Mormon Temples give the poors a taste of the good life

[MG 2.0]

Oh I suppose they are, they just aren't actually restored temples and what their purpose was for the ancients, though there are general parallels one can draw from which is what gives Mormons their mileage. It is when they start making each and every single verse in each and every single scripture in each and every canon that one rolls their eyes. The problem is, one's focus becomes the building instead of what the building is attempting to point one towards, and that's when the historical literalism takes one off the real reason for it.

Our family was involved in the open house and dedication of the Saratoga Springs Utah Temple. Throughout the whole process the emphasis in everything that was done pointed to Christ and His Atonement. Of course, there was also emphasis on the doctrine of eternal progression/families. But that’s to be expected in a House of the Lord where the sealing power of God is operational.

The temples today are modern temples, not ancient. As you said, there will be general parallels but we might also expect that in a restoration of the ‘fullness of times’ we might find additional ‘light and knowledge’ revealed in regards to the temples and the ordinances/covenants entered into there.

Regards,
MG

Marcus:
Re the title of this thread, poor people are 'permitted' (to use DCP's word) to enter, only if they pay 10% of their income to the LDS church. A leader of the LDS church said 'poverty would be cured' if only all the poverty-stricken paid their tithing first. It's despicable that a religion would prey upon people in this manner.

I honestly don’t think that those that have testimonies of the Lord’s work and program for the salvation and exaltation of those that choose to accept and live the Gospel of Jesus Christ look at themselves as being taken advantage of. It would be those ‘outside of the flock’, so to speak, that might see it that way.

I reposted my original post to reinforce the fact that LDS members literally believe the temple to be The House of the Lord.

Others, such as yourself and the poster I was responding to, are free to believe otherwise.

Regards,
MG

[Rivendale]

Our family was involved in the open house and dedication of the Saratoga Springs Utah Temple. Throughout the whole process the emphasis in everything that was done pointed to Christ and His Atonement. Of course, there was also emphasis on the doctrine of eternal progression/families. But that’s to be expected in a House of the Lord where the sealing power of God is operational.

The temples today are modern temples, not ancient. As you said, there will be general parallels but we might also expect that in a restoration of the ‘fullness of times’ we might find additional ‘light and knowledge’ revealed in regards to the temples and the ordinances/covenants entered into there.

Regards,
MG

Marcus:
Re the title of this thread, poor people are 'permitted' (to use DCP's word) to enter, only if they pay 10% of their income to the LDS church. A leader of the LDS church said 'poverty would be cured' if only all the poverty-stricken paid their tithing first. It's despicable that a religion would prey upon people in this manner.

I honestly don’t think that those that have testimonies of the Lord’s work and program for the salvation and exaltation of those that choose to accept and live the Gospel of Jesus Christ look at themselves as being taken advantage of. It would be those ‘outside of the flock’, so to speak, that might see it that way.

I reposted my original post to reinforce the fact that LDS members literally believe the temple to be The House of the Lord.

Others, such as yourself and the poster I was responding to, are free to believe otherwise.

Regards,
MG

What epistemology would be used by someone to actually find out if they were being taken advantage of versus simply following the dictates of some leader's dogmatic rule system? Giving money to an already wealthy organization when your poor definitely seems to violate the base of Maslow's hierarchy of needs.

[Kishkumen]

If I were LDS, I’d want one close by. The one for our area is about 35-40 miles away from our home.

That isn't too bad, compared to how far many people outside of Utah have to travel.

[MG 2.0]

I honestly don’t think that those that have testimonies of the Lord’s work and program for the salvation and exaltation of those that choose to accept and live the Gospel of Jesus Christ look at themselves as being taken advantage of. It would be those ‘outside of the flock’, so to speak, that might see it that way.

I reposted my original post to reinforce the fact that LDS members literally believe the temple to be The House of the Lord.

Others, such as yourself and the poster I was responding to, are free to believe otherwise.

Regards,
MG

What epistemology would be used by someone to actually find out if they were being taken advantage of versus simply following the dictates of some leader's dogmatic rule system? Giving money to an already wealthy organization when your poor definitely seems to violate the base of Maslow's hierarchy of needs.

More or less the testimony of individuals who believe that God is active in their lives and has answered their prayers and continues to bless them and will bless them as a result of covenants which they have made to be obedient to the commandments.

That, obviously, is not something that can be handed off to a non believer as evidence.

Regards,
MG

[Gadianton]

More or less the testimony of individuals who believe that God is active in their lives

The overwhelming majority of people on this planet who believe God is active in their lives and who have heard of Joseph Smith believe that Joseph Smith was a false prophet.

[toon]

Tallahassee, Florida is getting a temple, and I can tell you that it is something local LDS people did hope and pray for, as well as regularly talk about in meetings, for years. I thought it was kind of crazy of them, or at least wildly unrealistic.

If I were LDS, I’d want one close by. The one for our area is about 35-40 miles away from our home.

When I was attending, for years the closest temple was LA, which was at least 1.5 hours away given traffic. So we wouldn't go that often, and when we did, it was usually in a carpool with friends and dinner either before or after. It was an event that helped offset how boring the endowment ceremony is.

They then built one 30 minutes away, and anything enjoyable was lost.

[huckelberry]

If I were LDS, I’d want one close by. The one for our area is about 35-40 miles away from our home.

When I was attending, for years the closest temple was LA, which was at least 1.5 hours away given traffic. So we wouldn't go that often, and when we did, it was usually in a carpool with friends and dinner either before or after. It was an event that helped offset how boring the endowment ceremony is.

They then built one 30 minutes away, and anything enjoyable was lost.

Ok , I cannot help but ask. Msnobody why would you wish to have one closer. 40 miles is pretty close unless you want to put your self through it every week. When I was growing up the closest was 5 hundred miles away. I was in Pacific Northwest. I certainly see toon's view.

[MG 2.0]

More or less the testimony of individuals who believe that God is active in their lives

The overwhelming majority of people on this planet who believe God is active in their lives and who have heard of Joseph Smith believe that Joseph Smith was a false prophet.

I think that it is not improbable at all that there will be folks that have God in their lives and at the same time do not believe in the restoration narrative or in the prophetic calling of Joseph Smith. One does not exclude or preempt the other.

I’ve known and known of many God fearing people that are comfortable/happy in their chosen belief system. In my view, God loves all of His children and will guide and bless them according to his will and their desires.

Joseph Smith, more often than not, may play little or no part in the moral arc of their belief.

I do think, however, that those that truly have an opportunity to understand the Joseph Smith story and then knowingly reject the Lord’s prophets will one day have to account for and be judged in respect to that choice.

But that choice doesn’t negate or change whether or not God is in one way or another active in their lives and/or that they may even recognize this as being so.

The New Testament seems to teach this and, for me, it just makes sense.

But it’s also a fact that many reject Joseph Smith while at the same time rejecting belief in deity. That often seems to go hand in hand.

Regards,
MG

[Rivendale]

The overwhelming majority of people on this planet who believe God is active in their lives and who have heard of Joseph Smith believe that Joseph Smith was a false prophet.

I think that it is not improbable at all that there will be folks that have God in their lives and at the same time do not believe in the restoration narrative or in the prophetic calling of Joseph Smith. One does not exclude or preempt the other.

I’ve known and known of many God fearing people that are comfortable/happy in their chosen belief system. In my view, God loves all of His children and will guide and bless them according to his will and their desires.

Joseph Smith, more often than not, may play little or no part in the moral arc of their belief.

I do think, however, that those that truly have an opportunity to understand the Joseph Smith story and then knowingly reject the Lord’s prophets will one day have to account for and be judged in respect to that choice.

But that choice doesn’t negate or change whether or not God is in one way or another active in their lives and/or that they may even recognize this as being so.

The New Testament seems to teach this and, for me, it just makes sense.

But it’s also a fact that many reject Joseph Smith while at the same time rejecting belief in deity. That often seems to go hand in hand.

Regards,
MG

This post illustrates why people think Mormons worship Joseph Smith.

[drumdude]

I think that it is not improbable at all that there will be folks that have God in their lives and at the same time do not believe in the restoration narrative or in the prophetic calling of Joseph Smith. One does not exclude or preempt the other.

I’ve known and known of many God fearing people that are comfortable/happy in their chosen belief system. In my view, God loves all of His children and will guide and bless them according to his will and their desires.

Joseph Smith, more often than not, may play little or no part in the moral arc of their belief.

I do think, however, that those that truly have an opportunity to understand the Joseph Smith story and then knowingly reject the Lord’s prophets will one day have to account for and be judged in respect to that choice.

But that choice doesn’t negate or change whether or not God is in one way or another active in their lives and/or that they may even recognize this as being so.

The New Testament seems to teach this and, for me, it just makes sense.

But it’s also a fact that many reject Joseph Smith while at the same time rejecting belief in deity. That often seems to go hand in hand.

Regards,
MG

This post illustrates why people think Mormons worship Joseph Smith.

Either Jesus is sufficient for salvation or not. Joseph Smith is an unnecessary addition to the gospel.