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I've read statements like this several times.

Six columns surmounted by six sunstones, and six pentagrams, adorned the front of the Nauvoo Temple

Those who make such statements usually imply there's some significance to this number, but I'm curious about two things.

1.) Is it true?

2.) How do we know (since the Nauvoo Temple was burned in 1848)?

Did they have cameras then?

Did someone take pictures?

Did any contemporary Mormons actually describe these "Six columns surmounted by six sunstones, and six pentagrams" adorning the front of the Nauvoo Temple (or are the only descriptions that survive from their enemies)?

I feel a need to stop you right there and add that there are no goat heads attached to our inverted pentagrams.

Thank you.

But I'm really interested in whether anyone knows what the front of the Nauvoo Temple looked like?

Were there ever six columns, six sunstones, and six stars (or was that all made up)?

That's my question here.

(I'm also interested in whether three six's are always a sign of evil, but that's another question.)

inquiringmind wrote:But I'm really interested in whether anyone knows what the front of the Nauvoo Temple looked like?

Were there ever six columns, six sunstones, and six stars (or was that all made up)?

The front of the current version of the Nauvoo Temple has six sunstones, six columns, and six moon stones. This current version is said to be an exact copy of the original at least on the outside, other than a statue of Moroni having been substituted for the weather vane on the original, which showed Moroni in temple robes, etc. There are a few pictures (probably daguerrotypes) of the original Nauvoo Temple, but I haven't found any that show the front in enough detail to confirm the 666 stuff. I have no idea whether the six sunstones, columns, and moon stones mean anything other than mere coincidence, but since LDS temples have so much symbolism (particularly on the outside) that I wouldn't be surprised if the 666 stuff means something ... I just don't know what.

Rollo Tomasi wrote:

inquiringmind wrote:But I'm really interested in whether anyone knows what the front of the Nauvoo Temple looked like?

Were there ever six columns, six sunstones, and six stars (or was that all made up)?

The front of the current version of the Nauvoo Temple has six sunstones, six columns, and six moon stones. This current version is said to be an exact copy of the original at least on the outside, other than a statue of Moroni having been substituted for the weather vane on the original, which showed Moroni in temple robes, etc. There are a few pictures (probably daguerrotypes) of the original Nauvoo Temple, but I haven't found any that show the front in enough detail to confirm the 666 stuff. I have no idea whether the six sunstones, columns, and moon stones mean anything other than mere coincidence, but since LDS temples have so much symbolism (particularly on the outside) that I wouldn't be surprised if the 666 stuff means something ... I just don't know what.

Thank you.

I'm having trouble with the idea of "mere coincidence" if everything is ""one eternal round" to God.

I mean if He foresees and foreknows everything (including what we'll think of things), and everything is either caused by Him or the free agency of His creatures, I'm not sure what "mere coincidence" is (but maybe that's a question for another topic heading.)

Is this triple six some see just an arbitrary, selective isolating of three symbols?

Are there any other multiple symbols on the front of the Nauvoo Temple?

For example, if there are six moonstones, that would make four (not three) sets of six.

If there are four stars of David, that would make 22 symbols.

Are the columns, sunstones, and five pointed stars the only things that adorn the front of the Nauvoo Temple?

So are these questions posed because you think it has something to do with the devil or that the symbology itself has something sinister behind it?

stemelbow wrote:So are these questions posed because you think it has something to do with the devil or that the symbology itself has something sinister behind it?

These questions are posed for multiple reasons.

If there is a triple six pattern, and it has nothing to do with the devil, then three six's don't always have some sinister meaning.

If the pattern isn't there, maybe they still do.

My last question was whether the columns, the sunstones, and the five pointed stars are the only things that adorn the front of the Temple?

If they're not, maybe the pattern isn't even there.

Could anyone enlighten me?

Are there moonstones, six pointed stars, or anything else that would demonstrate that the three six thing purely selective (i.e. if you count the moonstones there are four six's)?

I heard that the 6 spires on the Salt Lake City temple are symbolic of the priesthood. You have Aaronic and Melchizedek and within each you have a group of 3. It's either symbolic of a leader with two counselors, or perhaps of the various stages in the priesthoods: deacon, teacher, priest, etc.

Are three 6's is really six hundred and three score and six? Anyhow I have heard that the original passage in Revelation may refer to Nero.

inquiringmind wrote:(I'm also interested in whether three six's are always a sign of evil, but that's another question.)

Three sixes are really not a sign of evil, even in the Book of Revelation.

Six is one short of seven, the number of perfection and completion.

Hence, six represent something short of perfection, which is then frequently applied to mortals.

The Revelation seems to comport with this understanding by labeling this infamous number as "the number of a man."

And I believe asbestos is right that most New Testament scholars feel it likely the reference was to Nero Caesar, whose name "adds up" to six hundred, sixty-six.

This idea is supported by an early manuscript of Revelation that has the number not as 666, but as 616. Nero Caesar, spelled a different way, adds up to that alternate number, as well.

All the Best!

--Consiglieri

consiglieri wrote:Three sixes are really not a sign of evil, even in the Book of Revelation.

Six is one short of seven, the number of perfection and completion.

Hence, six represent something short of perfection, which is then frequently applied to mortals.

And six hundred and sixty six is six hundreds, six tens, and six ones--three sets of six.

I understand that.

But this is still associated with evil by most people (myself included), some almost to the point of phobia.

asbestosman wrote:I heard that the 6 spires on the Salt Lake City temple are symbolic of the priesthood. You have Aaronic and Melchizedek and within each you have a group of 3. It's either symbolic of a leader with two counselors, or perhaps of the various stages in the priesthoods: deacon, teacher, priest, etc..

I've heard that, and it makes sense.

And if that symbolism is repeated three (and only three) times on the front of the Nauvoo Temple, maybe triple six is just a number.

But I'd still like to know if it's repeated three (and only three) times.

Are the columns, sunstones, and five pointed stars all that's there (or are they just all that some evangelicals see when they look at it)?