remember Smith’s promise that temple ceremonies would never change. Despite his claim changes began within a year. For more info with a list of changes see Temple Endowments: Can They Change?.

And if there is any doubt the Church can’t keep promises the headline of their 2019 news brief should clear that up. Here in part is what they said – (more…)

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‘He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.’ Revelation 2:17

 Based on the Bible verse above, why is the LDS Church handing out new names for heaven?

‘New names’ given to temple worthy Mormons have no place in a Christian’s life, and today you’ll see how the Church has taken one verse from the Bible and twisted it to their own use. This isn’t from the Lord, moreover, it’s like they’re dangling a carrot of salvation in hopes someone will fall for their trickery.

The ‘new name’ system the Church set up is what’s known as Temple Name Oracle. Here’s how it works (taken from our 2010 Witnessing Tip of the Day) – (more…)

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“Brethren and sisters, you are about to be put under covenant to obey and keep the law of sacrifice, as contained in the Old and New Testaments. …as Jesus Christ has laid down his life for the redemption of mankind, so we should covenant to sacrifice all that we possess, even our own lives if necessary… All arise. … Each of you bring your right arm to the square. …” — LDS Temple Endowment Ceremony, the Garden

The quote above is from a scene in the temple endowment ceremony. You can find it in the link provided above. It’s a haunting reminder of what’s wrong in Mormon temples, especially when you consider that Jesus gave His life for us.

‘In whom we have redemption through his blood, [even] the forgiveness of sins…’ Colossians 1:14

We love hearing from our readers – so our post today is in response to a request from one of them. Yay! Specifically, he asked if we could post info concerning the pre-1990’s temple endowment ceremonies containing blood atonement oaths. He frequently shares the info we publish with Mormons he knows, and this topic is one he’s been discussing as of late. (more…)

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Genealogy Conference PanelToday we’re looking at the definition of worship in three different settings. The reason for this stems from the repeated articles on LDS websites directing members to be diligent in their temple work. Two examples can be seen in the seminars they hold, and directives telling bishops to install teenagers as ‘family history consultants’ for their local wards – see Church News February 2015.

Dictionary.com defines worship as ‘reverent honor and homage paid to God or a sacred personage’. Keep that in mind as we look at our examples today.

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Matthew 5:33-37 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: 34 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. 36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. 37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

Temple Endowment 6The prophecies, mandates, and requirements Mormons must obey are just silly. Furthermore, how do they reconcile what Jesus said in the Beatitudes?

If the title of our article was true, then anyone could get into heaven. The only thing someone would have to do is read a couple of articles on the internet to find out what the secret passwords are. Does this sound biblical, or even rational to you?

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Mormon Decisions 10Genesis 3:21; “Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.”

Today we’re looking at part of the LDS temple ceremony known as theFig Leaf Apron for Garden Temple Ceremony Garden Endowment Ceremony. Our purpose in doing this is to ask Mormons why they’d celebrate the sin of Adam and Eve. We’re only posting the part of this section that pertains to our subject matter, but if you’d like to read it in full you can do so by clicking on this link.

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Salt Lake Temple (2)Everything we do as Christians needs to be held to the standard in which God expects from us.  This is even more relevant for those of us in ministry and/or teaching positions – James 3:1-2.

With that in mind I want to make it abundantly clear for the reason I’m posting this on our ministry website and blog.

(more…)

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Temple Endowments 12Because of the sheer volume to the amount of information there is about the temple, we’ve created another page!  Woo-hoo! This time we put all things about architecture, ceremonies, handshakes and prayers, etc in one page, making it easier to retrieve any info on scripts, videos or news updates about the temples.

Click here to take a look or have your eyeballs hang a right over to the widgets.

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Temple Endowment 9There are six saving ordinances a Mormon must receive to have eternal life.

1. Baptism (by one holding the Mormon priesthood)
2. Confirmation and Receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost (by someone holding the priesthood)
3. Receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood (if you’re male)
4. Washing and Anointing (occurs in the temple during the Initiatory)
5. Endowment (in the temple)
6. Marriage Sealing (in the temple)

(more…)

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Salt Lake TempleThis past week the Mormon Church premiered a new Endowment film in selected temples across the country. There hasn’t been a lot of information forthcoming on this new film, but what we do know is that its approximately 12-15 minutes longer than the previous one. It has a new cast, a little more detail about the creation periods, uses the same script and has no significant changes to the rituals.

This will be the second change to the Endowment film since it first debuted in temples in 1970. The first change had significant revisions such as “death oaths” being removed and a Christian pastor no longer accompanied Satan on one of his visits to Adam and Eve.

(more…)

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It’s interesting to note that according to the Mormon temple endowment ceremony not long after Adam chants the same thing Satan appeared.

ADAM PRAYS

ADAM: Brethren and sisters, this represents the telestial kingdom, or the world in which we now live. Adam, on finding himself in the lone and dreary world, built an altar and offered prayer, and these are the words he uttered:

[Adam kneels at the altar and lifts his hands towards heaven, each arm raised to the square.]

Oh God, hear the words of my mouth.
Oh God, hear the words of my mouth.
Oh God, hear the words of my mouth.

[Lucifer comes into view.]

LUCIFER: I hear you. What is it you want?

ADAM: Who are you?

LUCIFER: I am the god of this world.

ADAM: You, the god of this world?

LUCIFER: Yes. What do you want?

ADAM: I am looking for messengers.

LUCIFER: Oh, you want someone to preach to you. You want religion, do you? There will be many willing to preach to you the philosophies of men mingled with scripture.

ADAM: But I am looking for messengers from my Father.

http://lifeafterministry.com/2011/08/23/temple-endowment-ceremonies-part-4-terrestrial-world/

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Video of Mormon Temple Veil Ceremony

Below is a video taken in the Mormon Temple of closing instructions given at the end of the Endowment ceremony. You’ll notice the veil has many “panels”, this is so more than one person can come up to the veil at at the same time.

At the veil the man standing behind it (who represents God) puts his arms and hands through the holes so the person performing the endowment for themselves or the dead can show him they know the signs and tokens (or handshakes and phrases attached to them).

(more…)

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Temple Ceremonies:

 Baptisms of the Dead, Sealings, Confirmations and Reconfirmations of the Dead, Ordinations of the Dead, Washing of Feet and 2nd Anointings

Baptisms for the Dead

The baptismal font inside the Mormon temple sits atop twelve, usually all white, alabaster bulls which stand in a circle facing outwards.

The font is in the basement of the temple which is supposed to be a “similitude of the grave”.  The bulls and font are typically two stories tall.

(more…)

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Temple Ceremonies Part 5 The Veil of the Temple

The Marks on the Veil

PETER: Brethren and sisters, I will now explain the marks on the veil. These four marks are the marks of the holy priesthood, and corresponding marks are found in your individual garment.

This one on the right is the mark of the square. It is placed in the garment over the right breast, suggesting to the mind exactness and honor in keeping the covenants entered into this day.

 

(more…)

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Temple Endowment Ceremonies Part 4 Terrestrial World

THE LAW OF CHASTITY

PETER: A couple will now come to the altar.

We are instructed to give unto you the law of chastity. This I will explain.

To the sisters, it is that no one of you will have sexual intercourse except with your husband to whom you are legally and lawfully wedded. To the brethren it is that no one of you will have sexual intercourse except with your wife to whom you are legally and lawfully wedded.

(more…)

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Temple Ceremonies Part 3 Telestial World

THE LONE AND DREARY WORLD: THE TELESTIAL KINGDOM

ADAM PRAYS

[Adam and Eve are shown full view for the first time and they’re wearing animal skins.  The lone and dreary world is represented by desert scenery. Adam kneels at his stone altar, spreads his hands to heaven, and prays.]

(more…)

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Temple Ceremonies Part 2 Garden Endowment Ceremony

The Garden

THE GODS WITHDRAW

ELOHIM: Adam, we have created for you this earth, and have placed upon it all kinds of vegetation and animal life. We have commanded all these to multiply in their own sphere and element.

We give you dominion over all these things and make you, Adam, lord over the whole earth and all things on the face thereof. We now command you to multiply and replenish the earth, that you may have joy and rejoicing in your posterity.

(more…)

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Temple Endowment Ceremonies Part 1 The Creation

The Endowment Ceremony Prior to 1990

The Creation

[Initiates have assembled in silence in the chapel. When all is ready, they are ushered into the Creation Room.]

For the next 2 or so hours patrons stay in the same room while watching a drama type scenario that takes place on the movie screen in the front of the room.  Throughout the different films, patrons will stand and kneel to pray around the altar or put on various temple clothing which signifies the robes of the priesthood while they chant their oaths and make the arm and hand gestures at the appropriate times.

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The Initiatory Ceremony

Pre-1990

The ceremony script here is what took place in the temple before 1990.  We’ll be posting the scripts for the latest revision later.

The Initiatory Ceremony is a preliminary four stage ritual performed before the Endowment Ceremonies in the temple.  These ceremonies are performed on an individual basis while the Endowment Ceremonies are performed within a group setting of typically twenty patrons.

(more…)

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Temple Ceremonies and the Clothing

By Melissa Grimes

My journey out of Mormonism began with the Mormon Temple. One night my husband was watching a documentary on Freemasonry and noticed how similar their temple rites were to those we participated in at the Mormon Temple.  At this point of my Mormon experience I had doubts off and on about the validity of Joseph Smith’s claims yet never delved into any serious research. I was simply content in my ignorance, as I trusted in the words of the church leaders to quiet my concerns.

(more…)

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