Why do Mormon’s have such big temples? Also, why are their worship buildings called “temples” and not “churches?”
I have another question about Mormonism. It’s my understanding that they wear special underpants. I know that Sikhs also wear special underpants. Does anyone know what makes Mormon underpants special?
Mormons have two separate places of worship. They have a regular church that is used for regular meetings, bible study and so forth. The second place is their temple, here they perform the more sacred rituals of their faith. The meeting in the temples are only attended by the higher ups in the church and not by the regular members of the church.
This is the extent of my knowledge on the two separate sites at this time, I am sure there are others with a better comprehension of the details
They’re LDS man. NOT Mormon…Mormon is the name of the religious book they use for their religion. I lived in the Promise land, Utah for a few years. The temples are huge but they’re not the only place of worship. The temples are regional and can only be used for the practice of their religion. Now, that being said, there are LDS churches for those who do not live near the temples.
Wierd rules that religion has, I’ve seen it personally. A lady I worked with could not go to the “LDS in the temple” marriage ceremony because she was not LDS. Wierd rules huh?
BTW…they’re called “garments” not underpants…LOL…they are to protect them from those who do not have their relationship with their God…
I thought they held services there as well…If not my bad…:smack:
I live in Gardendale Alabama where about a two or so years back a LDS (thanks for the correction on that frixxxx) church and temple. At first the temple was open (as in an open house) and all people were allowed to come in and view the temple. After the viewing the temple was closed and since has only been used in special ceremonies. I am not a LDS so I really have no idea what takes place inside of their services.
We have chapels which are open to everyone. In the chapels, we have many services and meetings: Sacrament service, marriages for time only, baptisms (some chapels don’t have the room for a baptismal font (actually, a small pool), so they end up using either another LDS chapel’s font or the chapel at the Stake (our word for a diocese) center), etc. As mentioned above, we also hold some classes there: bible study, etc.
The Book of Mormon is just one of the Standard Works we consider to be Scripture. The others are: the Holy Bible, the Doctrine & Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.
The Temples are not restricted to just the higher ups. Each faithful member of the Church (supposedly) wishes to enter the Temple and participate in the ordinances conducted there: Marriages for Time & Eternity, Baptisms for the Deceased, Patriarchial Blessings, etc. Once the Temple is dedicated, we consider it to be sacred ground and thus only those who meet certain requirements may enter it. Prior to the dedication, there’s usually an “open house” so anyone who’s interested may see what the inside of the Temple looks like and they’ll also get a bit of a PR spiel about it.
Those who’ve received their Endowments (one of the blessings pronounced/offered/conferred in the Temple) may wear temple garments.
The Church has officially asked for the news media to not refer to us as the Mormon church but rather to go by the official moniker. That still doesn’t negate the fact that many of us, such as I, still identify as Mormon.
I should have said A book instead of The book…man…I misleading everyone today…
Frixxxx zipping mouth now
The temples are built for “special” ordinances such as marriage or work for the deceased. I would say most members of the LDS faith are allowed to use the temple, not just the higher ups. They are big simply to accomodate all the members of the area who use it. As of this posting there are 116 temples.
There are local worship buildings or churches that are sometimes referred to as ward buildings. This is were bible study and sacrament are held. There are also bigger worship buildings called stake centers were the members of several ward buildings will meet together occasionally.
And the purpose/ reason for the garments are what, exactly?
I had a LDS pal I used to go to the gym with who used to change out of his garments into more pedestrian underwear in the locker room. Never had the nerve to ask him the ideology behind it.
The garments are physical reminders of spiritual covenants made while in the temple. Endowed members are encouraged to wear their garments as often as possible, with exceptions being made for athletic events, theatrical costumes, etc.
Level3Navigator answered the query about the garments. To me, it’s really not that much different than the crucifix or cross other Christians wear as a reminder.
Knighted: The plural form of Mormon is Mormons. 
What does it take to get a “Temple Pass” (if that is the term) - i.e. be permitted to participate in Temple rituals?
When a member is done with their garments, what becomes of them? Are they merely thrown out with the garbage, or is there a ritual that must be performed?
I have read that members are not to wear anything underneath the garments; that the garments must be touching their skin at all times. Is this correct?
I have read that the garments protect members against spiritual and physical harm–is this what the Church teaches?
It’s a ‘Temple Recommend”. IIRC, they’re good for a year once issued, unless specifically revoked for some reason.
I’m not an expert, as I haven’t been an active member in 35 years. These days I’m closer to atheist than anything else, but I did grow up in “the church” (as it’s commonly referred to here in Utah). I’ve never had a temple recommend, those storm clouds and lighting that gather every time I get near it scare me off. But I have been in the Salt Lake temple once for a ceremony (see below).
In general, the requirements to get a “Temple Recommend” are fairly simple. You have to be a member in good standing, current on your tithing, and living what the LDS church believes to be a good Christian life.
Generally, you meet with your bishop (the head of your local ward), and discuss your life, tithing status, meeting attendance record, etc. You’re supposed to be honest with him about your life, and if he thinks you pass, you pretty much pass.
I think the bishops have some latitude in making decisions about this. For example, they prefer that you should be attending Sunday meetings regularly. But if there is some good reason you can’t, they can still OK you.
There may be additional requirements for particular ceremonies. For example, I believe a couple getting married in the temple must have interviews both separately and together. A young man getting his endowments before serving a mission has to meet some other (slightly stricter, I think) criteria.
And in some cases, there may be fairly light requirements. For example, when I was about 5, I was “sealed for time and eternity” to my parents in the Salt Lake temple. I didn’t have to do anything other than where all white (only all white clothes are allowed in LDS temples). I assume my folks had to meet the appropriate requirements however.
As a side note, I don’t actually remember much about the inside of the temple. Too bad, it’s a cool looking building from the outside.
From McConkie’s Mormon Doctrine article on Recommends:
It is the practice of the Church to issue certificates, commonly called recommends, in order to identify persons as members of the Church or to certify to their worthiness to receive certain ordinances or blessings. For instance, when a church member moves from one ecclesiastical jurisdiction to another, a recommend is sent to his new presiding officer identifying him as a member of record in the Church; or, when a worthy church member desires to obtain a patriarchal blessing or participate in the sacred ordinances of the temples, he is given a recommend certifying as to his worthiness to gain the desired blessings.
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& of course I forgot to put in the open quote tag. Here’s the correct version of that posting.
From McConkie’s Mormon Doctrine article on Recommends:
Of course, that should be wear all white. :smack: It wasn’t lost, just typoed.
There are a number of stories that detail how garments protect a person from physical harm. However, that garments protect its wearers from physical harm is not a teaching of the Church. It’s simply folk belief.
As Level3Navigator explained, garments are a reminder of covenants one makes in the Temple.
Temples are sacred, holy spaces. It is believed that once dedicated, the spirit of God rests in the Temple. It is considered a House of the Lord, and as such there are strict requirements in order to enter the Temple. It is akin to Mekkah or Haram ash-Sharif of Muslims or “fire temples” of Zoroastrians.
Some Temples - such as the Salt Lake Temple and the Nauvoo Illinois Temple - have assembly rooms where large meetings may be held. When or how they are now used I have no idea. The Salt Lake Temple has more rooms (such as meeting rooms) than other Temples due to its use by the General Authorities (especially the First Presidency) of the Church. From what I remember, meetings, classes, or other such gatherings even on a ward or stake level are discouraged if not prohibited.
Worship in the Temple and worship in the meetinghouse are very different. The former comprises more of rituals (called ordinances) to learn and advance, while the latter comprises of meetings to learn, study, praise, fellowship, and worship. Anyone may enter a meetinghouse (chapel, stake center, etc.); entry into a Temple is restricted and controlled - limited only to those worthy to enter.
By the way, Temple recommends are now valid for two years from the month of issue. The policy was recently changed.