I too was raised “SB” and was taught Mormans were a cult. A couple years ago I went to a Temple that was just opening in my community for walk throughs.... and I was very taken back by some of the room’s Just as the enlightening or lengthening rooms and the baptistry on top of the backs of the 12 cows.... it did freak me out a little.
The brazen/molten sea (Laver) of the Temple in which Jesus Christ Himself worshipped and taught (see Solomon's Temple) also rested on 12 oxen (not cows). See 1 Kings 7:23-26. It was basically a baptismal font in which the Priests immersed themselves for purification purposes. I don't know why that would freak you out.