The following essay was written by the poster "greenpotato" on exmormon.org in the Recovery Forum, and is used with his/her permission. This author expresses many problems with temple worship, doctrinal, historical, and social. Many thanks, greenpotato!
What is it with mormons and temples? Where does the idea of temple worship come from? The book of mormon? Nope, temples are not mentioned there. The New Testament? Nope, Jesus' sacrifice ended temple worship. The old testament? Only if you want to get your ass kicked for building multiple temples that were not in god's chosen town of Jerusalem. Thomas Monson wouldn't be bragging about the number of new temples being built if he knew that the god of the old testament was watching.
And why must baptisms be done for every single person who ever lived? Surely 99.5% of them are going to reject the gospel anyway? Why not get baptised for the dead AFTER they accept the gospel? Did Jesus die on the cross over and over for every single person, even the ones who weren't going to repent? I know Jesus had a lot to bear already, but since he was getting baptised anyway, why not make it count for everyone?
When I am worried that I might forget something, I always write it down on my underwear... NOT! Why not give everyone a written copy of the temple covenants that they can refer to when needed, preferably BEFORE they agree to give the church EVERYTHING so that they have time to consider the implications first?
How does one decide whether to call temple worship sacred or secret? The handshakes are SECRET otherwise there would be no point to them. Sacred things can be spoken about, at least with others of the same faith who already know about it. Secret isn't a very good word for it since I am writing about it without ever having been to a temple. I think embarrassingly stupid is a better description for temple worship than either sacred or secret.
How far can one stretch the "milk before meat" principle? Some people die of old age while still on milk! But don't worry, if you don't understand the spiritual significance of the temple in this life, then at some point during ETERNITY you will finally get it!
But who wouldn't want to go to the temple and be sealed to their family for all of eternity? Duh, people who have family members that they don't like! But no person who doesn't love their family could possibly be worthy of going to heaven, even if they have suffered at the hands of those who should have loved them and have still been good, Christ like people. What counts at the gates of mormon heaven is knowing secret handshakes and being sealed to lots of family, and having as many wives as the laws of the land don't arrest you for.
Most brides these days don't like to know what is going to happen at their wedding. What they are going to wear, what the celebrant is going to say, what the venue looks like from the inside and who is going to be there are minor details that most brides take no interest in. NOT!!! TSCC knows NOTHING about throwing a good wedding! I know that there hasn't been much of a need for temples since animal sacrifice stopped, but having weddings at temples is NOT the solution.
Unlike many doctrinal questions, temple ceremonies are scientifically untouchable. The preface to the book of mormon has been changed drastically in the face of modern scientific discoveries, and it will continue to change. So why do eternal temple ceremonies that are pleasing to an unchanging god need to be changed so often? Surely if they were good enough for god 100 years ago then they are good enough now.
If it wasn't for Joseph Smith and his last minute plagiarism of Masonic rituals, temples would be nothing more than ancient ruins and I would have something better to rant about. In hindsight, temple worship is ridiculous and the secrecy surrounding temple worship is the only way to stop people from leaving the church as soon as they hear about it. Either that or find a way to provide an ACTUAL spiritual experience at the temple.
I chanced upon your blog quite by accident. I wasn't going to post anything after reading your clear opposition to things you once thought to be true, but changed my mind. You say you feel so free for having finally seen the truth and left the Mormon church, and yet you spend an obvious lot of time still thinking about the religion you left behind. Not just thinking about it, but posting blogs with the clear intent to influence others. If you were so free and so much happier just leaving that religion ... and if your intention had been to simply quietly go with no great attention, as you state repeatedly in your blog ... then you would just quietly go. Yet, here you are, counting down the months from the time you left, posting blogs of criticism, and continually hanging on to a church you claim oppressed you. You also returned to that church and held events after deciding to quit. Further, in your separation from the church, you still seem to want all the present members to look after you, but only in the way you determine is acceptable None of this indicates the great freedom you say you have found. If it's true ... and you are so much more content ... then I would think you would prefer to do what you say, and just quietly go, enjoying your new freedom. Your actions don't match your words. Interesting. And sad. Like I said, I chanced upon your blog. It is irrelevant to me one way or the other if you are a member of the Mormon church or not. But you should reconsider whether you are truly acting as free as you claim to feel. (No need to respond to me. I won't be back.)
ReplyDeleteI write to save others and help them find the freedom I now know. People are harmed daily by the church, and the church now has a new enemy. With freedom comes responsibility to point out the harm Mormonism does to those in it's grasp, or anywhere nearby.
DeleteDear TBM, you have a lot to learn. When we ex Mormons are finally able to admit to ourselves that the church is just one sick hideous lie after another, pardon us if we don't want to just quietly fade away. No, not for a minute. When I look back on over 50 years of the mind fucking I took at the hands of the church it makes me damn angry. So angry that you better believe I want to lash out. But you know what else? And, for the record you should be able to relate to this little bit of positive thought, when you are awakened to the truth, warn your neighbors! It would be pretty damn selfish of me to not try to help those sad sorry true believers, that are still suffering from the nasty lies they are being forced to swallow. I Happen to have people I care about that still drink the Mormon Kool-Aid and I will do all I can humanly do to help them see the church for the horrible lies upon lies that it spews out to it's poor deluded members. There, does that answer your stupid questions?
DeleteHeidi, two thumbs up! Thanks for publishing this!
ReplyDeleteThe New Testament itself condemns temples. Acts 7: 42-43 says the tabernacle belonged to Moloch. Verses 47 says Solomon built God a temple, but 48-50 says: Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,
Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? Hath not my hand made all these things?
Guess they forgot to teach us that in Gospel Doctrine class?
I don't care what "modern scripture" says, there is no way around this scripture, no way for apologists to spin it without looking ridiculous.
And finally, if temple ceremonies are supposed to be the highest possible ordinance given by a loving god who wants his children to dwell with him eternally, why is the word "love" not mentioned one single time during the entire temple experience?
The Mormon god is not my god.