What are Mormon temples and what are they for?
Well, first, they are not places where members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints go for normal weekly church meetings.
For weekly worship services, they go to a meetinghouse where we meet to take the sacrament, bread and water, where we recommit to follow the Savior and keep the commandments. We also have a Sunday School where we study the Bible and The Book of Mormon, both of which teach about the Savior. We then divide into meetings where the women meet together and study the gospel and talk about ways to help others and the men meet together to talk about responsibilities of priesthood holders.
Back to the temples.
There are nearly 130 of them around the world in many countries.
We go to the temple to participate in sacred ordinances where we covenant to follow the Savior and be good and charitable people.
There are ordinances of baptism for the dead where living people are baptized as proxies for their deceased ancestors because of our belief in the Saviors words that every person must be baptized or they cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. We believe that those who are dead will have the opportunity to either accept or reject this baptism in their behalf. They will not be forced to accept anything.
These temples are special places where members go to be closer to the Lord and his Spirit and away from the influences of Satan.
Members go when they want. Some go once a year, some several times a year, some monthly, some weekly, and some every day. It is totally up the the individual member and what they feel they need.
They are special places for Mormons, sacred places where they can feel close to the Lord, where they can rededicate themselves to living righteously, where they can follow God.
We don't talk about specifics about the temples because they are very dear to us. Some might call that being secretive. We just feel it's sacred.
Want more info? Check out mormon.org
Women in the Church
Mormon women belong to the largest women's organization in the world.
They perform countless acts of kindness, participate in thousands of humanitarian projects and care for their families, neighbors and other loved ones whether they are members of the Church or not.
Do women in the Church have jobs outside the home?
Yes, I would guess that 50-70% work at something outside the home either on a part-time or full-time basis.
Are they all seamstresses or work at menial jobs?
No. There are doctors and lawyers, teachers and salespeople, musicians and singers, actresses and workers on theatrical crews, truck drivers and golf pros, lunch ladies and chefs, pilots and travel agents, cashiers and ushers.
Women in the Church work at thousands of different kinds of jobs. Their first priority as taught in the Church, is teaching their children to pray, to worship God, to keep the commandments, and to believe in the atonement of Jesus Christ.
They teach their children to be honest, to care for others, to work hard, to get an education and to be good citizens of their country wherever they live.
Mothers are a strength in the Church. They give input, they lead organizations, they make a real difference in the Church and the world.
More info at mormon.org
They perform countless acts of kindness, participate in thousands of humanitarian projects and care for their families, neighbors and other loved ones whether they are members of the Church or not.
Do women in the Church have jobs outside the home?
Yes, I would guess that 50-70% work at something outside the home either on a part-time or full-time basis.
Are they all seamstresses or work at menial jobs?
No. There are doctors and lawyers, teachers and salespeople, musicians and singers, actresses and workers on theatrical crews, truck drivers and golf pros, lunch ladies and chefs, pilots and travel agents, cashiers and ushers.
Women in the Church work at thousands of different kinds of jobs. Their first priority as taught in the Church, is teaching their children to pray, to worship God, to keep the commandments, and to believe in the atonement of Jesus Christ.
They teach their children to be honest, to care for others, to work hard, to get an education and to be good citizens of their country wherever they live.
Mothers are a strength in the Church. They give input, they lead organizations, they make a real difference in the Church and the world.
More info at mormon.org
A Father's Duty - as Taught by a Living Apostle
Sometimes it is viewed as being egotistic to be manly.
There's more to being a man than being great at sports.
There is the misconception that men in the Church don't honor and care for women. Here is a living apostle telling the men of the Church how they should act.
Make your own decision on what the Church teaches about women.
(This is part of message given to men in meeting of men of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)
There's more to being a man than being great at sports.
There is the misconception that men in the Church don't honor and care for women. Here is a living apostle telling the men of the Church how they should act.
Make your own decision on what the Church teaches about women.
(This is part of message given to men in meeting of men of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)
Where, Why, Where
Where were we before this life?
Why are we here?
Where are we going after this life is over?
Where were we before this life?
We lived in heaven with God.
He is our Heavenly Father, we were his spirit children in that pre-earth existence.
He knew that as spirits we wouldn't have all the experiences we needed to learn and grow and so he proposed to us that we come to earth and have all the experiences that earth could bring.
There was a problem however. If we came to earth, we could sin and we wouldn't be worthy to be with God.
God proposed that there be someone who could pay for our sins for us. Our brother Jesus said he would be our savior and pay for our sins and all the glory would be God's.
Satan proposed that he would force everyone to do right and he would take the glory.
God wanted us to have the ability to choose to do right, so he accepted Christ as our savior.
Satan rebelled against God and with a third of God's children he was cast out of God's presence. He and his hosts came to earth where they would tempt and try us and get us to sin.
From Revelations
We are here to learn everything we can in life.
We are here to decide whether to follow God or not.
We are here to become as much as we can be.
We will be judged on what we do.
Where are we going after this life is over?
We will be judged after this life according to what we know and have done.
Everyone, after death, will be taught the gospel of Jesus Christ and have the opportunity to accept or reject it.
We will be judged.
If we were righteous or repented, and were baptized we will go live with God in a degree of glory called the Celestial Kingdom.
If we were good people but weren't baptized and didn't keep the commandments we will live in a degree of glory called the Terrestrial Kingdom where God does not come.
If we were evil we will go to a place called the Telestial Kingdom where God and Christ do not come.
Those who knew without doubt of Christ in this life and rejected him will go to a place called outer darkness where Satan and his followers will be.
From 1 Corinthians 15
40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.
41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.
How do we know these things? From a living prophet.
Need more? Go to mormon.org
Why are we here?
Where are we going after this life is over?
Where were we before this life?
We lived in heaven with God.
He is our Heavenly Father, we were his spirit children in that pre-earth existence.
He knew that as spirits we wouldn't have all the experiences we needed to learn and grow and so he proposed to us that we come to earth and have all the experiences that earth could bring.
There was a problem however. If we came to earth, we could sin and we wouldn't be worthy to be with God.
God proposed that there be someone who could pay for our sins for us. Our brother Jesus said he would be our savior and pay for our sins and all the glory would be God's.
Satan proposed that he would force everyone to do right and he would take the glory.
God wanted us to have the ability to choose to do right, so he accepted Christ as our savior.
Satan rebelled against God and with a third of God's children he was cast out of God's presence. He and his hosts came to earth where they would tempt and try us and get us to sin.
From Revelations
- 3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
- 4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
- 5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
- 6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
- 7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
- 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
- 9 And the great dragon was acast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
- 13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.
We are here to learn everything we can in life.
We are here to decide whether to follow God or not.
We are here to become as much as we can be.
We will be judged on what we do.
Where are we going after this life is over?
We will be judged after this life according to what we know and have done.
Everyone, after death, will be taught the gospel of Jesus Christ and have the opportunity to accept or reject it.
We will be judged.
If we were righteous or repented, and were baptized we will go live with God in a degree of glory called the Celestial Kingdom.
If we were good people but weren't baptized and didn't keep the commandments we will live in a degree of glory called the Terrestrial Kingdom where God does not come.
If we were evil we will go to a place called the Telestial Kingdom where God and Christ do not come.
Those who knew without doubt of Christ in this life and rejected him will go to a place called outer darkness where Satan and his followers will be.
From 1 Corinthians 15
40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.
41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.
How do we know these things? From a living prophet.
Need more? Go to mormon.org
Scriptures About Christ
Do we believe in Christ? Here are some scriptures I believe.
40 And the angel spake unto me, saying: These last records, which thou hast seen among the Gentiles, shall establish the truth of the first, which are of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, and shall make known the plain and precious things which have been taken away from them; and shall make known to all kindreds, tongues, and people, that the Lamb of God is the Son of the Eternal Father, and the Savior of the world; and that all men must come unto him, or they cannot be saved.
..........
17 But thus saith the Lord: Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered; for the Mighty God shall deliver his covenant people. For thus saith the Lord: I will contend with them that contendeth with thee—
18 And I will feed them that oppress thee, with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood as with sweet wine; and all flesh shall know that I the Lord am thy Savior and thy Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.
..........
13 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism—yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel.
..........
15 For behold, he surely must die that salvation may come; yea, it behooveth him and becometh expedient that he dieth, to bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, that thereby men may be brought into the presence of the Lord.
..........
20 And moreover, I say unto you, that the time shall come when the knowledge of a Savior shall spread throughout every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.
15 For behold, he surely must die that salvation may come; yea, it behooveth him and becometh expedient that he dieth, to bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, that thereby men may be brought into the presence of the Lord.
..........
These verses are numbered differently because they are from different chapters.
What do these verses have in common?
They are about Christ.
They are about His reason for coming to earth.
They are things I believe in.
They are all from The Book of Mormon, a book people insist is not true.
Hmmm... seems the verses are about Christ, some of thousands of verses that talk about Christ.
Maybe Mormons do believe in Christ.
Maybe The Book of Mormon is about Christ.
Maybe there really is is another book of scripture from ancient people that gives us more insight into Christ and his reason for coming to earth and how we can follow him?
Would you like to know about it?
More at mormon.org...
40 And the angel spake unto me, saying: These last records, which thou hast seen among the Gentiles, shall establish the truth of the first, which are of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, and shall make known the plain and precious things which have been taken away from them; and shall make known to all kindreds, tongues, and people, that the Lamb of God is the Son of the Eternal Father, and the Savior of the world; and that all men must come unto him, or they cannot be saved.
..........
17 But thus saith the Lord: Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered; for the Mighty God shall deliver his covenant people. For thus saith the Lord: I will contend with them that contendeth with thee—
18 And I will feed them that oppress thee, with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood as with sweet wine; and all flesh shall know that I the Lord am thy Savior and thy Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.
..........
13 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism—yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel.
..........
15 For behold, he surely must die that salvation may come; yea, it behooveth him and becometh expedient that he dieth, to bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, that thereby men may be brought into the presence of the Lord.
..........
20 And moreover, I say unto you, that the time shall come when the knowledge of a Savior shall spread throughout every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.
15 For behold, he surely must die that salvation may come; yea, it behooveth him and becometh expedient that he dieth, to bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, that thereby men may be brought into the presence of the Lord.
..........
These verses are numbered differently because they are from different chapters.
What do these verses have in common?
They are about Christ.
They are about His reason for coming to earth.
They are things I believe in.
They are all from The Book of Mormon, a book people insist is not true.
Hmmm... seems the verses are about Christ, some of thousands of verses that talk about Christ.
Maybe Mormons do believe in Christ.
Maybe The Book of Mormon is about Christ.
Maybe there really is is another book of scripture from ancient people that gives us more insight into Christ and his reason for coming to earth and how we can follow him?
Would you like to know about it?
More at mormon.org...
Women in the Church
To hear some people talk, women are not valued in the Church.
They say that since women can't hold the priesthood that somehow they have no value.
Huh?
People get the idea that the Church is run the way those at the top of the Church want it run and it has nothing to do with doing things the Lord's way.
People outside the Church say, "just change and give women the priesthood and then you will show you value them."
What am I missing here? Those outside are saying, "do things the way we think they should be done," and forget what the Lord has asked to be done?
I guess that works in Churches that have no authority from God, no revelation, no restored truth, and the scriptures mingled with the philosophies of free thinkers.
But, in the restored Church that has the truth as taught by Christ, has authority from God to govern his Church, has revelation from God telling how to the Church should be structured, has a living prophet and apostles who receive revelation, has it all, that's not the way things work.
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, even the name of the Church came through revelation and not from a bunch of goobers sittin' round a barrel whittlin' and spittin' and deciding what to call it. It wasn't, "hey Jeb, how about us calling it the Church of the spittin' cat!" Doesn't work that way. It came through true revelation from God to his prophet Joseph Smith.
The idea for men to lead the Church didn't come from men, it came from God. Should we change it because someone outside the Church thinks we should or should we do it God's way. Hmmm I'm thinking we'll follow God on this one.
We don't know why he specified the Church should be organized the way he did. I'm guessing that since some of the reasons we come to earth are to gain a body, have life experiences and have the choice to follow God or not, that He wanted someone, women in this case, to raise and care for us when we were children in ways the men could not.
Women hold callings in the largest women's organization in the world, The Relief Society, and at Church Headquarters there are women presidencies of that organization and the organization called Primary, for children.
Women participate in every local congregation in what is called a ward council, where they give input in what needs to be focused on for the good of the congregation.
Women are involved in every part of congregations as leaders and teachers, except in the organization for men called priesthood meetings.
The women gather as a Relief Society at the same time the men gather for Priesthood meetings.
Both groups have lessons each Sunday about how to be better followers of Christ, better parents, better neighbors, better people.
The reason they meet separately is that the women cover topics specific to Relief Society and meeting the needs of the women in the congregation and the men cover topics such as how to meet the physical needs of families in the congregation.
While some think the Church is all about polygamy, which isn't even a part of the Church, they need to know what really happens. We value women's leadership, teaching skills, parenting skills, individuality, input, intelligence, tenderness, empathy, and everything else that makes women so amazing.
Find out what we really believe, from Mormons, not from those who have no clue.
Look at mormon.org for more topics you may have misheard from people with missing Mormon info details.
They say that since women can't hold the priesthood that somehow they have no value.
Huh?
People get the idea that the Church is run the way those at the top of the Church want it run and it has nothing to do with doing things the Lord's way.
People outside the Church say, "just change and give women the priesthood and then you will show you value them."
What am I missing here? Those outside are saying, "do things the way we think they should be done," and forget what the Lord has asked to be done?
I guess that works in Churches that have no authority from God, no revelation, no restored truth, and the scriptures mingled with the philosophies of free thinkers.
But, in the restored Church that has the truth as taught by Christ, has authority from God to govern his Church, has revelation from God telling how to the Church should be structured, has a living prophet and apostles who receive revelation, has it all, that's not the way things work.
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, even the name of the Church came through revelation and not from a bunch of goobers sittin' round a barrel whittlin' and spittin' and deciding what to call it. It wasn't, "hey Jeb, how about us calling it the Church of the spittin' cat!" Doesn't work that way. It came through true revelation from God to his prophet Joseph Smith.
The idea for men to lead the Church didn't come from men, it came from God. Should we change it because someone outside the Church thinks we should or should we do it God's way. Hmmm I'm thinking we'll follow God on this one.
We don't know why he specified the Church should be organized the way he did. I'm guessing that since some of the reasons we come to earth are to gain a body, have life experiences and have the choice to follow God or not, that He wanted someone, women in this case, to raise and care for us when we were children in ways the men could not.
Women hold callings in the largest women's organization in the world, The Relief Society, and at Church Headquarters there are women presidencies of that organization and the organization called Primary, for children.
Women participate in every local congregation in what is called a ward council, where they give input in what needs to be focused on for the good of the congregation.
Women are involved in every part of congregations as leaders and teachers, except in the organization for men called priesthood meetings.
The women gather as a Relief Society at the same time the men gather for Priesthood meetings.
Both groups have lessons each Sunday about how to be better followers of Christ, better parents, better neighbors, better people.
The reason they meet separately is that the women cover topics specific to Relief Society and meeting the needs of the women in the congregation and the men cover topics such as how to meet the physical needs of families in the congregation.
While some think the Church is all about polygamy, which isn't even a part of the Church, they need to know what really happens. We value women's leadership, teaching skills, parenting skills, individuality, input, intelligence, tenderness, empathy, and everything else that makes women so amazing.
Find out what we really believe, from Mormons, not from those who have no clue.
Look at mormon.org for more topics you may have misheard from people with missing Mormon info details.
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