Source of Temple Requirement

[_Joey]

Can anyone who claims to understand Mormonism please provide the source for the need of performing ceremonies inside a temple, at the exclusion of those determined "unworthy by Mormon standards, in christian scripture or in LDS revelation.

I think this may be the single most significant fear of the LDS church in the upcoming Big Love episode - the fact that there is no requirement or need for such in either christian scripture nor (LDS)revelation. I suspect the real fear of the LDS church is that airing such ceremonies will further separate it from mainstream christianity and their claim of being a christian church.

Is there any basis for the temple need being of christian origin? Is there even any historical evidence that temples were used for such things in the ancient hebrew cultures?

Can any knowledgable Mormons articulate the source/need for the temple requirements?

[_moksha]

Didn't the Temple ceremonies become closed when they started to perform polygamous rites and before that it what more open?

[_hobart]

It is believed that temples were essential to peoples of ancient times and that the ordinances given therein are nothing new. In respect to such ordinances, Wilford Woodruff said that the "Lord had His endowments long ago. . . .it is thousands and millions of years since He received His blessings" (Journal of Discourses 4:192). "Hugh Nibley [in Message of the Joseph Smith Papyri: An Egyptian Endowment] has shown that evidence from ancient papyri confirms the antiquity of the endowment and demonstrates sacred ordinances were an essential feature of Egyptian temple worship. Following the traditional initiation of washing, clothing and anointing, one would enter the temple itself. Progressing from room to room symbolized one's increasing understanding and progress into the presence of God" (Richard Cowan, Temples To Dot The Earth, 13).

The question becomes whether what we know as LDS temple ceremonies were all available during ancient times. "Modern revelation affirms that both the tabernacle of Moses and the temple of Solomon were built so that 'those ordinances might be revealed which had been hid from before the world was' (D&C 124:38). Hence the Lord's people in these Old Testament times had access to at least some temple ordinances. . .Although vicarious service for the dead was not inaugurated until New Testament times, ordinances for the living were available during earlier dispensations" (Cowan 11-12). Though Brigham Young noted that the temple of Solomon was built "for the purpose for giving endowments" (Journal of Discourses 18:303), it is believed that not until after Jesus' time were vicarious ordinances for the dead known. "The inauguration of work among the dead, was wrought by Christ in the interval between his death and resurrection" (James E Talmage, House of the Lord, 91). "Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?" (1 Cor 15:29) is often used to support this (though mainstream Christians think Mormons are misusing and misunderstanding this verse).

There are two schools of thought to why we can't find much evidence in the scriptures and ancient writings of the particularities of what happens in LDS temples now. Either the Lord has saved His most important ordinances (the "fullness of the Gospel" for the last days or ancient peoples knew all that Mormons do now, but they were not open to discussing it in detail "because such ordinances are sacred and not for the world. There are, however, in the Old Testament references to covenants and obligations under which the members of the Church in those days were placed, although the meaning is generally obscure" (Joseph Fielding Smith, "Was Temple Work Done," 794).

[_Joey]

It is believed that temples were essential to peoples of ancient times

Believed by whom????

and that the ordinances given therein are nothing new. In respect to such ordinances, Wilford Woodruff said that the "Lord had His endowments long ago. . . .it is thousands and millions of years since He received His blessings" (Journal of Discourses 4:192). "Hugh Nibley [in Message of the Joseph Smith Papyri: An Egyptian Endowment] has shown that evidence from ancient papyri confirms the antiquity of the endowment and demonstrates sacred ordinances were an essential feature of Egyptian temple worship. Following the traditional initiation of washing, clothing and anointing, one would enter the temple itself. Progressing from room to room symbolized one's increasing understanding and progress into the presence of God" (Richard Cowan, Temples To Dot The Earth, 13).

The question becomes whether what we know as LDS temple ceremonies were all available during ancient times. "Modern revelation affirms that both the tabernacle of Moses and the temple of Solomon were built so that 'those ordinances might be revealed which had been hid from before the world was' (D&C 124:38). Hence the Lord's people in these Old Testament times had access to at least some temple ordinances. . .Although vicarious service for the dead was not inaugurated until New Testament times, ordinances for the living were available during earlier dispensations" (Cowan 11-12). Though Brigham Young noted that the temple of Solomon was built "for the purpose for giving endowments" (Journal of Discourses 18:303), it is believed

Again, "believed" by whom????

that not until after Jesus' time were vicarious ordinances for the dead known. "The inauguration of work among the dead, was wrought by Christ in the interval between his death and resurrection" (James E Talmage, House of the Lord, 91). "Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?" (1 Cor 15:29) is often used to support this (though mainstream Christians think Mormons are misusing and misunderstanding this verse).

There are two schools of thought

I am assuming you mean the schools in Provo, Ut. and Rexburg, Id.

to why we can't find much evidence in the scriptures and ancient writings of the particularities of what happens in LDS temples now. Either the Lord has saved His most important ordinances (the "fullness of the Gospel" for the last days or ancient peoples knew all that Mormons do now, but they were not open to discussing it in detail "because such ordinances are sacred and not for the world. There are, however, in the Old Testament references to covenants and obligations under which the members of the Church in those days were placed, although the meaning is generally obscure" (Joseph Fielding Smith, "Was Temple Work Done," 794).

This looks like some canned response from FARMS. None of what you have posted above provides any scriptural nor revelatory support for the temple requirement. It does not exist, either in christian doctrine nor Mormon doctrine.

Is it any wonder we find no exclusionary practice of it even in Jewish beliefs today?

I think it is perfectly fine for the LDS church to make this a requirement for admission into thier church. However, as a christian, I find it offensive to claim that the temple requirements are a christian teaching.

I really think this is the real concern of the Mormon church over the upcoming Big Love episode. It further exposes the Mormon church to claims it cannot defend via christian scripture (or Mormon doctrine) and separates it even further from christianity.

[_Daniel Peterson]

http://www.Facebook.com/video/video.php?v=529211793451

[_hobart]

It is believed that temples were essential to peoples of ancient times

Believed by whom????

Believed by the Mormons. I was hoping to give a glimpse of what it is that Mormons believe by providing some lengthy quotes. Personally, it sounds like a load of crap, but it makes sense in the context of LDS thought (to those who believe it). I'm sure someone else here, a Mormon believer, would be able to provide a better apologetic explanation. Mormons are big on restoring pure religion that was once practiced. Ancient Jews had a temple. So, to you as a Christian, I ask: why a temple then and not now? (I'm playing devil's advocate of course).

[_karl61]

Do you think the Jews needed an interview to go into the temple.

interviewer: in the last five years have you burned down the high places and killed any pagan priest.

the response by the member: yes - burned down four high places and killed tweny pagan priests.

interviewer: that will earn you a temple recommend.