“DCP” wrote: An increasing proportion of Latter-day Saints live in what has sometimes been called the “Third World.” For many of them, I expect, the temples of the Church may well be the most beautiful buildings they are ever permitted to enter—and, yes, a harbinger of the blessings awaiting the faithful in the world to come. As a pampered and privileged resident of perhaps the wealthiest nation in human history, I’m happy if my tithes can help in even a small way to provide that experience for them, and I’m strongly disinclined to deprive them of it.
Perhaps some religion could also take ten percent of their income and offer them a ride around in a Bugatti. Or maybe one of those nice Mercedes that the Brethren travel in. It would be one of the most beautiful cars they are ever permitted to enter, and a harbinger of the eternity of luxury cars that surely awaits us in the life to come. But only if we are worthy.
A temple is an offering to God. It would be extremely inappropriate that the highest conception of perfection should receive second rate or profane gifts. If anything, LDS temples should be more carefully designed, constructed, and decorated.
"He disturbs the laws of his country, he forces himself upon women, and he puts men to death without trial.” ~Otanes on the monarch, Herodotus Histories 3.80.
A temple is an offering to God. It would be extremely inappropriate that the highest conception of perfection should receive second rate or profane gifts. If anything, LDS temples should be more carefully designed, constructed, and decorated.
Indeed. Iceland has some churches that drops one’s jaw.
A temple is an offering to God. It would be extremely inappropriate that the highest conception of perfection should receive second rate or profane gifts. If anything, LDS temples should be more carefully designed, constructed, and decorated.
It's hard to argue that the temples are objectively tacky. But I think a large number of people subjectively find them so.
As Cam said, the cathedrals of Europe are breathtaking. And they're free for anyone to enter, regardless of worthiness. Mormon temples are like a Potemkin version of that in comparison. Especially since this new crusade to build as many of them as possible.
I wonder how excited DCP would be if an angel were to visit him and say, "DCP, the Lord has authorized you to visit a place of worship within the Celestial Kingdom. That's right, for two full hours, you'll get to explore actual Celestial architecture. The catch is, you first must live in a slum for 25 years and eat terrible food, that is, when you actually have food and aren't starving. And then there's disease and everything else you'll suffer, and you'll have to work 13 hours a day in heat and drudgery in order to eat the sometimes-food and don't forget, 10% of that money for food first has to go to tithing. And when the time comes to visit the building, you'll need to have saved enough money to pay your trip there and for anything in the cafeteria. And the Cafeteria ain't Seasons 52 so don't get your hopes up."
We can't take farmers and take all their people and send them back because they don't have maybe what they're supposed to have. They get rid of some of the people who have been there for 25 years and they work great and then you throw them out and they're replaced by criminals.
A temple is an offering to God. It would be extremely inappropriate that the highest conception of perfection should receive second rate or profane gifts. If anything, LDS temples should be more carefully designed, constructed, and decorated.
If they really were anything like the ancient temples as restored principles and ideals, they would have so much more to them than just boxes with bright lights on their outside to ruin night-sight for star watching. It's down right ludicrous how out of whack they are in regard to the really instructive and spiritual symbolism ancient temples actually exude for anyone who wishes to pursue such topics.
Temples anciently were actually places of real P-O-W-E-R because of WHERE they were built. Today's temples? Meh... Nothing ever happens inside like hints are given to us in ancient times used to happen. It's all "window dressing and eye wash" to steal a phrase from Hugh Nibley (Note to DCP, I did not plagiarize Nibley here, I gave him proper credit - duh).
I wonder how excited DCP would be if an angel were to visit him and say, "DCP, the Lord has authorized you to visit a place of worship within the Celestial Kingdom. That's right, for two full hours, you'll get to explore actual Celestial architecture. The catch is, you first must live in a slum for 25 years and eat terrible food, that is, when you actually have food and aren't starving. And then there's disease and everything else you'll suffer, and you'll have to work 13 hours a day in heat and drudgery in order to eat the sometimes-food and don't forget, 10% of that money for food first has to go to tithing. And when the time comes to visit the building, you'll need to have saved enough money to pay your trip there and for anything in the cafeteria. And the Cafeteria ain't Seasons 52 so don't get your hopes up."
Whatever you do, don’t deprive him of the opportunity!
At least he was self aware enough to acknowledge that he is one of the lucky few who is able to have his cake and eat it.
He is currently blogging about seeing a Shakespeare play for the hundredth time, while some 3rd world Mormon saints in Africa are being filmed by Interpreter.
Maybe invite one of them to stay at your house, Daniel? I’m sure they would love to enjoy a bit of the cultured life.
I wonder how excited DCP would be if an angel were to visit him and say, "DCP, the Lord has authorized you to visit a place of worship within the Celestial Kingdom. That's right, for two full hours, you'll get to explore actual Celestial architecture. The catch is, you first must live in a slum for 25 years and eat terrible food, that is, when you actually have food and aren't starving. And then there's disease and everything else you'll suffer, and you'll have to work 13 hours a day in heat and drudgery in order to eat the sometimes-food and don't forget, 10% of that money for food first has to go to tithing. And when the time comes to visit the building, you'll need to have saved enough money to pay your trip there and for anything in the cafeteria. And the Cafeteria ain't Seasons 52 so don't get your hopes up."
He wouldn't even have to go far for this wonderful experience. In Salt Lake City at every single exit off the Interstate 15 into town, once you get off the interstate and into "zion" there are massive tent cities existing right under the overpasses with cardboard shanties and plastic grocery bags for windows. He could join them for a few years and experience the "love" of Jesus for him while in those conditions where the only true and living church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints headquarters itself. I mean, this is Jesus in action, no?
If they really were anything like the ancient temples as restored principles and ideals, they would have so much more to them than just boxes with bright lights on their outside to ruin night-sight for star watching.
Yes; they would also include priests cutting out the still-beating hearts of their poor victims.
Temples anciently were actually places of real P-O-W-E-R because of WHERE they were built.
What difference did their locations make?
Today's temples? Meh... Nothing ever happens inside like hints are given to us in ancient times used to happen.
