Sunday, January 25, 2009
Our Visit to the Mormon Temple Square
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While in Utah last weekend, we were able to stop by the Mormon Temple square. The Mormons were incredibly welcoming - much more so than other religious tourist spots I've been to in Europe. They were open until 9pm, welcomed visitors into almost every building (except the temple, to be explained more in a minute), and didn't charge a penny (except meter parking on the street).
The visit was interesting and we learned a lot of information. For example, the temple itself (which was the main reason I wanted to visit), is off limits, even to Mormons. It is only used for four specific purposes: 1) Weddings, 2) Baptisms, 3) Teachings, 4) Prayer. When I asked one of the "sisters" if they worshiped there on Sundays, she sort of laughed, and said "no," they worship at the various "chapels" (read churches) across the city. So the temple is not like a grand cathedral and gathering point for Mormons, but has very specific purposes in the religion.
I asked one of the sisters a lot about her "calling" and how she came to work at the temple square. She said it was not required, but Mormons from around the world can apply to be "missionaries." Their application is received and reviewed by the highest "prophet" in the religion, who then determines if the individual should be accepted, and where they will serve, which could be anywhere around the world. At the temple square, there were about 160 sisters serving (they were literally around every corner) and they came from all over the world: Brazil, Philippines, Argentina, U.S.A. They also "served" in pairs, I guess to be more accommodating or helpful? The women serve for 18 months; the men who receive a call serve for 2 years, and can do similar work or can be door-to-door evangelists (although it was basically all younger, fairly attractive women at the temple square, which struck me as very odd).
The Tabernacle was first a hall for preaching, and now is used for concerts - it has incredible acoustics as demonstrated by one of the sisters in a somewhat humorous manner: tearing newspaper and dropping pins and a nail. They also have the home of Brigham Young, but we didn't visit it.
In the visitor centers there was a lot of information. One had many pictures and stories of Jesus, and even a bigger-than-life-size statue of him with stars and planets painted on the ceiling and an audio "invitation." Apparently the conference center (which seats about 21,000 - I didn't visit it), has many pictures and stories of Joseph Smith. Another visitor center had information about their living prophets: There are twelve (to correspond with the disciples) and one head prophet, or "president" (who seems to function much like the Roman Catholic Pope). He makes official prophecies twice a year, preaches regularly, and his words are taken as straight from God.
I guess my main impression of the visit was that the religion (I guess it is no longer viewed as a cult because of the many members), seemed pretty strange. The sisters were all trained to ask the same questions, and it was clear they wanted you to learn about Joseph Smith. Although they were open to other questions, and weren't too pushy, it seemed obvious that the reason the temple square is so open to visitors is that they hope for converts. They all carried around a Book of Mormon in a plastic bag, and seemed somewhat robotic. Not being able to go in the temple gave it a real mystery (see NPR article), but for such a big building, you really wondered what went on inside. The sisters always referred to it as a "house of God," like a cathedral or church, but those are open to anyone who wants to pray or connect with God.
What is interesting to me is to think about what it must be like for a non-Christian to see Christians doing their "religious" activities, whether that is in a church, or evangelizing, or events or whatever. It must look so strange and peculiar, just like the Mormons seem to me. What is unknown and not understood seems odd at first glance. And when there is not the apriori acceptance of religious doctrine, it all seems pretty goofy. Why believe that this guy is a modern prophet and his word is God's word? Why focus so much on Brigham Young and Joseph Smith? But the same questions could be asked about Jesus of Nazareth, the Pope, and any pastor in any Christian church.
Another question that my friends and I discussed while we walked across the frozen temple square, was whether or not Mormons should be considered Christians at all. For some this answer may be obvious, or it may be irrelevant - but for me its really interesting. I have always been taught that Mormonism was a Christian cult, a deviant from the truths of Scripture, primarily in their use of the Book of Mormon and misunderstanding of the Trinity, specifically Jesus Christ. But being right in the middle of their religion, I had the following thoughts:
1) It really boils down to a question of continuing revelation. Protestants believe God's revelation ended with the apostles. Roman Catholics believe it continues with apostolic succession. Muslims believe it continued and changed drastically with Mohammad, and Mormons believe Joseph Smith offered a new revelation (hence the subtitle of the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ). This might seem like a conversation stopper for Protestants, but ours is essentially a continuing revelation as well - we believe Jesus offered a new (and final) revelation that continued, fulfilled and completed the Hebrew Scriptures. So when comparing all religions, it seems an important question is, "When and where does the story end?" (and obviously, "why there and not somewhere else?")
2) Mormons really believe in Jesus. It seemed to me that despite all the aberrant practices and quirks, the center of the religion is Jesus Christ. So we might ask, how much do you have to "get right" to be a Christian? Do you have to fully and properly understand the Trinity? (Tony Jones discussed this a bit.) Do you have to fully and properly understand "the Scriptures?" (which ones? Hebrew? Greek? Apocryphal?) I'm not sure if faith and relationship with God is about an entrance exam, and so I'm hopeful that as Mormons center their faith around Jesus Christ, they really are connecting with the living God.
3) All religions are really funky and peculiar. Not sure what else to say about that - I love religion. I love watching Muslims circle the Kaaba in prayer. I love hearing the Muslim call to prayer. I was in awe of the Mormon Temple. I love Christian worship - but when you step back and look at it all from a somewhat objective standpoint, there is a certain part of you that just thinks it is plain weird. Perhaps that is indicative of something else? Like an "echo" of another life, another purpose, another existence? Or maybe it's just that humans do a great job contaminating the spiritual life.
While in Utah last weekend, we were able to stop by the Mormon Temple square. The Mormons were incredibly welcoming - much more so than other religious tourist spots I've been to in Europe. They were open until 9pm, welcomed visitors into almost every building (except the temple, to be explained more in a minute), and didn't charge a penny (except meter parking on the street).The visit was interesting and we learned a lot of information. For example, the temple itself (which was the main reason I wanted to visit), is off limits, even to Mormons. It is only used for four specific purposes: 1) Weddings, 2) Baptisms, 3) Teachings, 4) Prayer. When I asked one of the "sisters" if they worshiped there on Sundays, she sort of laughed, and said "no," they worship at the various "chapels" (read churches) across the city. So the temple is not like a grand cathedral and gathering point for Mormons, but has very specific purposes in the religion.
I asked one of the sisters a lot about her "calling" and how she came to work at the temple square. She said it was not required, but Mormons from around the world can apply to be "missionaries." Their application is received and reviewed by the highest "prophet" in the religion, who then determines if the individual should be accepted, and where they will serve, which could be anywhere around the world. At the temple square, there were about 160 sisters serving (they were literally around every corner) and they came from all over the world: Brazil, Philippines, Argentina, U.S.A. They also "served" in pairs, I guess to be more accommodating or helpful? The women serve for 18 months; the men who receive a call serve for 2 years, and can do similar work or can be door-to-door evangelists (although it was basically all younger, fairly attractive women at the temple square, which struck me as very odd).
The Tabernacle was first a hall for preaching, and now is used for concerts - it has incredible acoustics as demonstrated by one of the sisters in a somewhat humorous manner: tearing newspaper and dropping pins and a nail. They also have the home of Brigham Young, but we didn't visit it.In the visitor centers there was a lot of information. One had many pictures and stories of Jesus, and even a bigger-than-life-size statue of him with stars and planets painted on the ceiling and an audio "invitation." Apparently the conference center (which seats about 21,000 - I didn't visit it), has many pictures and stories of Joseph Smith. Another visitor center had information about their living prophets: There are twelve (to correspond with the disciples) and one head prophet, or "president" (who seems to function much like the Roman Catholic Pope). He makes official prophecies twice a year, preaches regularly, and his words are taken as straight from God.
I guess my main impression of the visit was that the religion (I guess it is no longer viewed as a cult because of the many members), seemed pretty strange. The sisters were all trained to ask the same questions, and it was clear they wanted you to learn about Joseph Smith. Although they were open to other questions, and weren't too pushy, it seemed obvious that the reason the temple square is so open to visitors is that they hope for converts. They all carried around a Book of Mormon in a plastic bag, and seemed somewhat robotic. Not being able to go in the temple gave it a real mystery (see NPR article), but for such a big building, you really wondered what went on inside. The sisters always referred to it as a "house of God," like a cathedral or church, but those are open to anyone who wants to pray or connect with God.
What is interesting to me is to think about what it must be like for a non-Christian to see Christians doing their "religious" activities, whether that is in a church, or evangelizing, or events or whatever. It must look so strange and peculiar, just like the Mormons seem to me. What is unknown and not understood seems odd at first glance. And when there is not the apriori acceptance of religious doctrine, it all seems pretty goofy. Why believe that this guy is a modern prophet and his word is God's word? Why focus so much on Brigham Young and Joseph Smith? But the same questions could be asked about Jesus of Nazareth, the Pope, and any pastor in any Christian church.
Another question that my friends and I discussed while we walked across the frozen temple square, was whether or not Mormons should be considered Christians at all. For some this answer may be obvious, or it may be irrelevant - but for me its really interesting. I have always been taught that Mormonism was a Christian cult, a deviant from the truths of Scripture, primarily in their use of the Book of Mormon and misunderstanding of the Trinity, specifically Jesus Christ. But being right in the middle of their religion, I had the following thoughts:
1) It really boils down to a question of continuing revelation. Protestants believe God's revelation ended with the apostles. Roman Catholics believe it continues with apostolic succession. Muslims believe it continued and changed drastically with Mohammad, and Mormons believe Joseph Smith offered a new revelation (hence the subtitle of the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ). This might seem like a conversation stopper for Protestants, but ours is essentially a continuing revelation as well - we believe Jesus offered a new (and final) revelation that continued, fulfilled and completed the Hebrew Scriptures. So when comparing all religions, it seems an important question is, "When and where does the story end?" (and obviously, "why there and not somewhere else?")2) Mormons really believe in Jesus. It seemed to me that despite all the aberrant practices and quirks, the center of the religion is Jesus Christ. So we might ask, how much do you have to "get right" to be a Christian? Do you have to fully and properly understand the Trinity? (Tony Jones discussed this a bit.) Do you have to fully and properly understand "the Scriptures?" (which ones? Hebrew? Greek? Apocryphal?) I'm not sure if faith and relationship with God is about an entrance exam, and so I'm hopeful that as Mormons center their faith around Jesus Christ, they really are connecting with the living God.3) All religions are really funky and peculiar. Not sure what else to say about that - I love religion. I love watching Muslims circle the Kaaba in prayer. I love hearing the Muslim call to prayer. I was in awe of the Mormon Temple. I love Christian worship - but when you step back and look at it all from a somewhat objective standpoint, there is a certain part of you that just thinks it is plain weird. Perhaps that is indicative of something else? Like an "echo" of another life, another purpose, another existence? Or maybe it's just that humans do a great job contaminating the spiritual life.
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Mormons Are New Testament Christians, not Creedal Christians
The Church of Jesus Christ (LDS) is often accused by Evangelical pastors of not believing in Christ and, therefore, not being a Christian religion. This post helps to clarify such misconceptions by examining early Christianity's theology relating to baptism, the Godhead, the deity of Jesus Christ and His Atonement.
Baptism:
Early Christian churches, practiced baptism of youth (not infants) by immersion by the father of the family. The local congregation had a lay ministry. An early Christian Church has been re-constructed at the Israel Museum, and the above can be verified. The Church of Jesus Christ (LDS) continues baptism and a lay ministry as taught by Jesus’ Apostles. Early Christians were persecuted for keeping their practices sacred, and prohibiting non-Christians from witnessing them.
The Trinity:
A literal reading of the New Testament points to God and Jesus Christ , His Son , being separate , divine beings , united in purpose. . To whom was Jesus praying in Gethsemane, and Who was speaking to Him and his apostles on the Mount of Transfiguration? The Nicene Creed’s definition of the Trinity was influenced by scribes translating the Greek manuscripts into Latin. The scribes embellished on a passage explaining the Trinity , which is the Catholic and Protestant belief that God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The oldest versions of the epistle of 1 John, read: "There are three that bear witness: the Spirit, the water and the blood and these three are one." Scribes later added "the Father, the Word and the Spirit," and it remained in the epistle when it was translated into English for the King James Version, according to Dr. Bart Ehrman, Chairman of the Religion Department at UNC- Chapel Hill. He no longer believes in the Nicene Trinity. . Scholars agree that Early Christians believed in an embodied God; it was neo-Platonist influences that later turned Him into a disembodied Spirit. For example, it was an emperor (Constantine) . who introduced a term, homoousious, which defined the Son as “consubstantial” (one being) with the Father. Neither term or anything like it is in the New Testament. Harper’s Bible Dictionary entry on the Trinity says “the formal doctrine of the Trinity as it was defined by the great church councils of the fourth and fifth centuries is not to be found in the New Testament.” Furthermore, 11 of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were non-Trinitarian Christians http://scienceblogs.com/dispatches/2009/01/richard_price.php The Church of Jesus Christ (LDS) views the Trinity as three separate divine beings , in accord with the earliest Greek New Testament manuscripts and the Founders.
Theosis
Divinization, narrowing the space between God and humans, was also part of Early Christian belief. St. Athanasius of Alexandria (Eastern Orthodox) wrote, regarding theosis, "The Son of God became man, that we might become God." Irenaeus wrote in the late 2nd Century: “we have not been made gods from the beginning, but at first merely men, then at length gods” Justin Martyr in mid 2nd Century said: “all men are deemed worthy of becoming ‘gods,’ and of having power to become sons of the Highest” Clement of Alexandria explained “Saints . . pure in heart . . are destined to sit on thrones with the other gods that have been first put in their places by the Savior.” The Gospel of Thomas (which pre-dates the 4 Gospels, but was considered non-canonical by the Nicene Council) quotes the Savior: "He who will drink from my mouth will become as I am: I myself shall become he, and the things that are hidden will be revealed to him," (Gospel of Thomas 50, 28-30, Nag Hammadi Library in English, J.M.Robinson, 1st ed 1977; 3rd ed. 1988) For further information on this subject, refer to http://NewTestamentTempleRitual.blogspot.com The Church of Jesus Christ (LDS) agrees with Early Christian church leaders regarding theosis.
In the words of Church of Jesus Christ (LDS) Apostle, Bruce R. McConkie: "There is and can only be one who is supreme, who is the head and to who all others are subject". Becoming like God is not saying we will ever be equal to Him, frankly we won't and can't. He, and only He, will forever be worshipped by us.
The Deity of Jesus Christ
Mormons hold firmly to the deity of Christ. For members of the Church of Jesus Christ (LDS), Jesus is not only the Son of God but also God the Son. Evangelical pollster George Barna found in 2001 that while only 33 percent of American Catholics, Lutherans, and Methodists (28 percent of Episcopalians) agreed that Jesus was “without sin”, 70 percent of Mormons believe Jesus was sinless.
The Cross and Christ’s Atonement:
The Cross became popular as a Christian symbol in the Fifth Century A.D. . Members of the Church of Jesus Christ (LDS) believe the proper Christian symbol is Christ’s resurrection , not his crucifixion on the Cross. Many Mormon chapels feature paintings of the resurrected Christ or His Second Coming. Furthermore, members of the church believe the major part of Christ’s atonement occurred in the Garden of Gethsemane as Christ took upon him the sins of all mankind.
Definition of “Christian”: .
But Mormons don’t term Catholics and Protestants “non-Christian”. They believe Christ’s atonement applies to all mankind. The dictionary definition of a Christian is “of, pertaining to, believing in, or belonging to a religion based on the teachings of Jesus Christ”: All of the above denominations are followers of Christ, and consider him divine, and the Messiah foretold in the Old Testament. They all worship the one and only true God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and address Him in prayer as prescribed in The Lord’s Prayer. It’s important to understand the difference between Reformation and Restoration when we consider who might be authentic Christians. . Early Christians had certain rituals which defined a Christian , which members of the Church of Jesus Christ (LDS) continue today. . If members of the Church of Jesus Christ (LDS) embrace early Christian theology, they are likely more “Christian” than their detractors.
• The Need for a Restoration of the Christian Church:
The founder of the Baptist Church in America, Roger Williams, just prior to leaving the church he established, said this: "There is no regularly constituted church of Christ on earth, nor any person qualified to administer any church ordinances; nor can there be until new apostles are sent by the Great Head of the Church for whose coming I am seeking.” (Picturesque America, p. 502.) Martin Luther had similar thoughts: "Nor can a Christian believer be forced beyond sacred Scriptures,...unless some new and proved revelation should be added; for we are forbidden by divine law to believe except what is proved either through the divine Scriptures or through Manifest revelation." He also wrote: "I have sought nothing beyond reforming the Church in conformity with the Holy Scriptures. The spiritual powers have been not only corrupted by sin, but absolutely destroyed; so that there is now nothing in them but a depraved reason and a will that is the enemy and opponent of God. I simply say that Christianity has ceased to exist among those who should have preserved it." The Lutheran, Baptist and Church of Jesus Christ (LDS) churches recognize an apostasy from early Christianity. The Lutheran and Baptist churches have attempted reform, but Mormonism (and Roger Williams, and perhaps Martin Luther) require inspired restoration, so as to re-establish an unbroken line of authority and apostolic succession.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .* * *
• Christ-Like Lives:
The 2005 National Study of Youth and Religion published by UNC-Chapel Hill found that Church of Jesus Christ (LDS) youth (ages 13 to 17) were more likely to exhibit these Christian characteristics than Evangelicals (the next most observant group):
1. Attend Religious Services weekly
2. Importance of Religious Faith in shaping daily life – extremely important
3. Believes in life after death
4. Does NOT believe in psychics or fortune-tellers
5. Has taught religious education classes
6. Has fasted or denied something as spiritual discipline
7. Sabbath Observance
8. Shared religious faith with someone not of their faith
9. Family talks about God, scriptures, prayer daily
10. Supportiveness of church for parent in trying to raise teen (very supportive)
11. Church congregation has done an excellent job in helping teens better understand their own sexuality and sexual morality
. LDS . Evangelical
1. 71% . . 55%
2. 52 . . . 28
3. 76 . . . 62
4. 100 . . 95
5. 42 . . . 28
6. 68 . . . 22
7. 67 . . . 40
8. 72 . . . 56
9. 50 . . . 19
10 65 . . . 26
11 84 . . . 35
So what do you think the motivation is for the Evangelical preachers to denigrate the Mormon Church? You would think Evangelical preachers would be emulating Mormon practices (a creed to believe, a place to belong, a calling to live out, and a hope to hold onto) which were noted by Methodist Rev. Kenda Creasy Dean of the Princeton Theological Seminary, as causing Mormon teenagers to “top the charts” in Christian characteristics. It seems obvious pastors shouldn't be denigrating a church based on First Century Christianity, with high efficacy. The only plausible reason to denigrate Mormons is for Evangelical pastors to protect their flock (and their livelihood).
Further Reading: http://jesuschrist.lds.org/SonOfGod/eng/
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