About the Mormon Temple

The Mormon Temple is the temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and is a building used for special worship. It is dedicated to God and is not considered the same as the church used in other religious circles. Many different denominations of Mormons have different uses for their temples and some don't use temples at all.There are approximately 120 Mormon temples around the world. They are used for worship, marriages and endowment ceremonies. They are also used for special services geared for the living and for ancestors.

History of

The Mormon faith was founded by Joseph Smith Jr. in 1830. Two years later, he announced to his parishes that they would adopt the temple worship from the Old Testament. He claimed to have received a revelation to do so. In the Doctrine and Covenants written in 1835, he wrote:"Establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God."The temple was also a statement in the Mormon's belief that the Lord will come "to his temple" on his second coming.The first temple was constructed in Kirtland, Ohio. There were plans to construct a second identical temple in Jackson County Missouri. They were both supposed to be part of Smith's City of Zion plan. However, the temple in Jackson County was never constructed because the Mormons were expulsed from there. On March 17, 1836, the Kirtland temple was welcomed with a long dedication ceremony. Conflict arose again in 1838 when the church was forced to set up its headquarters in Far West, Missouri. The Mormon War broke out and the group was again expulsed, this time from Missouri. The Mormons regrouped in 1839 and moved to Nauvoo, Illinois. While constructing the Nauvoo temple, Joseph Smith and his brother were murdered. The temple was eventually finished and dedicated to the church's founder, but the damage had been done to the religion. The death of Joseph Smith caused the division of the movement and the creation of the different sectors.

Evolution

The Mormon temple has evolved from the time that it was first established. The purposes and significance of the temples changed as time went on.When first established, it was known as "A House of the Lord" and was built from John Smith's revelation in 1836 in Kirtland. It served as a welcoming center for when the Lord returned to earth. To this day, temples still serve this purpose.The Kirtland temple also became the "House of Learning." This is where the prophets went to learn and was sometimes referred to "School of the Prophets."As new temples started to be constructed, they became known as "Center of the City of Zion." The temples became the center of Zionic communities. These include the Kirtland temple, plus other temples such as Adam-ondi-Ahman Temple, Nauvoo Temple, Salt Lake Temple, Mesa Arizona Temple, and many others.When the temples started performing endowment and baptism for the dead, they became known as "Sacred spaces for special ordinances." All of this began in the Nauvoo Temple and spread on to the other temples.

Function

Other than special worship to God, the temples are used for special rituals and Mormon ordinances. They include services for the dead such as baptism and confirmation (anointing and the laying of hands). Ordination for priesthood is also another ritual done for the dead. Endowment, to receive special powers from God, is another sacred ritual done in the Latter Day Saints temples, along with other initiatory ordinances such as "Washing and Anointing." The marriages that are performed there are referred to as "Sealing" or eternal marriages.

Identification

The temples are usually massive buildings that sit in the center of small communities. They are very symbolic, with religious symbols placed on the outside foundation to represent the theology of the Latter-Day Saints. On the outside of every temple, you will find the words "Holiness to the Lord" inscribed in the foundation. Other symbols, like a sun, moon, earth or stars, are also found carved into the outside foundation. Since it is prophesied that Jesus Christ will be returning from the East, the temples were built facing this direction. They are also constructed in a manner where the towers and spires are always taller on the East side of the buildings. Many of the temples are made to look like Solomon's Temple found in the bible.

Risk Factors

Not everyone is allowed access into a Latter-Day Saints temple. To be able to enter, you must be a part of the faith or convert to the faith. There is a waiting period of one-year before you will be allowed to have a "temple recommend", which allows you to then enter. Even before actually receiving the "temple recommend", you will be required to have a one-on-one interview with a bishop to access your worthiness. There is a second interview with the temple's president that is also required. After this, your recommend has to be signed by the bishop, the president and yourself. It is then valid for two years.This is difficult if someone of the faith wishes to marry in the temple. They are not allowed to invite non-members to the wedding ceremony since they are not allowed to enter the temple. There is something called a limited-use recommend that doesn't require a year membership before obtaining but it is only used for baptism and confirmation ceremonies.