Mormon Temples
For a more basic description of temples, go here.
‘Mormon’ Temples: A Little Enlightenment The concept of temples is not new; there is a biblical connection between ancient and modern temples, and there are surprisingly simple answers to the questions about the Mormon temple. (Read more)
Global Temples Temples are more than a Mormon religious idea. And not only do temples have a place in Judaism and Buddhism (among others), they have a strong place in Christianity. (Read more)
The Tabernacle What was the importance of the tabernacle in Ancient Israel and how does it align with the idea of temples? (Read more)
The Christian Temple What does Christ and Christianity have to do with temples and why do Mormons use them today? (Read more)
Temple Ordinances The essential ordinances Mormons perform inside the temple are baptism for the dead, endowment, and eternal marriage. What are these ordinances and why are they essential? (Read more)
Entering the Temple Only worthy members of the Mormon Church can enter the temple. Why is this - and how do we become worthy? (Read more)
I have a few questions that no one from the church has of yet answered and thought maybe I could get an answer from this website.
1. Why is it if you follow the guidelines except have difficulties with tith are you excluded from getting temple recommendation? I can’t help to feel that the church has a stronger desire to bring in monies. It’s not my fault if my husband doesn’t want to tith and he is the bread earner.
2. If a couple were married in the temple but later divorced will they be bound for eternity still? What if they didn’t want to be bound together?
3. Should the laws of the land change and allow poligamy would women be allowed to marry multiple men in the church when situations seemed reasonable?
4. Why was Joseph Smith allowed to marry multiple wives when Emma Smith did not approve of it? I thought that during those times that it wasn’t just the husbands decision but the wife/s approval had to be obtained.
5. Why is it that the young boys of the church seem to be given more attention with things like Scout’s? The boys have fun but the girls often lack motivation to even go to Wednesday activities. There seem to be more camping and trips all year long for the boys. The girls camps is once a year and is a bit old fashion.
Being a former Catholic who married into a Morman family find it interesting except for what seems to be a lack of structure/attention to the women. In fact I’ve found the opposite so far and find the men and women to be very involved with the younger boys and the boys seem to have a cocky attitude. Maybe it’s just the ward I’m in or I’m too modern of a women for the church. I’ve yet to feel welcome in the church. If I ask questions I feel as if I’m asking something dirty to them so they don’t want to talk about it and usually I don’t get called on again. The sad thing is that if I understood things and it made sense I would attend church with my husband. My husband doesn’t have the answer’s above and questions them himself so I am just a bit lost. Hope someone could reply. The bishop of our ward (bramwell)talks waaaaay too much (not much listening on his part) so please don’t ask him to talk with me again. Thanks!
Reply
karenrose Reply:
June 4th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Kristin, thanks for your questions and interest. This is not an official site but we’re happy to respond as faithful members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. If we backtrack a bit, it may help to begin with the fact that our claim is that the Savior Himself restored the fulness of truth about Him and His plan of happiness. Given that, I’ll try to respond to your questions. The Lord sets the requirements to enter His holy house. It is a special place and is very sacred. He confers on us powers and revelation as we enter to serve. To keep it such, He sets the parameters for one to enter, just as in OT times, where they ‘marked’ who would enter the temple carefully. So, tithing is a requirement of the Lord. It was referenced in Malachi in the OT, and is not new, but restored as a law. That said, if you would like to tithe, and if your husband isn’t, that means you would be keeping the law of the tithe. You are not bound in any way by what he does or not do in regard to that law. If he opposes your tithing, the Lord knows your desire. The money assists the building of the kingdom on earth and is used in vast humanitarian causes worldwide. It is not because someone wants to be wealthy in the Church. It is not a law for men. We merely give a small portion back to God for all that He gives to us, to carry on the work of the kingdom, the ministry to the needy, the building of chapels and temples, and all that He asks us to do.
2) Everyone has agency, and the Lord’s plan is a plan of happiness. All incongruities will be worked out either here or in the next life. If someone is divorced and remarried, and they are worthy members, they can certainly be sealed and receive all the eternal blessings anyone else can. The original couple who separated would not be sealed to the other partner if either party was opposed to that–and a divorce signals that one party, if not both, would be opposed. It simply doesn’t work that way. No one is forced into an eternal relationship. The man and the woman both choose their partner and worthy couples will be sealed together forever who so desire.
3) I can’t predict what the Lord will ask us to do collectively as a people at any point in time, regarding any aspect of our life. Polygamy is not practiced by Mormons in our day, and anyone who does practice it, is excommunicated and is not part of the faith.
4) Joseph obeyed the Lord’s command, and it was neither easy for him nor Emma. He loved Emma deeply; that never changed regardless of his course that enabled him to help the lives of other women at that time.
5) Boys and girls both have equivalent programs to develop and progress personally, involving life-skills and homemaking skills, activities that bond and strengthen them. Male and female teens respectively and mutually have to decide to participate. There are the same potential roadblocks to participating in the Scout program for guys as there are for girls to participate in Young Women. Each can be lured into too many other outside activities to give place for those things that are designed to strengthen them spiritually. Their is no more pull one way or the other. I have two teenage girls, and they receive calls weekly inviting them to their activities and programs. They have regular meetings celebrating progress and achievements and continue to work on their specific spiritual goals. The girls have other overnights and activities, and they typically balance out. There isn’t privileged opps for one over the other, and local leaders develop the schedules. Girls camp takes months of prep and is carefully thought out. Have you ever been? If there is something that has occurred in your area that seemed to privilege someone, it can be addressed. That would be a situation that shouldn’t occur and is not part of the procedural intent or inherent in the program. Individuals are fallible though. That’s why we have a Church–to “perfect the Saints.”
6) I am a former Catholic. I’d love for you to hear my conversion story (youtube.com/moregoodfoundation–Karen). There is an equal amount of structure for the women of the Church. The Relief Society, as it is called, is the largest women’s org in the world. There are opportunities for leadership in a gazillion ways. We address large audiences, teach doctrine and classes, provided leadership to groups of women encompassing many congregations, serve missions, are active in communities and politics, and provide equal partnership in the home and rearing of children.
I would love for you to feel welcome in your congregation. Perhaps it would help to have someone else you know there. I’d be glad to help in some way if I can to bridge the initial gap between knowing and not knowing anyone there. I’m sorry if you don’t feel they want to answer your questions. I would hope they would be glad to do so, if they understood your purpose and desire to learn the truth and understand the teachings of the gospel. Please feel free to ask away and we’ll try to cover what we can here. I would encourage you to try again to visit the ward when you feel it’s time.
Reply