The functional banality of LDS temples

[Moksha]

MG, you have not presented any reason that a person should not think this photo is a photo of God's house.

Especially if He wanted to pop over to Katz's Deli for a pastrami sandwich and potato latkes.

[MG 2.0]

This location was the place I always went to during grad school for a peaceful time.

MG, you have not presented any reason that a person should not think this photo is a photo of God's house.

Hi Huck,
I haven’t done so because I cannot think of any reason why a magnificent structure such as this that people come into with the goal/purpose of seeking the divine would not act as a catalyst to feeling the Spirit of the Lord.

I have been in these Cathedrals and have felt the majesty of the divine.

Regards,
MG

[Doctor Steuss]

Temple clothing, while different than the clothing worn outside of the temple, has a place in the symbolism in the temple. LDS folks believe that God teaches us through symbolism. For example, the sacrament or Eucharist has symbolic meaning to many Christians. The temple is filled with symbolism that represents the teachings of eternal truth.

Regards,
MG

God just happens to teach us through symbols that were co-opted from the mythoi of a modern organization that Joseph joined 6 weeks prior to the temple ceremony revelation.

[Physics Guy]

What could Smith have been thinking, doing that? Would he have been sure that only a few of his followers would be masons who would recognize the rituals?

If there were only a few masons in his flock, I'm guessing he could have accepted a few defections over the ripoff. He wouldn't have feared those few blowing the whistle on him, because they were sworn to secrecy about that stuff as masons.

[Doctor Steuss]

What could Smith have been thinking, doing that? Would he have been sure that only a few of his followers would be masons who would recognize the rituals?

If there were only a few masons in his flock, I'm guessing he could have accepted a few defections over the ripoff. He wouldn't have feared those few blowing the whistle on him, because they were sworn to secrecy about that stuff as masons.

Heber Kimball (who was also a Freemason) said that Joseph told him that Masonry was taken from priesthood, but had become degenerated.

Essentially, it appears that Smith, et.al. just rolled with the Freemason mythoi that the organization (and initiation) ultimately originated with Solomon's temple.

[MG 2.0]

Temple clothing, while different than the clothing worn outside of the temple, has a place in the symbolism in the temple. LDS folks believe that God teaches us through symbolism. For example, the sacrament or Eucharist has symbolic meaning to many Christians. The temple is filled with symbolism that represents the teachings of eternal truth.

Regards,
MG

God just happens to teach us through symbols that were co-opted from the mythoi of a modern organization that Joseph joined 6 weeks prior to the temple ceremony revelation.

Years ago that bothered me quite a bit. Long story made short, as I came to see that the symbols and practices that Joseph and others experienced could be seen/used as a revelatory template, of sorts, used as a scaffolding, if you will, to use as a form to present the endowment, it didn’t bother me as it once had.

Regards,
MG

[drumdude]

God just happens to teach us through symbols that were co-opted from the mythoi of a modern organization that Joseph joined 6 weeks prior to the temple ceremony revelation.

Years ago that bothered me quite a bit. Long story made short, as I came to see that the symbols and practices that Joseph and others experienced could be seen/used as a revelatory template, of sorts, used as a scaffolding, if you will, to use as a form to present the endowment, it didn’t bother me as it once had.

Regards,
MG

I don't think its as big an issue as the fact that the endowment keeps changing.

[Physics Guy]

Essentially, it appears that Smith, et.al. just rolled with the Freemason mythoi that the organization (and initiation) ultimately originated with Solomon's temple.

Oh, duh. Yeah, I guess that would do it. However many masons there may have been in Smith's flock, he probably could have counted on most of them being naïve on this point. Heck, Smith himself might even have thought that he was stealing a genuine ancient ritual.

[Doctor Steuss]

I don't think its as big an issue as the fact that the endowment keeps changing.

Adopting symbols from elsewhere, and changing aspects of the ceremony probably wouldn't be a speedbump at all if it weren't for the claims of ancient origin/restoration (in my opinion).

[drumdude]

Also the fact that you're warned not to "sell" the signs and tokens. Implying that anyone who knows them can fraudulently enter heaven. The whole premise is like a bad B movie plot.