The Doctrine of Temple Work (Mormonism - Open)

Ensign ^ | October 2003 | Elder David E. Sorensen

[Colofornian]

Snip

...Joseph Smith warned of the consequences when we fail to use the temples available to us: “Those Saints who neglect [temple work] in behalf of their deceased relatives, do it at the peril of their own salvation.”

Snip

A key function of temples is to perform ordinance work for our deceased ancestors. When we think of temple ordinances and the necessity to do them perfectly, without error...

“… For their salvation is necessary and essential to our salvation...they without us cannot be made perfect—neither can we without our dead be made perfect” (D&C 128:5, 15;...).

Consider the...vision of President Joseph F. Smith...:

“Thus was the gospel preached to those who had died in their sins...having rejected the prophets.

Snip

The Lord revealed through... Joseph: “All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations, that are not made and entered into and sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, of him who is anointed, both as well for time and for all eternity, … through the medium of mine anointed, whom I have appointed on the earth to hold this power … are of no efficacy, virtue, or force in and after the resurrection from the dead; for all contracts that are not made unto this end have an end when men are dead” (D&C 132:7).

Snip

...One of the great privileges we have is the wearing of the garment...

...The garment, … when properly worn, will serve as a protection against temptation and evil.

“It is expected that members will wear the garment both night and day...Members should not adjust the garment or wear it contrary to instructions in order to accommodate different styles of clothing...The garment should not be removed for activities which might reasonably be done with the garment worn beneath the clothing...

[Vendome]

Wait! He sacraficed a dog?

I am not down with that, unless it was a pitbull.

JS stole a sheep and then offered to work it off? It is still theft and he was counting on the benevolence of the owner to allow him to work it off, if caught?

[ShadowAce]

All hail the power of Jesus name, let angels prostate fall....

That's an unfortunate typo. :)

[Vendome]

“This Church is the ensign on the mountain spoken of by the Old Testament prophets. It is the way, the truth, and the life” (Conference Report, April, 1961, p. 119)]

Really?

How can Christ now be in error?

John 14:6 (King James Version)

6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

You know, I as born yesterday but I am pretty sure it was real early.

[CynicalBear]

>>Seek truth. Find out for yourself.<<

I have sought the truth, I have found out for myself. Mormons are committing the same sin that Satan/Lucifer did that caused God to cast him out of heaven and damn him to eternity in hell. He believed like the Mormons do now that they could become like God.

The Mormons today try to convince people that they too can become like God just as Lucifer did with Adam and Eve.

[Vendome]

I know but I hit send before fixing the Prostrate Angels part.

I’m a dork.

[TYVets]

John Ankerberg

Is that sleaze ball still around?

If he is still raking in the money with his "shows" it proves that the old saying " There's a sucker born every minute" is oh so true.

[MHGinTN]

You have a lot to learn, PD. Your peepstone sexual predator of married women ‘prophet’ did not receive instructions for the temple rituals from the supposed first vision ... and there are nine very different versions of this so-called first vision. I see why you usually refuse to answer questions; you’re not up to speed, PD. Better go back to posting just your accusation accompanied by the haystacks list.

[Paragon Defender]

The wording of you statements/inquiries leaves me very wary of your true intent.

All of your inquiries are addressed at the links provided but I will address a few.

---

And I do understand your belief God says LDS is required but LDS picks and chooses which parts of he Bible to stand on, while casting other parts of it aside.

---

God says LDS is required? Do you mean for the highest degree of heaven? Sure. And through temple work even those who did not have the opportunity in this life can achieve that too. God loves us all and is truly just.

We don’t pick and chose which parts of the Bible to stand on at all. We have a better understanding of some of the Bible through modern revelation. We cast nothing aside. Having a different understanding is not casting aside.

---

But we are not Christians and now you are?

---

Who said you are not Christians? This is another example of wording that makes me suspect your intentions. This sounds like a statement right off an anti-Mormon website.

Statements saying we are not like the Christians of today etc from the past were accurate in that. It doesn’t equate to “railing against Christianity”. Arguably, the LDS Church is the only true Christian Church on the face of the earth today. The others are Christian denominations as well but they do not have the full gospel. The vast majority are well-meaning and good people.

Please refer to the links provided for additional information.

Thanks! - PD

http://scriptures.lds.org/
http://www.lds.org
http://www.fairlds.org/
http://www.mormonapologetics.org/
http://www.mormonwiki.com/Main_Page
http://www.lightplanet.com/response/index.html
http://www.jefflindsay.com/LDS_Intro.shtml
http://www.answeringantimormons.com/index.htm
http://promormon.blogspot.com/

[MHGinTN]

Interesting that you mention ‘Lucifer’, a Latin name. In the BofM fantasy novel by Joseph Smith, the author includes a passage which is supposed a direct wuote of the prophet Isaiah, written in 600BC. The quote is supposed to be a verification thus quoted exactly. BUT the name Lucifer is in the text of the 600BC quote, and Latin didn’t even come into exitence until much later than 600BC. The name doesn’t show up in any translations of scripture until approximately the 2nd Century AD, possibly with the translation Jerome did. It then is found in the King Jmaes edition also, hinting very strongly that the author of the BofM was copying the supposed 600BC quote right out of the King James Bible. Smith lied even in his fantasy novel, the Book of Mormon.

[Vendome]

Okay this is going to take some time and I am starting to see how LDS came about and how Joseph Smith came to his viewpoint.

Though one has to concede that Joseph Smith, at that time was doing the same exact thing as follows:

The Presbyterians were most decided against the Baptists and Methodists, and used all the powers of both reason and sophistry to prove their errors, or, at least, to make the people think they were in error. On the other hand, the Baptists and Methodists in their turn were equally zealous in endeavoring to establish their own tenets and disprove all others.

So now I understand why Joseph Smith was more pointed about the Presbyterians as his view was Presbyterian where more strident than others in their “sophistry to prove ...errors...”.

Their was at that time a great religous movement going on and with time I will be able write something more cogent.

Getting back to reading JOSEPH SMITH—HISTORY.

Thanks

[ejonesie22]

Which of the 9 versions is the official one, I forget.

BTW I doubt you will find many among us who will argue that Smith had a “vision” it is the of whom and why that are at issue.

The one thing we do know, it was not of anyone on God's team...

[Paragon Defender]

You have a lot to learn, PD. Your peepstone sexual predator of married women ‘prophet’ did not receive instructions for the temple rituals from the supposed first vision ... and there are nine very different versions of this so-called first vision. I see why you usually refuse to answer questions; you’re not up to speed, PD. Better go back to posting just your accusation accompanied by the haystacks list.

---

It is you that has a lot to learn my friend.

I never said the temple ordinances came from the first vision what on earth are you babbling about?

Your “issue” about the first vision is addressed as usual... at the links provided.

[Godzilla]

The first vision is common knowledge amongst all church members and anti-Mormons as well.

Lurkers, it is important to note that the car salesman is extending his usual pitch. What he WON'T tell you is that the link is to only ONE of NINE different and contradictory accounts of the so-called "first vision" THAT SMITH HIMSELF originated. I would encourage those interested in reading about these other accounts - as well as viewing copies of the origionals to go to this link.

Additional discussion regarding these visions can be read at this link.

Mormon Grant Palmer in his book " An Insider's View of Mormon Origins" makes this observation about the real history around Smith's 'first vision' stories -

"After a mass exodus of high-ranking church leaders including several apostles, all three special witnesses of the BOM and three of the eight witnesses to the BOM, Joseph took to reestablishing his authority. He made many changes to the church including changing the name of the church. He began by attacking those who were circulating unsavory "reports" regarding "the rise and progress of the Church", then told a revised and more impressive version of his epiphany.

He announced that his initial calling had not come from an angel in 1823, as he had said for over a decade, but from God the Father and Jesus Christ in 1820. The earlier date established his mission independent of the troubling questions and former witnesses associated with the Book of Mormon. Like the priesthood restoration recitals, the first vision version of April 1838 added significant material that bolstered his authority during a time of crisis."

Is this material what the car salesman directs you to? No, he wants to sell you the car. Good consumer research such as I've provided gives you information that he doesn't want you to read. Find out the truth for yourself.

Don't let the car salesman snooker you.

[MHGinTN]

You are confused, poor thing. Bless your little heart, you told Vendome that the temple ordinances were observed because God spoke ... then you offered to me when I asked whom God spoke through the first vision account. You see, your poor confused thing, you really aren’t up for this testing. Maybe when you graduate Middle School ...

[Paragon Defender]

You are confused, poor thing. Bless your little heart, you told Vendome that the temple ordinances were observed because God spoke ... then you offered to me when I asked whom God spoke through the first vision account. You see, your poor confused thing, you really aren’t up for this testing. Maybe when you graduate Middle School ...

---

Weak weak antogonism attempt. What are you 12?

First was said:

I wouldn’t want to say you are wrong but your insistence as part of your doctrine says all others are wrong and worshiping in a state of apostasy.

To which I said:

We didn’t say it. God did. I guess he didn’t mind that you might be offended. He’d rather you listen up.

Then was said:

God spoke through whom, where, at what time ... and it’s not in the BofM, so we are all ears to know whom the Mormon god spoke through/to.

To which I said:

God spoke. Through his Son Jesus Christ. Our Savior.
Why are you pretending to not know what I am talking about? Previous threads say otherwise. The first vision is common knowledge amongst all church members and anti-Mormons as well.

http://scriptures.lds.org/en/js_h/1

Lurkers, read this account. It really happened. Find out the truth for yourself.

---

Clearer for you?

[MHGinTN]

So you’re affirming that you believe which of the Joe Smith versions of the supposed first vision? ... I think I know what’s coming ... haystacks time!

[Paragon Defender]

Lurkers, it is important to note that the car salesman is extending his usual pitch. What he WON’T tell you is that the link is to only ONE of NINE different and contradictory accounts of the so-called “first vision” THAT SMITH HIMSELF originated.

---

Old and tired non-issue addressed a thousand times.

Undecided readers,

If you peruse the Free Republic religion forums you will notice a pattern. There’s an anti-Mormon group of people here that spends a great deal of their time attacking the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. They post regurgitated propaganda on an almost daily basis.

They have a misguided obsession. You can witness many different tactics employed that you might find quite interesting. The straw man argument is a big favorite and is frequently preceded by cherry-picking quotes or other material. After the “quotation” the attacker will misrepresent what has been said or what was meant and then attack their own interpretation.

Another favorite is posting scripture or statements which on their own really present no dilemma. They make something out of nothing while never bringing up a single objection that hasn’t been addressed a hundred times before.

Sometimes they cruise the headlines of the day seeking any story that might be twisted into making the Church look bad. Anything will do, just watch the progression of posts following it and see what I mean.

After reading their posts, I invite you to seek the truth about whatever “issue” they seem to be “revealing” or “exposing”. I promise that if you do so with honest intent, the “ahah” moments you will have will be many and frequent. You will start to recognize the tactics employed to cleverly twist and attack and will likely chuckle the more you see. In actuality, there’s nothing new here. It’s all been addressed many times before.

Here’s a few links to get your started from a different viewpoint. I have found that the vast majority of the “issues” brought up can be found and addressed at http://www.fairlds.org/ but here’s more:

http://scriptures.lds.org/
http://www.lds.org
http://www.fairlds.org/
http://www.mormonapologetics.org/
http://www.mormonwiki.com/Main_Page
http://www.lightplanet.com/response/index.html
http://www.jefflindsay.com/LDS_Intro.shtml
http://www.answeringantimormons.com/index.htm
http://promormon.blogspot.com/

Now you will likely notice the “you never address our points” posts pop up as usual. All after providing the answers just as you have here. Will you wear blinders too? Seek truth. Find out for yourself.

[ejonesie22]

Figured he couldn't go too far before falling back on his shtick

The 9 visions things get them every time...

[ShadowAce]

Definitive proof that Mormonism is wrong in the same format as PD posts his "proofs".

[Paragon Defender]

Figured he couldn’t go too far before falling back on his shtick

The 9 visions things get them every time...

---

ummm no. Like I said. That’s old and tired and a non-issue. Check the links lurkers.