Table of Contents
Christians Clamor to Understand the ever-changing Mormon Temple
Reliable information about the ever-changing Mormon Temple can be difficult to discover. Temple activities are often presented as truth when they are not. The Mormon people protect temple ceremonies and covenants as closely guarded secrets . Consequently, first hand and reliably true information is difficult to establish.
When we speak to the Mormon people about Mormonism, it is essential that our statements contain no sensational claims. Nothing will destroy our credibility, as Christians, like quoting hearsay and calling it truth.
Facts Matter
As a political columnist and blogger, I learned the importance of always writing provable truths. The things I knew to be true could not be published unless they were provably true. I say again, only the documented truth is publishable.
Case in point, google “lance earl jim guthrie christy perry affair“. As of the date of this writing, the top ten search results are about a story I broke a decade ago. Each of these articles mention me as the source of breaking news. The story exposed two members of the Idaho State Legislature. I proved that they engaged in a long term sexual affair. They fed their flesh while betraying their spouses and the people of Idaho.
When we represent any facts without due care, credibility dies. In the case of these Idaho lawmakers, I knew of the affair for a year or more before I published. I published only when I could prove every claim. Had I done otherwise, charges of slander, libel, and defamation of character would have followed. If I had published anything but the documented truth, legal proceedings could have stripped me of all I owned. These never materialized because verifiable truth is undeniable truth.
Let us then, approach statements about the Mormon temple with equal restraint.
My Qualifications Relative to the Ever-changing Mormon Temple
I am uniquely qualified to present relevant facts about Mormon Temples.
I first served in Mormon Temples as a young man when I was rapid-fire baptized for innumerable dead men and boys.
In 1977, Grace and I received our washing and anointing, temple garments, new names, endowments, and we passed through the veil to enter the Celestial room. Following these ceremonies, we were taken to a sealing room. There, and ordinance worker sealed together as husband and wife for time and all eternity.
From 1977 until 2016, Grace and I faithfully attended Mormon temples. Our purpose was to complete the above ordinances for innumerable dead people.
Grace is the first and only member of her family to join the Mormon church. Her older brother died in his infancy. Her parents died when she was 5 and 9, respectively. In proxy for them, we completed the same ordinances we first performed for ourselves. We believed we were joining Grace’s dead as a “forever family“.
I set apart to work as a temple ordinance worker. I served in that position for many years.
Drawing upon these experiences, I will now set out to tell the story of Mormon temples as best I can. My comments are relevant to temple ordinances practiced while I attended. Due to ongoing changes, I cannot speak for temple procedures before 1968 and after 2016.
Cognitive Dissonance
Cognitive Dissonance is an ongoing reality for the Mormon People. I mention this now and will refer to it again and again as we go. I make note of this so you can have some understanding of the Mormon reality. Mental gymnastics are necessary maintain the illusion of truth.
Grace first questioned Mormonism because of the flood of new doctrines and policies. She was first to notice the problem. Everyone knows I am the slow one in our marriage. We saw many changes and became increasingly alarmed with every change.
Blood atonement came and went. The person of God came and went. The mechanics of Jesus’ conception came and went. Jesus’ ability to forgive all sins came and went.1 Persecution of black people came and went. The ability of worthy men to rule over their own planet came and went. The promise, “as god is man may be” came and went. The Adam/God doctrine came and went. Blood penalties in the temple came and went. The prohibition against caffeinated soft drinks came and went. The five points of fellowship came and went. Pay Lay Ale came and went. Temple garment standards came and went. Hatred for Christianity came and went. The gospel definition came and went. The assurance of the fully restored gospel came and went. Rules for pierced ears came and went. The demand for women to wear closed-toe shoes and nylon stockings came and went. The authority to baptise for the dead came and went. The prohibition against beards, sleeveless clothes, and tattoos came and went.
With each coming and going of Mormon doctrine and policy, the people cast off former beliefs. In their place, new religion, standards, and policies become God’s new reveled truth. Changes to temple ordinances have been frustratingly frequent. My Grandparents temple experience was not the experience of my parents. Their experience and mine are not at all the same. And, my temple going children would not recognize what Grace and I knew as temple normal.
Ask Your Bishop
- Is it likely that God would reveal so many things as official policy and doctrine, only to routinely change His mind?
When you consider the Mormon people, look on them with a sense of empathy, compassion, and love. Try to see them as the good people they try to be. Understand the ongoing faith challenges they face. Recognize that their truth today is shifting sand, easily swept away tomorrow. Then, lead them to hope and assurance. Point them to Jesus, our Rock that never moves. Lead them to the hope of salvation that has held firm from Adam and into eternity. Do not attack their doctrine, practices, or policies. Instead, go to them with Jesus and let Him lead them.
Follow this podcast on YouTube or in an audio-only format.
Leave a Reply