Biblical Reasons Ministry
The Mormon Temple Ceremony
The LDS church makes the claim that participation in the following ceremony is the only means by which one can receive eternal life. The LDS church demands that each participant not reveal what occurs in the LDS temples because the rites are considered to be sacred. It's not the motive of this ministry to belittle the beliefs of another, but rather, this ministry believes that interested Christians do well to follow the biblical mandate to examine that which is presented as genuine Christian doctrine. (Acts 17)
Dave Hunt states:
Truth is independent of time, space, and matter, and never changes. It has no location in the physical universe; it exists in the nonphysical realm of the soul and spirit. The indisputable fact that the brain is not the mind, with which we understand truth, provides one of the simplest proofs that we are nonphysical and eternal beings living temporarily in physical bodies. This solemn fact raises a question that most do not like to face. Preferring to give their attention to pleasures and plans related to this temporal world of the five senses, that which is of paramount importance is put off to "a convenient season" (Acts 24:25), which never comes. Every person must answer the great question: Where will my soul and spirit (the real "I" that is my unique self) be when this temporary dwelling in which I have lived these few years lies "moulding in the grave?"
People matter to God. Truth matters too. Are we to believe that Jesus would have us believe that secret handshakes are mandatory for eternal life? Is it true that one must receive a secret new name to deliver to "celestial sentinels" before one may receive eternal life from God?
I find it unfortunate that Mormons are unable to discuss the details of the LDS Endowment (due to LDS oaths promising not to do so). God exhorts us over and again throughout the Bible to test all things to see if they're of God. We're exhorted, no, commanded, to examine doctrine to find out if it aligns with the Word of God. If a theological system of beliefs is found to not align with God's Word we are also exhorted in Scripture to expose it to the light of God's word and to rebuke those who bring a "different gospel."
Galatians ch. 1:3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let that person be under God's curse! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let that person be under God's curse! 10 Am I now trying to win human approval, or God's approval? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
The LDS testimony leads them to believe that they have tested such things
and they are of God.
My testimony, after having read through the Endowment (all of the different
versions... several times), is that it can in no way be of God because the
Endowment attempts to reinvent the Creation Account in the book of Genesis.
It is not my desire to malign that which others hold sacred. I have an
obligation before God to compare what the LDS religion insists is genuine
Christian theology. In fact, the LDS church claims that their theology is
the only genuine Christian theology on the face of the earth.
2nd LDS president, Brigham Young, stated, "Pick up the Bible, compare the
religion of the Latter-day Saints, see if it will stand the test."
- Journal of
Discourses, Vol. 16, p. 46
The LDS ceremony is hereby presented (for those who wish to know) so that the interested reader is able to make an informed decision.
Note: Audio links are operable. Video links are not yet operable.
The remainder of this page
and following links
published by permission of another site.
There are many activities which take place inside the Mormon church's temples. However, members are taught to keep ceremonial activities a secret because they are believed to be too "sacred" to discuss. They're not even allowed to discuss the details among themselves. Interestingly, most Mormons (some estimates as high as 70%) do not even regularly attend their own temples as is expected of them.
While it is true that the Mormon temple ceremony is not biblical, many who are not Mormon have misspoken regarding the temple ceremony, resulting in some confusion. This ministry seeks to lay out, in a clear and concise manner, what takes place in their temples, what changes have been made and how their temple ceremony conflicts with the Bible. It is our goal to educate Christians and Mormons (who want to know) about the truths regarding the Mormon temple.
For those who are unfamiliar with Mormon temples its recommend that you first read Introduction to LDS Temples. This will give you a basic overview of their significance within Mormonism. In addition, we have provided a brief introduction to each activity of the temple ceremony to give the reader a better understanding.
The reader should also be aware that the bulk of this work is made possible by former Mormons who have come forward to expose these ceremonies. Information from the book Evolution of the Mormon Temple Ceremony: 1842-1990 by Jerald and Sandra Tanner was used in this section as well. Copies of this revealing work can be purchased online at UTLM.org.
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Introduction to LDS Temples
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The Bible and LDS Temple Ceremonies
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Initiatory Ordinances
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Endowment Ceremony
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Comparison of 1984 Version to the 1990 Version (Long)
Includes
audio, visual and video.
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Audio Recordings of the Endowment Ceremony
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The Changes Made in 1990
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1879 Version of the Endowment Ceremony (Long)
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1931 Version of the Endowment Ceremony (Long)
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1984 Version of the Endowment Ceremony (Long)
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1990 Version of the Endowment Ceremony (Long)
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Comparison of 1984 Version to the 1990 Version (Long)
Includes
audio, visual and video.
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Other LDS Temple Ceremonies
- Temple Marriage/Sealing Ceremony
- Ceremony for Sealing Children to Parents
- Baptism for the Dead
Confirmation of the Dead
Reconfirmation of the Dead
Ordination of the Dead
- Washing the Feet
- The Second Anointing
- Temple Marriage/Sealing Ceremony
Mormon Testimonies Turned to Christ
Updated 5.08
Why Mormonism?
Mormon Temples
Secret or Sacred?
What Happens In There?
The Mormon Miracle Pageant
That’s my King! (S M Lockridge) – free video
"Jesus' blood on the altar was the ultimate payment. He made us worthy permanently. When Jesus died on the cross the veil covering the Holy of Holies tore in half. The mercy seat lay exposed to mankind. There is no veil, anymore, between God and man. Jesus ripped it down. But Mormonism has hung up a new one." -Kathleen Baldwin
"I found myself buried under a mountain of doubt, after really investigating church doctrine and church history...and getting myself more familiar with the Bible. It was too much. I finally came out from under all of that and embraced Jesus Christ alone, which is all we really need. I was sad to leave the church. Very sad...but, relieved and happy to find my Savior in the process." More...
Editor's note: He Gave You Jesus
- by Justjo
If the quote above describes you, please know that God loves you and has a
wonderful plan for your life. Visit Testimonies Turned to Christ at
the top of this section to understand that you're not alone in your feelings.
"Counterfeit, fake, bogus, imitation, forgery, fraud, copy.... We all recognize these words, as well as understand their meaning. There are many counterfeits out there. If they were easy to detect, they would not be called counterfeits. God gave us these wonderful books in the Bible to test these counterfeits. This is where we find our markers to detect them. The Holy Spirit does not contradict Gods word...." More...